[Interview] Alexander Sipua Ngnoubamdjum, CEO, SIPUA Consulting, Germany
Alexander Sipua Ngnoubamdjum is the CEO at SIPUA Consulting, Germany. His interview with Africa Business Communities:
Would you please introduce SIPUA Consulting?
SIPUA CONSULTING is a company that has been established in 2012 with its headquarters in Hamburg (Germany). We have a team of highly qualified business experts from various African and European countries. Beside our head-office in Hamburg, we have representations in Senegal, Ghana, Cameroun and Kenya. For us, international communication is the key to success. Therefore, we are actively networking with business partners and decision makers on all levels and in many countries around the world.
Our perception of working as business consultants is much more than working on the development of an organizational/institutional strategy alongside the senior management. We are thinking about an empowerment for all partners in the process and we take the cultural, historical and socio-political situation into account for any kind of decision.
In which industries does SIPUA Consulting operate and who are your clients?
Our main focus is in the following areas of (Renewable) Energy Supply Systems, Infrastructural Projects, Agricultural-Business and Public Sector & Government Consultancy. SIPUA CONSULTING provides services to private investors and entrepreneurs driven by the passion of realizing a project based on the principles ofstate-of-the-art-technology including innovative aspects.
We assist institutional partners or governmental bodies seeking cooperation with international counterparts for the implementation of large-scale energy and/or infrastructural projects. But most important for us is the establishment of a long lasting professional relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
Why did you start your SIPUA Consulting and what is your business background?
I am a graduate of Economic Sciences of the Hamburg University in Germany with academic years in Yaoundé (Cameroun) and in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). My academic and practical experiences in various countries and continents have led to a business approach, which questions the traditional, western way of working and thinking.
Before starting my own company, I was a Key Account Manager and African Affairs Director for a big Germany-based company in the Solar Energy Sector for several years. Initiating businesses in several African Countries was a wonderful experience. I discovered many amazing places in all parts of Africa. But yet, I asked myself: What are we doing, based on all our experiences to empower the next generation? With the creation of my company – SIPUA CONSULTING - in 2012, I wanted to address this question.
What other companies/organizations/activities have you founded?
Like many other successful businessmen and –women, I was very active during my time as a student. In the 90ies, we established a network of African Student Movements from several countries and did their PR in the European media and amongst international institutions. This network is till today a great source of inspiration and resource for me when it comes to networking in any African Country, where I have not yet been.
Many other activities have been founded and companies have been established in collaboration with wonderful people of our community. But I am particularly grateful that I had the chance to work for a couple of years as cultural activist with some of the greatest African artists and musicians.
What can be done by entrepreneurs and government to stimulate the business environment in Germany and in Africa?
I think, that it is most important, to ensure an ongoing communication between entrepreneurs and the government. The business environment is directly linked to the political, social and educational environment. That’s the reason why I never speak about ‘business’ versus ‘politics’. We see lots of projects, which are based on good theoretical agendas, but they fail in the ‘Real World’.
I am convinced that some of our strategic planning could (and should) be successfully implemented if all voices involved are being equally heard. A change on this level would stimulate the whole environment (business and political) - in Africa and in the Rest of the World.
What’s the best part about doing business in/with Africa?
It is always astonishing, when you see the beauty, the energy and the creativity of African people. Africa is the best place to learn from each other. Here lies the future of the planet. And doing business in Africa is my way of staying in touch. It gives me and my colleagues the inspiration for new business ideas and success stories. And just a thought about it helps, when winter in Europe is getting too cold.
Which African countries will perform best in 2015?
Rwanda is an interesting example for a country that deals with the past in a constructive way in order to prepare for the future.
Senegal is facing various challenges on all levels (economical, religious, political, health,…), but the country is handling them quite well.
Ethiopia has introduced great projects in various industries to open up opportunities for its own people.
For further business interests, contact Alexander Sipua Ngnoubamdjum
www.de.linkedin.com/pub/alexander-sipua-ngnoubamdjum/22/998/a04/en
Africa Business Communities is conducting a series of interviews with CEOs and high-end professionals in Africa. Are you interested in an interview? Please send an e-mail to Trang Nguyen: trang@africabusinesscommunities.com