ABUJA, Nigeria — The rise of technology has taken modern lives by storm as well as very key sectors of the domestic American economy. The Silicon Valley is riddled with entrepreneurs and tech savvy risk-takers with money-happy venture capitalists excited to (potentially) play a part in the next big thing.
Mobile apps, wearable technology, seamless user interfaces and home appliances are among the hot topics of livelihood improvements first-world consumers look forward to. Rising tech has rekindled the spirit of entrepreneurship, tinged with the hope of improving the lives of the new technologies’ users. However, the coastal U.S. and Europe aren’t the only parts of the world with booming tech scenes to meet the needs and wants of their fellow citizens.
Nigeria might not be the most obvious destination for a tech boom in most minds, but there are a handful of individuals with the same entrepreneurial drive (or perhaps even stronger) as the domestic geniuses improving lives daily. All companies take a risk, and part of that risk is identifying a problem to solve and estimating the likelihood of a product fixing that problem which can be tricky.
Nigeria’s booming tech scene is tough. Startup founders such as Victor Asemota, who moved his company from Ghana to Nigeria, and Sulaiman Balogun of ToLet.com.ng have faced several issues that most familiar startups wouldn’t have to consider: one being getting a teenager interested in using computers.
Tech in Nigeria is one of the most exciting phenomena to watch considering the challenges they face. Yet, even with various hurdles to overcome, the market is now attracting real money and gaining way as successful and respectable business ventures. All the while giving much needed industry and solutions to the surrounding areas.
The rise of cell phone use in Africa has given tech in Nigeria a platform to operate on. However, without proper economic talent and property infrastructure, starting a business can be difficult. It’s a good thing, then, that companies like ToLet.com.ng are tackling these infrastructural problems that will bring about their own success and pave the way for future companies as well.
ToLet.com.ng has taken on the issue of rentable properties for businesses by building up communities, or “cities” as Balogun puts it, so that entrepreneurs such as himself have solid ground to start(-up) on. This not only means creating viable physical and web spaces for industry, but even goes as far as facilitating plumbing and electrical lines that don’t exist.
The positive side of starting up tech in Nigeria is that there is a huge, untapped market. The rest of the world is starting to see it, but native Africans have taken the lead. There is a promising future for economic activity on the World Wide Web in Nigeria, and anyone with the proper disposition is watching, and cheering, for further success.
Sources: Business Fights Poverty, TechCrunch, Ventureburn
Photo: Trade Block