Padi, make I tell you how Dr Kayode Thomas dey run him gbege for Naija mobile phone market. E be like sey no wahala go fit stop am. As founder of Rifugio Communications, this guy don kari story come make we sabi wetin dey happen for im business journey, challenges, and wetin go happen next.
Lately, dem dey ask am how e dey still invest for Naija wey dey face serious wahala. Abeg, na wetin we all wan hear, right? Dr Kayode say na him experience for the market and the mad growth wey dey happen dey give am ginger. E say, ‘Dis environment get plenty wahala, but the opportunities dey shine as we for this naija.’ Na that confidence dey push am forward, despite every gbege wey follow.
As concerns phone importers dey grow, Dr Kayode don yarn how people dey complain say dem dey exploit customers with high prices. E come ask the same people, ‘For where you dey? Why you no fit carry your body go China go buy the charger, pay all the cost wey dey there, come back and use am?’ Na true talk, my people. E dey high for Nigeria, but everything no just be about the price; na also the wahala wey dey on top doing business for here.
One thing wey no be small matter na how the country dey affect cost of goods. E mention say high exchange rate dey make everything dey expensive. But believe am, if economy fit stabilize, people go see say things go balance at the end of the day. And with local production, e fit help reduce cost and provide jobs.
After ten years wey Rifugio don dey operate, Dr Kayode no gree hide him joy. Temptation to expand dey hot for am as he hala say dem dey plan to spread beyond Lagos. Him dey eye plenty odas states, and the dream na to reach everywhere for Naija. ‘If we no expand, wetin we dey do?’ Na im dey reason am.
But make we talk about challenges. Dr Kayode mention how all these market setbacks, from pandemic wahala to naira devaluation don pose plenty gbege for their sales. But you know wetin? E say dem don survive am, no be small! Him see light for the midst of this darkness.
So where dem dey head go now? According to am, the vision no get end. Him wan turn Rifugio to a household name as he dey spread all over Naija. As e dey plan expansion, na wetin dey ginger am to push forward.
As conclusion, Dr Kayode don give advice to startups wey dey struggle for Naija market. Him talk say: ‘Make you dey patient, be resilient, and no give up.’ Na serious matter, my people. Naija no go driver you, but if you fit manage am, you fit enjoy the ride. Gist no get ending, but this one self na pointer to how Nigerians dey face their business palava.
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