STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Indigenous brands across Africa often struggle with the perception that they cannot match the quality and competitiveness of international products. This negative outlook limits consumer trust, reduces market share, and makes it difficult for local businesses to scale globally. Entrepreneurs and business leaders therefore require not just encouragement but also access to proven strategies that can help them overcome these barriers, compete effectively, and build brands that resonate with both local and international audiences.
SOLUTION
To tackle this challenge, Stanford Seed hosted the SSTN Lagos Tactical Workshop: Practical Strategies for Competing with a Global Brand (The Extraordinary Transformation of Bigi). The workshop provided a platform where entrepreneurs and business leaders could learn from real-world examples of success. Guest speaker Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rite Foods Ltd, shared insights from his company’s experience, particularly how Bigi has risen to compete with global giants like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. His message emphasized that indigenous brands can achieve world-class standards if they remain committed to quality and consistency.
BREATH OF DEPLOYMENT
The workshop ran from 10 AM to 3 PM and attracted 97 attendees, achieving an impressive 88% attendance rate. It began with a Stanford Seed leadership lab that allowed speakers and participants to connect in a hybrid format, accommodating both in-person and online attendees. This inclusivity ensured that members across diverse locations had the opportunity to engage in the session. The program extended beyond the keynote and Q&A with a Speaker-Sponsor Parley, a closed session where sponsors had direct access to the guest speaker for tailored business insights and inspiration.
CONTENT ELEMENT
The workshop’s content was both practical and inspiring. Adegunwa tackled the deep-seated issue of consumer mistrust in local brands, explaining that the first victory for indigenous companies lies in proving their capacity to produce world-class products. He shared case studies from Rite Foods, particularly Bigi’s transformation, which demonstrated how commitment to innovation and quality can enable local brands to compete successfully with international powerhouses. The open Q&A allowed participants to address personal business concerns, while the sponsor session deepened the relevance by linking specific challenges to real-world solutions.
CONCLUSION
The SSTN Lagos Tactical Workshop was a clear reflection of Stanford Seed’s ongoing commitment to equipping African entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and inspiration to build globally competitive businesses. By showcasing real-life success stories like Bigi’s transformation and facilitating hands-on discussions among entrepreneurs, the workshop bridged the gap between theory and action.
The presence of key media partners—including BusinessDay, Punch, and The Guardian—helped amplify the session’s impact, ensuring the message reached a broader network of African business stakeholders. Importantly, the workshop reaffirmed the critical role that platforms like Stanford Seed and its partners play in fostering a new era of business excellence across the continent.
As part of this ecosystem, Brandlife Nigeria and Brandlife Kenya continue to contribute meaningfully to the growth of indigenous businesses through strategic brand building, experiential marketing, and digital transformation support. Their involvement in initiatives like this positions them as key players driving the success of African enterprises across West and East Africa. Through these partnerships, the Stanford Seed Transformation Network is not only sharing knowledge but also accelerating impact—empowering local brands to compete confidently on the global stage.
