Africa must shift from problem-solving to opportunity creation – Wakanow CEO

Bayo Adedeji, Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow, urged Africans to view the continent not as a continent plagued by problems, but as a continent filled with opportunities. In his remarks at the Empower Vault Summit, held at the University of Ghana, Adedeji emphasized that entrepreneurship and leadership are not simply about solving existing problems, but rather about identifying and capitalizing on emerging opportunities swiftly.

Wakanow, he explained, is not just another travel agency. Instead, the company identified an opportunity to enhance the transparency and accessibility of travel services for customers. According to Adedeji, "Wakanow as a business is not the first travel agency in the world. What we found was an opportunity to make travel agencies transparent to the customer, that you can log in on your phone to wakanow.com and you can shop right there."

Adedeji’s entrepreneurial mindset was influenced by his upbringing, which taught him to focus on opportunities rather than dwelling on problems. He likened this mindset to seeing a donut around a hole, suggesting that challenges can be overcome and turned into opportunities. "I was brought up not to see a hole, but to see a donut," he said.

Adedeji’s call for a shift in mindset could have significant implications for Africa's development and global perception. He argued that Africans must move away from narratives centered around challenges and instead present the continent as a place teeming with untapped opportunities. In his words, "I don’t believe that you are successful because you solve problems only.

I believe you are successful because you are able to identify opportunity very quickly. A shift in that mindset means that we can change Africa, and we can change the narration of Africa. That we are not a problem continent, we are an opportunity continent."

The message aligned with the broader goal of the Empower Vault Summit, a leadership and mentorship program aimed at equipping young people with the necessary skills, values, and mindset to thrive in their personal and professional lives.