Category: CEO

Founder/Chief Executive, Clean Technology Hub Nigeria, an energy innovation centre, Ifeoma Malo, is at the forefront of the campaign for clean energy sources. With the rising global demand for efficient, sustainable, and cost-competitive solutions, her organisation has been conducting hands-on training in renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency for youths, reports DANIEL ESSIET.

Technology entrepreneur and founder/Chief Executive, Clean Technology Hub Nigeria, Ifeoma Malo, is leading the campaign for clean energy sources particularly renewable energy. The renowned energy access expert is promoting distributed renewable energy in Nigeria by conducting hands-on training in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, green entrepreneurship and enterprise development for youths in Nigeria.

The training focuses on empowering young entrepreneurs to start income-generating enterprises in the renewable energy sector and by so doing, become active proponents of energy efficiency and renewable energy approaches with a clear understanding of the issues and application around climate change. Youths so trained will also act as positive agents in their communities and bring about behavioral change among their peers and across their communities.

The Hub’s six to 12 months’ incubation programme focuses on supporting trainees’ business processes and making them scalable enterprises. This ranges from teaching them to register and protect their business to teaching them to pitch their products and concepts to potential end users and investors.

The goal, according to Ifeoma, was to enable growth while ushering in a new generation of entrepreneurial leadership and talented management.

One of the Hub’s popular programmes is ‘Tech Meets Renewable Energy Project.’ The project supports new entrepreneurs and new ideas around unlocking new supply chain opportunities in the off grid electricity sector.

The programme has been pivotal to addressing the increasing energy access demands across the continent.

The other one is its ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Programme’ designed to empower women-owned and led businesses by empowering them with clean energy products and services to increase their business offerings and their savings.

It is easy to see why and how Ifeoma developed her interest in power, energy and policy sectors. For one, she has been a policy enthusiast and worked in the public and private sectors in the United States of America (USA) around global policy issues.

Having attended a lot of high-level meetings between 2011 and 2014 during the power sector privatisation in Nigeria, Ifeoma saw the potential of the power sector emerging as the catalyst for Nigeria’s development and helping the country leap-frog into the modern world.

To achieve the goal of universal energy access in a sustainable way (SDG7), she believes that Nigeria would need to adopt larger renewable energy technologies.

Besides, there has been a rise in the global demand for efficient, sustainable, and cost-competitive energy solutions.This prompted Ifeoma to kick-start a campaign for clean energy sources. And her determination to build a legacy of innovative, sustainable ventures in renewable energy to Nigeria birthed Clean Technology Hub.

Ifeoma, who is also Country Campaign Director for Power for All in Nigeria, said Clean Technology Hub came about as a result of her frustration in meeting several brilliant young people with amazing energy access ideas that they couldn’t pursue or nurture because of lack of support or structure.

According to her, the Hub focuses on early stage businesses, working them through the stages of idea creation, incubation and fund raising, whilst helping them put in place the structure that would make them investible and attract financial support.

READ ALSO: Boosting renewable energy entrepreneurship

A Harvard Law School and University of Massachusetts graduate, Ifeoma has extensive experience in the power and energy sector and was the senior technical advisor to the former Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, between 2013 and 2015.

She has credentials in building, cultivating and driving public private partnerships for project delivery and implementation, and has also held similar senior advisory portfolios with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Her prior work experience includes Special Assistant to the Minister of Finance in Nigeria; Counsel at Ashoka, Office of West Africa; Deputy Head of Intellectual Property at the firm of George Ikoli and Okagbue; Senior Manager at the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group: Associate at the Boston Public Health Commission.

Ifeoma was also Adjunct Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and a consultant at the Boston-based global biotechnology firm, Genzyme Corporation.

At Genzyme, Ifeoma developed strategic documents used in expanding the firm’s global market access.

Currently, the Chief Executive of Clean Technology Hub and the Energy Innovation Center in Abuja, she is proactively addressing the need for research, development, demonstration, and incubation of clean technologies to increase energy access and improve climate resilience.

