By Christian Agadibe
The tech space in Africa is rapidly evolving with innovations creating new opportunities across the continent and capturing global attention. To sustain the upward momentum of this dynamic era, Africa needs powerful voices to advocate for collaboration within the ecosystem, education, and empowerment of its tech-savvy population.
At the forefront of this is Scott C Eneje, an award-winning visionary who has shaped African tech and become a powerful voice advocating for sustainable growth and international collaboration. As he continues to build ventures and mentor new talent, Eneje remains committed to reshaping Africa’s tech ecosystem to foster long-term success and impact.
Eneje’s journey in the tech industry is marked by a deep commitment to creating lasting value and building foundational structures that benefit communities. From his earliest ventures, Eneje has been driven by a desire to address specific challenges facing African markets. He is celebrated for his technological insights and ability to apply innovation across various industries. With expertise in product management, customer experience, sustainable tech, and experience running a tech-enabled business, he has supported innovative businesses in breaking down traditional barriers and integrating technology in ways that elevate Africa’s competitive edge.
In this interview, he pulls back the curtain, to give us a peek into his tech world and how it is reshaping Nigeria and the African continent.
Please give us a snapshot of yourself – where you are from, education and general background.
I was born and raised in Lagos. My parents are of mixed origins, with my father from Enugu, Nigeria and my mom being part Beninois and part Ivorian. I studied Physics and later on Microbiology. I never practiced in either field as I have been fascinated about technology for the longest time and have been exploring robotics, mobile and software technology since 2007.
Looking at the global tech space how would you characterise Nigeria’s place in it?
With all that is said about Nigeria being a consumer economy, you will be surprised that we are leading finance technology in Africa. We are also one of the strongest adopters and innovators in Web3 technology as well. These are areas of Future Technology that play critical roles in the future of technology. We have our flaws and there’s still a lot we can do in terms of actual impact in enterprise and product technology, especially in AI and hardware manufacturing which have impacted general technology. Case studies like Paystack or even Nigerians’ involvement in Tecno and even Calendly shows that we are innovators as a people, but we have a trip ahead to play as key market players.
What is your definition of tech and its key role in defining and determining the direction of Africa’s economic future?
Tech isn’t just about new gadgets or software; it’s about creating solutions that make people’s lives easier and better. Africa’s growth is unique, and the innovations coming out of this continent have the potential to inspire the world. The key is investing in solutions that are adaptable, sustainable, and relevant to local communities.
I strongly believe that supporting innovative businesses in breaking down traditional barriers and integrating technology in ways that elevate Africa’s competitive edge is the right approach, which has the power to reshape how Africa interacts with global markets. We are seeing African startups attract attention from international investors and partners because they’re solving problems in ways that are innovative and scalable. This kind of cross-industry growth builds resilience and enables us to compete on the global stage.
Again, I am a passionate advocate for nurturing young African tech talents. I have launched mentorship and training programmes and secured strategic partnerships to equip emerging tech leaders with the skills and insights they need to thrive. I believe that such investment in young people is essential to maintaining Africa’s trajectory as a global tech leader.
The African tech industry is bold and inspiring. The unique innovations of the continent have the power to transform global markets. I will continue to drive my mission with an unwavering commitment to excellence and social impact. The truth of the matter is that Africa’s tech industry isn’t just a rising force it is a leader in shaping the next generation of global innovation.
The tech space appears to offer limitless opportunities for Nigeria’s millennials to do awesome things to generate huge income. What would you say is hindering them?
Too much noise. Everyone is talking about technology like it’s the thing that will change the world, when in reality, technology is just a means or a tool to help create things that will change the world. What this means is, the challenge is clarity in what technology really is. There’s a strong education barrier and it’s not just the school system but even the learning system in place. Skills are sold as kits for making money rather than kits for solving problems, which is where money can follow from.
Beyond creating the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, what do you think the Bola Tinubu administration should do in collaboration with the networks to actually make the government’s initiative produce the desired results for innovative youths to create wealth in the tech space?
Grassroots systems. The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is probably the strongest highlight of this government and I can’t take that for granted. However, there is a huge gap between the actual grassroots technologist and the government. Your street corner tech guy is helping build some of the biggest and best tech products for the United States, United Kingdom, European or Chinese market, earning in foreign currency while living in a nation where his skills are either unrecognized or under-appreciated, because he’s unknown and unseen and what happens is, after a while, he leaves this country and becomes of even bigger value to another nation. So, paying attention to not just big communities but small grassroots communities, not just high cities but where guys are coding with their low chip phones. That will change the game.
If you had to address and inspire 200-level university students who are tech enthusiasts, what would you tell them that you have done with tech to move you up the economic ladder?
Build things first! People are in school thinking about driving the latest cars. Someone built it, then sold it! Build something. I work with students and I’ll tell them, gather your visionary friends, you may spend at least three hours daily gisting and chilling. You can form a team, build something, finish it, push it, then build again. Focus on actual problems, not shortcut trips to money. Solve actual problems with a potential for a larger economy and spend three hours daily building these things. When the time comes, when your time comes, you have a portfolio that no one can argue with, and that will get you the things you’re looking for, at least, that’s the approach I took. There’s no “one way fits all,” but if we are talking about what I explored, that’s it, that and a commitment to building solid relationships.
Are we likely to see you teaming up with other tech experts and forward-looking organisations to set up digital creativity hubs in urban settings?
Big yes! Right now, I’m ready to collaborate with any organization that shares the same vision. Collaboration is good for a ripe market, Nigeria is a ripe market. To be balanced, competition allows innovation and progress in emerging markets. However, the competition shouldn’t be a case of us against us. We should look at exploring African tech competing against other continental technology.
Where do you hope to see yourself in the next five years? In other words, what level of success do you want to achieve in tech space within the next five years?
Honestly, I have always loved the idea of inception, subtle influence has always been my biggest pride. Planting the idea is why my friends call me “Morpheus”. If there’s any achievement I hope to have accomplished in five years, it is to have played a major, incentive role in African technology that has global impact, and not just from an idea standpoint, but a builder and pusher standpoint, not for the glory of it, but for the impact of it. Of course on a personal level I crave a form of global and financial success, but let it be that I came and I impacted.
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