African Entrepreneur Insights - Nigeria: The Steps I Took to Start A Solar Power Business

http://africajumpstart.com/2014/04/04/african-entrepreneur-insights-nigeria-the-steps-i-took-to-start-a-solar-power-business/#comment-55
Our story on how we got started is posted on the Africa Jump Start. Follow the link to read the story.

African Entrepreneur Insights - Nigeria: The Steps I Took to Start A Solar Power Business

April 4, 2014
1 Comment
Identify Opportunities
aaanigeria
This is a guest post by Christopher J. Onwuasoanya, founder and President of Atlantic Waste and Power System. In his article Christopher, who resides in the USA, describes the early steps and challenges he faced setting up a new business in Nigeria. He also describes the big opportunities in the power sector in Nigeria, a sector in which you can grow a successful business across Africa.

My Story: How we got started in the Power Business

Christopher
A remarkable event happened in my life on March 4, 2013, I lost my position as Vice President, Investments at JP Morgan.
I had never before been without a job, so I was convinced I would find something.     While looking for work immediately, I went on a field trip with my wife to follow up   on a project my son had carried out for a science competition using methane from   landfills to power a fleet of garbage trucks. We visited the research facility Rutger EcoComplex and went to a landfill site that converted waste into electricity. I was so excited about the idea of solving two problems at once: Nigeria generates a lot of waste (70% organic) and has a huge shortfall in electricity production. With this solution, I saw myself as the knight that would come in and save the day.
On May 21, 2013 Atlantic Waste & Power System was born. The director at the EcoComplex introduced me to people who would partner with me to execute my projects. I dusted up my trusted Rolodex and reached out to people I knew in Nigeria. We were introduced to the State of Kaduna’s environmental protection agency and shortly after arrived in Nigeria.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Going to Nigeria to set up a successful solar business

Image
In 2013 I decided to focus my efforts and skills on building a business in Nigeria. My middle son had built a model of a landfill that could produce enough gas to power a fleet of garbage trucks. This prompted a visit to the Rutgers Eco Complex where I was given a tour of a waste to energy facility. Nigeria has a lot of organic waste and a deficit in power. So why not. Watch the Video to learn more
Read more

Life Lessons: Nothing is Permanent

Life Lessons: Nothing is Permanent Our guest this week is Mr. Olu Abosede, Founder and former Managing Director of a wholly indigenous, quoted company, Aboseldehyde Plc. The company was once used as a reference point for other local entrepreneurs who would want their companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Within a period of 14 years, the company had become a very strong brand in the country in its niche area. Things were also pretty good for our guest who built his first personal multi-million Naira house at age 28 and the second at 32. His children were in choice schools locally and abroad. His house at Gbagada, in Lagos State, was a beehive of activities by friends and associates who regularly showed up on weekends to treat themselves to some choice wines in his well-stocked personal bar. Then, in a sudden twist, from 2000, there was a gradual but irreversible slide of fortune, starting with the forced take-over of his company by creditors. And the rest came in
Read more