A Tutu Fellow, Ifeoma received the ‘Power Industry Leader of the Year’ award at the Nigerian African Power, Energy and Water Industry Awards in August.

‘The Hub focuses on early stage businesses, working them through the stages of idea creation, incubation and fund raising, whilst helping them put in place the structure that would make them investible and attract financial support’

The Founder/Chief Executive, We Code Caribbean, Safiya Olugbala is behind a movement to get more people to explore opportunities in coding. She is providing a platform for people to use coding to drive business innovation, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

The Founder/Chief Executive, We Code Caribbean, Safiya Olugbala, is making a name turning the Caribbean into a hub with startups success stories everywhere. She is behind a movement to get more people to explore opportunities in coding. She is providing a platform to use coding to drive business innovation. We Code Caribbean was incorporated on October 25, last year and launched publicly in January this year.
As the world faces a multitude of complex challenges, The Founder/, We Code Caribbean said science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) have become critical in solving problems. She has taken up herself to engage children in STEM disciplines to enable them to take up challenging jobs in computer science and programming .Committed to empowering youths through computing and technology, she founded We Code Caribbean, to facilitate creators who want to work in digital platforms, and increase economic and social well-being by providing more youths with stable and lucrative careers.
She said: “We Code Caribbean offers an abundance of opportunities to youths to building solutions to tackle problems.‘’My desperation to transform that reality, intensified when I became a mother. By one and a half, my son could communicate in Yoruba, French, Swahili and English. By age two, he could name every planet in the solar system and he could read and solve math problems.‘’The only reason he possessed these anomalous capabilities was because he had access to opportunities through technology. That access immediately redirected the trajectory of his lived experience. I wanted that level of success for every black child in the Caribbean. Hence, I joined the dot com arena.”
She said: “The primary objective is to teach youth from rural communities, how to CODE and use AI and IoT innovation, to positively impact the region. We Code Caribbean’s agenda is to lessen the wealth gap and close the digital divide.” “The organisation sees it as critical, to empower youth to be the chief actors in solving persistent problems that plague the region. The primary objective is to teach youth from rural communities, how to code and use artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) innovation, to positively impact the region. We Code Caribbean’s agenda is to lessen the wealth gap and close the digital divide.”

She explained: “The only escape route that presented any promise for the elevation of youth in marginalised, underserved communities was technology. As an educator who had contributed to public education for over 20 years, I saw the glaring disparities of that system. It became an accepted reality that students in schools in rural communities failed.” According to her, the coding industry was a 50 billion dollar industry and wants allow Caribbean youth to access opportunities within the sector.

She maintained that the digital jobs market was exploding with skilled coders in demand. For this reason, children needed to be literate in technology throughout their education, developing ideas, learning new methods and putting them to the test.

The School of Coding founded by the organisation helps children to learn how to create robots, software, and animations. They are involved in a variety of class projects in robotics, building models, among other things.

The success story of the school showcases that when children realise their ability to code and build robots, they can be empowered to have successful futures and create innovative technology.

For her, artificial intelligence is a powerful tool to train youths of tomorrow. Her words: “The mission I imposed upon myself was to reimagine education in radical ways. Such bold imaginings meant that I had to somehow find a way to catapult an entire region into the 21st century. I would have to succeed where many before me failed. I would have to weaken the stronghold of colonialism and its predatory appetite for youthful potential. I would have to engineer an iron clad plan that would force the oppressive system to devour itself if I had any chance of liberating seven million young minds in the Caribbean.”

For an industry that is growing and offering strong prospect, she believes getting more youths to move alongside the emergence of new technologies, will lead to building future skills base.

Our Reporter

Though born into a family vast in jewellery making, the CEO of Accolade Jewellers, Kolade Taiwo, had to carve a niche for himself to get to the top.

The University of Lagos graduate knew he had to take after his grandfather and uncle, who were well-established in jewellery production.

The decision to start making jewellery was not as straight-forward as it sounds as he had to struggle to raise funds to start his company, Accolade Jewellers.

