GRTech
FundAnEnterprise.org officially launches in Nigeria


Fundanenterprise.org, Nigeria’s first donation based crowdfunding platform for supporting Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) has been officially unveiled.
Crowdfunding activity is as old as mankind. However, Michael Sullivan in 2006 was credited with coning the term, with the launch of fundavlog in an attempt to raise funds to create an incubator for video blog-related projects.
Strictly speaking, the term “Crowdfunding” is the means or practice of raising funds, capital or money for a project, business or venture in small amounts from a large number of people, especially through the Internet.
Speaking at the launch of Fundanenterprise.org on Thursday, in Lagos, the Trustee, MSME Crowd Funding Foundation, the promoters of the platform, Mr. Magnus Nmonwu, described crowdfunding as an alternative means of raising money without going to the bank or financial institutions.
This means of injecting live into the operations of small businesses and the economy at large has been very successful in developed countries / continents – America, Europe Asia and so on, raising billions of pounds and Dollars.
According to an article by Chance Barnett, published in Forbes titled “Trends Show Crowdfunding to Surpass VC in 2016“, over US$34 billion was estimated to be raised from crowdfunding as against the US$30 billion from VC’s.
However, Mr. Nmonwu said there are different types of crowdfunding, ranging from Reward-based, Equity-based, Software value token-based, Debt-based, to Donation-based.
“Donation based crowd funding, is the second most commonly used type of crowd funding. Fundanenterprise.org is a donation based crowd funding platform. Kickstarter and Indiegogo are examples of other crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
“In the US, crowdfunding accounted for more than 85% of worldwide volume in 2013, while growth in Asia, specifically India has steadily improved and competing since 2010, with at least 15 crowdfunding platforms emerging on the Indian web”.
Crowdfunding in Nigeria
In Nigeria, he said, the potentials for crowdfunding are untapped, inexhaustible and yet to be fully embraced, in spite of its successes as funding alternative in other countries.
“We at MSME Crowd Funding Foundation however believe, that with huge investment in education and stronger regulations in crowdfunding activities, Nigeria would be on the path to crowdfunding revolution, like in other notable fields of the economy.
Why this is important to the economy
“It is a known fact that MSME’s are the drivers or backbones of world economies. There are about 50million+ SME’s, 100million+ internet users and 120million+ mobile phone users in Nigeria. MSME’s employ about 60million+ persons (as at January 2014), which contributed to about 48% or 38trillion of Nigerians GDP & 7% of export earnings.
“Nigeria is a country endowe with rich natural resources, but yet our economy cannot meet the basic needs of the citizens.
“According to a United Nations report, over 80 million Nigerians (out of the over 190million) live in abject poverty, despite the impressive statistics I just recounted. There is such a huge disparity between these statistics and the reality on ground”.
“Given this imbalance and our recent rating as the poorest country in world, it is high time individuals, groups (private and/or public) and government joined hands together to change the economy to work again. It is high time we began to support one another in every littlest way in order to expunge the poverty index and make our economy great”, he said.
The MSME Crowd Funding Foundation, through www.fundanenterprise.org, is here, not only to provide the much needed relief to start-ups, small and growing businesses, but to change the way Nigerians in particular and the world in general support business operations.
“Our vision is to build the biggest network of entrepreneurial hub and act as the voice needed to change the landscape (policies and regulation) and challenge the status quo in favour of MSMEs.
“Our mission through www.fundanenterprise.org to lighten the burden of doing business in Nigeria and help build, as many as possible, thriving enterprises or businesses in Nigeria and beyond. By doing these, we believe we would support jobs creation, improving the standard of living of Nigerians and improve the Nigerian economy by extension.
“This aim of the MSME Crowd Funding Foundation is executed in threefold as follows:
- Skills Training – Equipping businesses within our network with the necessary skills, to start-up and run a successful business in Nigeria.
- Crowd Funding – fundanenterprise.org is the crowd funding platform used to support businesses raise the much needed capital to start, grow or scale their businesses.
- Handholding – This is a compulsory one-year hand holding support to enterprises who are beneficiaries of grants from fundanenterprise.org. his is with the aim to provide assurance to donors that the funds are utilized for its intended purpose.
“At MSME Crowd Funding Foundation, we believe that our economy will grow or be built or sustained by entrepreneurs.
