Njeri Rionge

Christine Njeri Rionge OGW (12 January 1966 – 2 October 2023) was a Kenyan technology entrepreneur who was a co-founder of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Wananchi Online Limited (WOL), one of Kenya’s first internet providers. Quotes Every single entrepreneur must have a backbone, if you don’t have the backbone and capacity to sustain and to be agile enough to organize your ideas and your business growth, then you’re probably not made up for business or entrepreneurship. I create companies serially because I believe that Africa is the next economic frontier and we must build indigenous organisations that will support this growth. Africa is the next economic frontier. There is a huge opportunity ahead for family business and for existing businesses that have been around a long time. Let’s create a work culture; let’s have integrity in our processes; let’s be passionate about doing it right the first time; and Africa will enjoy the fruits of our labour. You need to have the right people around you – you can’t do everything yourself. A lot of entrepreneurs think they need to be good at every aspect of the case. In my experience women and men suffer the same experience; the only difference is that women have more responsibilities. As a player in the business world, you are still expected to be a mother, wife and homemaker. That increases the number of things you are responsible for. Men in our African culture, all they do is business and everything else at home is taken care of. For me it is discipline, consistency, passion and excitement about growth. Ladies, it’s like learning to ride a bike or driving a car. You need only to believe in yourself, trust your gut feeling and develop a clear plan or strategy, keep it simple and implement that plan step by step with courage, conviction and love above all. Ultimately be open minded and flexible to change course when needed and listen to your customers. Success for me is defined by increased value – not simply financial rewards. I think it is important to focus on the growth of African businesses and leaving a legacy rather than just trading in the moment for short term financial gain. So no, I'm not driven by a 'million dollar mindset', but rather by a strong passion to see businesses grow, reach their potential, and contribute to society and the economy as a force for good. Taking an idea that’s on paper or in your head and moving it forward into real, tangible action is the true spirit of entrepreneurship. In my experience women and men suffer the same experience; the only difference is that women have more responsibilities. As a player in the business world, you are still expected to be a mother, wife and homemaker. That increases the number of things you are responsible for. Men in our African culture, all they do is business and everything else at home is taken care of. Entrepreneurship is what is going to build Africa. Integrity is also going to build Africa. My first business was selling yoghurt from a friend’s car trunk to the International School of Kenya and Loretto Convent Musongari High School over their school breaks. I saw a business opportunity and acted on it, determined to turn it into a reality. I was also working in a salon as a hairdresser during this time and soon recognized another business opportunity selling luxury merchandise to my high net worth clients: to buy and re-sell luxury goods, I used to fly regularly to London using discounted courier tickets. I would not say I felt a compulsion to take these business opportunities, I would simply say that I had a passion for selling and for creating a business. In 2000, I co-founded East Africa’s first mass market oriented ISP, Wananchi Online (a Swahili word meaning ‘citizen’ or ‘the people’) which made Internet connectivity affordable for the average household for the first time. This is perhaps the company that my name is most synonymous with in Kenya, and why I’m known as a ‘tech entrepreneur’ in some circles. Africa is the next economic frontier. There is a huge opportunity ahead for family business and for existing businesses that have been around a long time. Let's create a work culture; let’s have integrity in our processes; let's be passionate about doing it right the first time; and Africa will enjoy the fruits of our labour. Her message to African young aspiring business people and entrepreneurs. This will happen when Africans begin to pay attention to the need for giving opportunity to their own courage to be an independent people. You know deep down inside you what you must do, have courage to do it. How can Africa realise its full potential? External links Category:Businesswomen from Kenya Category:Entrepreneurs Category:1966 births Category:2023 deaths