READ ALSO: Jewellery thefts that shocked the world

But with passion and determination, he has raised the firm to an enviable height.

Taiwo has been training young Nigerians on the viability of jewellery making

Described by close friends, associates and clients as a hands-on person, who values relationships and a cheerful giver, Taiwo remains resolute in his resolve to be at the very best of his craft.

Our Reporter

For San Francisco-based eCommerce start-up co-founder, Mitchell Zvagelskiy, financial freedom means many things. “The ability to experience whatever I desire,” is how he describes it.

“Whether it’s taking a vacation across the world somewhere I’ve never been, providing myself or family with a home of our choice without finances being a problem, or building schools in third world countries where education is scarce.

Having the financial freedom to start or invest in companies that solve problems at scale is also important as this creates change in the world. Ultimately, it’s the freedom to use my money towards whatever I desire/believe in.”

Mitchell, the son of Belurusian natives who immigrated to the United States in 1994, was always sure that a typical going to school and getting a decent job route was not for him. Instead, he has built a million-dollar startup, Scale Online, which started earlier in 2020 when Mitchell was just 19 years old. Since its launch, Scale Online has built up a team of 10+ members in the United States and a 50+ person store management team in other countries.

“If I was to go the traditional 9-5 route, not only would I not have much of a say in the company being worked at, but my pay would be directly based on the hours I work,” he rationalizes. “Not only would this limit my freedom, but I would not be able to build up enough capital to then reinvest into working with other people in bringing change to the world.”

Instead, Mitchell has been able to focus his energy on more productive ventures, using his time to pursue more impactful activities.

“Networking with people building interesting companies is something I enjoy as this gives me a different perspective of how different people think and view the world,” he admits.

“Outside of the eCommerce world, there are many individuals working on interesting companies with a focus on bringing value to people and change to the world. As my eCommerce businesses bring me consistent cash flow, my mind is constantly analyzing the market for where to reinvest. This sets my focus on angel investing. Not only do I get to network with interesting people who are building interesting companies, but I get to bring value to the table for those I believe in.”

Webb Fontaine Nigeria, an IT firm, was instrumental to successes recorded during the early years of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) automation. The firm created the NCS Integrated System (NICIS II) – a platform that has been adopted as a home-grown ICT innovation for Nigeria. In this interview with reporters, its Managing Director, Opeodu Babalola, who manages the company’s solutions in Nigeria, speaks on various ICT solutions being implemented by some government agencies, ease of doing business and trade facilitation. MUYIWA LUCAS was there.

Criticisms have continued to trail the $3.1 billion automation deal of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). What is Webb Fontaine’s position on this?

We don’t know where those reports are coming from and have no part in them. I have read them and was surprised to see Webb Fontaine’s name prominently featured. We are investigating the source of the media reports. We won’t in any way support a narrative that shows tendencies to discourage modernisation progress or against the work of the Federal Government of Nigeria to enhance revenue collection and border security. From what I have seen, the huge amount is to be brought in by the private sector. We have no issues with Bionica or their plans and we have neither initiated nor asked to be joined in a lawsuit against them. Let me say here, that Webb Fontaine is fully supportive of the Federal Government’s move to continue and improve upon the modernisation and full automation of the Nigeria Customs Service and its processes. This will help to facilitate trade, increase revenue and enhance national security, and improve Nigeria’s standing in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business indices. This has been our focus and we have remained consistent with this over the years.

To what extent would you say your firm has worked with the NCS?

