the most influential men in digital transformation
Peter Njonjo - Co-Founder & CEO, Twiga Foods (Kenya) Njonjo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kenyan agritech firm Twiga Foods, which is using mobile technology to align supply and demand in Africa’s agriculture sector. Twiga’s technology gives it the ability to effectively track food and produce from processing to distribution, with the B2B e-commerce platform claiming that more than 100,000 Kenyan customers use its services, delivering more than 600 metric tonnes of product to more than 10,000 retailers daily. At the helm of Twiga, Njonjo has directly contributed to the growth and strategic direction of the company has so far raised more than $100 million in both debt and equity financing rounds. Twiga, last year, opened a multi-million-dollar distribution centre to offer fulfilment by Twiga services to expand its overall capacity and ability to deliver a selection of fresh produce, and retail products and provide partners access to over 140,000 customers across the Kenya and Uganda. The 200,000 sq ft is fitted with the latest logistics and warehouse technology. It is equipped with racking systems, banana rooms, modern dock door systems, and product scanners which have enhanced food traceability among other functions. The company also launched a subsidiary, Twiga Fresh, a new business focusing on contemporary and commercial farming, to assist in the delivery of low-cost, high-quality, and safe food to informal shops and urban customers. Twiga Fresh seeks to expand the efficient production of native horticultural staples including onions, tomatoes, and watermelons, decreasing costs dramatically.
Ralph Mupita, MTN Group CEO (Zimbabwe) Mupita, a Zimbabwe-born engineer, businessman, and corporate executive’s LinkedIn bio says he is passionate about the African continent and the role that mobile operators can play in driving sustainable digital and financial inclusion through fit-for-purpose solutions. Since joining MTN in 2020, Ralph has been instrumental in enhancing the company’s financial stability, shaping its strategy, and ensuring its successful listing on the stock exchanges of Nigeria and Ghana. Under his mantle, MTN has introduced several initiatives to advance digital transformation in Africa. Last year, the company rolled out 5G in South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia MTN South Africa and are planning further launches once they have completed trials in several other countries. The Group has taken great strides in advancing digital skills through MTN Skills Academy which is crucial for advancing digital transformation in Africa. In 2022 MTN Group announced it purchased 144 plots of digital land in Africarare, the first virtual reality metaverse in Africa. MTN said the move aligns with its ambition 2025 which entails leveraging trends to augment and increase its customers’ digital experiences. The metaverse is regarded as the next frontier in digital transformation and is envisioned as a virtual world that blends the physical and digital realms. It offers new opportunities for immersive experiences, remote collaboration, and the creation of digital assets that can have real-world value. www.cioafrica.co | FEBRUARY 2023 | CIO Africa Magazine | by dx⁵
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