6 Questions with Kwamina Obile Botchway (CEO, AfroPark)

Kwamina Oblie Botchway is the CEO of AfroPark, a platform for African tech entrepreneurs and creatives to showcase their talents, skills, and businesses through events. AfroPark is building a community of entrepreneurs, providing opportunities to connect, promote their brands, and develop their businesses through technology.

1. How would you describe your job to a 5-year-old?

I put on events for tech entrepreneurs and creatives—people who work for themselves and create cool, innovative things. The aim of these events is to provide these people with a platform to showcase their talents, skills, and businesses.

2. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned since launching your start-up or getting into the role?

I knew doing business was hard, especially in Ghana. But I never expected how difficult it was to change customer behaviour. It is very difficult to get people to adopt arguably easier and more efficient technology.

3. What’s one function or area of your job you spend the most time on?

At AfroPark, we are big on collaboration. As the Partnerships Lead, I spend much time engaging and collaborating with partners. I thoroughly enjoy this.

4. What three trends in your sector are you bullish or keeping a close tab?

• Payments infrastructure – This has not been completely solved on the continent.
• Internet Infrastructure
• Data accumulation and aggregation across traditional industries

5. What gaps do you think startups in Ghana should be building for?

There are too many gaps/opportunities in Ghana and on the continent to name. I’ve mentioned a few in the question above, so I’ll take a slightly different approach. My favourite book about technology and innovation in Africa is “The Prosperity Paradox”. Some of the key takeaways from the book:

• Opportunity lies in targeting “nonconsumption.
• “Market-creating innovations” transform economies and societies.
• Emerging market innovators tap into the power of “pull strategies.”

What the above translates into when answering the question is this. I want to see more start-ups building using market-creating innovations for local non-consumption pulled by established local practices. In reality I think this means more start-ups engaging directly with the “informal” sector and building solutions in line with established behaviour.

6. If you were to build a new company, which historical or contemporary figure would you appoint to the board and why?

I will appoint Ray Dalio, the founder and Chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates. His book “Principles” highlights values that can be applied to any company or industry and create a culture built for success.