Linda Rottenberg's Nigeria Visit Boosts Tech Ecosystem
Linda Rottenberg’s Visit to Nigeria: A Boost for the Tech Ecosystem
In early July 2023, Linda Rottenberg, the Global CEO of Endeavour, embarked on a significant visit to Nigeria, aimed at underscoring the country’s dynamic technology landscape and entrepreneurial vigor. Organized by Endeavour Nigeria and led by Managing Director and CEO Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, the visit was a strategic effort to foster partnerships, ignite digital innovation, and support the burgeoning cadre of future technology leaders.
Highlights of the Visit
Day 1: Meetings and Networking
Linda’s itinerary commenced with a crucial meeting with Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave and Director of Endeavour Nigeria. The discussion centered around Nigeria’s fintech sector, its robust growth, and its integral role within the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Following this, Linda engaged in a press interview with prominent Nigerian tech journalists, including representatives from TechCrunch, Rest of World, TechCabal, AfriDigest, TechNext, and Pulse. During the interview, she elaborated on Endeavour’s mission, its impressive track record, and its strategic plans for the region.
The day concluded with a vibrant networking event, where Linda met with founders from Endeavour Nigeria’s portfolio companies and pipeline entrepreneurs. Notable participants included:
- Josh Chibueze (PiggyVest)
- Ngozi Dozie and Chijioke Dozie (Carbon)
- Obi Emetarom (Zone)
- Mudiaga Mowoe (Matta)
- Tayo Oviosu (Paga)
- Etop Ikpe (Autocheck)
This event provided a platform for sharing valuable insights and fostering deeper engagement within the entrepreneurial community.
Day 2: Presentations and Strategic Discussions
The second day kicked off with a comprehensive presentation on Nigeria’s digital ecosystem by Bolaji Balogun, Chairman of the Board of Endeavour Nigeria and CEO of Chapel Hill Denham. This presentation elucidated the unique opportunities and challenges present in Nigeria’s digital environment. Attendees included key figures from Chapel Hill Denham, SME NG, Daystar Power, and Seven Up Bottling Company.
Later, Linda and Bolaji engaged in a virtual meeting with Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. Their conversation focused on the government’s role in nurturing the technology ecosystem, job creation, and fostering a conducive business environment. They also discussed the proposed partnership with Endeavour Nigeria on the “1MTT” program, aimed at developing one million tech talents, emphasizing the commitment to local talent and digital skills development.
The day wrapped up with an event for Nigerian female founders and executives, spotlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Linda participated in a fireside chat with Arise TV’s Lolake Akinkugbe Filani, stressing the need to amplify women’s voices across all career stages and ensure equal access to capital, resources, and leadership opportunities. This event was sponsored by SME NG and Aliseire Capital.
Day 3: Strategy Meetings
The final day featured a series of strategic meetings with Endeavour entrepreneurs such as Paga’s Tayo Oviosu and Jay Alabraba, board members like Daystar Power’s Christian Wessels, investors including Briga’s Tosin Faniro Dada, and journalists from Bloomberg and TechCrunch. These discussions were pivotal in strengthening relationships, exploring investment opportunities, and advancing Endeavour’s mission to support high-impact entrepreneurs driving economic growth and job creation.
Impact of the Visit
Linda Rottenberg’s visit to Nigeria reaffirmed Endeavour’s dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and nurturing a supportive ecosystem. The series of events underscored Endeavour’s role in driving innovation, backing entrepreneurs, and contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
About Endeavour
Endeavour is the world’s leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs. Founded in 1997, Endeavour’s global mission is to unleash the transformative power of entrepreneurship by selecting, supporting, and investing in top founders worldwide. Today, Endeavour’s network spans 40 markets, supporting over 2,200 entrepreneurs leading 1,300 companies with combined revenues exceeding $28 billion and creating more than 3.9 million jobs.
Endeavour Nigeria, established in 2018, selects and supports top founders of scale-up and growth-stage companies who recognize their responsibility to give back and amplify their impact within the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem. Currently, Endeavour Nigeria supports 31 entrepreneurs leading 21 companies, generating over $220 million in revenue and creating over 3,000 jobs as of 2021.
To learn more about Endeavour in Nigeria, visit Endeavour Nigeria. For insights into Endeavour’s global network, visit Endeavour Global.
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