A recent publication indicates that the Dangote Group contributes about 10% of Nigerian’s GDP. Therefore an increase and aggregation of several successful enterprises in Nigeria would definitely build the Nigeria economy.
“MSMEs in Nigeria are confronted with a number of issues, which includes funding or access to funds to start or scale. www.fundanenterprise.org is a bridge to this gap and is here to serve as an alternative funding source for start-up, micro, small and medium enterprises. Crowdfunding has a huge potential in Nigeria following her large, fast growing population, widespread mobile and internet connection, strong social activities, a great network of family and friends and a booming entrepreneurial spirit.
“Therefore, MSMEs in Nigeria and initiators of creative ideas are encouraged to look at alternative sources of funding and consequently tap into the internet to solicit donations to sustain and expand their ideas.
“The Foundation has organized and completed seven skills training sessions with over 1,500 registered participants.
Target market
“Our target market are mainly startup businesses, micro, small and medium businesses who do not have what it takes to scale or start their businesses. So far, we are in the process of trying to scale up the operations of our Foundation, setup an advisory board and also raise grants from notable firms / donor funded agencies to support these businesses in our network.
Already, the platform has over 35 subscribers and an average daily statistic of about 250 views. Nigeria needs to embrace the crowdfunding phenomenon, educate the populace and ensure appropriate regulations, especially as it affects equity crowdfunding, to give MSME’s easier alternative to help boost the economy.
“It is all intended to be a communal enterprise building circle, to empower our people and build our economy. We are therefore calling on everyone out there including investors and investees who wish to make an impact in the society (no matter how small) to support us in this cause to make our economy buoyant again”, he appealed to the public.
GRTech
Nnaemeka Ani Admonishes African Techies to Build for Legacy
“Let’s stop building for hype. Let’s start building for legacy.”


In a rousing declaration that is electrifying minds across the continent, Hon. Nnaemeka Ani, Special Adviser on ICT to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, has called for a homegrown digital revolution under the banner “Africa Will Rise: By Code, By Courage, By Us.”
The message, part challenge, part philosophical—seeks to galvanize African innovators to move beyond buzzwords and build technology with impact and legacy in mind.
“Let’s stop building for hype. Let’s start building for legacy,” Ani urged while speaking to ICT journalists over the weekend. “Let’s stop waiting for someone else. Let’s start creating the future—on our own terms.”
At the heart of Ani’s vision is a shift from tech consumerism to tech authorship. With innovation hubs sprouting across cities like Enugu, Lagos, Kigali, Jo’Burg, and Nairobi, and a growing community of developers, engineers, and entrepreneurs determined to solve Africa’s unique challenges, the movement is already taking shape.
Ani emphasized that Africa’s future lies not in flashy apps or international admiration but in persistent, intentional solutions that uplift communities—solutions that digitize public services, bridge rural-urban divides, empower women and youth, and build resilience in food and climate systems.
“We have the talent,” he said. “Now it’s time to harness it—to stop building for likes, and start building for lasting impact.”
With support from leaders like Ani and rising momentum in Africa’s tech corridors, it seems that a new chapter is being written—one line of code at a time.
Reviews
Book Review of The Village Priest by Remmy Nweke @NDSF 2025
By ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative


On Thursday, June 19, 2025, I had the honour of reviewing The Village Priest by Remmy Nweke—a powerful narrative that weaves together history, tradition, resistance, reconciliation, and innovation, set within the verdant hills of Ilimefo, a village nestled in the heart of Igboland, where “the air was alive with the whispers of ancestors and the rhythms of tradition.”
At the heart of this story is Ogboo AniEze, the revered traditional chief priest of Ilimefo. His life is “dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Ilimefo’s customs and traditions.” The book opens with a clear and symbolic statement of context: “The village and its people, their traditional practices and strong cultural heritage at the crossroads!” This sets the tone for what is not just a fictional tale but a textured documentation of a people’s encounter with time and change.
Ilimefo is introduced to us as a place where “tradition was woven into the very fabric of life,” with festivals like Onwu-ano linked to agricultural cycles and the rhythms of the earth. The rituals, we learn, are not arbitrary. They are “intricately woven” into the identity and continuity of the people. Ogboo AniEze does not merely perform these rituals—he embodies them. “His eyes, clouded with the wisdom of age, seemed to hold the secrets of the past,” and his voice “could calm the most troubled of minds.”
