Zinox Group Chairman, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, has set an ambitious target to empower 10,000 women in technology within the next five years. The initiative, he said, is not only about bridging the gender gap but also about ensuring women play key roles in shaping Africa’s digital economy. His vision is anchored in building one of the continent’s largest pools of tech talent, and Zinox appears to be walking the talk.
Through its tech distribution subsidiary, TD Africa, Zinox has developed more certified professionals in sub-Saharan Africa than any other organisation, thanks to partnerships with global OEMs such as HP, IBM, Dell, and Cisco. TD Africa is led by Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, an accomplished business leader and wife of Dr. Ekeh, whose leadership has been pivotal to the firm’s scale and influence.
A milestone in inclusive tech education
The recent graduation of about 400 female ‘techsters’ from TD Africa’s TecHerdermy program marks a key milestone in this mission. Dr. Ekeh’s long-standing belief in women’s leadership has underpinned his strategy. Over 15 years ago, he predicted that women would eventually dominate key leadership roles, especially in technology.
As he said during a recent AI and Robotics Summit hosted by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), stakeholders must “compete through exceptional content” to achieve a thriving Nigerian tech ecosystem. This, he noted, is a personal crusade he has championed for more than three decades despite setbacks, including a $28 million loss from AI and robotics investments in Nigeria years ago.
Yet, his commitment remains unshaken: “Technology represents an unparalleled opportunity for scale and impact,” he said.
Why diversity matters in tech leadership
Recent global studies support Ekeh’s focus on female tech empowerment. According to McKinsey’s 2023 Women in the Workplace report, companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 25 percent more likely to experience above-average profitability. Deloitte’s 2023 Global Technology Leadership Study also found that firms with diverse tech teams enjoy 30 percent higher innovation revenue.
Zinox embodies this philosophy with over five female CEOs across its business units. These women, as Ekeh notes, are occupying roles and are delivering results.
Shaping Africa’s tech future
Zinox’s talent development efforts have triggered a ripple effect across Africa’s tech ecosystem. Former staff now lead major multinationals, carrying the values instilled under Ekeh’s leadership. His long-term goal: “To build the biggest tech solution company in Africa.”
With Africa’s tech market projected to hit $712 billion this year and women-led startups generating 35 percent higher returns on investment, Zinox’s gender-focused strategy could well define Africa’s digital future.