African Tech Must Prioritize Local Problems, Says Leader Akinmade Akinrinmade

For over two decades, Akinmade Akinrinmade has navigated diverse industries, from government and healthcare to telecommunications and startups, consistently emphasizing a core belief: technology's value lies in the problems it solves. Now, as African startups increasingly look to Silicon Valley for inspiration, Akinrinmade advocates for a different approach. He contends that the continent's greatest technological opportunities stem from addressing its unique challenges and realities.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Akinrinmade began his career in industrial design before transitioning to digital product design after relocating to Canada in 2018. His international experience includes leading digital transformation projects across North America. At Rogers Communications in Toronto, he spearheaded a cloud-based customer platform strategy that reduced support demand by 25 percent while enhancing customer engagement. He also oversaw product strategy for a Regional Health Information System at Providence Care in Kingston, Ontario, improving data processes by 30 percent.

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I often say that I did not start in technology. I started by trying to understand people.

Akinrinmade's work at Deloitte further exposed him to large-scale transformation projects in healthcare, telecommunications, and government, where technology's effectiveness directly impacts public service delivery. Alongside his consulting, he teaches in the Master of Digital Product Management program at Queen's University's Smith School of Business and mentors aspiring tech professionals. He views developing people as equally important as developing products.

In recent years, Akinrinmade's focus has increasingly turned toward Africa. He questions how the continent can foster innovation that is intrinsically African, rather than merely adapting solutions designed for different markets. In this interview, he reflects on why African innovation must begin with African problems, sharing lessons from his extensive cross-continental career and explaining why genuine transformation precedes the introduction of technology.

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My background in industrial design shaped the way I approach prob