For years, as Head of Operations in NBC Trade Fair, Ijeoma Okonkwo had the privilege of witnessing the brilliance of Nigerian entrepreneurship. She has seen several business owners driven by passion and persistence; travel across the country to showcase their products at exhibitions.
However, in their efforts, Okonkwo saw a striking disconnect: world-class products, thoughtful packaging and unwavering dedication, yet limited visibility.
In a bid to bridge this disconnect, she has created ‘Traxis’- a name born from ‘Trade’ and ‘Axis’, a bridge designed to connect the resilience of Nigerian businesses to visibility, funding and global opportunities they rightfully deserve.
With a twofold mission; first to showcase the unknown businesses quietly doing remarkable work in the corners of the country and second is to change the narrative, the magazine is a confidence showcase of excellence and potential of Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Speaking during the inaugural launch of the magazine at the Wheatbaker hotel in Lagos, Ijeoma Okonkwo, founder and Editor-in-Chief, Traxis Africa said the magazine was born out of a passion to help businesses, entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Africa at large.
“I’ve been in charge of exhibitions; we have been within and outside of the country, hosting these exhibitions. I see businesses come together for two, three days, make sales, get visibility and then they go. And then I ask myself, what’s next for these businesses?
“Why are they here? These people need visibility, what can we do for them? And I said, let me find a way of amplifying their story, let me tell their story, let me help them. And that’s what gave birth to Traxis,” she explained.
She said right now, she is highlighting businesses that are doing the work behind the scenes, whose processes are top-notch and 50 percent indigenous.
“When I say 50 percent indigenous, it means that they are sourcing their raw materials from within this country. Because a lot of people don’t even know the resources that Nigeria has. Nigeria is a blessed nation that has so much to offer. And people are taking advantage of these resources and turning it into things that are beautiful,” Traxis Editor-in-Chief said.
She stressed that Traxis is telling stories of business owners, to attract investors to them, and introduce them to global markets where they can highlight and showcase their materials and products.
“For us, we don’t care who you are, per se. It’s what you do and what you’re able to offer that matters to us,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Princess Adeyinka Tekenah, Founder/Chief Happiness Officer at Happy Coffee, an indigenous Nigerian coffee brand and coffee solution company said for the first time in our history as a country, there hasn’t been greater support for businesses and building the Nigerian story.
Tekenah, who was featured in the inaugural edition of Traxis said being a female founder, it’s very important for women to see role models of women who are working hard and are building.
“Because we’re not in a culture that really speaks about how hard working our women are in terms of building very strong businesses. So for me, it’s always very important for me, so that girls can see the picture of another girl winning. That also encourages them to do that.
“I think first things first, being a Nigerian is very important. What good would it do for us not to build the Nigeria of our dreams? I should be one person who shouldn’t like Nigeria. My dad was killed when I was 16. My sister died at 39 from childbirth. I shouldn’t believe in this country.
“I should be angry at it. But I also know that there is good out of this country. So for me, we’re blessed with so many things; great weather, great agriculture, amazing people. I mean, look at our music. So for me, being a Nigerian is the easiest thing. I’ve travelled abroad. I’ve lived abroad as a student. And I know what it is to be an immigrant student in somebody else’s land.
“The only place where I feel 100 percent Nigerian is in Nigeria. So it only befits me as a Nigerian to keep building the Nigeria of my dreams; a Nigeria that my child can be proud of,” Tekenah explained.
Chibueze Obinwanne, co-founder, The Milk Booster, a breastfeeding support company, helping moms that are not lactating properly to be able to breastfeed their children.
Obinwanne who was also featured in the magazine said it’s a pain point for a mom to go through the hassle of carrying a baby for nine months, only for the baby to come out, and the baby doesn’t have any food to eat.
“So that’s a problem we solve. And we have taken it a step further by launching ‘The Milk Bank,’ in April 2022. And it came with its own challenges.
“There were people that were curious as to how something like this function in this part of the world. And I can tell you that after three years of running The Milk Bank, Nigerians are beginning to respond very well to what The Milk Bank is there to solve,” Obinwanne said.
He mentioned that initially, people will prefer to donate milk than to receive milk. “But right now, I’m using this medium as well to speak to every nursing mother. If you know you have excess breast milk, please go to Instagram and look for ‘The Milk Bank’ and send us a DM. We have a lot of babies that are in need of that milk.
“We are going to take it off you and make sure that you play your role in reducing the infant mortality rate in Nigeria. And that is what we are all about. We are all about moving maternal health in the country forward.
“When we joined this space, I think the breastfeeding rate was 17.3 percent back in 2017 and currently we are doing over 30 percent. We’ve played our role in ensuring that these numbers go up,” Obinwanne explained.
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