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Uzoma Dozie Launches Sparkle, A Startup Set To Disrupt Nigeria’s Retail Services Industry
Ten years ago, the act of shopping – retail as a necessity and as a pastime – existed entirely offline in Nigeria. You go to a store, you buy what you want, you shop around – but it was a physical transaction. Often laborious too; moving from one store to another, across town, back again, only to find that what you wanted wasn’t in stock. And when it came to payments? Consumers were prepared to part with their cash with bundles of Naira to preempt the store’s POS machine not working or, in all likelihood, there not being one.
Fast forward to mass-market internet; commerce is changing – it is literally in the palm of our hands. Retail has no fixed abode. It’s on instagram. It’s on Facebook. Soon, it will be on online marketplaces that haven’t even been invented yet – and at scale.
Retail powers our country, stealthily. Ask anyone about Nigeria’s economy and the words “oil” and “gas” roll off their tongues, because we can see the results and can account for much of the revenue. However, the millions of retailers across the country – those making sure every day people get what they need and want, are virtually invisible. It is almost a clandestine economy.
At Diamond Bank, we cultivated the retail sector and built digital mobile products for retailers, because we wanted to include them in the banking community and provide a service for the underbanked. For most, cash was [and still is] king, and there was no real engagement with the banks. Not at scale. Retail was a cash economy outside of the usual economic paradigms of taxation and government involvement. For traditional banks, this was a vacuum. For Diamond Bank, we saw it as an opportunity to engage an entire community; and that is exactly what we did. In less than 10 years, we built out a retail arm of the bank that included over 15 million people. This was their first foray into retail banking. As my father and I look back on Diamond Bank’s legacy, cultivating digital banking, at scale, is one of our lasting impacts.
But that was yesterday.
Let’s look at today. And tomorrow. We are introducing Sparkle. A new iteration of what it means to support retailers, businesses and individuals in Nigeria. Beyond traditional banking. A platform that has gone from concept [securing better access to banking and finance business facilities for businesses and individuals] to an MVP; Sparkle is now being developed to allow people to do more whilst allowing businesses to be more.
At Sparkle, we want to complement the resilience with a wrap around digital service that supports retailers, individuals and SMEs, seamlessly. A silent business partner, so to speak. The businesses of today that we will be collaborating with at Sparkle are on the go. They are extremely fluid. They move with the trends and, where possible, they dictate the trends. As I mentioned – they have no fixed abode. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t building or growing. And importantly, they are digital natives – their first point of interaction with customers is online. Picture, swipe, click, purchase. It’s that easy. So how can we deliver a service that supports a tribe of digital natives who want to focus on making money and building their business, rather than be burdened with financial admin?
We are blessed with a young population [in its tens of millions] of early adopters, who are revelling in [and capitalising on] lower costs of smart phone handsets and lower data costs. Whist this means that the barrier to entry for businesses is now significantly lower, there is more competition. But that’s OK – competition is fine, but let’s all make sure we can compete, build and grow; this can only be done if you have access and support services that enable you to compete on a level playing field. This is a generation of mobile-first retailers who are powering ecommerce via social. Facebook boasts over 21m users. Instagram – 5.6m. And unlike the “developed” world, these figures are growing upwards, and fast. Sharing, telling, selling – this is where commerce lies, this is where Sparkle starts.
So what we did with Sparkle, we decided to support and build a tribe of digital natives. Those who instinctively reach for their mobile phone when they’re engaging in any transaction, be it personal or business. As we build this tribe, we are sticking to and embedding core values and principles in to how we operate; everything, absolutely everything we do is grounded in trust and transparency. We are creating a market within an established market and unpicking the barriers to entry for so many people by ensuring they are part of the growth – part of society. They are financially included. Retailers have, for so long, been excluded from society at so many levels, because they are not paying tax and engaging with state and government; Sparkle is tackling this and bringing more people into an inclusive system.
Interestingly, these are the human principles upon which we built when we started building Diamond Bank in the 1990s. Our principles are 25+ years old [and more] but our approach and execution is totally new. With Sparkle, we will provide a dedicated, personalised experience to each and every one of our users – who we hope will number in their millions in years to come. But they will not be “seen to” by traditional customer relationship managers; that’s for the 1%. Sparkle is here for all. We are building for those who don’t need to look into the whites of a bank personnel’s eyes – we are building and growing for a community of people who want fast, accurate decisions made based on unambiguous and unbiased data habits. Powered by AI and Machine Learning, Sparkle will remove emotion from decision making and put your data in your hands. Whereas other companies accrue data to sell and to profit from, we want our Sparklers to profit from their own data, but allowing them to make well informed decisions regarding their next steps. At Sparkle, currency is data.
Our Sparklers have their heads down as they create and build and test – building an MVP that delivers human principles of commerce and business. We are curating a business and lifestyle-friendly platform that will enhance the human side of doing business, at scale. We have no alternative. This is how retail will scale and businesses will thrive in Nigeria; leveraging technology and mobile to create and support a generation of digitally native businesses that provide an alternative economy for Nigeria.
