This is an excerpt of the Podcast Interview between David Oshin and Seyi Babatunde. Seyi Babatunde is the cofounder of Officephase, with a passion for building global business from Africa, Seyi is a firm believer that Africa has the prosperity and with young people having the right mindset, we can tell a good story about Africa, Enjoy the Podcast .
David Oshin: Welcome to our podcast, Seyi. For someone thinking of building for Africans and exporting to the global world, making people see Africa as a better place is fascinating. Can you share your story?
Seyi Babatunde :My story is very unconventional. I’m a Nigerian, the last born of four, who grew up in the streets of Lagos, transitioning from a rural setting. I’m a regular Nigerian doing business in Lagos.
David Oshin: What drives your passion for entrepreneurship?
Seyi Babatunde :The fear of poverty is a significant driver. I’ve seen poverty firsthand, and that motivates me. Also, from my university days, I knew there’s more to life than a 9-to-5 job. I want to impact people with zero background and create opportunities.
David Oshin: That’s inspiring. How do you respond to people who see Africa as a challenging market?
Seyi Babatunde :Africa has a vision for prosperity, and I believe in it. The continent has been through economic backwardness, but that’s changing. Africa is where the money is; if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.
Traditionally, Africa has been entrepreneurial. Pre-colonial Africa had mini-occupations and lineage-based businesses. The concept of 9-to-5 is relatively new. Africa has always been entrepreneurial.
Whoever controls resources controls wealth. Africa has the market and supply; we just need awakened leadership and diaspora understanding.
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David Oshin: What were some of the challenges you faced in entrepreneurship?
Seyi Babatunde : Not having mentorship was significant. Also, infrastructure challenges, like power and internet, were major obstacles.
David Oshin: How did you overcome those challenges?
Seyi Babatunde : I devoted time and money to conferences, workshops, and self-education. For infrastructure, I used virtual offices and co-working spaces.
David Oshin: How can entrepreneurs leverage content to go global?
Seyi Babatunde :You can start local, but try and go global. And the best way to do that is through content. When you tell a good story online, it gives you global viewpoints.
You will see that it is easier for multinational companies from Europe penetrate Africa more easily than local African companies?
It’s about time we started thinking in that direction. We need to leverage local talent, be patient, and teach people.
David Oshin: How do you expose local talent to global competitiveness?
Seyi Babatunde :You have to be ready to train people, sell your vision, and make it clear. We expose our staff to various places like Kigali and Nairobi.
Selling your vision lets them know what you intend to achieve. Let them know your global vision from the induction stage.
David Oshin: What role do partnerships and alliances play in penetrating new markets?
Seyi Babatunde : Partnership is key. Sometimes you don’t need to be the MD/CEO; you can co-found or sign up for franchises. You need to form partnerships with people, trust them, and use powerful tools like LinkedIn , then to navigate diverse laws across Africa? You need competent staff, lawyers, accountants, and HR professionals.
David Oshin: What’s the best approach to Pan-African penetration?
Seyi Babatunde: Start from where you are, understand what you’re doing, and be a champion in your local market, have digital capital , People should be able to Google you and find something. Digital assets are crucial for trust.
David Oshin: What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
Seyi Babatunde : Get skills, don’t rely on others. Volunteer to gain experience and build your professional network. Volunteering helps you gain experience, penetrate the workforce, and increase your value.
Skills are essential; they could be computer literacy, public speaking, or graphics.
Volunteering helps gain experience, penetrate the workforce, and increase value.
Get somebody you look up to, either online or physically. I’m approachable and available to mentor.
David Oshin: How can people reach out to you?
Seyi Babatunde: I prefer LinkedIn for professional connections.
David Oshin: What are your business goals for the next five years?
Seyi Babatunde : We want to partner with investors, raise funds, and enable infrastructure for companies to penetrate African markets.
David Oshin: Why is investing in Africa important?
Seyi Babatunde: Bring back your money, invest in Africa, and prosperity will follow,I have more of a philosophical approach to business, believe in Africa, invest in Africa, and prosperity will be part of the gains.
David Oshin: What’s your final message to listeners?
Seyi Babatunde: See Africa as a land of opportunity, bring back your wealth, and invest in Africa.
David Oshin: Thank you, Seyi, for sharing your insights.
Seyi Babatunde :Thank you.
