The Aftermath of GITEX Africa: Unveiling Flowdiary's Unique Success

When I publicly broke the news of Flowdiary's selection to represent Nigeria at Africa's biggest tech event, GITEX Africa, an old friend hit my inbox congratulating us, adding that he thought we started this thing (he meant Flowdiary) as just a "play" project, which made him to ask, “What's the secret of Flowdiary's success?”

The latter question got me thinking from the day we set this startup up fast forward to the day we announced our participation in GITEX Africa. The journey wasn't easy – it was tough, of course. However, to fulfill a big dream isn't a journey of even a thousand days, it goes far beyond that.

When we first applied for GITEX Africa, we didn't expect we'd be selected to represent Nigeria — as Sir Tafawa Balewa put it that when he assumed office as Nigeria's Prime Minister he didn't expect things to be easy! Then after a couple of days, Engr. Ibrahim Auwal, our Senior Technology Officer, showed me the email that excited us which changed the whole story. The email said that out of over 1,000 startups, Flowdiary was chosen as one of the 344 in the first review.

That alone was a big win, because it clearly shows that we are really making an impact, as I always use to highlight and everyone else out there. However, despite the human nature of doubts, we didn't expect much from the second round, but when another email came, the whole narration changed... we had made it to the top 15, then top 12... and finally they assured us that Flowdiary would be going to Morocco to represent Nigeria! 

Why Flowdiary was given this huge opportunity?

This question and alike preposition; how, were going round in many heads. Well, going to Morocco meant something deeper, that even with our local language, our local focus, and our humble beginnings, the world was still willing to listen — and definitely because of one reason — we are solving a real problem!

This part also made me remember how we won the First Prize at the National App Challenge back in 2023, organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, that it was because we are solving a real-life problem. The same goes to our eloquent mentor, Prof. Mahmud, when we shook hands and he said, “Congratulations to you and your hand-working team.”

Flowdiary isn't our first startup, though the best so far. We have been building startups for the past seven years from the earlier days of Skyvillo to today. We have witnessed the ups and downs of what it really takes to solve a real problem in a society. So, back to an old friend's question, the only answer that many will be evolved from it is: Flowdiary's success lies in its unique solution.

First of all, lack of a platform to learn digital skills in Hausa language is a problem, Flowdiary provides the solution in a very professional way, where over 15,000 users get access to 20+ digital courses on its platform.

Secondly, when a youngster lacks mentorship, we see it as a social problem, then Flowdiary provides an excellent one to help young people build careers in the tech industry.

Thirdly, in a world where courses are not tailored to serve for self-reliance, Flowdiary deals with this problem by supporting self-reliance to bridge the gap of unemployment.

Flowdiary is the first startup that initiated these three unique solutions, not only in Nigeria or Africa, but in the whole world. This is why the CS Monitor of the United States drafted our story, alongside the Nigerian-based media outlets such as PrimeProgress, DailyEpisode, ChannelsTV among others.

More so, for someone who has spent over seven years in the startup world as mentioned above, I clearly understand the importance of delivering high value to users, and this is exactly what we do. Our 15,000+ students enjoy the excessive values they receive on Flowdiary daily.

For many people outside Northern Nigeria, it was their first time hearing about a startup teaching digital skills entirely in Hausa Language. But it was more than surprise. Because sometimes, doing what no one else is doing, especially for the people no one else is serving is the real innovation.

That's the moment I knew Flowdiary had crossed a line. We are no longer just a Northern Nigerian startup nor national or continental, but global, because we need not to prove the #FlowdiaryToTheWorld hashtag which my brother, Aliyu Ahmed first crafted after we emerged as the first prize winner of the Yobe State Innovation Challenge 2024.

Please allow me to use this paragraph to make a confession — as Dbanj once sang — that the most beautiful part of this #FlowdiaryInMorocco moment that excited me the most was the way #FlowdiaryFamily stood firm behind us as usual. Their unwavering support, prayers, and kind wishes are definitely second to none. 

I can remember in a short Facebook post I made on March 12th, I highlighted that having someone who gives you an ultimate support with all their heart is a divine gift, and this is the exact reflection I've witnessed.

Finally, we will continue to brainstorm big ideas and innovate to make things better by transforming the lives of thousands of youngsters in the African continent to thrive in the global tech market.