At the graduation ceremony of the Founder Institute’s latest cohort in Abuja, Franklin Kamnang Ngansop, an internationally recognised startup mentor, called on Nigerian entrepreneurs to position themselves for global competition.

Speaking at the event on September 10, 2025, held at the NASENI Innovation Hub, Ngansop described the country’s startup landscape as being at “an inflexion point,” stressing that Nigerian founders must leverage resilience and creativity while adapting international strategies.

“Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly creative, ambitious, and prepared to compete on a global scale,” Ngansop said. “It’s not about copying. It’s about translating lessons into strategies that work here.”

Ngansop, who has worked with startups across Africa, Silicon Valley, London, Tokyo, São Paulo, and Sydney, told the graduating cohort that scaling businesses requires more than innovation. “Every entrepreneur already carries the seeds of success,” he said. “But strategy, clarity, and guidance are essential to transform raw ambition into tangible results.”

He explained that success depends on achieving product-market fit, building operational systems, and engaging effectively with investors. Under his mentorship, several African startups have expanded across borders, secured international funding, and adopted models capable of competing with established global players.

The mentor also highlighted the importance of local context. He noted that while global best practices are valuable, African founders must ground their businesses in local realities. “African companies must remain rooted in their identity while aspiring to reach global benchmarks,” he told participants.

Ngansop credited accelerators and ecosystem players in Nigeria, including the Founder Institute and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, for building structures that support emerging entrepreneurs. “Sustained success in Africa will come not from competition but from collective investment in ideas, mentorship, and partnerships,” he added.

Looking ahead, Ngansop predicted that African startups would increasingly shape global industries. “We are going to see advances from Africa in fintech, edtech, healthtech, and digital innovation,” he said. “Our role is to make sure founders have the strategy and networks to not just enter international markets but to set new standards.”

Ngansop, whose career includes international recognition such as the Globee Business Awards, downplayed personal accolades, insisting that his measure of success is the growth of founders he has mentored. “Awards and media coverage are only valuable if they amplify African innovation to the world,” he said.