Tech Entrepreneur Segun Johnson Discusses the Plight of Small Business Owners in Nigeria

This episode features Segun Johnson, a young entrepreneur,  who explains the struggles of small business owners in the tech industry in Nigeria. Segun owns Johnsonscode, a digital agency that does web development, graphic designs, and branding. Johnsonscode services clients from all over the world. 

It's no secret that entrepreneurism is the backbone of a growing economy. Over the years, entrepreneurism has fueled the economies of countries such as India, China, Brazil, and many Eastern European countries. Yet for the most part, despite its enormous youth population and high smartphone usage, many African countries lag behind. 

In Nigeria, for example, where the information communication and technology sector is one of the fastest growing, according to a 2021 report by the Center for Global Development for the World Bank. In 2020, despite the COVID 19 pandemic, the tech industry contributed 15% of Nigeria's gross domestic product (GDP), second only to agriculture. And this trend has been growing over the last five years. The sector grew by 18% between 2016 and 2019. 

According to the report, this growth has positioned Nigeria as the largest tech market on the African continent with 90 tech hubs and a growing and vibrant customer base. 

The report estimates that the sector will add at least $88 billion to the economy by 2027. Yet, this growth hasn't translated into jobs for Nigeria's growing youth population. In fact, in 2017, the sector only employed 497,000 people or 1% of the population. So what's going on? 

The report suggests that one problem is a lack of digital skills among the youth population. We put the question to our guest, Shagun Johnson.  To find out how he's coping and what's going on. 

If you are interested in supporting Segun's business, you can contact the company by email at 
[e-mail].  
Or by phone at: 
[phone]. 

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