Benedict Ashiedu: Bridging Engineering and Business for Africa’s Next Leap

In a continent where infrastructure gaps often shape progress, Benedict Ashiedu has moved from field sites in West Africa to boardrooms of major companies through a career in consulting. His path, from engineering graduate to business strategist and MBA, shows a steady commitment to tackling Africa’s challenges using both technical skills and business insight.

Professional Background and Expertise

Benedict’s career started with a degree in Electrical Engineering and a drive to address Nigeria’s power issues. He worked in the telecommunications sector, gaining practical experience with leading companies in Nigeria.

A key chapter began at Glo Nigeria. After starting in Enugu, Benedict took on responsibility for fiber engineering in Northern Ghana, managing more than 660 kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure. Working in the Bono region, he saw the recurring infrastructure challenges across West Africa, shaping his broad approach to problem-solving.

Wanting to make a bigger impact, Benedict moved to PwC Nigeria’s Deals Advisory unit. There, he adapted quickly to the business world, using his technical background to bring value to complex transactions and advisory projects.

Impact on the Deals Landscape in Africa

At PwC, Benedict became a link between technology and business. He contributed to deals across industries like IT, fintech, oil and gas, agriculture, and hospitality, transactions that closed for millions of dollars and helped clients grow. One of his most notable deals was working on the team that completed a 100% cash acquisition of one of the biggest Fintech companies in Nigeria by a foreign acquirer. This deal went on to have a positive impact in the Fintech space in the country, as it saw the number of mobile POS agents grow rapidly in the next couple of months, especially in the rural regions of the country.

His technical skills stood out when he developed a Javascript-based staffing automation tool, improving operations for PwC Nigeria and later PwC Kenya. This innovation boosted efficiency and earned him the PwC Spotlight Award.

Benedict’s leadership also showed in the people side of business. As a member of the PwC Nextgen Council, he helped guide the firm’s transition from remote work back to the office, keeping staff morale up and supporting a compensation review that met team needs.
He has also shared his insights by publishing journals such as “The Silent Dealbreaker” and “Strategic Resource Allocation in Project and Business Units,” contributing to best practices in his field.

Global Perspective, Local Action

Benedict’s work in Nigeria and Ghana has given him a clear view of Africa’s infrastructure landscape. His field experience exposed him to local realities, while his consulting roles offered lessons from global best practices and strategic investment.

Now with an MBA, Benedict has sharpened his business skills and is ready to address Africa’s infrastructure needs from a more strategic perspective1. His journey highlights the value of leaders who are at ease both in field stations and in boardrooms.

Why Africa Should Pay Attention

Africa is on the verge of new industrial revolutions, and Benedict Ashiedu is well positioned to help lead. With experience in power, telecommunications, and business; three key sectors for industrial growth, Benedict offers a well-rounded perspective on development challenges. His career is an example of the leadership Africa needs: grounded in technical knowledge, business-focused, and aware of both local and global trends.

As the continent works to close infrastructure gaps and unlock growth, Benedict’s mix of expertise, leadership, and vision makes him a catalyst for change. Africa, and the world, should be watching.