On April 28, BusinessDay held the maiden edition of the Top 25 Most Innovative Companies & Institutions in Nigeria at the Eko Hotel & Suites. The prestigious Award event was conceptualised to commend and promote those Organisations whose strategies had resulted in bringing about ground-breaking innovation that resulted, in no small measure, to making commercial and socio-economic impact, as well as value creation for the Nigerian economy in 2016.
Dangote Group emerged the overall winner for the Innovative Company of the Year Award for its $3 billion Sub-sea Pipeline Infrastructure dubbed the East West Offshore Gas Gathering System (EWOGGS) project and 650,000 bpd Refinery &Petrochemicals plant. The EWOGGS pipeline project will unlock significant gas supply for industrial applications and will considerably reduce flaring. The gas pipeline can supply gas to generate 12,000 MW of power. Power Plants, Fertilizer, Refinery and Petrochemical Projects will also benefit from the EWOGGS.The gas pipeline, which is the largest in any Country in the World is 1,100 Km long and will handle 3 Billion SCF of gas per day when completed.
Dangote Cement won the award for the Most Innovative in Housing & Urban Development for Dangote 3X. Across the nation, users of cement never knew that Cement had grades until Dangote cement introduced into the market the 42.5 grade cement. The common brand of cement was 32.5 grade and deployed as multi-purpose. With increasing building collapse across the nation, Dangote began to create the awareness that Cement has grades and that each grade has its application distinct from each other. Dangote Cement’s 42.5 grade christened 3X is produced with unique features, which sets the brand apart from the competition. The introduction of this grade has forced other competitors to upgrade production facilities to produce 42.5
The innovation-driven, FMDQ, winner of the Most Innovative in Financial Markets Award, introduced and upgraded several initiatives, all geared towards empowering the Nigerian financial markets to be globally competitive, operationally excellent, liquid and diverse, in support of the nation’s economy. Some of the initiatives include: the Naira-settled OTC FX Futures Market; the FMDQ Academy; the Debt Capital Market Development (DCMD) Project; the Mandatory Registration and Quotation of Commercial Papers (CPs) on FMDQ, among others. Subsequently, despite the economic downturn in 2016, FMDQ recorded an impressive market turnover of N113.66 trillion, maintaining a turnover of over N100.00 trillion for the third year running.
Rack Centre’s Cloud on Ground services provided from its state-of-the-art, Tier III Design Certified data centre offering carrier-neutral collocation services earned the Company the Award for Most Innovative Data Centre Technology Provider. The Cloud on Ground™ refers to cloud services hosted within Rack Centre, here in Nigeria. Rack Centre has developed Cloud on Ground as an innovation that is expected to transform the 20 million strong Nigerian SME communities, while also ensuring Government MDAs can now bring data hosted abroad to Nigeria. The data centre provides over 6,000 sqm (65,000sqft) of energy efficient and secure data centre space.
For the Most Innovative Internet Service Provider category, Spectranet 4G LTE took home the Award the Unlimited Gold plan and the Netfix Partnership. The Gold Plan provides users with unlimited upload and downloads without worries or fear of poor connection. Existing customers who migrate to this plan will have their unused data warehoused in their accounts, which will be credited back to them should they choose to return to their existing capped plan. In addition, Netflix, the World’s leading Internet TV service announced in 2016, the deployment of one of the first dedicated Netflix servers in Africa with Spectranet. This high capacity server holds the entire Netflix content library, in Lagos, providing Spectranet’s customers with the best possible video streaming performance. This solution offers faster delivery in a cost effective way.
Coca-Cola topped the Most Innovative Multinational in Nigeria category on the strength of pioneering the bottles-to-fibre recycling programme, which serve as valuable raw materials for many industries including textile, furniture and bedding industries. The company also won for other innovative initiatives including the 5Alive Pulpy Orange, which is not just the first and only Nigerian made juice with pulp but also produced in Nigeria’s first hot-fill line. The soda giant was also recognized for its inimitable Share-a-Coke marketing campaign and the more recent spectacular launch of Coca-Cola’s Taste-the-Feeling campaign in 2016 on a unique made-for-purpose ‘Coke Island’ that was created on the Lagos Lagoon.
The Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) bagged the Award for Most Innovative Mortgage Institution in Nigeria for creating the first ever mortgage management technology infrastructure proffering an end-to-end solution for the housing finance market in Nigeria. NMRC’s Mortgage Market Management infrastructure integrates the financing operations of the key components of the entire housing value chain, from Construction finance, to Primary mortgage origination and administration to Secondary market mortgage refinancing.
