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Leo-Stan Ekeh Miracle: Celebrating Digital Icon@63

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Do miracles exist?
The jury is still out on that.
Nevertheless, the life and times of one man, more than ever before, represents a higher level of refinement, an embodiment of that once-in-a-lifetime feeling that bubbles to the surface when we witness a phenomenon that is so rare and uncommon that we find no other explanations for it other than reach for the sublime, the supernatural, a miracle…
Phillip Brooks, renowned author, motivational speaker, clergyman and particularly remembered as lyricist of the Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem probably had this eclectic man in mind when he famously stated: “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.”
Perhaps, no statement is more fitting in describing the genius that is Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of the Zinox Group and arguably Africa’s biggest digital entrepreneur than the assertion of Nicholas James Vujicic, foremost Australian evangelist and motivational speaker who quipped that: “If you don’t get a miracle, become one.”
Born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs and only one of seven known individuals who are diagnosed with the syndrome, Vujicic certainly knew what he was talking about.
Ekeh started out in life and business seeking a miracle but in the absence of one, he became a miracle.
Born on February 22, 1956 in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government, Imo State to a modest but very disciplined Christian family, Leostan, as he is popularly known, is a devout Catholic, former mass servant and chorister who – through sheer dint of hard work, uncommon vision, Spartan discipline and a restless spirit which he impressively channeled into a disruptive approach to business – has succeeded in re-writing the history of entrepreneurship in the Third World.
A stickler for success, Ekeh has not only built the biggest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Group in Africa with advanced competencies in virtually every sphere of the ecosystem, but is also spearheading an e-Commerce revolution on the continent through the landmark strides and huge value being delivered through Konga, an e-Commerce giant that is currently the beautiful bride of potential investors ahead of a much-anticipated listing of its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
Incidentally, Ekeh pioneered e-Commerce in Africa with the launch of BuyRight Africa over 12 years ago.
An Economics graduate of the University of Punjab, Ekeh’s stay in the Northern Indian city of Chandigarh for his Bachelor’s degree programme was an eye-opener. In addition to the environmental influence on entrepreneurship, the ultra-modern city of Chandigarh exposed him to extreme creative hard work and it was from here that the seeds of Ekeh’s serial entrepreneurship was first planted.
From India on to Cork City University, Ireland in 1983 where he sought a postgraduate degree in Computer Science with a bent for User Interface, Ekeh took his dreams along with him.
The dream?
“Technology is the only profession that can make the son of a poor man the richest man in the world. It is also the only profession in the world that can help the son of a rich man consolidate the wealth of his parents,” disclosed Ekeh in a recent talk delivered to thousands of eager participants at the 2019 Economic Summit of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of the many interventions and mentorship sessions he regularly delivers to an army of disparate youths: students, entrepreneurs, women interest groups and youths from all walks of life.
He had always nursed a vision that technology would rule the world in future and despite the prevailing narrative at the time of his scholarship in Europe of Africa being unripe for technology, Ekeh soldiered on with an ambition to put the African continent on the global technology world-map.
Despite seeing his ambition to seek scholarship in technology at Cork City terminated after three months, Ekeh opted for postgraduate studies in Risk Management, effectively settling for a shared course at Nottingham University and City University, London. An inquisitive mind, his foray into pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Law at what is today known as Guildhall University, London in order to understand the laws guiding international business, was also cut short when the lure of returning to his country of birth to begin the process of making a difference, became too strong to ignore.
What followed next is the stuff of which legends and folklores are made…
On the occasion of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary on October 1st 2001, Ekeh was singled out for honour by the then-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as an Icon of Hope for his sustained pioneering efforts in the area of Information Technology and also as a pride to modern Nigeria.
The award, one among a long list of over 85 local and international awards including the national honour of OFR – Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – for his incisive digital entrepreneurship, perhaps do little to unmask the genius and uncommon brilliance of a man whose massive strides, landmark achievements and personal philosophy will find grand placement in the pantheon of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs.
Every encounter with this iconoclast only serves to reinforce the greatness that exudes from every pore of his body, every speech, gesture, pronouncement and business move. No other entrepreneur on this side of the Atlantic can rival the level of consistent success Ekeh has achieved with every venture he sets his mind and heart on. His is akin to a man with the magic wand!
