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Anambra can alter Nigeria’s destiny – Ekeh, Zinox boss
Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has described Anambra as a state with global capacity to influence and positively alter Nigeria’s destiny.
Ekeh affirmed that the state has all it takes to make this a reality. Further, he noted that the wealth, energy and knowledge per square meter in Anambra does not exist in any other part of Africa.
Nevertheless, the Zinox boss urged the state government to open its eyes to the immense opportunities lying within the state with which it can re-configure the narrative for good.
Ekeh made this call at the 2019 Anambra Business and Investment Roundtable on Monday, November 25th, 2019. He spoke on the topic: Doing Business in the 21st Century.
The summit, with the theme – Beyond Infrastructure: Rethinking the Future – was held at the Anambra Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Awka.
In attendance at the event was the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano; the Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke; Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Uche Okafor; the Obi of Onitsha, Nnayelugo Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe; former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and other members of the Anambra state political set-up. Also in attendance were corporate egg-heads and entrepreneurs drawn from various spheres of the economy.
‘I am an Igbo man from Imo State but here I am in Anambra and delighted to be here as well. Why? Anambra state has the global capacity to alter Nigeria’s destiny. You have it all in Anambra State but you have to certify it in the 21st century for it to be rewarding. You have credible human capital, brilliant minds and the right investment climate to make it happen,’ Ekeh noted.
Nevertheless, Ekeh who was the keynote speaker at the event, sounded a note of caution.
The serial digital entrepreneur warned that the state must wake up to the fast-evolving dynamics of the technology-mediated 21st Century.
Urging the Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano to invest in education and upgrade human capital in the state, Ekeh disclosed that this is the surest route to helping Anambra achieve its considerable potential.
‘I must commend the governor for what he is doing in the state. However, the 21st Century requires us to anticipate the future. If you look at the current Zinox Future Visions emblem of a man in deep thought, you will see it speaks to our mindset as a corporate with an eye on the future. This has been my story throughout the over 30 years I have spent in business.
‘You must invest in the next generation, especially the children of the poor because these are the ones with a mindset of disruption.
‘There is analogue knowledge and there is digital knowledge. Our generation relied on 80 per cent common sense and 20 per cent knowledge. But our children have global exposure and the benefit of better education, so they mainly use 80 per cent knowledge and 20 per cent common sense.’
Continuing, Ekeh noted that: ‘The Anambra state government must launch a Knowledge or Digital city in Awka with smart facilities and certified knowledge workers to re-train teachers across platforms and equip them to prepare our children for the digital age.
“In addition, the government should consider setting up and attaching a finishing school to the knowledge capital so that candidates are prepared as global citizens.
‘There is a fundamental problem with the quality of graduates we are currently churning out. Many of them are not fit for the 21st Century work-place. You must invest in these kids to make them relevant in the global marketplace and the multiplier effect will transform the fortunes of Anambra state for good.
‘You must build and equip many young graduates with skills in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing and Big Data, among others.
‘I embarked on a similar intervention in Imo State after encountering the child of a widow who aced WAEC with straight A’s but regularly fell short in JAMB. It turned out that many of these students had never seen a computer in their lives but had to use a computer in sitting for the JAMB examinations. So, I spoke with the Commissioner of Technology in Imo State and set up a digital training centre where over 5,400 students are currently being exposed to computer appreciation and other digital skills. I am also paying these students to attend the classes. A week to the exam, there will also be a refresher session to ensure they are brought up to speed ahead of the examination.’
According to Ekeh, the second quarter of the 21st Century will delete many of the known names in business if they fail to rise up to the evolving era of change.
‘Our children will achieve within a few years what many of us struggled to build in 30 years. That is the age we are in. It is an era of miracle wealth. An age in which you do not need a Godfather to succeed. An E-commerce business like Konga, for instance, which is managed by my son and his colleagues has over 187,000 merchants trading on its platform. It can reach customers nationwide and deliver to them without stress. Even on Sundays when some of you are in church, business is on-going on the platform,’ he enthused.
Urging the Anambra state government to rally well-meaning sons and daughters of the state as well as the private sector to partner with it in its mission to transform the state, Ekeh counselled that this move is paramount in view of its long-reaching implications for the state.
