Rita Adachukwu James combines business innovation with social impact, advancing energy access and community empowerment in Nigeria.
In October 2007, at just 27 years old, Rita Adachukwu James took a bold step into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry by founding Merciport Resources Limited. She aimed to provide reliable energy solutions for rural and semi-urban areas that often faced long-standing challenges in fuel distribution. It began as a modest enterprise and has evolved into a notable player in Nigeria’s downstream sector, serving communities that had long been excluded from the energy conversation.
Raised with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, James started her first business ventures during her teenage years, gaining early experience in retail and marketing. She holds a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan and has undertaken executive training at institutions including the London Business School and Harvard Business School. Her educational background and early business exposure have informed her empirical approach to leadership and strategic decision-making.
Merciport was founded to address the inefficiencies and delays Rita Adachukwu James personally witnessed in the distribution of petroleum products to Nigeria’s rural areas. Rather than focusing solely on urban markets, she saw an opportunity to close this gap by building a supply chain model that prioritised accessibility and sustainability. Over the years, she has led the business to diversify its operations to include the distribution of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The company has also expanded its infrastructure through the establishment of LPG plants aimed at promoting cleaner and safer energy use.
Through years of economic uncertainty and shifting market dynamics, James has steered Merciport with a focus on long-term resilience. Her leadership has been marked by efforts to strengthen logistics, secure financing for growth, and maintain consistent service delivery even during supply chain disruptions. The company’s expansion has contributed to job creation, regional economic development, and improved access to energy for low-income households.
Beyond her corporate work, the businesswoman has also ventured into social enterprise. She established the Shunammite Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women, young people, and marginalised groups through empowerment programmes. The foundation has provided microloans to women traders, donated food and learning materials to orphanages, supported students through scholarships, and facilitated skill-acquisition training in photography and cinematography for unemployed youths. Last year, the foundation distributed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to women in Kwara state to help encourage safer energy practices.
Rita Adachukwu James currently serves on the board of regents at Covenant University, where she contributes to discussions on leadership and enterprise development. She has successfully built a career that bridges energy access and empowerment.
