Cynthia Chisom Ezechukwu was captivated by the work of shoe artisans from a young age. Many of them created stunning leather shoe products but needed help finding a larger market for their work. Years later, her entrepreneurial spirit gave rise to the birth of The Aboki Shoe Repair Africa, a company committed to dignifying the artistry of local leather workers.
Ezechukwu’s entrepreneurial journey in the shoe business was profoundly shaped by observing the shoe repair needs of the ladies at the University. One time, she got caught up in an argument between a female student and a cobbler over the quality of work done.
From that experience, she couldn’t help but notice the lackadaisical attitude of cobblers toward shoe repair. Local artisans, who were masters of their craft, lacked the professionalism and resources to grow their businesses, and many of them struggled with sustainability because of this.
When Chisom Ezechukwu explored the shoe repair industry in other countries, she quickly identified significant gaps. She discovered that European countries approached shoe-making and repairs with excellence and passion, quite different from what she saw in Nigeria. Thus, she saw an opportunity to change this perception by raising the standards for these artisans and shifting the industry towards dignified, creative, and professional expressions of leatherwork. To accomplish this, she founded The Aboki Africa in 2018.
Since its inception, Aboki Africa has created initiatives aimed at skill development and financial empowerment for local artisans. Since receiving a $1000 grant in 2019, they have set up workshops where local leather workers learn new techniques to improve the quality of their products and services. These artisans also gain access to tools and resources they couldn’t previously afford so they can boost their productivity.
Beyond technical training, the founder’s programs emphasise business development to shift the perception of shoe repair from a low-tier trade to a respected profession. They teach artisans how to manage their finances, market their work, and build sustainable enterprises. These artisans, formerly local craftsmen, are transitioning to recognised creators whose products are in demand nationwide. She also organises mentorship programs and workshops that equip them with essential skills in entrepreneurship and leadership.
The Aboki Africa actively engages with local populations across Nigeria, particularly in the north, to locate, empower, and support artisans – ensuring their talents and skills are recognised and nurtured. Since 2018, The Aboki has connected 100+ local artisans (directly and indirectly) to customers across 12 states in Nigeria. They have provided over 4000 shoe repair services and served over 1500 customers. They have been able to help these artisans generate a minimum of 80,000 per month in revenue.
When she initially started as a female artisan in a male-dominated industry, she struggled to get her clients to trust her, raise funds, manage expenses, and build an excellent operational system. However, her vision to redefine local craftsmanship kept her going. She hopes to expand The Aboki Africa to reach more African artisans and markets.
I didn’t look for Aboki. Aboki found me in the market, asked for the location of my shop and came to patronise me. She was satisfied with my work and since then, I’ve been working with her. Aboki has supported me in so many ways. More people have benefited from me since I started working with her.-Nura, an artisan.
The Aboki has been recognised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Anshiza Prize Africa, Sator Polishing London, Debola Lagos, and the African Community Bridge Foundation, among many others.
Through this establishment, Chisom Ezechukwu has empowered local artisans and created a movement that honours craftsmanship and innovation. She is supporting local artisans and helping them rebrand as entrepreneurs across Africa.
Chasing impact, Ezechukwu evolves into tech.
The innovative founder holds an MSc. in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management from Imperial College London. She is also a Member of the Business Graduate Association in the United Kingdom and has been recognised by IBM as an Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner. She is also the Founder of Startup Advisory Africa, an advisory focused on building African businesses that can stand the test of time. She merges her relentless ambition and energy with her strategic thinking and sharp execution skills to help any business hit its target with a laser-sharp focus.
As a Startup Advisor and Mentor across global incubators and accelerators like CCHub, Gener& Accelerator, Talemia, GAF Incubator, VC4A, MZZ Europe Ventures, Inqumax Incubator, Fuel Africa Incubator, Startup Launchcode, Futurize Global, GCIP, and UNIDO – Ezechukwu is helping early stage startup founders scale through the early years of building a startup. She is passionate about using entrepreneurship to deal with pressing societal problems and uses technology, innovative methods and product management strategies to approach this.
Chisom Ezechukwu launched SDC Startup School two years ago because she wanted to give African founders access to a more structured platform to understudy the framework of what it takes to build a successful startup. In 2 years, the FREE e-learning platform has recorded close to 2000 participants from over 30 countries.
This innovative founder loves to develop, manage and organise new products in technology that can solve the world’s problems, help small businesses grow and effect dramatic changes. She has been awarded for her innovative thinking and believes in leveraging strategic relationships and opportunities for massive business growth and development.