‘The state government will never have enough money to handle everything alone. Therefore, you must reach out to Anambra indigenes and other investors to come to the aid of the state. If you invest N5bn in a digital centre, the returns will be massive.
‘But you must set a system to ensure it is properly managed. That way, investors such as myself will be encouraged to come in and invest and then reap some profit from their investment. However, politicians must not be allowed to hijack the system. Every beneficiary nominated must be screened and passed through the process to ensure they are selected on merit,’ he counselled.
Furthermore, Ekeh advised Anambra parents to leverage on their assets and empower their children. He disclosed that it is a reasonable risk to invest in one’s children while stating that human beings have been classified into three in this century – employers, employees and fools.
‘Don’t allow you kids to be rated as fools while you have billions siting in different asset classes,’ Ekeh warned.
Also speaking at the event, Gov. Obiano expressed delight and confidence that the summit will yield immense benefits for the state.
‘…The insights from today’s deliberations will set us firmly on the path to building a more socially prosperous state not only from the riches that lie beneath the soil, but essentially from the infinite possibilities that lie between our ears.’
The well-attended event featured panel sessions on Education and Health, ICT and the Creative Industry, Tourism and Hospitality as well as Housing and Infrastructure.
Tony Elumelu, chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Heirs Holdings, has called on Africa to avow itself in the fast-evolving global technology landscape, calling for deeper partnerships, infrastructure investments, and recognition of the continent’s digital potential.
Tony Elumelu, chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Heirs Holdings,
Elumelu, who made this statement in a series of posts on his verified X handle over the weekend, questioned the continent’s current role in global tech innovation and value creation, noting that while technology is transforming the world, Africa risks being sidelined without urgent strategic action.
“We know technology is transforming our world, and the pace of transformation is accelerating. Where is Africa? Are we in the conversation, or are we being left behind?” Elumelu asked.
Citing Africa’s youthful, entrepreneurial, and digitally native population, Elumelu stressed the need for stronger global partnerships that empower African startups and tech developers to not only serve local markets but compete globally.
“Young Africans are digitally native, entrepreneurial, and hungry to build. What we need are more opportunities for partnership, more belief in our potential, and platforms to amplify our voices.
“Africa has led in digital banking and payments. Our value chains are ripe for transformation. Yet we need more investment, more platforms, and more belief in our potential.
“We know that many of the minerals that are techs’ foundation are found in Africa. But is Africa getting the benefit? Africa needs to capture the moment – ensure we have digital sovereignty – that African priorities are understood and met”
The UBA Chairman revealed that he attended an exclusive dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and global technology executives at the Élysée Palace in Paris, where he sought to amplify Africa’s voice at the highest level of innovation discourse.
“I had enriching conversations with global tech CEOs, including the CEO of NVIDIA, Jensen Huang, on how innovation can and must solve humanity’s most urgent challenges—including those facing Africa,” he said.
Elumelu used the opportunity to advocate for the continent as the next frontier of global tech investment, calling attention to Africa’s unique demographics and the imperative for inclusive innovation.
Speaking further he said through his investment company, Heirs Holdings, remains committed to Africa’s digital transformation, actively backing tech ventures such as Heirs Technologies and Redtech Limited, which are building solutions tailored for the African market while competing on a global scale.
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has called on African businesses to seize the opportunities emerging within the rapidly growing global space economy, which is projected to reach one trillion dollars annually by 2030.
The appeal was made by Dr Matthew Adepoju, director-general, NASRDA, during a press briefing at the weekend in advance of the second Africa Space Economy Conference and Exhibition (ASEC 2025), scheduled to take place in Abuja from 17 to 19 June.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), will focus on the theme “Space Economy and Emerging Markets in Africa”.
Dr Adepoju highlighted that the global space economy is on the verge of surpassing $500 billion per year, making it the fastest-growing economic sector worldwide.
He stressed that Africa must position itself at the forefront of innovation, science, and technology by investing in space-related ventures.
“This is the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Africa must not be left behind.
“It is time for us to take our rightful place at the forefront of global innovation, science and technology, with space technology being the pinnacle of human endeavour.
“The space economy is the fastest growing economic sector in the world and it is projected to hit one trillion dollars per annum. Currently it’s more than 500 billion dollars annually,” he said.