Webb Fontaine was appointed by Nigeria Customs Service to implement a Customs-centric Single Window Portal. This encompasses the delivery of Webb Fontaine’s Customs Webb, Customs Management System nationwide as the Nigeria Customs Integrated System (NICIS II). NICIS II has been adopted as a home-grown ICT innovation for Nigeria Customs electronic platform. We have impacted in capacity building through training and retraining of Customs officers, some port users and other government employees.  Specifically, on ASYCUDA ++ we trained 2,804 persons; on NICIS I & II we trained 10,260; on Database (Oracle) 36 and System Administration, 30. We brought a group of experts to talk at a webinar aimed at ensuring seamless trade transactions across our ports during the lockdown. Customs’experts like Stephen Adekunle Oloyede, Comptroller, Risk Management at the NCS and Apeh Fateh, Assistant Comptroller for ICT and Head of the Implementation Team, who took a ‘deep dive’ into the major issues facing global cross-border trade, debated the disruptions caused by the implementation of health and safety protocols at the webinar. They explored new concepts to improve the industry by introducing greater efficiency through technology, and the simplification of processes and checks. Nigeria Customs Service is already doing so much in the digital space, including application of e-form M, their revenue has experienced appreciable increase. The NICIS II has been recognised as a credible digital trade platform by the World Trade Organisation and the World Customs Organisation.

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on trade and logistics. How best do you think it should be managed in your areas of operations?

Navigating the complex world of logistics, international Customs and global supply chains in the post-Covid-19 era will require government agencies and the private sector to embrace new methods that prioritise digitalisation. We strongly recommend knowledge sharing and to streamline complicated and outdated processes for the benefit of all. Knowledge sharing will come with multiple benefits like increase in government revenue, support for trade and strengthening security in many ramifications. As a good corporate citizen, we also supported the Federal Government’s battle to prevent and manage Covid-19 with donations of equipment.

Other areas we touched in preparing for post-Covid-19 era are revenue collection, risk management inspections, passenger screening, client segmentation, movement of goods, regional and international connectivity, border management, crisis management and digitalisation. We placed emphasis on digitalisation as the world begins its journey to recovery and continues to adapt to the health safety rules now required for post-COVID-19.

During the lockdown, there were complaints of systems failure in IT. How effective was your platform at this period?

The Customs IT platform operated robustly throughout the period of reduced movement. The NCS generated N976.6 billion between January and August, despite the pandemic, which led to the shutting down of the country in March. They were able to adapt and be prepared for optimal operations even in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Throughout lockdown, the NCS maintained its revenue performance, which may not have been the case for other government agencies. While the NCS revenue target changes from year to year, it was initially slashed in 2020 because of the expected revenue shortfall due to Covid-19. However, the collections up to May, this year were greater than last year’s total for the same period, and NCS achieved well over 60 percent of the target. NCS has shone a light on how important a digital-led Customs approach is, and in many ways is leading the way. With plans to get more automation as recently approved by the Federal Government.

Tell us about your other operations

We are also providers of IT & Telecom infrastructure for Nigeria. So far, we have trained over 10,000 Nigerians on various aspects of ICT-aided trade procedures. Other training sessions undertaken by us include SO Class for 6; Java 84; Help Desk, 213; Support, 26 and Networking 20. Our e-government software products, information and telecommunications technology and infrastructure services, peripherals and consumables, business process reengineering and standardisation have been applied successfully across various government agencies. Our services synchronise well with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business and Trade Facilitation policies. We have always demonstrated commitment to helping government succeed in the drive to promote efficiency, time saving and transparency in the conduct of its businesses.

A lot of private sector operators have also found our support invaluable because of our culture of international best practices and promotion of legitimate way of doing things. It is pertinent I state that we are a company with international reach that has impeccable track records of providing trade solutions in several countries; we have demonstrated adequate capacity.

How do you sustain this record and continually ensure international best practice?

Very simple! We have created a report to continue the knowledge and ideas sharing. The report, as contained in a White Paper which examines how international best practices can be incorporated into all aspects of the country, particularly in emergency situations, and recommends possible routes of action in critical moments. It draws conclusions from lessons learnt globally and how these can be integrated into a detailed package of procedures to enable a smooth transition towards recovery and the resumption of normal business functions. The White Paper outlines a number of important recommendations and findings. The White Paper produced at the end of the programme examines how international best practices can be incorporated into all aspects of the sector, particularly in emergency situations, and recommends possible routes of action in critical moments. The report also draws conclusions from lessons learnt globally and how these can be integrated into a detailed package of procedures to enable a smooth transition towards recovery and the resumption of normal business functions.