Bako Ambianda: From Humble Beginnings to Founder and CEO of a Conglomerate, Labacorp Group

Bako Ambianda: From Humble

Beginnings to Founder and CEO of a Conglomerate, Labacorp Group

Bako Ambianda showed a flair for entrepreneurship from his high school days in Cameroon. He would pick mangoes, avocados and bananas from around his home and sell them at his school dormitory.

In 2011, Ambianda moved to the United States to further his studies in Civil Engineering. After a couple of months in the US, he got a job as Citizen Diplomat with the Maryland State House where he launched his career in diplomacy.

With just $850, Ambianda started his first company, Global Attain Advancement (GAA), which focused on events organisation. This endeavour brought him on the organising team for former president Barack Obama’s Energy Congress.

Down the line, Ambianda returned to Africa to develop the business and launched other entities including Labacorp Energy Ltd in Cameroon, Labacorp Investments SARL in Togo, and Labacorp Industries Ltd in Ghana. The conglomerate owns businesses across the manufacturing, power, construction, agribusiness and exhibition sectors, with operations in Africa, the Middle East and North America.

Over the years, Ambianda has authored several books namely Destined to Win in the Game of Life, Invest in Your Mindset, Ingredients to Uplift Your Journey, The Unstoppable Warrior, and a lot more.

Bako Ambianda has won several awards - the Global Business Disruptor 2018 Award by Professional Association of Young Africans (PAYA), Most Admired Young Global African 2019 by PASSION VISTA, Most Influential People of African Descent (Under 40) by MIPAD - Class 2018, Africa Business Leadership Excellence Award 2018 by African Leadership Magazine and Forbes Africa 30 under 30.

Business Elites Africa caught up with this serial entrepreneur, author, engineer and CEO.

What inspired you to launch a career in diplomacy at the Maryland State House?

I was inspired by my vision for development in Africa. My story changed in 2011 at the age of 20 when I travelled to the USA to further my studies in Civil Engineering. As they always say, “we become the average of the 5 people we hang around with”. I was fortunate that in my first few months in the USA, I gained a job position as a Citizen Diplomat at the Maryland State House - Office of Prince George’s County Delegation, working closely with senators, legislators, and delegates on actions related to community development.

What was it like launching the first instalment of Labacorp Group with just $850?

I have always seen myself as someone that wants to build great companies, willing to push forward to develop new concepts and engage in multiple aspects of creating, launching, and growing businesses that will contribute to economic development and social progress in Africa.

So, back in Maryland, I launched my first company Global Attain Advancement (GAA) with only $850. I embraced the AWRAP method of life: Aware, Willing, Responsible, Adaptable, and Persistent. I took every challenge as they came and made it my responsibility to overcome them.

In 2014, I learned about OQP = Only Quality People, so I had to cut off everybody in my orbit that was not positive, productive, or profitable. From that action, an extraordinary new version of my life unfolded which paved the way for me to manifest my greatness. I learned that success is not convenient, so I had to make room for it through a sheer drive, hunger, persistence, and determination.

Where is Africa with renewable energy?

Africa remains the final frontier for renewable energy because of its vast unexplored potential for investment. Africa is the future when it comes to solar energy. And that is my focus. We are providing access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy in rural and urban areas through Labacorp Energy. We have lit up 120 homes, and 34 businesses within 2 years of operation. In addition, we have provided top-notch solar training programmes and graduated more than 87 students as our contribution towards a sustainable economy.

What can we expect from Labacorp Group’s exploration of recycling technology?

Labacorp Energy is strengthening its presence in the Nigerian market through a joint venture partnership with MECEN IPC and Calaya Engineering Services.

In line with its objectives, Labacorp Energy and its joint venture partners have already set up an entity in Nigeria known as LMC EcoTech, Co., Ltd that specialises in the development of innovative technologies for recycling PET bottle wastes to become a valueadded product.

This is the best solution for recycling waste products as the plant is designed to accept various types of polyester wastes and recycle a wide range of products such as filaments, fiber, film, food containers, defective goods, etc. The PET Bottle Waste Recycling plant will be used to create new value from useless bottle wastes.

The plant will recycle post-industrial and post-consumer PET bottle waste and produce more value-added products such as rPET flake, Polyester staple fibre and non-woven geotextile with a wide application range in various industry fields. The target market will be the domestic market in Nigeria as well as overseas.

What’s your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?

Solving problems and helping to create an economy of the future!

How do you relieve stress?

I read a lot of motivational and inspirational books. However, playing golf and/or listening to music help me to relieve stress.