Abiola Laseinde is rapidly emerging as one of the most influential figures shaping Africa’s technology landscape. What began as a simple, heartfelt idea in the early days of the global pandemic has grown into a movement redefining how digital leadership is recognised, valued, and celebrated across the continent. From Lagos to Nairobi and Accra to Casablanca, Laseinde’s work has placed Nigerian and African tech leadership firmly on the international stage, spotlighting individuals whose contributions are transforming economic and social systems through technology.
Laseinde’s journey offers a compelling story of vision, grit, and unexpected influence. With over two decades of experience as a legal professional and business executive, she has defied conventional career paths to build platforms that amplify the voices of tech leaders and promote digital innovation across industries. What started as a way to honour often overlooked Chief Information Officers has become a thriving ecosystem impacting hundreds of executives, innovators, and policymakers across Africa.
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From Quiet Recognition to Continental Movement
In 2020, as the world grappled with the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laseinde observed a striking phenomenon. While global attention focused on public health challenges, a cadre of technology leaders worked around the clock to keep businesses connected, secure, and resilient. These Chief Information Officers and technology executives were the unseen force ensuring organisations stayed operational as lockdowns and remote working became the norm. Despite their critical role, many of these leaders remained unsung and unrecognised.
Laseinde felt compelled to change this narrative. Her idea was straightforward but bold: create a platform that honours individual tech champions for their contributions to digital transformation. Sceptics questioned her vision, pointing out that she came from a legal background and had no formal technology career. Yet, she persisted, driven by the belief that these professionals deserved public acknowledgement for holding digital ecosystems together, particularly during crises.
Her concept took root with the support of trusted allies and professional firms. Early backing from organisations like Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers helped turn the idea into a credible event, launching what would become the CIO & C-Suite Conference and Awards. Instead of celebrating companies, the focus was on individuals whose decisions and leadership in technology made a real impact.
Over time, the event’s initial local focus expanded far beyond Nigeria. As nominations began to flow in from other countries across the continent, including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco, Laseinde and her team embraced the wider horizon. What started as a national recognition quickly grew into a pan-African movement, welcoming participation from more than a dozen nations.
Building an Ecosystem Beyond Awards
The success of the awards led Laseinde to pursue a broader vision for a connected technology leadership community. In response, she established the CIO & C-Suite Club Africa, an influential network of senior technology executives committed to advancing digital transformation. The Club now counts over 1,000 members from across more than 15 African countries and focuses on advocacy, empowerment, research, and strategic engagement among decision-makers.
Annual summits, workshops, and collaborative initiatives have created opportunities for members to share insights, shape policy dialogues, and strengthen partnerships across sectors. These efforts help bridge gaps between industry leaders, government policymakers, and global technology firms working in African markets. The expansion of this ecosystem highlights how a modest idea can evolve into a robust institution, shaping future digital leadership.
Recognising the importance of diversity and inclusion within the tech space, Laseinde also launched the Ladies in Tech and Leadership Network. This initiative focuses on empowering women within the digital economy, offering mentorship, coaching, and platforms for women to showcase their contributions in fields historically dominated by men. Growth in female participation has been steady, fuelled by intentional efforts to ensure women have a stronger voice in shaping Africa’s tech narrative.
Laseinde’s work has extended beyond recognition and community building. Her platforms now serve as corridors of influence where executives confront pressing issues like digital tax policy, infrastructural barriers, digital literacy, and the strategic deployment of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics.
Vision, Challenges, and the Road Ahead
Laseinde believes fully embracing digital transformation is key to economic growth, competitiveness, and inclusive development across Africa. She sees Nigeria, in particular, as a leader in the continent’s digital future given its youthful population, entrepreneurial energy, and growing tech talent. Yet she acknowledges that infrastructure gaps remain a significant barrier. For example, despite Nigeria’s progress in producing digital talent and hosting technology events, the country still lacks foundational structures such as smart cities and widespread broadband access to fully harness technological innovations.
Her advocacy now centres on calling for stronger public-private partnerships, strategic government investment in technology infrastructure, and policies that attract global investors while nurturing local startups. Laseinde stresses the importance of trusting and empowering African innovators, saying that the continent has the intellectual capital and creativity to compete with global peers if given the right ecosystem support.
Laseinde’s goals extend beyond the continental landscape. She often discusses her ambition of fostering greater international collaboration, positioning Nigerian and African tech leaders as global voices in digital strategy, policy, and innovation. Her long-term vision includes expanding the reach of Africa’s digital leadership forums and establishing platforms where African tech achievements can gain recognition on the world stage.
Her journey continues to inspire many, especially young professionals who see in her example a blueprint for turning passion into impactful institutions. For many in the digital trenches of Africa’s tech ecosystem, the CIO & C-Suite Awards and associated communities represent more than accolades; they symbolise recognition, validation, and hope for a future where African digital leadership is both celebrated and influential.
Legacy and Influence
Abiola Laseinde’s story is a powerful reminder that innovation often arises from empathy and observation. Her ability to identify an overlooked group of leaders and create a compelling platform for them has shifted perceptions about what digital leadership in Africa can look like. Through her work with Edniesal Consulting and the communities she has built, Africans are now sharing best practices, solving complex problems collaboratively, and carving out distinct identities in the global digital economy.
As Laseinde’s initiatives continue to grow, so does Nigeria’s reputation as a hub for digital talent, thought leadership, and innovation. The ripple effects of her work are evident in the increasing number of African executives gaining international recognition, participating in global forums, and driving conversations around inclusive growth and responsible technology adoption.
Her journey is far from over, but the foundation she has laid is becoming an enduring part of Africa’s digital transformation narrative. For many, Abiola Laseinde is not just honouring tech leaders; she is helping build the very future of African technology leadership.
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