The Managing Director of Sahara Group, Kola Adesina, says Nigeria is backward in terms of the quantum of energy being delivered to the people.
Adesina stated this in Lagos during the recent relaunch of the company’s Making A Difference Around Africa initiative, aimed at supporting entrepreneurs on the continent with seamless access to markets, technology, and business advisory services.
According to Adesina, energy is something that is lacking in Nigeria, asking Nigerians to support Sahara Group in its efforts to ensure Nigeria becomes a hub for energy, not just for Africa but for the rest of the world.
He said, “Energy is something that is lacking in Nigeria. We know how backward we are in terms of the quantum of energy we’re delivering. Invariably, we are asking you to equally work on ensuring that we become a hub for energy, not just for Africa but for the rest of the world. Let’s shape the future together.
Addressing inventors and researchers on the MADAA Reloaded initiative, Adesina said it is common knowledge that “invention and innovation are the lifeblood of progress, as you are the architect of the future for us, pushing the boundaries of what is possible is all we do in Sahara.”
The managing director said great ideas thrive when supported by strategic partnerships. He stressed that the initiative was not only to admire creativity but to work with innovators to transform research into real-world solutions.
“At Sahara, we believe that great ideas thrive when they are supported by strategic partnership, market assets, as well as capital. Let me tell you this straight up: we are here not just to admire your creativity but to work with you, transforming research into real-world solutions.
“I believe we can bridge the gap between innovation and industry and build enterprises that drive inclusive growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness. We are asking you to equally work on ensuring that we become a hub for energy, not just for Africa but for the rest of the world,” he said.
Speaking, the Chairman of Sahara Group Foundation, Emeka Onwuamaegbu, noted that there are many very talented young people in Nigeria and all around Africa with great ideas, but sometimes they lack the opportunity to showcase the talents they have.
Onwuamaegbu stressed that the foundation will be glad to partner with such people to promote their ideas.
“In the past, when we attempted this, we saw a lot of people come up with ideas like making products out of used tyres, out of water hyacinth, and stuff like that. There’s already so much of that going on out there. We want to encourage the youth now to come up with more innovative ideas based on sustainability.
“This is a very big space, and we believe that the very innovative youth we have will be challenged to come up with such innovations for us to join them. Although we are in Nigeria, this is actually not making a difference in Nigeria. It is making a difference around Africa. But since we are starting in Nigeria, being the hub, we want this to extend to the 54 countries of Africa.
“So, please let me challenge the youths to come up with ideas that will be quite different from what we have seen in the past. No matter how challenging it is, please share it with us, and we’ll partner with you,” Onwuamaegbu.