His legacies are not only numerous and alive, but are certain to out-live him. Such is the enduring quality of the man – Leo Stan Ekeh: mentor to many, leader, business aficionado, serial digital entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Today, Ekeh – a teetotaler who neither drinks nor smokes – can be said to be 99 per cent close to achieving his ambition of building Africa’s most integrated ICT Group.
In addition to pioneering desktop publishing and computer graphics in Nigeria through a 32-year-old Task Systems Ltd., his first company; Ekeh is also responsible for a series of outstanding firsts including pioneering the use of digital dispensing fuel pumps in Nigeria, the launch of the first ICT support company in Nigeria – ITEC Solutions Ltd; pioneer of ICT distribution in West Africa with the launch of Technology Distributions Ltd. which has remained the biggest distributors in the West African sub-region; manufacture of the first internationally certified computer brand in Sub-Saharan Africa: Zinox Computers; deployment of the largest single e-library and wireless cloud roll out in Africa and biometric digital revolution through the sterling work done through Zinox in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in creating a credible database of voters for Nigeria, among other firsts.
Ekeh’s love for e-Commerce, which he famously pioneered in Africa – has also seen the mega transformation of Konga into an e-Commerce power-house, with bold, ambitious designs which has seen the company’s value appreciate multiple folds since its acquisition from previous majority investors, Naspers and AB Kinnevik and subsequent merger with Yudala.
A global advisor to Microsoft, Ekeh has consistently proven that Africa and Africans have the brain-power, capacity and vision to hold their own on the world stage. It is with this determination that led to Mr. Ekeh visioning, designing and building what is rated as the best digital house in Europe which has become a Mecca of sorts to billionaires, eager to experience the technological, architectural and design marvel.
And through his deep sense of charity and benevolence, many lives have been touched miraculously, even as he continues to live a life of model simplicity and humility.
As the Lord asked, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Ekeh, by his life and times, has boldly answered: “Here am I. Send me!”
Happy Birthday to a digital icon @ 63!
Contributed by an ex-employee of Mr. Ekeh’s.
News
Experts Caution e-commerce Operators on Eco-friendly Materials

Experts have urged the Nigerian e-commerce industry to use eco-friendly materials in its packaging and logistics of products to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.
The experts made this known at a sensitisation workshop on Greening E-commerce orgainsed by The Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment In Nigeria Programme (SEDIN) – an initiative of the German Development Agency (GIZ) in partnership with Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST).
The experts stressed the importance of e-commerce operators in Nigeria committing to concrete climate actions and sustainable operations.
Nnaemeka Ngwu, director of the public sector initiative and a professor at Lagos Business School, urged e-commerce companies to quickly adopt sustainable green technology to minimize their environmental harm.
“E-commerce is a business enabler and a platform through which many people can get involved in trade and commerce. However, e-commerce also brings lots of issues in sustainability and climate change because of pollution,” he said.
According to him, to improve the sustainability component of e-commerce, the country must promote better packaging and logistics among operators.
“We need to green the e-commerce industry to make it more inclusive and support the climate so that it does not cause risks and issues,” he explained.
He commended the Lagos State government on the ban on single-use plastics, calling for the policy to be complemented with awareness, advocacy, and engagement so that the public understands the reason for the policy.
He noted that such awareness should be done regularly, while urging the Nigerian Postal Service to use its leadership role in the courier industry to engage other courier businesses within the space on the benefits of sustainability and the packaging and logistics issues.
In her opening remarks, Titi Oshodi, special adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, called for awareness on greening across various sectors of governance, communities and the private sector
“This will ensure that people understand the rationale behind the policies on greening and they also understand what the alternatives are,” she noted.
“This is the reason why climate literacy is a front-boner strategy for us in Lagos State,” she added.
She explained that Lagos is a commercial hub that grew its GDP due to the operations of micro, small and medium-size businesses. “We need to have them empowered, more knowledgeable about sustainability practices.”
Tola Odeyemi, postmaster-general, Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), said the courier can play a strategic and vital role in greening the ecosystem, noting that it has 1,174 post offices nationwide.
Odeyemi, who was represented by Ernest Mamood, general-manager of EMS Parcel Nigeria, said NIPOST is a regulator in the country’s courier industry and can use its position to sensitize other operators in the industry on the use of eco-friendly materials in packaging and logistics to cut environmental impact.