Why Sparkle? Because we can
Meta recently hosted its first Youth Summit in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together over 200 young professionals, students, recent graduates, creatives, tech enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Themed ‘Empowering Youth Through Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship’, the summit included a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, a mentoring session and an interactive workshop designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, insights and networks needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.
Commenting about the event, Phil Oduor, Head of Policy Programs, Sub-Saharan Africa said, “At Meta, we believe that today’s youth are tomorrow’s change-makers. Through initiatives like the Youth Summit, we aim to foster innovation, promote digital literacy and empower young Nigerians with the tools and opportunities to realise their potential and contribute to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.”
Delivering the keynote address, Femi Aluko, CEO/Co-Founder, Chowdeck, shared his journey of breaking barriers to achieve success in tech. He encouraged attendees to embrace the limitless opportunities within today’s technology ecosystem.
A panel discussion, led by Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager at Meta, featured panellists Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations, Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack. They shared valuable insights about the future of work, emphasising the importance of storytelling to build a personal brand, practicing self-awareness, developing soft skills, lifelong learning and honing problem-solving skills to thrive in a digitally transformed world.
Francis Sani, Technical Adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, spoke at the event. He highlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, emphasising that the program aims to build Nigeria’s technical talent backbone to drive the digital economy and position Nigeria as a net talent exporter. He encouraged youth to take advantage of this opportunity.
Another panel of industry experts took the stage during the ‘Lunch and Learn: Navigating Entrepreneurship in a Rapidly Changing Landscape’ session, moderated by Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta. Seye Bandele, CEO of PaidHR and Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Head of Platform and Networks at Ventures Platform Fund, shared their invaluable insights. Seye highlighted the importance of grit, curiosity and candour, while Damilola reinforced the need to understand one’s target audience, deliver value through their business and embrace data-driven decision-making in the dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
The event also featured inspiring conversations with leading figures in the creative industry. Miss Techy, an award winning tech content creator and Salem King, a creator, storyteller, author and speaker, shared their experiences and advice on achieving long-term success. Attendees also benefited from an interactive workshop and a mentoring session, where industry experts shared practical advice and strategies for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts.
Meta’s Youth Summit 2024 highlights a commitment to driving positive change, championing youth empowerment and advancing economic opportunities in Nigeria. Through investments in key areas—such as the creative industry, digital literacy, economic impact and youth job training—Meta is dedicated to empowering young Nigerians to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.
Cross-section of some of the attendees at the Meta Youth Summit 2024 in Lagos
L-R: Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager, Meta; Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations, Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack.
L-R: Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa, Meta; Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Head of Platform and Networks, Ventures Platform Fund, and Seye Bandele, Chief Executive Officer, PaidHR during the Lunch and Learn: Navigating Entrepreneurship in a Rapidly Changing Landscape panel session.
Salem King, a creator, storyteller, author and speaker and Miss Techy, an award winning tech content creator
During a mentoring session workshop
Femi Aluko, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Chowdeck.
Francis Sani, Technical Adviser to the minister of communications and digital economy of Nigeria
Novotel Director Sales and Marketing Joesph Kimondo, PR and Marketing Manager Ivy Irungu, General Manager Fabio gonsalves, During the Media Briefing at the hotel (L-R).
Novotel, one of Accor’s flagship brands and a champion of balanced living, is proud to announce the opening of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, Kenya.
Situated in the vibrant Westlands area, the new hotel seamlessly balances moments of adventure, relaxation, business, and pleasure, offering a truly reenergising experience just 20 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Guests can explore multiple attractions with ease such as the Nairobi National Park, modern shopping malls, entertainment spots, the Giraffe Centre, and the Maasai traditional Market. The hotel caters to business travellers and families eager to share quality moments.
Novotel Nairobi Westlands offers 347 stylish rooms and suites, all featuring the brand’s signature design concept by RF Studio, which emphasises adaptability and sustainability, creating a comfortable, modern atmosphere. For business travellers, the hotel offers 13 versatile, intuitive meeting and event spaces, including a ballroom that can host over 100 guests – ideal for conferences, corporate functions, and social gatherings.
For guests seeking relaxation, the hotel’s state-of-the-art spa offers a range of curated signature massage therapies, designed to provide the ultimate rejuvenation experience. Each treatment is crafted to melt away stress and restore balance. For those looking to stay active, the fitness centre provides expert-led individual and group training sessions, offering a mix of tailored workout routines to suit all fitness levels.
“We are excited to introduce Novotel to Nairobi, a city that beautifully blends rich cultural heritage with modern dynamism,” said Fabio Gonsalves, General Manager of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, Kenya. ‘’Our goal is to create a welcoming space for business travelers and families alike, where quality moments lead to a more balanced life. At Novotel Nairobi Westlands, where modern living meets the pulse of cultural fusion, we offer flexible workspaces and relaxed dining options to suit everyone. It’s a place where guests can truly unwind, connect, and leave feeling invigorated.
