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Every African Should Feel Free to Move Around Africa to Explore Business Opportunities – Rotimi Olawale

Published

3 years ago

July 12, 2021

Eric

By Dolapo Aina

Rotimi Olawale is a Nigerian entrepreneur who is into agrobusiness with interests in coffee, cassava and other agriculture-related focus. He has been expanding into some African countries like Rwanda and Zambia. Dolapo Aina sat down with Rotimi Olawale in Kigali; Rwanda on Thursday, the 24^th of June, 2021 to discuss his foray into other African countries, African business integration on the Continent and other issues. Do read the excerpts of the interview.

What brings you to Rwanda?

I am Olawale Rotimi Opeyemi and I am the founder and CEO of JR Farms Limited. And presently, I am in Kigali, Rwanda. JR Farms is into agrobusiness and currently, the company operates in four countries namely; Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia and The Netherlands. We have three areas of operation which are food processing, agro-commodity trading and agro-consultancy. In Nigeria, we are into cassava processing and coffee retailing. In Rwanda, we are into coffee exportation (and this has been ongoing for four years.) Also, in Rwanda, we have a new project which is in partnership with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) which is to invest in youth-led agrobusinesses in Rwanda; to inspire and support them in order for them to be able to scale their businesses. In Zambia, we have the livestock project ongoing. And in The Netherlands, we have the coffee activities and mobilising investments from Europe back to Africa.

In Rwanda, we export coffee and work in the coffee sector. We are looking at scaling our projects to other activities across the agriculture chain.

Why Rwanda?

Basically, when we came here, we were looking for a country where things are quite organised. Where the environment is enabling and Rwanda met our desires and ticked all the boxes we wanted. We all know that the environment is enabling, the basic infrastructure and amenities are available to facilitate business growth and sustainability. And the ease of doing business is also very commendable. To register your business, to get the bank account open, to file your taxes etc. all this are digital and to export is quite fast and seamless. The operationability of business here in Rwanda is encouraging because the embargoes you would usually expect from African countries have been removed. The enabling environment is a major reason. Also, the quality of the coffee is great. Also, the farmers are well organised into cooperatives which makes it very easy to source the coffee because the farmers have put themselves into clusters of cooperatives (we all know that the government is giving them a lot of support). This high-level organisation among the farmers makes it easy for you to source coffee because they can put their small and individual farms together to become large volumes.

So, you don’t have to begin to deal with individual farmers who have one hectare or even less. They can put them together in a cooperative and you buy in volumes. This makes support easier and traceability easier too. Because in a case where you want to trace the origins of the coffee, once you are dealing with a cooperative, traceability is easy. Also, in a case, where you want to do some interventions e.g., trainings and support activities of the farmers to improve the production of coffee; it is also easy because you know where it is coming from and you know what they are doing and you know how they have formed themselves. These are key pointers that have inspired us to stay in Rwanda, just like every other business who have come to set up in Rwanda.

You commenced operations since 2018. How has it been so far? No regrets?

No regrets at all. It has been an enjoyable journey so far. And over the years, we have constantly continued to work here even in the midst of the covid pandemic, we still had exports moving. So far, it has been encouraging and inspiring. And that is why we have been intensifying the new project we have which is the Green Agribusiness fund.

What is the Green Agribusiness Fund all about?

The new agribusiness fund is a new project of JR Farms which is designed to invest in youth-led agribusinesses in Rwanda. We commenced the pilot in 2020 in partnership with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation). We have move to the next stage by extending the project to Uganda and Nigeria. Our sojourn into Rwanda has been good so far and we have no worries and concerns about the country. We know that the needed structures are in place and things are working. And in the near future, things would be sustained.

As an upwardly mobile young Nigerian and African who decided to set up shop in Rwanda, what would you tell other Nigerians back home who are into farming about the opportunities in Rwanda?

