Zoho, a leading global technology company, has reported an impressive 31% growth in Nigeria for the year 2023. The company, which has established Nigeria as one of its key markets in Africa, attributes this success to its commitment to localizing services, offering over 55 apps in Naira to help businesses mitigate the impact of fluctuating foreign exchange rates. Alongside this growth, Zoho has strengthened its focus on community and education initiatives, further demonstrating its commitment to the region.
The announcements were made at Zoholics Nigeria 2024, the company's annual user conference. Speaking at the event, Kehinde Ogundare, Zoho Nigeria's Country Head, emphasized the company's strategy of "transnational localism," which focuses on creating local impact while maintaining a global perspective.
"As we expand our presence across Africa, our goal is to ensure that our growth positively impacts not just businesses but also local communities and the wider economy," said Ogundare. "By hiring local talent, strengthening our partner networks, and tailoring our products to meet local market needs, we're committed to building a lasting, sustainable presence in Nigeria."
Supporting education through CSR initiatives
A key highlight of Zoho's community efforts is its partnership with Bridge International Academies, which aims to support the education of underprivileged children across Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative will sponsor the education of 200 children by covering essential expenses such as school uniforms, fees for four academic terms, and other necessary supplies.
Zoho's initiative addresses financial barriers that often prevent children from underserved communities from accessing quality education. The company has also committed to supporting the digitalization of Bridge International Academies by providing Zoho Wallet Credits, allowing the schools to leverage Zoho's suite of business tools for improved operational efficiency.
"Every child deserves access to education, yet financial constraints remain a significant barrier," said Foyinsola Akinjayeju, Managing Director of Bridge International Academies, Nigeria. "Zoho’s partnership is helping us break down these barriers and offer life-changing educational opportunities to children in need."
Environmental and sustainability initiatives
In line with its commitment to sustainability, Zoho is also recycling materials from its advertising campaigns. Over 500 billboards, known as "flexes," have been repurposed into bags in Nigeria, with over 1,300 flexes recycled in Kenya. This initiative is part of the company's broader effort to integrate environmentally friendly practices into its operations.
"Our growth must go hand in hand with the well-being of our communities, customers, and the environment," Ogundare noted. "In addition to supporting education, we are focusing on upskilling youth and expanding our recycling programs to minimize our environmental footprint."
Zoho's Growth and Impact in Nigeria
Zoho's growth trajectory in Nigeria has been remarkable since the company began operations in 2020. Over the past three years, Zoho has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43%. In 2023, the company expanded its local partner network by 21% and increased its workforce in Nigeria by 40%.
The company’s flagship products, such as Zoho Workplace, Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk, and Zoho One, have been widely adopted by Nigerian businesses across various sectors, including financial services, energy, real estate, IT, and retail. These products have been pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer experience, and driving business growth.
Empowering Africa through upskilling initiatives
Beyond Nigeria, Zoho is making significant strides in upskilling communities across Africa. Earlier this year, Zoho launched the Young Creators Program in partnership with She Code Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women in tech. Through this initiative, Zoho has trained SCA Academy trainers on how to use its low-code development platform, Zoho Creator, enabling them to teach students to build impactful applications that address real-world business challenges.
In Kenya, Zoho partnered with MOMO Pencils to launch the "Hope for Literacy" program, which aims to provide quality education to underserved communities while promoting environmental sustainability. In South Africa, Zoho collaborated with BabesGotBytes to train over 40 women and girls in digital skills through a one-year boot camp. Zoho has also supported a six-month IT training and mentorship program for economically disadvantaged youth in partnership with CodeTelligence.
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