…harps on Africa’s business potentials
Store Front Africa’s newly unveiled National Brand Ambassador, Hon.Chinedu Ukatu, has urged Nigerian traders to look inwards and leverage existing business potentials in Africa.
Speaking at his inauguration by the Chief Executive Officer of Store Front Africa, Mrs Linda Okore, Ukatu said the clear depletion of value in the business interest in Europe and Asia makes Africa the next point of call with huge viable business potentials.
Ukatu, known for his immense contribution in ensuring the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) within a stifling economy, affirmed that business potentials in Europe and Asia is waning and Africa remain the hope for survival for traders.
Comrade Ukatu is a visionary entrepreneur, trade advocate, and Pan-African business leader.
Recognized for his relentless commitment to fostering intra-African trade, he has played a pivotal role in shaping commerce and SME growth across the continent.
His appointment as the Brand Ambassador of Storefront Africa aligns with his passion for economic empowerment and digital transformation in Nigeria and Africa.
Ukatu said what attracted him to Storefront Africa is the trade value chain.
“The trade value chain, innovative and digital trading as well as the training availed traders on formal ways of trading with more mileage attracts me to Storefront Africa”, he said.
The General Managing Director (GMD), Mr.Chibuzor Ike, explained that what drove Storefront Africa to embark on the journey was the dearth of competence in the technological revolution amongst the traders.
Storefront Africa CEO, Mrs Linda Okore, in her keynote speech tagged: “The Future of African SMES in the Digital Economy (Industry Leaders), highlighted the need for traders to come on board and benefit more mileage in their business transactions.
Okore stressed the fact that the Storefront Africa is dedicated to transforming African trade through digital innovation, while upscaling the traders with digital skills to thrive and be better positioned to compete in today’s digital economy.
“Our platform allows business owners to launch an e-commerce store without any technical constraints of going through the rigour of technology.
“Mrs. Okore stressed the fact that the digital platform attempts to liberate African traders businesses, ensuring they thrive in a digital economy.
“Storefront Africa is a digital platform to African SME, particularly those in the open markets with the help of our digital skills training and of course an e-commerce platform to enable them showcase their business to their customers.
“To enable them trade beyond their environment. In today’s digital economy the businesses in the open markets just focused on selling to their vicinity and technology should be inclusive.
“So what we are doing is promoting digital inclusion for this businesses in the open markets.
She stated further that even traders in the rural areas are not left out in the digital platform’s coverage of trade activities.
“The fantastic thing about the platform is that it does includes those in the rural areas even if you don’t have a smart phone. As long as you are a trader you can be able to adapt and use this platform.
“Because we have the facility to accomodate the traders from the open markets and those in the rural areas.
“Our platform offers a package that does not require internet connections. We close the gaps between the traders and those who needed their products.
“The buyers needs the smartphone the traders in the rural area only needs a text receiving phone to get information on the demand for their products, so the ease of doing business is assured by Storefront Africa.
“Our e-commerce digital platform allows you set up your stores without going through the rigour of technology.
Goodwill messages communicated through official letters of commendation and felicitation from illustrious business tycoons like Chief Chekwas Okorie, Zenith Bank, United Airlines and many other notable business leaders, were read prior the unveiling of the national brand Ambassador by the compare- a revered nollywood actor Charles Okafor, who gave the ceremony the require pomp and pageantry.
The Director of Business Development Mrs. Sarah Andino in her presentation of what Storefront Africa offers, hinted that the traders have a lot to gain.
She stressed further that the platform offers many benefits to the traders like; more visibility for goods and products attracting potential buyers, dedicated account managers, monitoring of sales inventories,trainings, a impersonation proved data bank and insurance for all.
The unveiling had in attendance leaders of major markets in Lagos and by extension Nigeria, who took out their time to identify with the business icon Hon. Chinedu Ukatu.