We are told, in great detail, about the structure and discipline of his priesthood: lieutenants from six villages, each with precise roles. Some “raise a cup of water,” others “kill the offerings,” while others “prepare the offerings when cooked.” The sacred rhythm of Ilimefo is grounded in Igbo cosmology, with rituals observed “every Eke market day,” that is, every five days.
As a young boy, Ogboo AniEze apprenticed under his grandfather, “a renowned traditional priest.” His education was both spiritual and practical—“the sacred languages,” “traditional healing practices,” and also “farming, hunting, and craftsmanship.” Through sacred journeys to forests, rivers, and mountains, “a deep connection to the natural world and the spirits that inhabited it” was forged.
One of the cultural pillars explored in the book is masquerading—a practice that carries symbolic, spiritual, and social weight. The masks “represent ancestral spirits, mythological creatures, and symbolic figures.” During festivals, “masked performers danced and sang,” their performances serving both as entertainment and as “social commentary, addressing issues and concerns.”
Yet, as the wind of change began to blow, Ogboo AniEze “encountered modernizing influences such as Christianity and western education,” which “challenged his traditionalist views.” Criticism followed—some said his values were “outdated and restrictive,” accusing him of “lack of adaptability,” and being “disconnected from the modern reality.” But for Ogboo, his visions, his ancestral worship, and his connection to “sacred journeys” remained a steadfast compass.
The villagers, meanwhile, expected him to do more than perform rituals. They expected him to provide “spiritual guidance, interpreting the will of the gods and ancestors,” “offering counseling and mediation,” and even guidance on agriculture and healing. He became “a respected and beloved figure,” not because he resisted change, but because he “found creative ways to balance the two.”
But change came fast and hard with the arrival of GSM—“a strange and mysterious piece of technology.” Introduced by “a group of outsiders, including a Catholic priest, Fada Ekie,” mobile phones arrived in Ilimefo, bringing with them “a stir among the villagers.” At first, the villagers were “fascinated and intimidated,” unsure how to engage with “small and sleek” devices that brought “the hum of signals and the chatter of voices.”
This is where the book truly grapples with its core tension. For Ogboo AniEze, GSM was both opportunity and threat. It “distracted them from their traditional practices” and “threatened to erode the cultural heritage of Ilimefo.” And when his own son, Okorie, embraced the technology, seeing “economic prospects” and “new possibilities,” the crisis became deeply personal.
Ogboo AniEze was “torn between his love and pride for his son and his concern for the impact of the technology.” He feared GSM would “lead to the erosion of the village’s cultural heritage” and cause a “brain drain” as young people “leave the village in search of better opportunities.” He also feared “isolation from the community” and began to “question his own faith and the traditions he had sworn to uphold.”
This led to the turning point. In the hills, he embarked on “dry fasting for a whole four market days.” He returned from that solitary experience with “a new found understanding.” He saw that GSM, though disruptive, “also offered opportunities for growth, development, and connection with the wider world.” He reconciled with Okorie. He apologized to the villagers. He even welcomed the presence of Fada Ekie, the Catholic priest.
What follows is a new era of harmony, where “tradition and modernity coexisted in balance.” Ogboo AniEze began to use mobile phones to “coordinate traditional ceremonies and rituals,” to “document the village’s traditions,” and to “connect with villagers in the diaspora.” The GSM technology, initially feared, became “a powerful tool for preserving the village’s cultural heritage.”
Through collaboration with Fada Ekie, Ilimefo experiences what the book calls a “fusion of traditions”—traditional prayers “incorporated into Catholic ceremonies,” Catholic teachings “infused with indigenous spiritual practices,” and “ancestor veneration blended with the tradition of honoring saints.” The result is “a new spiritual identity,” where “community healing practices” are made stronger through cooperation, and where “interfaith collaboration” becomes a working model for other communities.
Even as GSM introduced new social behaviours—such as Facebook Live streaming of village festivals, or parishioners charging phones during Mass—there is no ridicule or mockery. Instead, Remmy Nweke allows the reader to witness cultural evolution with empathy and respect.
In the Epilogue, we find Ogboo AniEze and Fada Ekie standing together, “looking out at the vibrant scene.” Their story is one of convergence, of two paths that once seemed to diverge, now blending into one shared future. As “the village erupted in joyous cheers,” they “clasped hands,” symbolizing a unity forged through respect, dialogue, and vision.
