“As Africa’s leading technology consulting firm, we deliver cutting-edge solutions that transform businesses and shape the future.” – Kingsley Eze, CEO Tenece Group
Storage has become a critical component of modern IT environments, as data has emerged as a valuable asset. Organizations increasingly rely on data to drive business performance, gain competitive advantage, and enhance product offerings.
As data volumes continue to grow exponentially, so too does the cost of storage. To address this challenge, Tenece Professional Services focuses on optimizing data management practices. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Tenece aims to improve storage efficiency and reduce costs. In collaboration with Dell, Tenece is exploring innovative use cases to enhance storage utilization. These initiatives are designed to help customers retrieve data quickly and reliably, while minimizing the risk of data loss.
Kingsley Eze (CEO Tenece Group), a seasoned technology leader at Tenece Professional Services leverages a diverse range of technologies and systems to create tailored solutions for its clients.
Trusted Technology Partner
Beyond technical expertise, Tenece positions itself as a trusted advisor, guiding clients through complex technology landscapes. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including hardware infrastructure, network infrastructure, and application services. These services encompass server storage systems, connectivity devices, and support for applications from leading vendors like Dell, Oracle, and Microsoft.
To adapt to evolving market demands and increasing customer sophistication, Tenece has embraced managed services. By assuming responsibility for specific IT functions, Tenece enables clients to focus on their core business while enjoying the benefits of reliable and efficient IT solutions.
Furthermore, Tenece caters to clients with unique requirements by developing bespoke software applications. This allows the company to address niche needs and provide tailored solutions that align with specific business objectives.
Initially, Tenece began as a software development and technology advisory firm, leveraging its intellectual capital to deliver value to clients. As the company grew, it expanded its service offerings to include infrastructure and reseller services, capitalizing on its growing expertise and financial resources.
Tenece’s Approach to Customer Success
Kingsley recognizes that vendor-led procurement can be a significant challenge for customers, as they are often inundated with numerous technology service providers promoting their own solutions. This can lead to confusion and difficulty in making informed decisions.
To address this challenge, Tenece positions itself as a trusted advisor, going beyond mere product sales to provide guidance and recommendations. By offering expert advice and suggesting optimal solutions, Tenece helps customers make informed choices that align with their specific needs and budgets.
Furthermore, Tenece emphasizes the importance of a clear journey map, outlining the steps required to achieve desired outcomes. By providing a roadmap, Tenece helps customers navigate the complexities of technology adoption and avoid potential pitfalls.
Another critical aspect of successful technology implementation is change management. While leadership teams may have a clear vision, aligning technology, people, and processes is essential for optimal results. Tenece acknowledges this challenge and works with clients to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruption.
While the technology landscape has become more transparent, with increased knowledge and resources available, some customers may still face challenges due to a lack of internal expertise. Tenece continues to play a vital role in educating and supporting customers, helping them navigate the complexities of technology adoption and achieve their business goals.
Optimising Storage for Digital Age
Kingsley Eze’s diverse background in finance, technology, and business transformation equips him with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of modern IT environments.
From Analyst to Entrepreneur
Kingsley considers himself very lucky with his career trajectory, which he believes would be considered a dream by many young people. He began his career as a financial analyst at a leading commercial bank in Nigeria before joining Anderson Consulting, which later became Accenture, as a technology consultant. These early experiences honed his skills, especially in financial management, which is crucial for entrepreneurship. Kingsley was well-prepared for financial management, unlike many who may enter entrepreneurship without a solid understanding of money.
At Accenture, Kingsley was exposed to best practices in technology, presentation, and reporting. He realized that possessing knowledge alone is insufficient; one must also be able to present and communicate effectively to colleagues, clients, and partners. These experiences taught him the importance of clear communication in achieving success.
Additionally, Kingsley learned about organizational management, particularly in leading people, which he considers one of the most challenging aspects of business. After leaving Accenture, he worked for renowned Nigerian entrepreneur Tony Elumelu, joining the team that established Elumelu’s first holding company. This experience was invaluable, as it allowed Kingsley to apply the financial and consulting skills he had learned in real-world business settings, solidifying his experience as an entrepreneur.
