Bolaji Sofoluwe has over 20 years of experience in Africa and the UK, driving market growth and worldwide buying and selling actions. By her function as co-founder and Group Managing Director of the ETK (Enterprises, Commerce and Information) Group, Sofoluwe has a confirmed observe document in strategically positioning corporations, from start-ups to established corporations, to entry and prosper in advanced African markets.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts diploma in Languages and Linguistics from the College of Calabar, and an M. Sc in Worldwide Enterprise Management and Administration from York College of Administration, United Kingdom. Thus far, Sofoluwe has led ETK's consultants to assist international corporations construct connections in 34 African international locations. Her skilled profession spans varied firm sizes and spans various industries together with aviation, monetary companies, well being know-how, oil and fuel, agriculture, luxurious, vogue and sweetness, manufacturing.
She is a lecturer and entrepreneurship professional on the Saïd Enterprise College on the College of Oxford and can be an Export Champion for the Division of Worldwide Commerce; a carriage on the Mandela Mile; a mentor for Innovate UK Edge and an angel investor for a small portfolio of women-led African corporations. Sofoluwe, who can be a convention speaker and commerce coverage analyst, spoke to IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA about stand out as a girl in your chosen discipline whereas reaching your desires.
Take us in your profession path.
I began my profession on the Central Financial institution of Nigeria after which moved to Halifax Financial institution of Scotland within the UK earlier than leaving the banking sector utterly and transferring into enterprise consultancy (first within the start-up sector after which in mid-market corporations) at varied sectors in a number of African international locations.
My function centered on helping these corporations in growing enterprise plans and securing monetary, strategic and technical partnerships. This additionally included rising their capabilities to fulfill international requirements for operational and strategic insurance policies and making certain the implementation of the best buildings and processes that will make them engaging for sought-after partnerships. Subsequently, on March 10, 2011, the ETK Group was established to assist international corporations make African connections, in addition to African corporations make international connections.
Your work consists of strategically positioning corporations to thrive inside advanced African markets; how do you obtain this?
ETK Group focuses on offering strategic advisory companies to corporations seeking to enter or develop their operations within the African market. Our mission is to empower companies by facilitating buying and selling alternatives and discovering the best relationships to catalyze their progress. We obtain this by offering efficient technique, planning, implementation and e-consultancy to allow seamless and profitable growth into and throughout Africa. Our strategy consists of thorough market analysis, cultivating native partnerships, tailor-made market entry methods, regulatory compliance, capability constructing, danger administration, know-how integration and dedication to sustainability. By connecting international corporations to African alternatives, ETK Group goals to contribute to the continent's progress and develop truthful, mutually helpful enterprise relationships.
Your profession additionally crosses totally different sectors; How has it helped you evolve?
I began my work life lengthy earlier than my skilled profession started. I’ve all the time been self-sufficient, regardless that I had very supportive dad and mom. I began my work in retail in England. This instilled in me a artistic, solutions-oriented work ethic early on. Nevertheless, my skilled journey began on the Central Financial institution of Nigeria. This a part of my profession offered me with invaluable insights into coverage creation and technique formulation. On this function I collected info from each English-speaking and French-speaking West African international locations and introduced it to senior administration. Subsequent profession strikes have deepened my data of company governance, technique improvement, and navigating operational and regulatory dangers. I’ve gained first-hand expertise in making certain day-to-day operational processes align with strategic goals, highlighting the significance of sturdy measurement and monitoring for compliance. Managing distant assets in a number of international locations has additional sharpened my administration model and contributed to my general evolution in varied industries. The enjoyable of working in consultancy is that you just get to know totally different corporations. You’ll be taught lots whereas interacting with prospects and understanding their inner processes and their scaling methods.
Your group helps international corporations make connections and is now current in 34 African international locations. What has been the affect for you and the way are you strengthening international enterprise ties by your actions?
ETK Group is on the forefront of selling international connections and has thus far supported greater than 400 international corporations to construct connections in 34 African international locations. Our efforts have resulted in strengthened international enterprise ties by a multi-pronged strategy. By serving as a bridge between international corporations and various African markets, now we have enabled impactful collaborations and partnerships.
Our strategic advisory companies and consulting work have enabled international corporations to navigate the complexities of those markets, fostering sustainable and mutually helpful relationships. Our emphasis on know-how integration has streamlined enterprise processes, enabling seamless communications and operations throughout borders. Moreover, our dedication to sustainability aligns with international expectations, contributing to the constructive notion of our prospects within the worldwide enterprise group.
How can extra African corporations go international? What else ought to they do?
It is very important keep in mind that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy for African corporations to go international. Each firm we work with has its personal DNA, its personal distinctive proposition and its manner of working. So it’s essential that every of them develops a tailored technique primarily based on a selected sector, goal market and assets. African corporations should seize the chance this international shift creates by pondering greater and working higher. ETK is uniquely positioned to supply this recommendation and steering utilizing our distinctive methodology, which I additionally share with my college students and mentees.
In your years in apply, would you say you might be impressed by the variety of girls main in the private and non-private sectors? And what could be achieved to extend or keep this progress?
If we take a look at the broader image: no. Not fairly. Nevertheless, my view is kind of skewed as a result of I work with an incredible group of C-suite girls throughout totally different sectors/industries and I’ve realized lots from them. I understand that there’s nonetheless extra to be achieved in varied sectors. To help progress, we have to create clearer profession paths and have extra feminine champions at C-suite stage, who don't need to simply sit there, however introduce and coach extra girls into administration roles and management. positions.
What drives you to success?
I’m primarily pushed by my want to see change. I wish to see a shift in international commerce equality, in addition to linear values assigned to commodities at totally different levels of the worth chain. I’m additionally pushed by the necessity to see extra profitable Black feminine CEOs in order that others can emulate them, consider in themselves and know that “they’ll do it too.”
How do you mix your many sides as a instructor, coach and entrepreneur and nonetheless obtain your finest?
I’ve an awesome workforce and I’m secure sufficient to delegate. They may make errors, we are going to repair it and we are going to transfer on. I’m not the supply of all data, so I’m nonetheless studying myself; so if I didn't let others be taught, I might have failed as a pacesetter.
I additionally need to be very organized and preserve a really strict diary. I’ve a well-known saying: “If it's not within the diary, it doesn't occur.” After all, this doesn't cease me from being spontaneous, nevertheless it does assist me align my totally different roles and hats – an important of which is being a spouse, mom, daughter, sister and buddy.
How can we assist extra girls grow to be profitable and rise to the highest, as you’ve achieved? What suggestions do you’ve for young women?
My most essential tip for ladies is: 'Know your self and specialize'. Ensure you know every part there’s to learn about your discipline. Be glorious and your presents and abilities will converse for you and open doorways for you.
What essential classes have you ever realized over time of apply and affect?
The primary essential lesson is to be genuine. I've realized that you would be able to be courageous and admit that you could have a data hole in an space – so long as you attempt to fill that hole.
I’ve additionally been uncovered to my shortcomings and have been proactive in in search of assist to resolve them. Discover a mentor; be part of a mastermind group; learn. Do what you need to do.
What do you hope African girls do in another way?
If I'm sincere, nothing! We're killing it on the market. We should muster the braveness to take dangers the place we are able to, and the braveness to do large issues. I wish to see extra female-led acquisitions, and extra collaborations – particularly in relation to conquering the worldwide market/area. There may be positively energy in sisterhood.
