[CEO Interview] Chioma Okoli-Chima, CEO, Olivet Cloud Solutions, Nigeria
Chioma Okoli-Chima is an engineer and CEO of Olivet Cloud Solutions, Nigeria, with over 10 years’ experience in Software Development, Cloud Computing and ERP Implementation.
Her interview with Africa Business Communities:
Would you please introduce Olivet Cloud Solutions?
Olivet Cloud Solutions is a Nigeria located company that specializes in developing custom and bespoke software solutions. We deploy enterprise resources solutions to large, medium and small organizations across various sectors.
What are the USP’s of your business?
I would say we have a Customer Centric Philosophy. We seek to understand the unique IT challenges and business processes of our clients, so that right from inception the expected project outcome is tailored to fit into clients’ business setup. “We start with customer in mind”.
How does Olivet Cloud Solutions remain competitive in a fast-changing global marketplace?
We pride ourselves in our ability to read the market and be adaptive to the current demand and changes.
What can be done by entrepreneurs and government to stimulate the business environment in Nigeria?
I would like to see an improvement in infrastructure mainly electricity and security. I would also like to see more effort by the government to improve the quality of education received in our university. From my experience as an entrepreneur, finding skilled labour is very crucial and finding a candidate with the potential to be trained quickly is getting harder and it is because of a gap not filled at the educational level. The government needs to improve infrastructures like electricity, roads, network and security. Government and entrepreneurs should also work as a team in bringing quality skills through workshops and higher institutions.
Do you think women entrepreneurs typically have a harder time accessing loans through traditional bank channels?
It is hard, but I wouldn’t say it is anything against women. Accessing loans in Nigeria is hard for anyone. The stringent loan conditions do not differentiate the sexes.
What can you say about the targets, plans and ambitions of Olivet Solutions for 2015?
Our target is to increase the clientele base of the firm. We have started with identifying unique individual talents with exceptional skills, helping medium size entrepreneurs’ firms scale up to world class standard.
Do you believe Social Media and the Internet to be a plus to the business environment, as it applies to your industry?
Yes I do. Our clientele base grew by 50% in the first year because of our massive engagement with the social media. Social media was a novelty 5 years ago, but today their importance is no longer debated. Yes, businesses have definitely realized the power of social media and accepted that social media marketing has to be part of their marketing and PR mix.
What expectations do you have for Nigeria’s economy in 2015?
The expectation is that our company, being in the thriving and global ICT business, contributes immensely to the businesses and therefore the economy, so as to improve our GDP as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Which African countries will perform best in 2015?
Nigeria is a middle income, mixed economy and emerging market, with expanding financial, service, communications, technology and entertainment sectors. It is ranked 26th in the world in terms of GDP. I would say we are not doing badly at all.
Botswana's impressive economic record has been built on a foundation of diamond mining, prudent fiscal policies, international financial and technical assistance, and a cautious foreign policy. It is rated the least corrupt country in Africa, according to international corruption watchdog, Transparency International. By one estimate, it has the fourth highest gross national income at purchasing power parity in Africa, giving it a standard of living around that of Mexico and Turkey.
I’ve also got an eye on Uganda. They’ve got substantial natural resources including fertile soils, regular rainfall, small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals, and recently discovered oil. They’ll do well too, I think.
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Africa Business Communities is conducting a series of interviews with CEO's in Africa. Are you a CEO in Africa and interested in an interview? Please send an e-mail to Andrea Ayemoba: andrea@africabusinesscommunities.com