Saheed Adepoju is a Nigerian inventor and co-developer of a tablet (touchpad) called
INYE which means "One" in Igala language. He holds a degree in Maths
and Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Minna (Nigeria,
2005) and an Advanced Computing degree from Bournemouth University (UK, 2008).
He is the founder the technology firm called Encipher Group that commercializes the tablet with Anibe Agamah his long time friend. They started being attracted by computers and the like when they were still teenagers.
The INYE tablet costs between N45, 000 to N60, 000 as opposed to around N120,000 for an iPad. Yet, it is Apple's Ipad that inspired the Encipher INYE tablet which price is probably the strongest point, especially if the firm wants to penetrate the Nigerian market and other areas of the African continent.
Inye-1 was unveiled to the public in April 2010, while in Inye-2 was unveiled in May 2011. Here are some of the characteristics of the tablet.
Another product that the firm is working on is Encipher TV which is a box that will enable people to watch TV, movies, etc. Just like the Ipad, the Cardiopad or the Way-C, the INYE tablet is manufactured (assembled) in China, but conceived in Nigeria.
He is the founder the technology firm called Encipher Group that commercializes the tablet with Anibe Agamah his long time friend. They started being attracted by computers and the like when they were still teenagers.
The INYE tablet costs between N45, 000 to N60, 000 as opposed to around N120,000 for an iPad. Yet, it is Apple's Ipad that inspired the Encipher INYE tablet which price is probably the strongest point, especially if the firm wants to penetrate the Nigerian market and other areas of the African continent.
Inye-1 was unveiled to the public in April 2010, while in Inye-2 was unveiled in May 2011. Here are some of the characteristics of the tablet.
Another product that the firm is working on is Encipher TV which is a box that will enable people to watch TV, movies, etc. Just like the Ipad, the Cardiopad or the Way-C, the INYE tablet is manufactured (assembled) in China, but conceived in Nigeria.
Here is an excerpt of an interview he granted to Dinfin Mulipi of How We Made It In Africa
How are the
Encipher Inye tablets doing in the market?
The Encipher
Inye tablet has gained some local and international hold. Inye provides the same
Android experience as any other Android tablet. What we do differently is
ensure that the applications are developed locally by local developers. This
ensures that their applications reach a global audience. We plan to roll out
other forms of electronic devices within the year once we complete investment
drives.
What mistakes have
you made in executing your business ideas and what did you learn from them?
The process
of chasing finance should not be for someone who has solely a technical
background. We have transactional managers who ensure we have an evolving
business case and a growing potential partnerships base.
Tell us about some
of the challenges you face.
Due to the
perception of Africa and Nigeria, investment
companies are sceptical that investments can yield proper return on investment.
However, this over time has changed and all investors actually need (before
financing) is the credibility of the person and the brand penetration. This we
have found in our experience to be powerfully needed.
Describe the state
of Nigeria’s technology sector?
The Nigerian
technology sector is growing slowly and its future heavily depends on the local
ecosystem and relevant government policies. Sadly the policies haven’t caught
up with the accelerated growth of the ecosystem. Nigeria’s aspiration based on
my work with the committee should be to ensure that Nigeria attains a high
broadband penetration. Once this is achieved, some aspiration in other sectors
of the economy can be achieved.
What challenges do
developers and technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria face?
Developers
and technology entrepreneurs face two problems, which are slowly fading away;
first is credibility and the second is access to structured financing.
What advice would
you give other entrepreneurs?
Build
credibility for your brand and yourselves and get transactional managers to
manage the finance chasing while you concentrate on building and growing the
business.
Your future plans?
I intend to
build other products for the emerging markets. I also intend to set up L'abri centres
which are Christian centres that help people handle everyday lives. This was
born out of my own personal struggle with entrepreneurship and how I dealt with
the lonely strides.
Where do you see
the African technology sector in the next five years?
I see Africa
as the next stage where investment opportunities will rise in various
sectors including technology. It would also differentiate itself colourfully
because of our vast cultural mix as a continent.
Credit: How We Made It In Africa
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