Breaking barriers: Why tailored technology is vital for the success of indigenous Nigerian start-ups

By Omoruyi Edoigiawerie Esq

As the world continues to progress towards a more technology-driven society, the need for start-ups to embrace technology cannot be overemphasised.

Nigerian startups are not left out in this technology revolution as many of them have been able to leverage technology to achieve unprecedented growth and success.

However, for Indigenous Nigerian start-ups, there is a need for technology to be bespoke to their unique needs and challenges.

I have always maintained a strong opinion that technology must be bespoke because the challenges indigenous start-ups face are unique and result in specific needs that require tailored solutions.

Indigenous start-ups operate within a complex and dynamic environment, characterised by infrastructure deficits, inconsistent government policies, cultural diversity, and a highly competitive market.

These challenges require technology solutions that are not only customised to their specific needs but are also adaptable, scalable, and sustainable. A one-size-fits-all approach to technology may not be effective in addressing the diverse challenges faced by Indigenous start-ups in Nigeria.

Nigerian start-ups and entrepreneurs face peculiar challenges that are not shared by their foreign counterparts especially those in the first world countries.

One of the most significant challenges is the lack of adequate infrastructure; from basic amenities such as electricity, water, and good roads to internet connectivity and telecommunication infrastructure, these challenges have made it even more difficult for these start-ups to effectively operate.

The cultural diversity and multiplicity of our ethnic leanings also pose a major challenge for Indigenous start-ups due to the cultural divide birthed by our diversity. Nigeria is a culturally diverse country, with over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages, which creates a unique challenge for start-ups that want to leverage technology to scale their businesses.

For instance, some start-ups may not be able to effectively communicate with customers and stakeholders in different regions of the country, which can hinder their growth and expansion also cultural differences pose significant challenges.

To overcome these challenges, technology must be tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous startups and the end users of the product or service and must factor in their realities and peculiarities not just as a potential market but as a people with cultural and religious predispositions.

Therefore, any technology solution must consider the diversity of the Nigerian market. This could mean developing solutions that support multiple languages or providing customer support that is tailored to different regions of the country, bearing in mind their cultural leanings and religious peculiarities.

Concerning the challenges posed by our Infrastructural limitations, I have often said that for effective deployment technology must fact in these limitations– after all, what is the value of a platform that leverages 5G internet technology when the internet penetration rate in the country is still at 40 per cent, the implication would be that such technology no matter how impactful will be stunted.

So, any technology solution must be designed to work in an environment with limited infrastructure. This could mean creating low-bandwidth applications that do not consume a lot of data or developing solutions that can work offline.

Funding also puts a spoke in the wheel of Start-up growth in Nigeria, many Nigerian startups have limited access to funding.

Most start-ups being young, and unknown is also not able to access adequate funding from traditional government institutions, this affects their ability to adequately deploy the right tools and technology to grow and expand their products.

It is, therefore, advisable that any technology solution created in the Nigerian ecosystem must be cost-effective and easy to implement. This could mean leveraging open-source solutions or developing solutions that can be easily integrated with existing infrastructure.

It is also important to ensure that technology is tailored to meet unique business needs. For instance, start-ups in the Agri-tech space must develop products and services that factor in our climate irregularities, lack of supply chain infrastructure, and our interstate transportation limitations, keeping these obvious challenges in mind will help start-ups create solutions that will not just envisage and avoid these landmines, but also provide lasting solutions to these limitations and challenges.

One way to ensure that technology is bespoke for Indigenous startups is through collaboration. Collaboration between start-ups, government agencies, and technology companies can help identify the unique challenges faced by startups and develop solutions that are tailored to their needs.

It is also important for enabling laws and regulations to factor in the contemporary business environment where startups operate, this will ensure that there is no disconnect capable of derailing the intendment of the laws or their benefits.

The Nigerian Start-up Act is a pragmatic example of government and private sector collaboration, and it is expected that the Act will continue to set the pace in enabling growth and indigenous technology in Nigeria while also creating exportable talent.

Ensuring bespoke technology for Indigenous startups will help address the unique challenges and needs that these startups face in Nigeria’s business environment. Tailored technology solutions are more amenable to meeting the specific requirements of the start-up, enabling them to operate more efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.

These solutions can also help to improve the start-up’s competitiveness in the market, as they can are more likely to be designed to address the specific needs of their customers and target audience.

In addition, bespoke technology solutions will help Indigenous Nigerian startups to overcome the challenges they face in terms of infrastructure, access to funding, and regulatory hurdles. By designing technology solutions that are specifically tailored to the needs of these startups, entrepreneurs can better position themselves to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the Nigerian market and expand their businesses.

There is also another angle to this conversation, and that is that developing bespoke technology solutions will also help promote the growth and development of Nigeria’s indigenous technology industry, which is critical to the country’s economic growth and diversification. By investing in locally developed technology solutions, Nigerian startups will create jobs, promote innovation, and drive economic growth in their communities.

At the end of the day, by leveraging bespoke technology solutions, Nigerian startups can position themselves for success in a rapidly evolving business environment and contribute to the country’s economic growth and development while creating the impact they set out to create.

Omoruyi Edoigiawerie is the Founder and Lead Partner at Edoigiawerie & Company LP, a full-service law firm offering bespoke legal services with a focus on startups, established businesses, and upscale private clients in Nigeria. The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. His firm can be reached by email at hello@uyilaw.com