Kwamina Oblie Botchway is the CEO of AfroPark, a platform for African tech entrepreneurs and creatives to showcase their talents, skills, and businesses through events. AfroPark is building a community of entrepreneurs, providing opportunities to connect, promote their brands, and develop their businesses through technology.
- How would you describe your job to a 5-year-old?
I put on events for tech entrepreneurs and creatives—people who work for themselves and create cool, innovative things. The aim of these events is to provide these people with a platform to showcase their talents, skills, and businesses.
- What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned since launching your start-up or getting into the role?
I knew doing business was hard, especially in Ghana. But I never expected how difficult it was to change customer behaviour. It is very difficult to get people to adopt arguably easier and more efficient technology.
- What’s one function or area of your job you spend the most time on?
At AfroPark, we are big on collaboration. As the Partnerships Lead, I spend much time engaging and collaborating with partners. I thoroughly enjoy this.
- What three trends in your sector are you bullish or keeping a close tab?
- Payments infrastructure – This has not been completely solved on the continent.
- Internet Infrastructure
- Data accumulation and aggregation across traditional industries
- What gaps do you think startups in Ghana should be building for?
There are too many gaps/opportunities in Ghana and on the continent to name. I’ve mentioned a few in the question above, so I’ll take a slightly different approach. My favourite book about technology and innovation in Africa is “The Prosperity Paradox”. Some of the key takeaways from the book:
- Opportunity lies in targeting “nonconsumption.
- “Market-creating innovations” transform economies and societies.
- Emerging market innovators tap into the power of “pull strategies.”
What the above translates into when answering the question is this. I want to see more start-ups building using market-creating innovations for local non-consumption pulled by established local practices. In reality I think this means more start-ups engaging directly with the “informal” sector and building solutions in line with established behaviour.
- If you were to build a new company, which historical or contemporary figure would you appoint to the board and why?
I will appoint Ray Dalio, the founder and Chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates. His book “Principles” highlights values that can be applied to any company or industry and create a culture built for success.