Olam Nigeria’s win in the Most Innovative in Agriculture Value Chain Management category was due to the visionary strides in helping rural farming communities thrive; linking large-scale agriculture with smallholders to boost agriculture and using technology to assist smallholders and reduce risk. In 2016 alone, Olam trained over 22,000 farmers in its Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) programme across its major agro-initiatives of cocoa, rice, cashew and sesame. Another product that earned Olam the Award is the Olam Farmer Information System (OFIS) is a revolutionary technology solution for collecting and applying farmgate level data. The software provides Olam with a better understanding of the Nigerian agri-landscape and the ability to increase cocoa productivity.
In the category of the Most Innovative in Agriculture Funding, Sahel Agribusiness Managers stood out for its innovative funding initiatives aimed at deepening agricultural development in Nigeria. One of the major projects that set the Company apart was its partnership with FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC on the Nigeria Dairy Development Programme (NDDP). The programme aims to strengthen the Dairy Transformation Agenda of the Government by demonstrating proof-of-scale in Nigeria’s processor-led initiatives for dairy development.
Winner of the Most Innovative in Legal Services, Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I) won for being the first technologically advanced law firm. The Firm conducts most of the legal due diligence exercises in Virtual Data Rooms, using modern technology adeptly. B&I leverages on technology by connecting all their three offices remotely, running an e-library and ensuring every system in the Firm are installed with relevant legal practice software. B&I is consistently ranked as a leading Nigerian law firm.
Stanbic IBTC Pensions’ Retirement Savings Account (RSA) on ATM; Pension-on Wheels and Multilingual Call Centre earned the Organisation the Most Innovative Pension Fund Administrator nod. For instance, the RSA on ATM makes it possible for RSA holders to conveniently check their RSA balances, request for their statements and view transactions on their accounts from any Stanbic IBTC bank ATM regardless of whether or not they have an account with Stanbic Bank. The service also does not require an ATM card to function.
MTN Nigeria took home the Most Innovative in Telecommunications Award for the Company’s Mobile Electricity Service (MES) borne out of its partnership with Lumos to provide to Nigerians affordable alternative electricity solution. The mobile electricity solution is a unique innovation that combines the efficiency of the mobile revolution with reliable solar energy to provide modern electricity to millions of Nigerians through an affordable pay-per-use functionality and simple installation. MTN AIMS is indeed another first from MTN. It is the first time microchips, short codes and handheld RFID scanners are being employed in determining animal ownership in Nigeria. The goal is to help law enforcement agents, veterinary inspectors; cattle market operators, transporters, abattoirs and animal owners (all stakeholders in the livestock/animal ecosystem) in the fight against rustling.
In 2016, IHS Nigeria completed the first in-market African mobile infrastructure consolidation transaction with the acquisition of Helios Towers Nigeria Limited, bringing 1,211 diversified tower sites throughout Nigeria into the IHS portfolio. IHS also re-invested over US$500 million into the business and deployed new cutting-edge hybrid power solutions across their portfolio, helping improve performance for their customers, decrease diesel consumption and costs; and reduce CO2 emissions. Through this initiative, IHS is also helping the Continent achieve the African Renewable Energy Initiative’s ambitious goal of 300 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Subsequently, IHS emerged as the Most Innovative Technology Company in Nigeria.
Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) topped the list of nominees to bag the Award for the Most Innovative Government Agency for introducing the US$100 billion pigeon pea market into Nigeria. NAQS conducted Pest Crop Survey (PCS) in 2015/2016 with the aim of increasing the quality and quantity of agricultural produce to meet the standards required in international market. Based on the survey report, the Indian government opened up to the Nigerian government, a pigeon pea market worth one hundred billion US Dollars ($100b). This $100b market value alone is more than five times the 2016 national budget. The spiral effect of this new market is increased production level, higher earning by farmers, improved lifestyle of farmers, improved business for haulage and logistic operators, warehouse managers, processing and value-addition companies and gainful employment for the youths.
The Most Innovative in Manufacturing Award went to Lafarge Africa, which has put innovation at the core of its businesses. Lafarge relies on a powerful central Research and Development structure and on Development Labs operating as close to their markets as possible. One of the recent cutting-edge projects in innovation is the Biomass Alternative Fuel Feeding System. The project is focused on developing an alternative fuel (primarily biomass) supply and utilisation system to partly substitute the use of fossil fuels at Lafarge’s Ewekoro and Sagamu plant facilities. Outside the oil and gas and telecommunications industries, LafargeHolcim is the largest foreign investor in Nigeria and is currently making a further 400 billion Naira investment into the country.
