Part 2: Those who plant trees under whose shade others will sit

Welcome back to our 7-part series on "What is Holding Back the African Technology Industry and What We Can Do About It." In Part 1, we discussed the crucial need for world-class training to build a skilled workforce. But training alone is not sufficient to catalyze a thriving technology industry; we also need a robust ecosystem that can support and nurture that talent. This brings us to Part 2: The Important Role of Ecosystem Builders.

“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”

― Rabindranath Tagore

The Important Role of Ecosystem Builders

One of the most crucial yet often overlooked factors required to build a thriving technology industry is the ecosystem builder. These individuals and organizations play a significant role in opening up access to the tech sector by eliminating various barriers that hinder its growth and potential and making things easier for the entire industry.

Ecosystem builders serve as democratizing forces in the technology industry, levelling and opening up the playing field by dismantling various barriers to entry and success. At the most basic level, they can provide tangible resources like office spaces equipped with reliable power and internet—amenities that are often taken for granted but can be scarce in certain contexts such as was the case in Lagos. These hubs can also offer crucial technology equipment such as computers or 3D printing machines, giving aspiring tech entrepreneurs the tools they need to innovate and compete.

Beyond these fundamental resources, ecosystem builders such as experienced founders who mentor upcoming founders may impart invaluable skills and knowledge. They can offer training in problem-solving, technical know-how, and business management, often exposing startups to global best practices and business experience that would otherwise remain inaccessible. Such guidance can increase the odds of success of startups within the industry, lifting all boats in the process.

Another critical role of ecosystem builders is their role in connecting startups with vital networks. This includes introductions to potential investors, facilitating partnerships within the industry, and even lobbying government bodies for favorable regulations. By bridging these gaps, they create an environment that's not just conducive to starting a business but also to growing and scaling one.

Lastly, the inspirational, psychological and moral support provided by ecosystem builders is often underappreciated. The journey of a startup is filled with ups and downs, and the encouragement, mentorship, and community that ecosystem builders offer can be the buoy that keeps a fledgling company afloat during tough times. Also the media can arouse the interest of the public in taking part in the technology industry by spotlighting the opportunities available, creating hype and excitement that is often the start of a startup adventure.

The Case of Dr. Bosun Tijani and ccHUb

Bosun Tijani and Femi Longe co-founded Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2010. They aimed to establish a hub that could offer startups reliable power and internet—resources often taken for granted elsewhere but scarce locally—as well as support for a nascent technology industry with immense potential for growth and that could provide solutions for the myriad challenges facing Nigeria and Africa in general. Given that they started the ccHub at a time when the technology industry in Nigeria was barely organised meant Tijani and his team essentially had to build their own market and value chain from scratch, requiring immense energy and vision.

Since its inception, CcHUB has evolved into a Pan-African technological powerhouse that has supported early-stage ventures in Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia and Rwanda. The hub has expanded its reach to Nairobi and Kigali, laying foundational infrastructure, including fiber-optic cables in Lagos, and broadening its focus to include education, public health, and governance. CcHUB's initiatives have been instrumental in transforming the startup landscape in Nigeria, supporting multiple startups that have gone on to become successful businesses and have encouraged the practical application of technology to solve pressing societal issues.

The Impact and Role of Ecosystem Builders

The role of an ecosystem builder like Bosun Tijani might not come with the glamour associated with being a successful tech founder, but its impact in shaping a thriving technology industry can be even more critical. Ecosystem builders lay the groundwork for innovation, generate new markets, and create an environment conducive for the entire startup industry to succeed. They are the unsung heroes developing prosperous, technologically advanced societies. In acknowledgment of his seminal contributions, Tijani was appointed as Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in August 2023, proving that impactful societal work can indeed earn its own form of high-level recognition and laying the foundation for what could be a stellar next decade for the Nigerian tech industry.

The Role of Collaboration in Ecosystem Building

The degree to which a technology industry will thrive hinges on the number and quality of its ecosystem builders as well as the collaboration culture within the industry. Importantly, a culture of collaboration within a society can significantly contribute to the strength and efficacy of these builders. In contrast, a 'lone-wolf' mentality can lead to poor ecosystem collaboration and stunted industry growth.

Ecosystem builders may well be the 'superpower' that has an outsized impact on the industry. They facilitate the birth and growth of numerous startups, essentially shaping the industry's future and its potential to solve complex societal problems.

Up Next: Part 3 - Lone Wolf versus Collaborative Mentality

In Part 3 of this series, we'll delve into how the prevailing mentality within a country or culture—be it collaborative or lone wolf—can significantly impact the growth and success of its technology industry.

I will also explore the reasons why I believe this might be the secret ingredient that has caused the Nigerian tech industry to outperform the Kenyan tech industry over the last ten years.