Ecosystem
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, June 2, 2018 (NAN) The Venture Garden Group (VGG) has launched a world-class office space where tech companies will collocate to build technology solutions that will solve social problems.
The office space known as `Vibranium Valley’ is housed on the ground of the then renowned Concord Printing Press of Nigeria, owned by the late Chief MKO Abiola, Oshodi, Lagos.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, led a delegation from the U.S. Consulate to the launch on Friday during which he toured the space.
VGG is a provider of technology platforms addressing reconciliation and payment processing inefficiencies across Africa.
The Chief Executive Officer of VGG, Mr Bunmi Akinyemiju, said that the launch was in an effort to grow an innovative and collaborative ecosystem that will transform Africa and lives.
According to Akinyemiju, since inception six years ago, VGG has grown six entities focused on leveraging technology to create African solutions to African problems.
“In the past two years, the company has invested in 14 fintech-enabled companies across Nigeria, and our early stage deployed capital has yielded over 5.6 times portfolio returns; it is just getting started.
“With the launch of its world-class office space, VGG takes the first step into its next chapter as the company works to grow an innovative and collaborative ecosystem that will transform Africa and the lives within,” he said.
Akinyemiju said that actualisation of the ecosystem would require that decision making, governance and all aspect of life should be driven by data.
He said that usage of data in all sectors would lead to transparency and encourage investment.
“There is need to transform Africa by using innovative technologies to solve real socio-economic challenges to impact on sectors critical to sustainable economic development.
“Problems of Nigeria are not magical; with adoption and usage of technology, much can be achieved,” he said.
He said that VGG was able to leverage on technology in education, electrification, aviation, policies, social and financial inclusion and entrepreneur ecosystem to create employment.
He added that it was partnering with foreign universities to give some local universities exposures to foreign teachings through its Edutech platform.
According to him, 3,000 students are taking classes in the valley.
He said that the company was using a platform, Avitech, to connect international and local flights.
“We have extensive experience in serving both in public and private sectors and primarily operate through our multi-sector strategic business units.
“We help our customers reach new levels of efficiency, reliability and sustainability by providing industry-leading technology solutions and expertise.
The U.S. Ambassador, Symington, said that people not connected by idea would not be at a base of any pyramid or foundation of any nation.
He said that the Vibranium Valley would facilitate connection of ideas.
“We are in a vessel, piloting the ship; you need to connect every part of the ship; that is what this platform will do – connect the parts of the ship of Nigeria so that it can take people round the world.
“This is a chance for Nigerians to pull together at home as they are doing outside; this kind of investment will bring out their identity,” he said.
He remarked that the environment and design of the valley was conducive for learning and networking.
Mr Aderemi Dada, the Chief Executive Officer of Spacefinish, the interior designers and architects, said: “The main objective of the design is to create an office space that is professional and more productive,” (NAN)
CAN/IGO
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola