Leo Stan Ekeh



Rated as one of the top tech CEOs in Nigeria according to Ventures Africa, Leonard Stanley Ekeh has earned a name for himself through his contributions to Africa’s ICT space. With his tech start-ups dating back to the 80s, Ekeh can be put in the bracket of visionaries who saw that ICT would define the world in no distant time.

Leo Stan Ekeh was born in Imo state on February 22, 1956 to a Dietician mum and Nurse dad. He had his early education in Owerri, and upon graduation from Holy Ghost College, Owerri, he emigrated to India where he obtained BSc. Economics from Punjab University.

This step marked a turning point in his thought process, as he was exposed to the Indian economy which he described as ‘realistic’. He then shifted from his plans to own “the biggest transport company in Nigeria” and started thinking of more realistic business ideas, which would impact the Nigerian economy. He moved on to England where he bagged a Postgraduate degree in Risk Management at the Nottingham University.

His return to Nigeria saw him spearhead the creation of several tech companies.


Task System Limited

This was Ekeh’s first start-up in Nigeria. The ICT solutions company commenced operations in 1989 to focus on desktop publishing and computer graphics. Over the last three decades, the company extended operations from Lagos to Port Harcourt and Abuja, implementing several ICT projects across the Oil & Gas, Telecoms, Manufacturing, and Public sectors.

The company has computerized 95 percent of Print media, Publishing houses, and Advertising agencies in Nigeria; with several outstanding industry awards to its credit, including Best Partner Award for Compaq, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard (HP) etc.


Zinox Technologies Limited



ZInox Technologies is the brand which brought Ekeh to the forefront of Africa’s tech space and for which he is popular for. The company was founded in 2001 and became the first internationally certified branded computer OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) in West Africa.

In addition, Zinox is the first to receive Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certification, and also the first computer hardware manufacturing company and ICT integration company in Nigeria to receive ISO 9001-2000.

Zinox creates business solutions that uses new technologies to streamline systems, efficiently align, integrate, and maximise productivity. Its products are renowned for their security and IT infrastructure. The company has helped to revolutionize the electoral processes in several African countries like Nigeria, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau.

Zinox is the only local OEM partner of Microsoft and Intel corporation in Nigeria. It was recently rated by International Data Corporation (IDC) as the No.1 brand in terms of computer sales amongst local and international brands in Nigeria.

Ekeh also launched Zinox Computers – Nigeria’s first internationally certified branded computers, which comes with a Naira sign and a power supply designed to be compatible with the country’s unstable power supply.


Buyright Africa Dotcom Limited

In 2008, Ekeh founded Buyright Africa Dotcom Limited at a time when credit card and e-payment infrastructures were still alien to Nigerians. The target of the start-up was to resolve funding issues for ICT projects and companies, through partnerships with strong international finance groups.

Within the next couple of years, Buyright Africa launched full operation to help Africans enjoy the benefits of emerging technologies and build technology strength that would allow her citizens, governments, and businesses compete favourably with other strong economies of the world.

Buyright Africa executes and funds ICT projects, equipment leasing, ownership scheme and other related ideas in Africa. It also offers ICT consultancy services and sales of ICT products, infrastructures, and digital tools to educational institutions and governments, through its partnership with international and local ICT companies.

Describing the vision, Mr. Mukoro Emomine, Managing Director of Buyright Africa said the company was out to work with manufacturers, in order to reduce the total cost of ownership of ICT equipment in Africa and also encourage usage.


Konga.com

Konga.com was founded in July 2012 by Sim Shagaya as a third-party online marketplace, and a first-party direct retail in various categories of consumer goods and products.

In February 2018, Zinox acquired 99% of Konga.com shares just a few months after Konga laid off over half its staff. Three months later, Konga merged with Zinox’s retail outfit – Yudala to form the biggest e-commerce company in Africa. Under the new merger, the brand name Konga was retained.


Other businesses

Leo Stan Ekeh also founded Technology Distribution Ltd, Task Direct Ltd and ITEC Solutions, using them to drive IT solutions and distribution in West Africa.

He has also been involved with ICT Brokers, and ICT Connect. News recently made the rounds that Ekeh was the man behind the Healthplus takeover, but Ekeh distanced himself from such rumours,

“Till date, I do not have a kobo share in any of their investment vehicles, including a kobo share in Healthplus. Although, everyone has a right to invest in any company of his or her choice.”


CSR initiatives and recognitions

In line with his interest and devotion to the growth of IT in Nigeria, Ekeh launched the Computerize Nigeria Project in August 2000, to encourage development and sensitize Nigerians in the use of computers. He also launched the CANi Scheme, providing laptops to young Nigerians at a reduced price, with a repayment plan spread across 24 months.

Through his charity organisation, Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation, he has carried out other commendable humanitarian and philanthropic donations across the country.

He was bestowed with the ICON of Hope award by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on October 1, 2002; Nigerian Science & Technology Achiever of the Year 2003; and Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) in 2004. Ekeh is also a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and holds Life Membership, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs.

He holds Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Imo State University, Owerri; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; and Federal University of Technology, Owerri and University of Jos. He is a Fellow of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos; Federal Polytechnic, Idah; and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State.

Only 64 years old, Leo Stan Ekeh is still going strong and there is no telling what sector he might venture into next. He recently called for the declaration of a Tech Independence Day, and confidently said it is only a matter of time before Nigeria starts raising tech billionaires that would rival the likes of Jeff Bezos and Jack Ma.

Ekeh was worth $1 billion as of June, 2018 according to Business Insider by Pulse.ng.

https://nairametrics.com/2020/10/10/leo-stan-ekeh-the-whiz-who-launched-nigerias-first-locally-manufactured-computers/

He has no factory in Owerri... He should go home a build one there and start participating in Imo politics.. Decent characters from that state have ran away and left the leadership of the whole state in the hands of some rampaging charlatans like Hope Uzodinmma and co..

Rugaria:
He has no factory in Owerri... He should go home a build one there and start participating in Imo politics.. Decent characters from that state have ran away and left the leadership of the whole state in the hands of some rampaging charlatans like Hope Uzodinmma and co..

Business is not based on sentiments my friend.

To succeed, you must be very strategic.

It's not about going to set up in your hometown.

Great man....But he's not worth 470 billion naira.....
BTW...people like this should be supported to build an acceptable Nigeria made smartphone....we should be competing heavily with tech companies in the west.

Tomide007:
Great man....But he's not worth 470 billion naira.....

Are you his accountant?

rossniti:


Business is not based on sentiments my friend.

To succeed, you must be very strategic.

It's not about going to set up in your hometown.

He should stay in Lagos and be creating jobs for your folks while our graduates stay jobless in Imo state, abi? Imo state tops every other state in Nigeria in terms of tertiary education. He can go home and tap from that. Owerri needs to open up to other sectors of the economy. Not just oringo.. Industrialists from Owerri are in a better position to do that..

Rugaria:

He should stay in Lagos and be creating jobs for your folks while our graduates stay jobless in Imo state, abi? Imo state tops every other state in Nigeria in terms of tertiary education. He can go home and tap from that. Owerri needs to open up to other sectors of the economy. Not just oringo.. Industrialists from Owerri are in a better position to do that..

Who are ''my folks''?

You've no idea what part of the country I'm from, and neither have I indicated it.

Also, it's really not your place to dictate to business owners where they should establish their businesses.

That choice is solely the preserve of business owners themselves. They've done the market research. They've done the SWOT Analysis. They've done the Porter's 5 Forces Analysis, etc etc. NOT YOU.

Great man .
Started from desktop publishing and graphic design . This man inspired me to start from desktop publishing .
I respect this multi billionare Ekeh !

The problem of heavy businesses establishing in the East are patrons that will grow the companies.

Heavy business is not buying and reselling. Even that, you need patrons.

It is not enough to work long hours, you have to be strategic. Most Africans are not.

The man must be respected.

Kedu.

rossniti:


Who are ''my folks''?

You've no idea what part of the country I'm from, and neither have I indicated it.

Also, it's really not your place to dictate to business owners where they should establish their businesses.

That choice is solely the preserve of business owners themselves. They've done the market research. They've done the SWOT Analysis. They've done the Porter's 5 forces Analysis, etc etc. NOT YOU.

laiperi:
The problem of heavy businesses establishing in the East are patrons that will grow the companies.

Heavy business is not buying and reselling. Even that, you need patrons.

It is not enough to work long hours, you have to be strategic. Most Africans are not.

The man must be respected.

Kedu.

It's not a question of ''Africans''.

Bad business decisions are made by entrepreneurs all over the world.

In the US, roughly 90% of businesses fail in the first 3 years.

The problem is lack of proper business education by those going into business.

See how that guy was talking about the man needing to establish a computer factory in Owerri, simply because his ancestors hailed from there.

Those are the sort of decisions made by people with no business training.

Tomorrow, when the business fails, they will start looking for one pastor to give more money, or start blaming their village elders for cursing them.

rossniti:


It's not a question of ''Africans''.

Bad business decisions are made by entrepreneurs all over the world.

In the US, roughly 90% of businesses fail in the first 3 years.

The problem is lack of proper business education by those going into business.

See how that guy was talking about the man needing to establish a computer factory in Owerri, simply because his ancestors hailed from there.

Those are the sort of decisions made by people with no business training.

Bro na Mumu e be Just leave him shey dem Facebook, Twitter, Apple almost all the tech Companies in US that have there headquaters situated at Carlifornia don't know what they're doing always playing tribalism with everything...

Rugaria:
He has no factory in Owerri... He should go home a build one there and start participating in Imo politics.. Decent characters from that state have ran away and left the leadership of the whole state in the hands of some rampaging charlatans like Hope Uzodinmma and co..

He left Imo politics when Rochas started being stupid. He has always being making things happen at the background.

Hear them, hear them.

The guy established well before Rocha became a politician. But they just love to chew on Rocha. The children Rocha provided for will remember for ever.

Macphenson:


He left Imo politics when Rochas started being stupid. He has always being making things happen at the background.

rossniti:


Are you his accountant?

Why has he not made Forbes yet? The Nigerian likes tagging every rich man a billionaire when they don't understand the meaning of the word.

Rugaria:

He should stay in Lagos and be creating jobs for your folks while our graduates stay jobless in Imo state, abi? Imo state tops every other state in Nigeria in terms of tertiary education. He can go home and tap from that. Owerri needs to open up to other sectors of the economy. Not just oringo.. Industrialists from Owerri are in a better position to do that..

When you have YOUR money, go to YOUR village and build YOUR factory there.

rossniti:


Who are ''my folks''?

You've no idea what part of the country I'm from, and neither have I indicated it.

Also, it's really not your place to dictate to business owners where they should establish their businesses.

That choice is solely the preserve of business owners themselves. They've done the market research. They've done the SWOT Analysis. They've done the Porter's 5 forces Analysis, etc etc. NOT YOU.

Ogbeni, stop blowing grammar and tell us where you come from.

Imo State needs jobs to keep the youths engaged positively.

Every company must not be in Lagos.

Lagos has become the most chaotic place to live because every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to do business there.

Who says he cannot have a factory in the east and then showrooms in other states like Innoson?

Rugaria:
He has no factory in Owerri... He should go home a build one there and start participating in Imo politics.. Decent characters from that state have ran away and left the leadership of the whole state in the hands of some rampaging charlatans like Hope Uzodinmma and co..

This is business not family meetings.

SmartPolician:


Ogbeni, stop blowing grammar and tell us where you come from.

Imo State needs jobs to keep the youths engaged positively.

Every company must not be in Lagos.

Lagos has become the most chaotic place to live because every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to do business there.

Who says he cannot have a factory in the east and then showrooms in other states like Innoson?

If all the research they'd done prior to setting up the business showed them their profits would be even 1% higher, if they established a plant in Lagos instead of Owerri, and they go ahead and establish in Owerri anyway, that amounts to business illiteracy.

ULOPVQ:


Why has he not made Forbes yet? The Nigerian likes tagging every rich man a billionaire when they don't understand the meaning of the word.

Do you think Forbes knows even 1/5th of the actual millionaires and billionaires in this world of 7 billion people?

rossniti:


Do you think Forbes knows even 1/5th of the actual millionaires and billionaires in this world of 7 billion people?

lol burst brain. tell them.

femi4:
This is business not family meetings.

Now you know it's business and not family meetings? You will not tell him to "go back to his village and leave our Lagos for us"? Citing strategic industries in high risk areas should by easterners be discouraged. Survivalust impulses needed! There is nothing he produces in Lagos that he can't produce in Owerri. All of them should uproot their industries and send them back to the east where it will be safe.

Chii59:

When you have YOUR money, go to YOUR village and build YOUR factory there.

This is why women don't make good politicians..?

:Are you his accountant?Why has he not made Forbes yet? The Nigerian likes tagging every rich man a billionaire when they don't understand the meaning of the word.

Lol. Funny thread.

We should patronise him. Although I've been hearing about zinox computers, I rarely see them.