Let me end where the book ends—on a note of blessing and pride. At the close of the novel, as the village celebrates this new era, Ogboo AniEze declares it “Oyibo Day” and rolls out the drums—not to erase his past, but to embrace a future that includes both Okorie’s device and his own divination, both digital and divine.
The Village Priest is a careful work of cultural documentation, offering not just a story but a chronicle—a record of transition that many rural and even urban African communities continue to live through. It teaches us, without preaching, that true innovation is not in abandoning our roots, but in strengthening them with new tools.
Thank you.
GRTech
Refurbished tech: Making a smart choice for a greener future
By Qrent Managing Executive Kwirirai Rukowo


Consumers and businesses are constantly striving for the latest and greatest technology. However, behind the pursuit of cutting-edge devices lies a significant environmental toll – one that often goes unnoticed. The production of new technology requires vast amounts of natural resources, energy, and labour, contributing to both environmental degradation and significant carbon emissions.
With concerns about sustainability at an all-time high, companies are now looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on performance or innovation. Refurbished tech, such as the solutions offered by Qrent, presents an effective, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative.
The refurbished computers and laptops market is set for remarkable expansion, driven by both cost-effectiveness and a growing commitment to sustainability. According to Credence Research, the market is projected to surge from USD 17,856.6 million in 2024 to USD 39,405 million by 2032, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% during the forecast period.
This growth underlines the increasing adoption of refurbished IT equipment by businesses, educational institutions, and individual consumers as they seek to balance performance with environmental responsibility. The rising trend not only helps organisations reduce capital expenditures but also supports circular economy initiatives by extending the lifecycle of electronic products
As businesses face increasing pressure to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, refurbished tech is fast becoming a preferred choice for companies looking to cut costs while reducing their carbon footprints.
At Qrent, businesses can access high-quality, refurbished IT equipment that meets the demands of modern enterprises while simultaneously supporting sustainability initiatives. The company provides a range of refurbished devices including computers, laptops, and servers, ensuring that businesses can operate efficiently while minimising their environmental impact.
These devices are thoroughly tested and restored to like-new condition, offering the same reliability and performance as their brand-new counterparts but with a fraction of the carbon footprint.
Refurbished tech and the circular economy
The transition to a circular economy – a system that emphasises reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing – has become a critical strategy in tackling the world’s waste crisis. The electronics industry is one of the largest contributors to this crisis, with e-waste being the fastest-growing waste stream globally.
By choosing refurbished technology from Qrent, businesses contribute directly to the circular economy. When companies choose to refurbish and extend the lifecycle of their IT devices, they prevent valuable resources from ending up in landfills and reduce the demand for new products, thereby conserving raw materials and decreasing pollution.
Qrent’s refurbishment process includes the responsible recycling of old components and ensures that all equipment is brought back to life in an eco-friendly manner. This not only helps in reducing waste but also plays a significant role in limiting the environmental impact of tech manufacturing.
Embracing circular economy strategies not only prolongs the lifespan of IT assets but also significantly cuts down the need for new manufacturing – thereby reducing carbon emissions. The 2024 Forrester Report on The Circular Economy & Sustainable Manufacturing reveals that a substantial share of firms are already reaping sustainability benefits: 38% have adopted innovative delivery and fulfilment options that minimise waste, 32% are improving waste management practices, and 28% are focusing on more efficient material sourcing.
By opting for refurbished technology, companies can leverage these practices to lower reliance on virgin materials and the high emissions associated with producing new devices, marking a crucial step toward a greener, more sustainable IT procurement model.
Attaining your sustainability goals
Qrent provides businesses with sustainable IT solutions. The company not only supplies refurbished technology but also offers a comprehensive range of services that include equipment leasing, IT asset management, and secure data destruction. Businesses can now gain access to a scalable solution that meets their IT needs while simultaneously supporting their ESG initiatives.
The company’s commitment to reducing e-waste is evident in its emphasis on responsible recycling and disposal practices. When companies dispose their old IT equipment with Qrent through their IT Asset Disposal Solution, they can be confident that their devices will be decommissioned properly and reused, ensuring that valuable materials like metals, plastics, and glass are recovered and re-entered into the manufacturing cycle.
This process prevents toxic substances from polluting the environment and ensures that e-waste is managed in a safe, responsible manner.