My Voice Matters: Young Africans Tell their Entrepreneurial Stories

Name: Adebayo Adelekan

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Why did you start your business:  I didn\’t start this business. My name is Adebayo and I am inspired by Elizabeth Ojelua, CEO of Sure-Lift Tranx – a shoe manufacturing company.

The story that I am about to share, will inspire you and everyone out there. This story tells me that there is hope for Africa. Elizabeth Ojelua is an entrepreneur and CEO of Sure-Lift Tranx, a shoe manufacturing company – meeting her remains one of the most memorable days of my life. Elizabeth makes handmade shoes that are comfortable and unique with great colors, beautiful materials, and accessories. She produces and supplies a variety of high-quality footwear to businesses and individual customers at an affordable price.

Her pleasant smile and extraordinary talent dazzles anyone that comes in contact with her, but it is her beautiful handmade shoes and bags that really get your attention. Elizabeth inspires me because she has successfully carved out a niche for herself in the shoe-making industry. She started her company with a seed capital of 8 thousand naira ($50) and over the years, has built a strong business. Elizabeth trains other young people in Nigeria and proudly contributes her quota to reduce unemployment in the country.

Elizabeth also uses technology and various social media platforms to enhance her designs and learn more about the latest styles.

I am inspired by Elizabeth because she is a determined and passionate female entrepreneur blazing the trail in a male-dominated industry. She is a change agent, an inspiration to other young people and I believe that she adds value to the Nigerian society by creating jobs. She also trains the unemployed in her area of expertise.

 My dream is that Nigeria will build its economy by promoting locally made goods thereby closing the gap on duties and charges paid for imported goods to the country.

Entrepreneurship is a solution to the rising poverty and unemployment in Nigeria. For any nation to become one of the top economies in the world, it must venture into supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to drive rapid economic advancement. The creative/fashion industry in Nigeria has been redefined – with great minds showcasing their work, earning a good living for themselves, and creating employment opportunities for others.

As a young African entrepreneur, my voice matters because I want to spread the gospel of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship I believe, is the only sustainable route to Africa\’s Economic Revolution!