The Passing Route in Business: Lessons from My Journey from Ghana to Uganda

In football, the passing route is a strategy that requires vision, timing, and an understanding of the field to create opportunities. This principle of anticipating gaps and executing with precision resonates deeply with my journey from Ghana to Uganda. Over the past decade, I’ve navigated diverse sectors—Tech, Finance, Education, Digital Marketing, Business Development, and Innovation Management—and most recently, I joined The Innovation Village in October 2023 to lead Africa Business and expansion across our subsidiaries, including MoTIV.

But like in football, where players have to adjust their routes to the evolving dynamics on the field, my journey didn’t stop with corporate leadership amongst many entrepreneurship adventures. I identified a growing opportunity in Uganda’s food sector and ventured into entrepreneurship with the launch of Savori Safari Uganda .

Balancing my role at Innovation Village with my entrepreneurial endeavor, #SavoriSafari, represents my passing route in business. This duality allows me to think from both ends—offering practical solutions to Uganda’s dynamic food market while leading Africa’s business growth and supporting innovators across the continent.

At #SavoriSafari, we cater to Uganda’s working class, offering quick, affordable, and healthy meals. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack, our menu is designed to fit your fast-paced day. And just as in football, where every pass builds toward a goal, we’ve been refining our approach based on customer needs and feedback. After one year of understanding Uganda’s ecosystem, I’m excited to announce that Savori Safari is officially open for business!

We operate from 8 am to 8 pm at MoTIV, Industrial Area, Kampala, and offer a wide selection of meals, snacks, and corporate catering services. You can visit us in person or order online via Glovo Uganda, WhatsApp Business, or Instagram. I invite you to experience our unique blend of local and continental gastronomy and let us meet your culinary needs, whether for a quick lunch or a corporate event.

Applying the Passing Route Concept to Business

A passing route in football is all about positioning and timing, making the right moves in response to the opposition’s defense. In business, this translates to recognizing market gaps and capitalizing on opportunities. For me, founding Savori Safari was not just about entering the food industry—it was about addressing a key need: access to fast, nutritious meals for the urban workforce. Uganda’s food industry is valued at US$15.13bn in 2024 and is expected to grow annually by 9.98% (CAGR 2024-2029) according to Statista, but the market is fragmented, creating immense room for innovation. This was the opportunity I seized.

Similarly, leading Africa Business at Innovation Village requires identifying opportunities to scale innovation across the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to more than 1000 tech hubs, and the challenge lies in creating sustainable models that can grow beyond national borders. My role is to leverage these insights, positioning innovators for success just as we position a business like Savori Safari for long-term growth.

Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs

1. Adaptability: In football, players adjust their routes depending on the opponent’s defense. In business, adaptability is equally important. At Savori Safari, we’ve adjusted our menu, introduced new options, and catered to online ordering trends to meet customer needs.
2. Leverage Team Strengths: Football is a team effort, and so is business. At Innovation Village, I work with diverse innovators and teams. Each person brings a unique perspective. The same applies to Savori Safari, where my team’s dedication has been crucial in testing new ideas and improving operations.
3. Entrepreneurship is a Long-Term Game: Just as a passing route doesn’t always lead directly to a goal, building a business requires resilience and long-term vision. Savori Safari has had its share of adjustments, but we’re building something sustainable, one step at a time.
4. Cross-Sector Insights Drive Innovation: My experiences across Tech, Finance, and Business Development allow me to apply unique insights to entrepreneurship. Whether I’m leading at Innovation Village or steering Savori Safari, understanding multiple industries gives me an edge in navigating the challenges of both roles.

The Future: Scaling Impact in Uganda and Beyond

Much like a final pass that leads to a goal, my dual roles allow me to support both Savori Safari’s growth and the innovators at Innovation Village. Whether it’s meeting the needs of Uganda’s busy working class through food, or helping Africa’s innovators scale their solutions globally, the passing route concept applies perfectly to the business and entrepreneurship landscape.

As Savori Safari takes off, I am more committed than ever to applying the lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur to support innovators at Innovation Village. I invite you to join us on this journey—whether as a diner at Savori Safari or as a fellow entrepreneur on the continent.

If you are ever in Uganda, visit us at Savori Safari, MoTIV, Industrial Area, Kampala, or order your meals online through Glovo Uganda, WhatsApp Business, or Instagram.