The hotel’s four distinct dining concepts take guests on a culinary journey. The rooftop Trunk & Tandoor Gastro Bar offers Indian-inspired cuisine paired with breathtaking views of Nairobi’s skyline, creating the perfect setting for a relaxed evening. Gemma’s Italian Kitchen & Bar provides an all-day dining experience with rich Italian flavours in a welcoming atmosphere. Located at the heart of the lobby, the Safari themed Social Hub coffee lounge and bar adds a unique local flair, inviting guests to connect and unwind. For those seeking a more laid-back experience, the rooftop Pool Bar serves light bites and refreshing drinks, perfect for unwinding under the sun while enjoying the stunning panoramic city views.
Whether complementing a safari adventure or enjoying a family getaway, Novotel Nairobi Westlands offers travellers and locals the perfect environment to connect with family, friends, and colleagues and share quality moments.
“With the opening of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to Africa. The hotel offers a gateway to Nairobi’s vibrant experiences and marks a significant milestone in our growth strategy, as we continue to expand our footprint in key markets across the continent while enriching local communities.” said Paul Stevens, Chief Operating Officer Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Middle East & Africa for Accor.
Following a longstanding commitment to support its guests’ pursuit of balance in their lives, Novotel announced a three-year agreement with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to champion the protection and restoration of the world’s oceans, the greatest source of balance for the planet’s climate, through science-based action and conservation projects. Novotel has built a three-year Positive Impact Plan, rooted in three of the United Nations’ priority ocean-related actions, namely: reducing marine pollution and ocean acidification, particularly from land-based activities; fighting overfishing and promoting sustainable fishing models; and increasing scientific knowledge and research for ocean health.
To celebrate the opening, Novotel Nairobi Westlands is offering rates from Kes 20,000, including breakfast. True to the Novotel Family Promise, up to two children under 16 can stay for free in their parents’ room.
Members of the brand’s ALL loyalty programme, can unlock 4X Reward Points when booking on all.com until 24/11/2024, for stays up until 12/01/2025. Guests can join the loyalty programme for free and earn points towards a number of benefits, including free hotel stays.
Novotel Nairobi Westlands is Safe Hotels Certified, ensuring our guests peace of mind with globally recognized safety standards. This certification highlights our commitment to a secure, comfortable, and welcoming stay.
FOO, the award-winning B2B Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions provider, has partnered with eNovate (formerly known as eCards), Egypt’s premier provider of cutting-edge digital payment solutions, to build upon eNovate’s existing portfolio of products and services.
eNovate is an independent subsidiary of eFinance Investment Group (EFIG), Egypt’s leading investment management firm. Originally established in 2009 as EFIG’s card services division, it has since evolved to deliver comprehensive, integrated digital payment solutions for a range of clients, including fintechs and financial institutions; ministries and governmental entities; transportation authorities; and NGOs.
With more than 55 million cards issued to date, and millions of transactions processed annually for Meeza, VISA and Mastercard, eNovate continues to position itself at the forefront of Egypt’s digital payment ecosystem.
eNovate has strategically partnered with FOO to enhance its portfolio by leveraging FOO’s expertise, extensive range of services, and innovative approach to product development. FOO’s modular platform, built on a customizable suite of micro-services, enables the delivery of SaaS products across the financial services spectrum – from digital onboarding to digital banking – with unparalleled levels of flexibility, scalability and security.
Through this partnership, eNovate will also deliver Fintech as a Service (FaaS) solutions. Designed to help fintechs rapidly launch and scale their operations, FOO’s advanced ‘out-of-the-box’ FaaS solution streamlines the development process. This approach drastically reduces the time and resources needed to bring fintech products to market, enabling companies to move from concept to deployment within months, rather than years. By providing a comprehensive, scalable platform, this collaboration empowers fintechs across Egypt to focus on innovation and growth, accelerating their path to success in the country’s dynamic financial sector.
Both companies share a strong commitment to driving digital transformation, both within Egypt and the broader payment ecosystem. This collaboration will build on eNovate’s success to date, to further the delivery of fully compliant, end-to-end solutions that meet the diverse needs of its clients and their customers.
This ongoing partnership between FOO and eNovate includes several key projects, the first of which is an end-to-end digital solution for universities across Egypt. Integrated with each university’s learning management system, it will enable students to complete a range of actions – from payments to identity verification – via one easy-to-use app.
Further significant projects are to be announced in due course.
Ghady Rayess, Co-founder and Managing Director at FOO, commented: “At FOO, innovation is integral to our approach. We are proud to partner with eNovate, a true industry trailblazer, to contribute to the remarkable transformation taking place in Egypt’s financial services sector. With the support of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), we are committed to delivering robust financial solutions that will not only strengthen eNovate’s position as a leading innovation hub, but also further digital transformation across Egypt.”
Nashwa Kamel, CEO at eNovate, commented: “We are delighted to be working with FOO. Their commitment to cutting-edge technology and innovation aligns with our vision for providing digital payment solutions in Egypt and across the region. This partnership represents a milestone in our mission to revolutionize the financial landscape, providing our clients and their customers with unparalleled opportunities and enhanced experiences. By combining eNovate’s expertise with FOO’s pioneering solutions, we are positioned to set new benchmarks in the industry, driving forward digital transformation and reinforcing our role as a leader in the global payment ecosystem.”
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