Starting Fresh at Bitt
When I joined Bitt, a digital payments company building blockchain-based solutions for nations, I was brand new. The company already had some live clients, but the big focus was finding the next one. Like most newcomers, I spent time meeting the team, learning the business, and supporting where I could.
But even in those first weeks, you can find opportunities to contribute.
An Email From the Central Bank of Nigeria
One day, our Business Development lead received an email from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). They wanted to know how we would approach implementing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for their country.
I offered to help. I drafted a response outlining the phases needed to bring a national digital payment system to life. The next day, the CBN came back with more questions. Their enthusiasm was obvious—a promising sign.
I kept responding, each time showing my drafts to the BD lead for sign-off. Soon, the questions became more specific and technical, and then came the request for a live demo.
At that point, I realized this wasn’t just a casual inquiry—it was the start of a procurement process with Africa’s largest economy.
From Questions to Contract
The process was unusual compared to the formal RFPs I had seen in consulting. Instead of a rigid structure, this was an organic, fast-paced back-and-forth. Behind the scenes, though, it was clear that the Central Bank had a structured approach.
Within my first three months at Bitt, I was co-leading what became the world’s largest CBDC technology project at the time. We cleared the stages, negotiated terms and scope, and eventually won the deal.
Staying Beyond the Sale
After the deal, I thought I’d move into the Partnership role I was hired to take on. Instead, leadership asked me to stay close to the implementation. Given my background in software implementation, they wanted continuity on such a critical project.
So I shifted from sales into delivery. I became the account executive for the Central Bank of Nigeria, overseeing the implementation, negotiating subsequent contracts, and ensuring our delivery teams aligned with client needs.
It was an incredible start at Bitt—and a front-row seat to one of the most important digital currency projects in the world.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Looking back, a few key lessons stand out:
- Raise your hand early. Even as a new hire, stepping up to answer those first questions positioned me at the center of the project.
- Be ready when opportunity strikes. Right place, right time matters, but preparation and credibility are what turn opportunity into results.
- Follow through beyond the sale. The deal is just the beginning. Staying engaged through delivery builds trust and long-term success.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the biggest breaks don’t come from a title or assignment—they come from seeing an opportunity and saying, “I can help.” That mindset took me from being a new joiner at Bitt to co-leading the world’s first large-scale CBDC rollout.