In the fruit juice category, mega brands like CHIVITA 100%, CHIVITA Active, CHI Exotic, Happy Hour by CHIVITA, CHI Iced Tea and Capri-Sonne occupy leading positions in their respective segments. The company attained this status by consistently delivering innovative products that have become household names in Nigeria. An ISO 22000 certified company, CHI Limited’s world class, state of the art manufacturing facility deploys the most advanced processing and packaging technology available anywhere in the world. The company also dedicates resources to research and development to ensure that CHI products provide the essential vitamins and nutrients that the consumer requires for healthy living. As a result, Chivita was awarded the Most Innovative FMCG in Nigeria.
The Most Innovative Real Estate Firm in Nigeria, Grenadines Homes’ Co-Ownership Investment Scheme and The Timeshare Ownership Scheme allows real estate investors of different cadres to own a property in the highly rated locations of Lagos, especially at the iconic Atlantic Resort, a waterfront location, situated on the Water Corporation Drive, Victoria Island. These innovative schemes have made luxury more affordable for every Nigerian who until now might not have considered owning a property in a premium location. The Co-Ownership allows more Nigerians climb the property ladder through a secure investment platform that allows investors to jointly own a piece in prime real estate. The Timeshare allows Nigerians in the diaspora own a prime property without having the need to worry about maintenance or other excessive costs.
OPIC Agbara/Igbesa Industrial estate is an 8,000-hectare industrial estate and is one of the largest industrial estates in Sub-Saharan Africa and home to major local and international industries in Nigeria. OPIC has various commercial developments within the Lagos-Abeokuta region. Residential Developments include the New Makun City; a green city development initiative that is designed to create a new catalytic hub for residential, industrial and commercial activities along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Subsequently, the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation earned the Most Innovative Urban Developer (Public Sector).
AXA Mansard’s Auto Flex, which earned the Company the Most Innovative in Insurance, is the first flexible motor insurance products sold solely online that offers the following solutions: Ease and convenience of getting car insurance from anywhere from many internet enabled device without having to visit an insurance company and customisation of insurance cover to suit customer needs. Auto Flex also provides customers with the flexibility to choose other benefits in addition to the legally compulsory third party cover. Purchasing the product is entirely online; customers go through the process from registration to customisation to payment online. At the time of launch, no competitor offered this type of motor product.
Konga was awarded with the Most Innovative in E-Commerce in Nigeria with its “Fulfilled by Konga” initiative. “The new initiative is set to reduce merchant order processing times from 40 hours to 3 hours – 90% reduction. Konga’s flagship distribution centre in Lagos is an ultra-modern 60,000 sq ft warehouse and houses over 200,000 items. With the launch of ‘Fulfilled by Konga’, plans to double its size to 120,000 sq ft are already underway, as well as a country-wide infrastructure project to build fulfillment centres in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, as well as in Port Harcourt. “Fulfilled by Konga” has been introduced to significantly reduce delivery times for customers across the country, and to make order fulfilment for its 60,000 merchants easier and more reliable. For Lagos deliveries, items can be delivered within 24 hours; a service that has been in beta for some months and has already seen a 98.5% success rate.
Ageless Physiotherapy Clinic, which received the Award for the Most Innovative Healthcare Firm, operates one of the largest stand-alone physiotherapy centres in Nigeria .The physiotherapy clinic provides access to quality and effective physiotherapy through highly specialized physical rehabilitation for more than 2,000 people each year. This represents a huge percentage of the physical rehabilitation market in Nigeria. Collectively, the Centre has in its employment physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, registered nurses. Ageless’ highly Specialized Physical Rehab Programs like Heat Therapy, Spinal Manipulation Therapy, Electrotherapy and Physical Rehabilitation for stroke, spinal cord injury, MS, Parkinson, Dementia, Congenital birth deformities, Traumatic Brain Injury, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy.
Wecyclers’ innovative initiative of giving households a chance to capture value from their waste while providing a reliable supply of materials to the local recycling industry resulted in the Company earning the Most Innovative Start-Up in Nigeria. Wecyclers works in partnership with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and collects recyclable waste, including plastic bottles, plastic bags, and aluminum cans, at the household level using low-cost bicycle-powered collection vehicles called “wecycles”. Wecyclers rewards households with redeemable points based on the volume and quality of recyclables that they give us. Wecyclers sort and aggregate the materials and then sells it to Nigerian recyclers.
As the Most Innovative in Media & Entertainment, Iroko TV’s web platform that provides paid-for Nigerian films on-demands is the world’s largest platform for Nollywood movies and TV series. Iroko TV was the first platform on the market to make thousands of Nollywood movies available online, legally. The Media Company has grown from a movie streaming [SVOD] service, to a mobile-first, download only app. Iroko has invested millions of dollars in the Nigerian film industry, not only through licensing content, but also co-producing and producing hundreds of new movies and TV shows, that have made a significant impact on the growth of Nollywood.
