Tech experts and innovators from across Africa gathered at the Zone Arena, Gbagada, Lagos, for the 2024 edition of Cloud Connect, the annual tech event organized by Alluvium HQ.
Themed “Service Management Beyond IT,” the event provided a platform for discussions on cutting-edge service management principles, tech solutions for leaders and innovators, and practical strategies to address financial challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Keynote speakers included Samuel Disu, Team Lead at On-Point Limited, Ghana; Olawale Ajiboye, Agile Leader at Scrum Master Africa, Nigeria; and Oladeji David, CEO of Uphival Enterprises. The experts delved into the core issues hindering SME growth across Africa, emphasizing the pivotal role of service management in addressing these challenges.
“SMEs are the backbone of African economies, driving job creation and contributing significantly to GDP,” Disu said. He highlighted, however, that many SMEs face numerous challenges, including limited financing, inadequate infrastructure, skill gaps, and regulatory bottlenecks, which often lead to bankruptcy within five years of operation.
In Nigeria alone, SMEs account for 39.6 million businesses, contributing 48 percent of the GDP and employing 84 percent of the workforce. Despite these impressive figures, they struggle with market access, cash flow management, cybersecurity threats, and inconsistent service quality.
The speakers stressed the need for streamlined operations through service management, which offers tools such as e-commerce platforms, fintech solutions, accounting software, and cybersecurity systems. These tools, they explained, enhance operational efficiency, resource optimization, and decision-making, enabling SMEs to remain competitive and serve customers better.
“Affordable digital solutions, capacity-building initiatives, and an enabling environment supported by governments and stakeholders are essential to unlocking SMEs’ full potential,” Ajiboye noted. He added that embracing digital transformation could significantly drive SME growth and foster economic development across Africa.
Another critical session featured Michael Kimati, Agile Product Lead from Kenya; Kingsley Owadara, an Artificial Intelligence expert; and Isaac Adebayo, Alluvium’s ITSM Team Lead. They discussed digital governance, Service Level Agreements, and onboarding processes using Jira Service Management. The session also emphasized the importance of monitoring, reporting, security, and compliance in achieving organizational success.
The event’s panel sessions allowed tech enthusiasts and innovators to engage directly with industry leaders, fostering networking and collaboration opportunities.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Alluvium HQ CEOs Wale Olojo and Taiwo Ojo expressed gratitude to the program’s sponsors and partners, including AlatPay by Wema Bank, the Jaytee Ojo Foundation, the Aramide Ojo Foundation, and Cloud Exports.
“Alluvium HQ remains committed to providing innovative solutions to Africa’s challenges,” Olojo stated, reaffirming the company’s dedication to bridging the digital divide across the continent.
Earlier, the company’s Legal and Compliance Officer, Adesola Adewole, emphasized the need for inclusivity in digital transformation, urging stakeholders to ensure that every African is carried along in efforts to bridge the global digital divide.
The 2024 Cloud Connect reaffirmed Alluvium HQ’s position as a hub for innovative solutions, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in driving Africa’s tech advancement and economic growth.