Victor IwatannayeVictorIwatannaye

Chapter 01 · Learning to code

01 / 12

2015

First lines of codeFirst lines of code

It started with QBasic. A few lines of code, and the moment a computer actually did what I told it to. I didn't know it yet, but I was hooked.It started with QBasic. A few lines of code, and the moment a computer actually did what I told it to. I didn't know it yet, but I was hooked.

02 / 12

2016

Java, and my first appsJava, and my first apps

The next year I picked up Java and went from exercises to building things. Just a couple of small apps, but they were mine, and they worked.The next year I picked up Java and went from exercises to building things. Just a couple of small apps, but they were mine, and they worked.

03 / 12

2017

Hello, webHello, web

My world got wider. I had my first real introduction to web development and tried building a website for the teens' church. At the same time I was learning Visual Basic, building an ATM machine simulator and an SGPA calculator, and picking up C along the way.My world got wider. I had my first real introduction to web development and tried building a website for the teens' church. At the same time I was learning Visual Basic, building an ATM machine simulator and an SGPA calculator, and picking up C along the way.

04 / 12

2018

Back to JavaScriptBack to JavaScript

Then came a setback: a heartbreaking result in the Java course I took at school. Instead of stepping away, I went back to JavaScript. That year I built a mobile app that replaced the phone's default call app, and a website for a bus ticketing system.Then came a setback: a heartbreaking result in the Java course I took at school. Instead of stepping away, I went back to JavaScript. That year I built a mobile app that replaced the phone's default call app, and a website for a bus ticketing system.

Chapter 02 · Finding my path

05 / 12

2019

Exploring, then choosing the webExploring, then choosing the web

I spent 2019 testing other paths. I took cyber security courses and learnt a lot, right down to accessing the dark web. I tried networking and sat the HCNA exam. But the progress I wanted kept showing up in web development, so I went back to it, built a face recognition app, and joined Leni Labs as a full-stack developer.I spent 2019 testing other paths. I took cyber security courses and learnt a lot, right down to accessing the dark web. I tried networking and sat the HCNA exam. But the progress I wanted kept showing up in web development, so I went back to it, built a face recognition app, and joined Leni Labs as a full-stack developer.

06 / 12

2020

A year of rangeA year of range

2020 was a year of range. I built company websites for a media company and for an oil company merger, an app where people could hire tutors, an e-commerce app for artworks, and an e-library. Five very different problems, one year.2020 was a year of range. I built company websites for a media company and for an oil company merger, an app where people could hire tutors, an e-commerce app for artworks, and an e-library. Five very different problems, one year.

Chapter 03 · Building fintech

07 / 12

2021

Into fintechInto fintech

I moved into fintech. I joined Acumen Digital as a senior full-stack engineer, took on a contract with Kinly USA on a digital banking app, and built Awoof, an app for philanthropists to give, and Jeroid, a crypto exchange app.I moved into fintech. I joined Acumen Digital as a senior full-stack engineer, took on a contract with Kinly USA on a digital banking app, and built Awoof, an app for philanthropists to give, and Jeroid, a crypto exchange app.

08 / 12

2022

Savings, lending and a new buildSavings, lending and a new build

This year was about money moving between people. I built StarryGold / AkoJoo, which helps people save and merchants manage those savings, and Captis, which makes micro-lending possible. And I started building something new: Tendar.This year was about money moving between people. I built StarryGold / AkoJoo, which helps people save and merchants manage those savings, and Captis, which makes micro-lending possible. And I started building something new: Tendar.

09 / 12

2023

Launching TendarLaunching Tendar

Tendar went live. V1 launched as lending infrastructure for lending technologies and apps, and I built the piece every lending decision depends on: its credit scoring system.Tendar went live. V1 launched as lending infrastructure for lending technologies and apps, and I built the piece every lending decision depends on: its credit scoring system.

10 / 12

2024

Buy now, pay laterBuy now, pay later

Next came buy now, pay later. I built a digital marketplace for BNPL, and the e-mandate process behind collecting repayments afterwards.Next came buy now, pay later. I built a digital marketplace for BNPL, and the e-mandate process behind collecting repayments afterwards.

11 / 12

2025

Core banking for a new bankCore banking for a new bank

A bank got its MFB licence and needed the systems to actually run as one. I built its banking infrastructure, covering the core banking activities a bank lives on.A bank got its MFB licence and needed the systems to actually run as one. I built its banking infrastructure, covering the core banking activities a bank lives on.

Chapter 04 · Building with AI

12 / 12

2026

Building with AI, in publicBuilding with AI, in public

Now I'm building with AI, carefully. My AI-powered trading assistant lets the model work out what people mean, while a deterministic risk engine decides what actually happens. I've also built a couple of games, open-sourced a clean-architecture API foundation, and designed and built the site you're reading.Now I'm building with AI, carefully. My AI-powered trading assistant lets the model work out what people mean, while a deterministic risk engine decides what actually happens. I've also built a couple of games, open-sourced a clean-architecture API foundation, and designed and built the site you're reading.