Zinox Group’s vision is to empower 10,000 women in technology –Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh

*Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group and pioneer in Africa’s tech ecosystem, says the company’s latest ambitious vision focuses on producing over 10,000 female technology professionals in five years while positioning the Group to nurture one of Africa’s largest pools of tech talents

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Visionaries who recognise untapped potential can fundamentally reshape entire economies in the rapidly evolving global technology landscape.

Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group and pioneer in Africa’s tech ecosystem, stands as a testament to this transformative power.

For over three decades, Dr. Ekeh has not merely participated in Nigeria’s tech evolution, he has consistently been several steps ahead, anticipating shifts that few could even envision.

His latest ambitious vision focuses on producing over 10,000 female tech professionals within the next five years.

Thid is aimed at positioning Zinox Group to nurture one of Africa’s largest pools of tech talents.

The tech group stated this isn’t merely aspirational rhetoric.

Zinox Group has demonstrated remarkable progress through its subsidiary TD Africa, which has systematically developed more certified tech professionals in sub-Saharan Africa than any other organisation, primarily through strategic partnerships with globally recognised Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), such as HP, IBM, Dell, and Cisco.

Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, who leads TD Africa is Dr. Ekeh’s wife and accomplished business leader in her own right. Under her leadership, TD Africa has become a powerhouse in Africa’s tech distribution and training space.

Her strategic direction has been instrumental in scaling the company’s impact, proving that when women lead, industries evolve and thrive.

The recent graduation of approximately 400 female ‘techsters’ through TD Africa’s TecHerdermy programme represents a significant milestone in this mission.

This achievement reflects Dr. Ekeh’s long-standing belief, articulated over 15 years ago, that women would eventually dominate leadership positions across various sectors, particularly technology.

As he predicted, many thriving organisations now have women at the helm of affairs.

Recent global statistics strongly support Dr. Ekeh’s vision.

According to McKinsey’s 2023 Women in the Workplace report, companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 25 percent more likely to experience above-average profitability.

Furthermore, the World Economic Forum’s research indicates that economies with higher female labour force participation experience an average of 3.4 percent higher GDP growth compared to less gender-balanced counterparts.

In the technology sector specifically, Deloitte’s 2023 Global Technology Leadership Study revealed that companies with above-average diversity in their technology teams report 30 percent higher innovation revenue than companies with below-average diversity. These figures are not merely correlational; they reflect fundamental advantages that women bring to leadership.

The Zinox Group itself demonstrates this philosophy in action, with over five female CEOs leading various business units within the conglomerate.

These women are not just occupying positions but driving results.

As the company’s motto suggests, Zinox is truly ‘anticipating the future’. These leaders embody the qualities that research consistently shows make women effective business leaders: fostering positive work culture, maintaining focused execution, demonstrating high emotional intelligence, and bringing emotional and spiritual resilience to Africa’s challenging tech landscape.

Perhaps most impressively, Zinox Group’s commitment to talent development has created a remarkable ripple effect throughout Africa’s tech ecosystem.

Former employees now lead multinational corporations, bringing with them the values and vision instilled during their time within Dr. Ekeh’s organisations.

Speaking at a recent AI and Robotics Summit organised by the NCS, Dr. Ekeh urged stakeholders to “compete through exceptional content” to realise the Nigeria of their dreams.

This is a cause he has personally championed for over 30 years.

Despite setbacks, including a significant $28 million loss on investments in AI and robotics in Nigeria years ago, his commitment to technology as a transformative force remains unshaken.

Dr. Ekeh consistently, emphasises that technology represents an unparalleled opportunity for scale and impact. Acknowledging technology’s potential for misuse, he remains focused on its positive applications — creating solutions that are “good, useful, profitable, and enduring.”

His advice to entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts emphasises three key investments: research, human capital development, and spiritual content.

This holistic approach reflects Dr. Ekeh’s understanding that technical knowledge alone is insufficient; true innovation requires character, vision, and purpose.

The Zinox Chairman’s ambitions extend beyond Nigeria to the entire African continent.

By building what he envisions as “the biggest tech solution company in Africa,” Dr. Ekeh aims to transform the narrative around African technology from consumption to creation.

With the African tech market projected to reach $712 billion this year according to the International Finance Corporation, and women-led startups demonstrating 35 percent higher returns on investment according to a 2023 analysis, Dr. Ekeh’s focus on female tech professionals appears both visionary and strategically sound.

As Africa positions itself in the global digital economy, leaders like Dr. Ekeh demonstrate that the continent’s technological future may well be female, and that future is here.

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