The conference aims to foster collaboration between industry leaders, academic institutions, and research organisations, all working to strengthen Nigeria’s space ecosystem.
Dr Adepoju praised President Bola Tinubu for his forward-thinking economic initiatives, noting the President’s directive to transform NASRDA into a revenue-generating body.
NASRDA, he said, is now committed to fully commercialising and industrialising space research. The upcoming conference is expected to attract international participants, with confirmed interest from countries such as China, the United States, and several European and African nations.
The agency is also preparing for the launch of four new satellites—three optical and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
These satellites are intended to support national security, environmental monitoring, and economic surveillance, particularly in sectors such as the blue economy and oil and gas.
Dr Adepoju encouraged private sector involvement in areas including satellite technology, data services, rocketry, and space-based applications.
He stressed that with Nigeria being Africa’s most populous country, there is already a significant market for space-related products and services, and now is the time for African businesses to build capacity, invest locally, and retain economic value.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Emeka Obegolu, ACCI President, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, chamber’s director-general, noted that Africa has yet to fully tap into the space economy’s potential.
He pointed out challenges such as limited public awareness, infrastructure gaps, and evolving policy environments, but said these issues also present opportunities for innovation and investment.
“It was with this foresight that ACCI, through our Policy Advocacy Centre, in a strategic partnership with NASRDA, conceptualised the ASEC,” he said.
Dr Haruna Mohammed, co-chairman of the Conference Organising Committee, reiterated that the event is aimed at the private sector and will showcase how space-based technologies can aid in economic diversification, enhance infrastructure, and promote sustainable development across the continent.
Schneider Electric’s newly launched innovation hub is set to benefit not just large corporations, but also local communities, start-ups and learners from technical, vocational education and training (TVET) colleges.
This is according to Canninah Dladla, Schneider’s first female cluster president for English-speaking Africa, speaking at the launch of the hub over the weekend at the company’s headquarters in Midrand.
The hub builds on Schneider Electric’s global strategy to bring its technology closer to its customers on the African continent, while reinforcing its leadership in sustainability, innovation and digitisation, according to the company.
This African hub is part of Schneider Electric’s global network of over 40 registered innovation hubs, and provides an interactive environment where visitors can explore the company’s integrated solutions across key segments, including energy solutions, industrial automation, building solutions as well as power and grid solutions.
“We are building an ecosystem that thrives on collaboration, innovation and relevance to the African context; one that values local talent, fosters local partnerships and drives local solutions. The innovation hub enables us to create a truly dynamic experience that embodies Schneider Electric’s purpose: enabling all to maximise energy and resources while bridging progress and sustainability,” said Dladla.
“Indeed, Africa holds immense potential, and this hub is designed to help our customers and partners unlock it through digitalisation, innovation and collaboration.”
During the event, Dladla highlighted the company’s commitment to Africa’s energy future, emphasising the need for innovative solutions to address energy challenges on the continent.
“There is more to this building launch; it is unveiling our commitment to Africa’s energy for the future. Everybody, including local media, talks about Africa’s energy issues and problems. But maybe it’s about time we stopped talking about issues and problems and come with solutions.”
Walid Sheta, president of the Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric, said the hub is made for all Schneider’s partners, colleagues and customers, adding that everyone is invited to visit and learn how the technology drives sustainability and efficiency.
“We believe our software solutions and digital offerings will shape the future for our customers. With technology like AI and sensors, we can detect issues like leaks in pipelines or equipment failures before they happen.
“This helps prevent losses, reduce emissions and keep production running smoothly. It’s already being used in various industries, like refineries, power plants and even buildings, to optimise performance and predict potential problems,” he said.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Anna Mokgokong, Schneider Electric South Africa chairperson, stressed the need for businesses to adapt and innovate in today’s fast-changing landscape. She highlighted the significance of the agriculture sector, acknowledging its challenges, and pointed out that Schneider’s automation solutions could address the sector’s challenges
Mokgokong, who also serves as a chancellor at the North-West University, said there is a need to integrate innovation in academic institutions.
“We should focus on equipping students with in-demand skills, allowing them to gain practical experience and build connections with companies like Schneider through vacation work. This way, by the time they graduate, they’ll have a competitive edge and be more likely to secure employment. It’s time for our universities and colleges to shift mindsets and prioritise quality education that meets industry needs.”
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