Uzo Mkparu is an accomplished chief executive specialising in strategy, business transformation and innovation-led growth with a strong focus on leveraging emerging technology, data, advanced analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
With over 25 years of experience, spanning several industries, she has excelled at leadership positions in consulting, strategy, business transformation, retail banking, including sales and marketing where she demonstrated her ability to create sustained value by leveraging technology, driving new business models and expanding into new markets.
Uzo is passionate about positioning Africa to harness the economic potential of AI and digital technologies, and she is the founder/CEO of TechScale Consulting, a digital innovation and AI strategy consultancy. She has also achieved notable success working for top-tier companies such as Oracle and ICL Group in the United Kingdom, and leading banks in Nigeria. Notable clients include the United Nations and global players in the energy (oil & gas), public sector, telecommunications and financial services industries.
Her awards include one for co-leading the integration of two major banks in Nigeria which was then recognised as the ‘most successful merger deal in the Nigerian market to date.’ She is a recipient of other awards and has also been recognised as one of ‘100 Leading Women in Nigeria.’
Mkparu serves on a number of boards including the advisory board of Data Science Nigeria and also Preston Associates International Development. She previously served on the board of North London ITeC for several years. She is a guest business speaker at Pan-Atlantic University and a frequent global conference speaker on emerging technology topics such as the ‘Bank of the Future’ and Artificial Intelligence.
Uzo’s view on data privacy is indeed enlightening. According to her, with over 5 billion people online worldwide, data privacy is a topic that has come to stay. She says territories and countries are racing to catch up with the immense capabilities of big tech, global platforms and anyone with the capability to control or process large amounts of customer data. She however insists that there still appears to be a gap in achieving anywhere near the levels of data privacy and data protection we desire.
Academically, Uzo holds an MBA from Cranfield University, UK and a Master’s degree in Information Systems & Technology from City University, London. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Nigeria, Nsukka and has acquired numerous certifications in business and emerging technologies. She is an honorary senior member (HCIB) of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) UK and Boardroom Africa.