News
Tech Alliance Aims to Transform Africa’s Mapping System

Space42, the UAE-based global AI-powered space-tech company, part of technology group G42, this week announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft and Esri to deliver high-resolution, scalable base maps across all 54 African countries, serving over 1.4 billion people.
Known as the “Map Africa Initiative,” the project will create a comprehensive base map of the continent to date, addressing challenges in infrastructure, investment, and institutional gaps, according to Space24.
The company said the updated mapping system will catalyse economic development through increased access to intelligent solutions that support governments, businesses, and communities.
The five-year collaboration aims to strengthen geospatial capabilities across Africa and the UAE, and provide precise and accessible data to national and regional stakeholders.
Space 24 detailed how the initiative will enable economic opportunities and innovation, saying the program is expected to unlock long-term value across multiple industries including: ports and logistics; renewable energy; security and disaster response; smart cities and digital economies.
It added: “Accurate maps are foundational to urban planning, public services, and technology deployment. The data will be licensed to national governments, enabling ownership and long-term updating by National Mapping Agencies. Over time, the initiative will also support a new commercial ecosystem of African startups. The data will eventually be housed in G42 and Microsoft-managed data centers across the continent.”
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, said: “Partnership is core to the UAE’s DNA, and is central to how Space42 operates. This collaboration with Microsoft and Esri is more than technical; it’s strategic. It advances Space42’s business priorities, strengthens our role as a trusted partner to governments, and delivers meaningful benefits to communities across Africa.
“Accurate, high-quality mapping and the intelligence solutions built on it are essential for growth, resilience, and inclusive innovation. With reliable data, communities and economies prosper.”
While, Jack Dangermond, president of Esri added: “We are proud to support the Map Africa Initiative in partnership with Space42. Transforming satellite imagery into detailed, accurate base maps at continental scale requires advanced geospatial technology and professional production workflows.
“These same capabilities have supported similar national and regional mapping efforts around the world. With Map Africa, we are helping to establish a foundational resource that will drive infrastructure planning, economic growth, and sustainable development across the continent.”
News
Kenya Tops Global Rankings for ChatGPT Use

Kenya has emerged as the global leader in the adoption of ChatGPT, with a higher percentage of its internet users utilizing the AI chatbot than any other country.
According to the July 2025 Global Digital Report from DataReportal and Meltwater, an astounding 42.1% of Kenyan internet users aged 16 and above used ChatGPT in the past month.
This remarkable statistic places Kenya at the forefront of a global shift towards integrating artificial intelligence into daily life, outranking traditionally tech-forward nations such as the United Arab Emirates (42%), Israel (41.4%), Malaysia (39.8%), and Brazil (39.7%). In contrast, major economies like Russia (10.8%), China (7.3%), and Japan (5.8%) showed significantly lower adoption rates.
The report, which provides a comprehensive snapshot of digital trends worldwide, also highlights Kenya’s significant contribution to the platform’s overall traffic. The country is ranked third globally in website traffic to ChatGPT, accounting for 4.81% of all global visits, trailing only the United States and India.
Analysts attribute Kenya’s rapid and widespread adoption of ChatGPT to two primary factors:
- A Young, Tech-Savvy Population: With a median age of just 20, Kenya has one of the youngest populations in the world. This demographic is highly digitally native and has been quick to explore and adopt AI tools for a wide range of purposes, including education, business operations, and content creation.
- High Mobile Internet Penetration: Over 48% of Kenya’s population uses the internet regularly, with the vast majority accessing it via mobile devices. The accessibility of AI tools like ChatGPT on smartphones has been a critical enabler of its adoption, even in semi-urban and rural areas.
The report’s findings come shortly after OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, revealed that the platform now handles over 2.5 billion prompts globally every day. While OpenAI did not provide a breakdown of these prompts by use case, the platform’s popularity for tasks ranging from writing and coding to research and brainstorming is undeniable.
Kenya’s top ranking is a powerful indicator of the country’s dynamic and fast-evolving digital landscape, showcasing an eagerness to embrace cutting-edge technologies and positioning the nation as a key player in the future of AI adoption in Africa.
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