I believe every African should feel free to move around Africa to explore business opportunities (it is not only about Nigerians or Rwandans.) We came to Rwanda and we did not only stay in Rwanda, we have extended to Zambia. So, I think Africans should learn to expand and move around freely. The same way I have been able to move from Nigeria to Rwanda and Zambia, Zambians should also be able to move from Zambia to Rwanda and Rwandans should be able to move to Zambia. Let’s integrate. I was glad to read some days ago, that Ghana was partnering with the government of Rwanda to establish a chocolate processing factory in Rwanda. This for me is quite inspiring because this is the kind of Africa we should have, strengthening bilateral relations through economic ties not only political ties. If Ghana has a stake in Rwanda economically, they would be promoting each other, because the cocoa would come from Ghana and then, the processing is done in the factory in Rwanda. Then, Rwanda would be able to access the East African market in the production line. That means that by the time this production commences, Rwanda does not need to import chocolates anymore. Another angle is that because of the East African Community, you can export to Kenya, Uganda and other countries without any trade embargo.

These are key things and indicators that we should be proud of as Africans and we should be doing. Ghana and Rwanda have set an example of what should be happening. We should not close our borders. We should not fight each other. The example set by Ghana and Rwanda is a very significant move; from West Africa to East Africa. It is building stronger economic ties. For example, now, the source would be Ghana for the raw cocoa and it would be sent to Rwanda where it would be processed. For me, it is not only about coming to Rwanda, it is about Africans moving around and integrating to do business on the African Continent.

Dolapo Aina writes from Kigali, Rwanda

Featured

Akwa Ibom Gov Disburses N750m Business Grant to 15,000 Youths

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Eric

In a historic move to tackle unemployment and empower Akwa Ibom’s youth, Governor Umo Eno has disbursed ₦750 million in unemployment business grants to 15,000 youths across the state. This innovative programme provides ₦50,000 monthly grant to 5,000 beneficiaries, with plans to expand the initiative to a total of 60,000 youths drawn from all 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) over the next 12 months.

Speaking during the official presentation of the grants at Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, Gov Eno described the initiative as a cornerstone of his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and capacity building.

He urged beneficiaries to utilize the grants for productive ventures that will enhance their personal growth and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.

He reaffirmed his administration’s focus on creating opportunities that enable youths to thrive and unlock their full potential, adding that this programme is part of a broader charter to highlight and support the immense talent and resilience of Akwa Ibom youth.

Gov. Eno also announced plans for civil service recruitment through the State Youth Employment Portal.

He encouraged youths to register on the portal, which has been designed to simplify access to jobs and other employment-related initiatives, underscoring his administration’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity in public service recruitment.

Additionally, the governor highlighted several complementary programmes aimed at building youth capacity, including Ibom LED, the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, and the Ibom Community Watch initiative. These initiatives provide vital training, mentorship, and job creation opportunities for young people, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive economy.

Describing the selection process, SSA on ICT, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong said beneficiaries where chosen through an unbiased and thorough process.

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Ahead Christmas, It’s Glo’s Feliz Navidad All the Way on TVCs

Published

4 days ago

December 22, 2024

Eric

Celebratory seasons, such as Christmas and New Year, are times when corporate organisations churn out new television commercials (TVCs) to connect with their customers and share the fun, euphoria and uncommon conviviality of such seasons.

One such organization which has over the years used this strategy to great effect is Nigeria’s top telecommunications brand, Globacom.

The exciting commercials that the technology company keeps rolling out fan the delight and elation of the season of goodwill. The brand employs the occasion not only to promote brand awareness but to felicitate its customers and the nation at large.

It is a tradition Glo has established. Since it started operations in 2003, it has always used television commercials as veritable tools of ensuring brand presence, marketing products and services and spreading joy among its various targets.

The 2024 Yuletide adverts it rolled out recently are not different. The two unique yet powerful commercials serve dual purposes. They felicitate the Nigerian people and spread mirth, which the season typifies, around existing and prospective customers.

Expectedly, the two new commercials have dominated the airwaves, and kept viewers talking and relishing the joy that Christmas brings.

The first commercial features juju music maestro, King Sunday Adegeye, popularly called King Sunny Ade, who parades a full ensemble of dancers and a rich, talented band in the TVC tagged “Merry Christmas”. The percussions, rhythm and dance merge to foster affability and enchanting memories of the season of glad tidings.

