In a continent brimming with untapped potential and digital innovation, one name is making waves across Africa’s tech landscape, Ahmed Idris.
Ahmed is the executive director at Enovate Lab, an innovation and impact organisation in Kano for creative individuals tackling local challenges with innovative method.
Through his visionary initiative, Enovate Lab, Idris is not just keeping pace with global tech trends; he is redefining them. With a mission to empower African talent, nurture startups, and bridge the digital divide, the company is fast becoming a catalyst for transformation in Africa’s growing tech ecosystem.
In 2018, Ahmed registered his firm with just N50,000, with no office of his own, but for his mentor, who offered him an office space.
With determination and resilience, Ahmed has grown the company to having 12 core team members and 17 volunteers.
According to the tech-entrepreneur, he was inspired in 2016 to co-found a tech community to empower others and impact his society, and this step has metamorphosed to what is today known as Enovate Lab.
“I wanted to build a platform that nurtures talents and facilitates collaboration between the public and private sectors to address socioeconomic and environmental issues.
“Mentorship transformation, and skills development in individuals motivates me daily to continue this important work,” he said.
His effort to empower youngsters paid off with the training and empowerment of over 20,000 youths who are now self-dependent and are contributing to national growth.
Ahmed, a Climate Ambassador for Global Youth Climate Network which is a programme of the World Bank Youth Group, specialises in empowering youngsters through innovative programmes that focus on skills development, mentorship, and practical experience.
“We run an innovation hub specifically designed to support tech talent development and also MSMEs and Startups development. Our primary mission is to enable both the public and private sector to co-create solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges.
“We achieve this through capacity building, networking and policy advocacy. We collaborate with various organisations to create impactful opportunities, particularly targeting marginalised groups, and facilitating socio-economic development in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He disclosed that the company has experienced significant growth in various aspects of the business.
“Over time, we have expanded our programmes and initiatives, allowing us to reach a larger audience and impact more young Nigerians.
“Our collaborations with various organisations have strengthened, enabling us to co-create innovative solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges,” he said.
To Ahmed, the Nigerian tech space is evolving and filled with both challenges and opportunities.
“Nigeria boasts a population of over 200 million, which presents a substantial market for various industries. The tech and innovation stand out as a promising area for growth.
“Nigeria’s burgeoning tech landscape emphasises digital transformation and innovation, making it an attractive destination for investors and entrepreneurs,” he said.
“Since starting Enovate Lab, one of the major challenges has been securing sufficient funding. As an organisation focused on innovation and community empowerment, we often face difficulties in accessing capital, which is crucial for sustaining our operations and expanding our programmes.
“This challenge is particularly pronounced in the Nigerian context, where many businesses struggle with cash flow issues and limited access to traditional financing options,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Ahmed said, the firm remains committed to its mission and continuously seeks innovative solutions to overcome obstacles, ensuring that it can make a meaningful impact in the communities.
Speaking on the niche the firm has over other tech firms amplifying their voices, Ahmed said, it is the enabler role it plays.
“Unlike many others, we focus on creating a robust ecosystem that not only supports individual startups but also fosters collaboration between various stakeholders, including public and private sectors,” he explained.
Amidst the challenging business space, the company has adopted a multi-faceted strategy that focuses on cost management, revenue diversification, and strategic partnerships to remain operational.
According to Ahmed, Enovate Lab aims to enhance its programmes and increase impact across Nigeria to expand.
“Our strategy focuses on scaling our initiatives, reaching more communities, and establishing a presence in additional states”.
