Faith is not a substitute for mediocrity. Henotace Media is championing the need for the next generation of successful techpreneurs and enthusiasts to come from the Christian faith.
Today, we have the privilege of speaking with a faith-filled, young, and dynamic entrepreneur about the waste management and recycling space, and how technology can be leveraged to create a better Africa.
Mr Boluwatife Arewa is the Managing Partner at Scrappays Technologies Limited, learn more about him .
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HENOTACE: HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY BEGIN, FROM YOUR FIRST TECH COMPANY TO SCRAPPAYS?
Boluwatife: Right from my school days, I developed a deep love for the first programming languages, Fortran and Basic. It became evident to me that I wanted to utilize technology to solve real-world problems. During my time at school, I started by mapping locations around the school and city using Google Maps. I also had the opportunity to receive training from Intel, which provided me with valuable knowledge and connections in the tech world.
In my quest to solve societal problems, I initiated a project called “Panti” in collaboration with my current co-founder and a friend. It was a low-tech solution aimed at addressing issues related to waste and recycling. Prior to this, we had developed a solution for generating electricity from marshy grounds due to their high conductivity properties. Our journey continued as we expanded the scope of “Panti” during our 400-level studies. We even earned recognition as nationalists in a program by the Geo-Science body in our country. Thus, my journey began as a fusion of my passion for technology and the desire to solve critical societal issues.
HENOTACE: IN THE TECH WORLD TODAY, MANY ARE DRAWN TO THE FINTECH SPACE. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TEMPTED TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION?
Boluwatife: Fintech is undoubtedly a darling of venture capitalists. Its business model is well-established and crystal clear. While financial inclusion is vital, it’s important to note that Africa faces more profound challenges than merely financial inclusion. Our continent struggles with economic inclusion and widespread poverty. We’ve seen numerous startups creating digital wallets and payment solutions, but the key question is: what’s inside those wallets? Are there meaningful transactions taking place? At ScrapPays, we address this issue by combining technology, payments, and recycling. In essence, we serve as the “Airbnb for recyclables.” Our approach ensures that our agents not only achieve financial inclusion but also economic inclusion.
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HENOTACE: HOW HAVE YOU BEEN EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR VENTURE?
Boluwatife: Our journey has been an adventurous one, filled with both failures and successes. This dynamic nature is inherent to startups. The model we currently operate is quite different from what we had 18 months ago. In the startup world, you need to be prepared to fail fast and learn. If something isn’t working, you pivot within the same model.
We have adopted a pay-as-you-go model, allowing individuals to scale their involvement and pay as they earn. We make it easy for anyone to get started, even if they have no prior knowledge of recycling. Our mobile app provides comprehensive training materials. Additionally, we employ multiple channels for awareness, including community outreach through local governments, physical training sessions, and virtual training partnerships with businesses in related fields, such as mobile money services.
HENOTACE: HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR FAITH WITH YOUR BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITIES? DO YOU FIND TIME FOR PRAYER?
Boluwatife: It’s crucial to establish systems that ensure spiritual balance. There’s never a convenient time to maintain this balance. These systems include structured schedules for prayer and quiet time. Having these systems in place is essential for making spiritually guided decisions, especially in high-pressure situations like partnering with investors.
Ultimately, what sets us apart as believers is that extra dimension, what my respected mentor, John C. Maxwell, calls the “sixth sense.”
HENOTACE: HAVE THERE BEEN MOMENTS WHEN YOU CONSIDERED GIVING UP?
Boluwatife: Absolutely, there have been moments of doubt and discouragement. This is where having a clear “why” is crucial. Surrounding oneself with supportive individuals and continuously seeking inspiration from books and mentors can provide the motivation needed to press forward. Currently, I’m reading “Vantage” by Olumide Soyombo, which offers insights into both failures and successes in the entrepreneurial journey.
HENOTACE: WHO IS YOUR MENTOR?
Boluwatife: Identifying a single mentor can be challenging, as I draw inspiration and guidance from a variety of sources. I have multiple mentors in different areas of expertise. For instance, when it comes to scaling the agency model within the Nigerian ecosystem, Tayo Oviosu of Paga serves as a notable example.
HENOTACE: DO YOU PLAN TO ENTER THE VENTURE CAPITAL SPACE IN THE FUTURE?
Boluwatife: Yes, entering the venture capital space is indeed a future ambition. To facilitate societal growth and progress, significant capital investment is crucial.
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