Before the party celebration where King Sunny and his band entertain guests, the TVC takes viewers back to the 1970s and 1980s when Christmas was celebrated with so much fanfare. It paints a vivid picture of rural Nigeria during Christmas where the warmth of tradition and community fills the air. The village with lush green vegetation is buzzing with excitement, with children playing, women cooking delicious meals in open-air kitchens, the aroma of local dishes (you can literally perceive it) mixing with the sounds of Afro Juju music. Families and friends gather around, dancing joyfully to the rhythmic beats, their faces beaming with happiness as they celebrate the festive season. A woman bearing the Aso ebi for the party is shown coming down from a Peugeot 504 car which also reinforces the advert as being set in the 1980s.

The television commercial by the telecom company captures the essence of togetherness, blending the cultural richness of rural life with the spirit of Christmas, all while subtly underscoring the telecom brand’s role in connecting loved ones, no matter how far apart they may be. It ends with “Better don come. Merry Christmas, Nigeria” further underscoring the reason for the commercial.

The second commercial tagged “Feliz Navidad” uses a galaxy of known artistes including Nollywood star, Timini Egbuson, as well as Uche Nwaefuna (Uchemontana), Chigozie Stephanie Alichi (Chizzy Alichi), Tomi Ojo, Eronini Osinachim, Kiki Bakare and Tope Adenibuyan (Teddy A) to pass across the message of Christmas.

At the heart of the Christmas party, the energy is electric as tap dancers take center stage, their feet tapping out intricate rhythms that blend seamlessly with the upbeat melody of Feliz Navidad. The sound of their shoes striking the floor creates a lively pulse, complementing the lively tunes of the music band performers who bring the festive song to life with vibrant instruments and harmonious vocals. Laughter and cheer fill the air as all come together to toast the season, sharing in the joy of music, movement, and the warmth of the Christmas spirit. The scene is a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and festive joy, all set to the timeless sounds of Feliz Navidad.

These commercials have further endeared the Glo brand to its subscribers and the general Nigerian public as they enjoy the geniality of the season of love, hope, gifts and celebrations.

Talking about the Yuletide commercials, Ademide Gafar, an industry watcher opined that churning out great TVCs is one of the selling points of the Glo brand while John Michael, a marketing communications expert, noted that Globacom is not just a leader in the telecommunications sector but a prominent creator of unforgettable commercials. From the nation’s pride in telecommunications, it’s Feliz Navidad-Merry Christmas!

Featured

Court Sends Woman to Prison for Abusing Tinubu’s Son, IGP on Social Media

Published

5 days ago

December 21, 2024

Eric

Olamide Thomas, who reportedly threatened Seyi Tinubu on social media, was on Friday, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Olamide was arraigned by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, before Justice Emeka Nwite on a three-count charge.

Olamide was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording through a computer system or network on her social media platforms wherein she made remarks in Yoruba language.

In the video, she was alleged to have stated: “Mr. Seyi Tinubu would die this year, and misfortune and calamity had befallen the Tinubu family, with intent to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr Seyi Tinubu.”

The communication was said to have placed Seyi in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

In count two, the defendant was alleged to have intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language to bully, threaten, and harass the person of Egbetokun.

The communication was said to have placed Egbetokun in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Olamide was arrested on allegations bordering on harassing and threatening Seyi Tinubu, Egbetokun, and the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a viral social media post.

In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/636/2024 dated and filed on December 18 by the police team of lawyers led by A.A. Egwu, Olamide was sued as sole defendant.

Upon resumed hearing, Victor Okoye, who appeared for the police, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and that he was ready to proceed.

After the counts were read to the defendant, she pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence lawyer, T J. Aondo (SAN), sought to move an oral application on his client’s behalf but the request was turned down.

Justice Nwite directed Aondo to file a formal bail application and adjourned the matter until December 30 for the commencement of trial.

The judge, however, assured the defence counsel that as soon as a bail application is filed in form of a motion on notice, the court would not hesitate to hear it.

Justice Nwite, thereafter, ordered Olamide to be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre pending the hearing of her bail application.