Working with Elumelu’s company, Heirs Alliance, gave Kingsley first hand exposure to the challenges businesses face before reaching success. This opportunity significantly boosted his self-confidence and helped him understand the importance of overcoming obstacles behind the scenes.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Kingsley Eze’s entrepreneurial journey was influenced by the belief that building a successful business requires hard work, perseverance, and dedication. He drew inspiration from the achievements of other entrepreneurs who had built significant businesses without extraordinary circumstances.
To foster a collaborative and efficient work environment, Tenece adopted a flat organizational structure. This approach eliminates hierarchical barriers, encourages open communication, and promotes a sense of ownership among team members. Workflows are designed to be seamless, with teams collaborating across different stages of project delivery. This ensures a smooth transition from pre-sales to delivery to support, minimizing delays and maximizing efficiency.
Tenece’s performance management framework further reinforces this collaborative approach. Even back-office teams, such as finance and administration, are held accountable for project delivery. This incentivizes them to proactively support project teams, ensuring timely procurement of resources and efficient operations.
Kingsley’s experience in financial analysis, technology consulting, and corporate management has equipped him with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead Tenece’s growth. His exposure to best practices and his commitment to a human-centric approach to business have shaped the company’s culture and contributed to its success.
Winning Africa through Local Expertise
Tenece Professional Services has a clear and deliberate vision to conquer Africa, driven by a strong emotional commitment to the continent. As Africans, they recognize that Africa has often been at a disadvantage in global engagements, particularly in sectors like financial services, which is one of their biggest consumers of technology services. For the past 30 years, many technology deployments across Africa have been carried out by international companies that come to implement solutions and then return to their home countries, leaving Africa dependent on foreign support.
While technology skills are geography-agnostic, the cost of bringing in foreign experts for technology deployments has become a significant burden for clients, particularly in an era of foreign exchange volatility. To address this, Tenece Professional Services has introduced an “indigenization” model for technology services. In each region where the company operates, they establish a local presence, staffed by local engineers. In Kenya, for example, the company’s operations are managed and run by Kenyan professionals, with similar models implemented in South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, and other countries where they have a footprint.
This strategy aims to develop a local talent pool of engineers and software developers to support African businesses, reducing the continent’s reliance on imported services and expertise. Over time, Tenece Professional Services believes this will shift the landscape of African technology by encouraging global companies to engage more directly with Africa. Instead of operating from a distance, international businesses will need to establish a presence within Africa, hire and train local talent, and contribute to the development of local industries.
Through this model, Tenece Professional Services is not only aiming for success in Africa but also sowing the seeds of long-term technology growth and development across the continent. By fostering a local talent pool, Africa will no longer be dependent on importing technology services and skills. Additionally, clients will benefit from lower costs by paying for services in local currencies, relieving them from the pressure of sourcing scarce foreign exchange. Tenece Professional Services believes this approach will empower young African professionals, creating a sustainable and promising future for Africa’s technology industry.
Strategy for Sustainable Growth
Tenece Professional Services recognizes that the public and private sectors are fundamentally different, each with its unique dynamics. While both are clients, they share few similarities. For instance, if a business is built solely around the public sector, it may face significant challenges. One key issue is the unpredictability of budget fulfillment in the public sector, where budget cycles are not always strictly adhered to. As a result, opportunities in this sector may not materialize, leaving businesses burning resources without guaranteed returns.
In contrast, the private sector tends to be more predictable and disciplined in fulfilling budget cycles. When pursuing opportunities in the private sector, businesses are more likely to see those opportunities come to fruition, ensuring the necessary resources to sustain operations.
Tenece Professional Services advises entrepreneurs to maintain a balanced approach by targeting both public and private sector clients. While the private sector offers more predictable opportunities, the public sector also plays a crucial role in the development of technology infrastructure. If technology service providers focus exclusively on the private sector, the public sector could be underdeveloped, which could ultimately harm the system, as the public sector is responsible for policies that impact private businesses.
Therefore, Tenece Professional Services encourages a healthy mix of clients from both sectors. While private sector opportunities are more predictable and should be prioritized to sustain long-term business success, attention must also be given to supporting the public sector to ensure overall development.