The Electrotechnics Programme of the Institute of Industrial Technology is what earned the Organisation the Award for Most Innovative in Education. Electrotechnics for secondary school leavers is a 2-year Technical Skills Training Program (TSTP) to develop technical professionals for power sector. This dual training programme is designed to convert secondary school and technical college school leavers into technicians capable of working in the Power Industry. The programme is composed of a period of in-school training and in-plant/in-company training. Graduates of this course are multi-skilled, flexible service technicians capable of working in the power industry environment. Their services are in high demand. Practical content of the Electrotechnics courses is as high as 70 percent. Partner companies and IIT jointly design and monitor the in-company training component.
In 2016, Lenovo Nigeria and Slot Systems Limited partnered together to launch the first Lenovo brand retail store in Nigeria. This, in addition to other initiatives embarked upon in 2016, earned Slot the Award for the Most Innovative SME. As an indigenous company, SLOT provides first class after-sales support that is incomparable. Over the years, the Company has been the first to announce new phones, new functions, features, and upgrades into the Nigerian consumer market. The institution of the Slot Academy, borne out of the birth of the Slot Foundation, recently witnessed the graduation of over 40 students from the Lagos State Vocational Educational Board 2016 edition of the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
E-Motion Advertising Ltd emerged top of the Most Innovative in Digital Marketing Services category of nominees for its Atomic LED Board (width 1,152 pixels by 384 pixels) on Lekki’s 2nd Roundabout (Traffic Count: 150,000 daily) and the E-Motion Advertising Digital(960 by 320 pixels) LED Site in Port Harcourt(Traffic count: 200,000). LED Rumuola captures target audience from Aba Road, Mile 12, Trans Amadi, Rumuokuta and Hospitality (Presidential Hotel) Road, among other areas. E-Motion Advertising has rapidly become a frontrunner in the Nigeria Out Of Home Advertising Industry with strong customer base spanning key sectors of the economy.
Most Innovative in Banking Award went to SunTrust Bank, Nigeria’s first truly digital bank. The bank relies on digital channels – online, mobile and telephone – to deliver its products and services rather than the traditional brick and mortar branches. The Bank’s underlying objective is to enhance and deepen Nigeria’s financial inclusion goals through the facilitation of accessible, speedy and affordable products and services to retail and commercial customers via technology. SunTrust is a newcomer to the banking market. Despite the recession in 2016 that led to significant macro-economic challenges, the bank recorded growth of 432 percent in customer deposits from N788.583 million to N4.195 billion through its broad range of unique financial services and products to individuals, small businesses, corporations and the government.
Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) bagged the Award for the Most Innovative Charity or NGO in Nigeria. The Fund supports security agencies across the State including: the Lagos State Police Command particularly the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), OPMESA (comprising of the Army, Navy and Air force), Marine Police, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Anti-Bomb Squad, State Security Service (SSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Immigrations Service, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies which are all the primary responsibilities of the Federal Government. In 2016, LSSTF spent N373.32 million on training, repairs and maintenance, vehicle procurement and supplies of security equipment to the abovementioned agencies. The work of the NGO has translated to reduction in crime rate and violent robberies across the State. Subsequently, Lagos State was adjudged the Best Security and Most Safety conscious State in Africa by Security Watch Africa in 2016.
Over a hundred restaurants are available on Jumia Food, the winner of the Most Innovative in Food Services in Nigeria. Jumia Food (previously Hellofood) is a food delivery service that gives you access to dozens of restaurants in your city in Nigeria. You can order food from any of the restaurants or even multiple restaurants on the Jumia Food website or mobile app. All the restaurants offer payment on delivery, so you can pay only when the food is delivered. Jumia Food also offers the benefit of variety of choice. You can order Chinese, Italian, Thai, Continental, and Nigerian Food as well many more. No matter how far away, the restaurant is, you can now conveniently order your favourite meals from the comfort of your home or office.
Out of thousands of businesses studied, researched and assessed by BusinessDay Research & Intelligence Unit (BRIU), 127 nominees were shortlisted in the 25 Categories (see BusinessDay of Tuesday, May 2, 2017 for abridged profiles of nominees in each category). An Awards Committee composed of seasoned and outstanding professionals and business leaders in their respective fields were tasked with the responsibility of selecting the winners, which were announced for the first time at the prestigious event.
OMOSOMI OMOMIA
