Spacefinish and Campus HQ converge Business leaders to share survival playbooks amid Nigeria’s economic volatility at Flutterwave HQ
- Stephen Ogundele
- May 8
- 3 min read
Updated: May 9
At a time when businesses across sectors are navigating inflation, currency fluctuations, and shifting regulations, leading executives and policy experts gathered at the Executive Mixer to share playbooks for survival and growth in emerging markets.
The event, co-hosted by Spacefinish and Campus HQ, and powered by Flutterwave, brought together panellists from key sectors to exchange strategies for operating in Nigeria’s volatile environment.
Austin Okpagu, Country Director at VertoFX, opened the first panel, "Emerging Market Playbooks: Navigating Growth in Challenging Climates," highlighting the limits of traditional and tech-enabled foreign exchange strategies.
Even tech-driven methods are not fully reliable right now,” he noted, referencing a multinational treasurer who lost 40% of procurement funds due to naira depreciation. To mitigate risk, Okpagu recommended multi-currency treasury management. “With technology, businesses can hold funds in multiple currencies on one platform and pay suppliers in local currencies without converting to USD,” he explained.
Olufunmilayo Olaniyi, SVP of Business Development at Flutterwave, emphasized value creation through strategic partnerships. “Some products didn’t scale—we had to go back and iterate,” she said. “What’s helped is staying close to our partners, especially in government, and aligning with their needs.”
She stressed the importance of anticipating policy changes. “It’s not just about product-market fit; it’s about understanding the regulatory landscape and preparing for rapid shifts.”
In the second panel, "Building Capabilities for Capital Investment and Operational Agility," Jude Chiemeka, CEO of the Nigerian Exchange Group, noted that while policy reforms caused short-term disruption, they also enhanced Nigeria’s investment appeal. “Foreign participation jumped from 4% pre-election to 50% now,” he revealed.
Chiemeka encouraged leaders to embrace flexibility. “Plan for scenarios but stay agile. Global conflicts still influence our markets. Volatility is ongoing.” He also advocated for stronger governance and public listings. “Institutional investors favor companies with transparency and access to capital.”
Similarly, Kazeem Oladepo, COO, IHS Towers Nigeria, said, “Have a team constantly monitoring policies, stakeholder positions, and regulatory trends. When policies change, immediately assess the impact across all markets,”
He added that building internal alignment helps companies respond effectively. “Don't wait until policies are signed into law to react. Simulate impacts early and prepare possible responses. Flexibility must be built into the organisation from top to bottom.”
In the final fireside chat moderated by Remi Dada, CEO of Spacefinish and Campus HQ, business icon Folusho Phillips spoke on long-term institutional development. “Recruit character before talent,” he advised. “Wrong behavior can destroy an organization.”
He also emphasized system-building. “What remains if your team walks out tomorrow? You need manuals, training, and embedded culture.”
On where to place bets for Africa’s future, Phillips pointed to human capital. “Our edge lies in people. Education and healthcare are becoming the most critical sectors.”
He cited rising household spend in these areas as a signal. “With donor aid declining, especially in healthcare, Nigeria must take ownership. That opens room for innovation and investment.”
He noted that households are spending more on education and healthcare than ever before. “With the withdrawal of aid, especially in healthcare, Nigeria must now take full ownership. That opens a new frontier for innovation and investment.”
In closing, Remi Dada, Founder/CEO of Spacefinish and Campus HQ, reminded attendees of the purpose behind the event. “We’re not just about office spaces. We want to support how people work and grow,” he said.
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