Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is ready to power local, foreign investments — Leo Stan Ekeh

*Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox and Konga Group, at the Nigeria-France Investment Forum, in Paris, French capital, makes a memorable presentation on Nigeria’s technology capacity to support both local and foreign investors in the economy

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox and Konga Group has made a memorable presentation during the just concluded Nigeria-France Investment Forum, in Paris, French capital.

ConsumerConnect gathered Dr. Ekeh, in his submissions on a panel of discussants, gave a completely different perspective to the event, and spoke with confidence on the technology capacity of Nigeria to support both local and foreign investors.

The Nigerian global tech expert also assured the foreign investors of the existence of world-class Information Technology (IT) professionals in their thousands who are available to support these investors.

Speaking on his experience at the event, in Paris, Tolu Aderemi-Cole, a Nigerian UK-based property entrepreneur, in a piece, said this year’s France–Nigeria Investment Forum, a major highlight of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s three-day visit to Paris, in France, ended on a sound note and was mutually rewarding for both countries.

This year’s edition stands out as the best from a Nigerian perspective, especially because of the organisation and selection of relevant, successful Nigerian entrepreneurs who attended, Aderemi-Cole stated.

Though it was a government-to-government outing, the event was largely driven by the private sector of the economy, including experienced foreigners who functioned as moderators.

In the past, the Nigerian government would showcase CEOs of companies that foreign investors found it difficult to connect with.

On showcasing Nigeria’s leading women CEOs to French and global investors

Nigeria’s leading women Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) were presented to the French and global investment communities.

According to the Nigerian property consultant, Many noted they were impressed with the confidence Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, CEO of Zenith Bank, Dr. Owen Omogiafor and Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, exhibited during their respective presentations at the event.

“This is good for the Tinubu administration and the Nigeria economy and in tandem with emerging global trends where women have been raising the bar in entrepreneurship and leadership”, stated he.

What was exceptional at the outing was the presentation of Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox and Konga Group.

Aderemi-Cole also noted Dr. Ekeh further pleaded with French investors to invest in the educational sector and partner with some Nigerian educational institutions to produce graduates who may become global citizens in the corporate world.

The property investor as well disclosed the session was a great eye-opener for the packed hall.

Ekeh personally gave an example of what his companies have done in the tech sector for French companies in Nigeria over 30 years ago.

Most of these companies had their CEOs present at the event, he stated.

According to him, Ekeh’s confidence was infectious, and you could gauge the impact of his audacious presentation from the faces of both the foreigners and Nigerians in the audience.

The Nigerian stated: “I am sure there are many companies with the profile of Zinox and Konga Group that are yet to be showcased to the world.

“People left the hall very impressed. Though I was unable to reach him as he had a few persons engaging him, and I left immediately after his presentation.”

Who Google reveals about Ekeh, Africa’s leading tech icon

He further noted: “I spent time on Google to check out this Nigerian, who presented the Nigerian technology roadmap over 30 years back.

“One of his most impactful impressions in his presentation was when he said that you cannot anticipate future investments anywhere in the world without technology as your enabler.”

He stated: “Google revealed a lot about this humble Africa’s leading tech icon.

It was a great expose for a Nigerian who pioneered many tech initiatives on the continent.

Very touching was what led him to transition Nigeria from analogue petrol dispensing pumps at filling stations to today’s digital dispensing pumps when he was cheated at a petrol station, amongst others.

His profile also mentioned how he lost over $28 million in one swoop on an AI and Robotics investment that failed after he acquired the largest warehouse in Lagos, to install the intelligent, high-end project over eight years ago.

Ekeh’s reason for not hitting the jackpot is that he is operating out of a very limited Nigerian economy with structural challenges and several infrastructural deficits.

The property investor suggested Dr. Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, should be encouraged to produce more Dr. Ekehs to guarantee the future of Nigeria in this regard.

Insight into Ekeh’s ‘Digital Democracy’

Relating his experience in early years, Ekeh recalled how as a young man he returned to Nigeria over 37 years ago with a vision to launch what he called ‘Digital Democracy’ by digitalising elections and electoral processes in the country.

The tech expert also narrated his effort at consolidation of data through digital census to guide planning and investments to achieve his ambition of promoting Nigeria to the status of an economy the world can trust.

According to the UK property investor, Dr. Ekeh may have achieved his vision for digital elections with massive tech deployment which his company handled in Nigeria, what remains be a puzzle to him was how Ekeh could achieve a trusted economy where 80 percent of successful persons in the country are in oil and gas, cement, road construction, all brutally controlled by government both directly and vicariously.

Tech is the present and the future, and the Nigerian government must be intentional by patronising and helping to grow indigenous players to ensure they remain competitive on the global stage, he said.

Aderemi-Cole stated: “I must say that I am proud of Dr. Ekeh and his achievements as a serial tech entrepreneur.

“His work inspires confidence in Nigeria’s potential.

“However, the next two years will be pivotal in proving that this progress can be sustained.”

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