Kuda Technologies, a fast-growing African digital bank, is facing legal scrutiny after its former Group Chief People Officer, Rosemary Hewat, filed a workplace discrimination lawsuit in the U.K. Employment Tribunal.
Hewat alleges sex discrimination, victimization, and wrongful dismissal by the company and its CEO, Babatunde Ogundeyi.
Why it matters
The case raises concerns about workplace culture, leadership accountability, and gender equity in Africa’s tech sector.
It also places Kuda under investor and regulatory scrutiny at a time when governance issues are increasingly in focus.
The big picture
- Hewat, who served as CPO for nearly three years, claims she was forced out in April 2024 after prolonged mistreatment.
- She alleges a toxic work environment where senior leadership, including Ogundeyi, undermined her role and fostered misogyny.
- The complaint describes incidents of public humiliation, exclusion from strategy meetings, and retaliation for raising concerns about discrimination and equity compensation.
Zoom in
- At a 2023 company retreat in Lagos, Hewat alleges Ogundeyi publicly berated two female employees, calling them “low class” and accusing them of lacking “quality or luxury.“
- She claims Ogundeyi viewed himself as “God” within the company, creating an intimidating environment.
- Hewat says her efforts to address workplace issues led to further retaliation, culminating in her abrupt dismissal in February 2024.
Equity dispute
- Hewat’s complaint also highlights a dispute over her employee stock options. She alleges Kuda devalued her equity while granting better terms to male executives.
- When she raised the issue, Ogundeyi reportedly dismissed her claims, stating another executive’s role was “more important” than hers.
Between the lines
- The lawsuit alleges Kuda fired Hewat in retaliation for her complaints rather than for legitimate restructuring.
- Internal documents suggest inconsistencies in Kuda’s rationale for her dismissal, including a redundancy claim that she disputes.
What they’re saying
- A Kuda spokesperson confirmed the legal proceedings but declined to comment further, citing ongoing litigation.
- Hewat has declined to discuss the case publicly.
The bottom line
This case puts Kuda, which raised $55 million in a Series B round from investors like Valar Ventures, under intense scrutiny.
Source: Techcrunch
