About thirty (33 years old), Kizito Okechukwu has a long experience in entrepreneurship - which has been an area of interest to him since the beginning of his career. “I was born in Nigeria and grew up in South Africa, where I did a lot of my studies in public relations, languages and business management”. And the young man, who adds that playing football is another passion of his, also holds an MBA that gave him the opportunity to write a thesis entitled: “The contribution of higher education in advancing entrepreneurship in South Africa”. “I completed this MBA research in 2013 with the main conclusion that higher education plays a very important role in the development of entrepreneurs. There is a very strong correlation between the two. The future entrepreneurs must receive appropriate education to ensure that they have all the necessary skills and have a better chance of success.”
Filling the gaps in the entrepreneurial environment in Africa in general, and in the tech ecosystem in particular, is what many activities carried out by the young man are about. He has travelled and worked with public and private companies in at least fifteen African countries. Co-Chair of Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Africa, Kizito is also Executive Director of 22 ON SLOANE, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, considered as the largest campus of its kind in Africa, with more than 100 technology and digital start-ups. “22 ON SLOANE works with various global institutions and has just completed a study in partnership with the World Bank that examines the gaps in SME financing in South Africa. Moreover, 22 ON SLOANE has just published a study on the impact of Covid-19 on SMEs and start-ups in South Africa,” he said.
“Focusing on people, skills development and innovation”
An experience and an expertise that he intends to bring to the Digital Africa’s team as Vice-President. “When French President Emmanuel Macron launched the initiative two years ago, I thought: ‘Big Board, big Statement’ to support Africa and the continent's startups.” After keeping an eye on the evolution of the structure, he didn't hesitate to join the adventure. “My ambition for Digital Africa is to take advantage of it to make African start-ups more competitive. How? By focusing on people, skills development, innovation and the privileged access it offers us to the market and investment. We want to create the opportunity, for any African, if they have an idea, to implement it, thanks to Digital Africa and a strong partnership with French companies,” which, he added, “will eventually help change the relations between France and Africa. The bilateral relations, between the country and the continent, from nation to nation, but also relations between entrepreneurs, trade, socio-cultural exchanges... If Digital Africa, as a platform, achieves its objective to support African start-ups, it will undoubtedly strengthen relations between France and Africa. I firmly believe that.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic offers us the opportunity to better support our SMEs, support innovation, and finally change the face of Africa”
In the meantime, in a world ragged by the Covid-19 crisis, Kizito sees this as an opportunity to improve the situation of African entrepreneurs, especially the youngest.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted our shortcomings, but also offers us opportunities to better support our SMEs, innovation, and finally to change the face of Africa.
However, he stressed: “Supporting the SMEs should not be temporary but sustainable.”
