Ekeh: The Serial Digital Entrepreneur, Dogged Fighter @70

Africa’s foremost serial digital entrepreneur and Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, who turned 70 years on February 22, 2026, had the opportunity and the frontal chest to play actively in the political space, but chose to remain in the technology space, where he has impacted startups, tech companies and the Nigerian economy, writes Emma Okonji

From the moment he returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom to establish Zinox Technologies, to the eventual launch of Zinox Computers in October 2001, Leo Stan Ekeh unleashed the entrepreneurial spirit in him to impact lives because he believed so much in Nigeria and the opportunities it presents.

His dream at that time was to propagate ‘digital democracy’ in a country that was wholly analogue. Today his impact has paid off, having contributed immensely to the growth of digital transformation in Nigeria. 

Little wonder did President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described Ekeh as “one of Nigeria’s pioneering innovators in the information technology sector.”

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President recalled the launch of Zinox range of indigenous computer products and accessories in 2001, and described the event as “a groundbreaking moment for indigenous technology production.”

President Tinubu said this while celebrating Leo Stan Ekeh on his 70^th birthday anniversary.

He acknowledged Ekeh’s contributions to the growth of the nation’s manufacturing and information technology ecosystem and commended him for being a pace-setter and dynamic industrialist.

Launch of Zinox Computers

Leo Stan Ekeh launched Zinox computers in 2001, and it became Nigeria’s first indigenous computer with the Naira sign.

Launched by the then Nigeria’s Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, it became the country’s first internationally certified branded computers that came complete with the Naira sign on its keyboard.

At its launch, the computer was totally and wholly made to match the Nigerian environment considering the state of the infrastructure, climate and purchasing power of the average citizen.

It was launched at a time when foreign computers like HP, Toshiba, IBM, Dell, among others, dominated the Nigerian computing space. 
Zinox Technologies, being an indigenous organization, launched Zinox computers as indigenous computers in order to give Nigeria a voice in the technology space, boost technology development in Nigeria and to rescue the country from technological backwardness at that time.

Ekeh’s passion to digitize Nigeria, further led him to establish “Computerize Nigeria Project” (CNP), an initiative that encouraged the promotion and use of computers in schools across the country while giving backing to “Train the Trainers’ project” launched at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
The project helped in the training of teachers on the use of computers and also enabled them to transfer the knowledge to their students. Also the scheme made it possible for both teachers and students to purchase Zinox computers at affordable prices with payments spread out over a period of time.  Zinox Technologies later entered into partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Afri-Hub for technology access to all federal universities and polytechnics.

Till date, Zinox Technologies is producing Zinox laptop computers, Smart Boards, Tablets, Monitors, PoS Terminals, iPower and iTec electronics/home appliances, and has recently partnered TD Africa, a technology distribution company, aimed at distributing Zinox Technologies’ solutions within Nigeria and across 43 African countries where TD Africa has established market presence.

Delivery of Smart Card Readers for Election

In 2013, Zinox Technologies won the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contract for the procurement of 17,000 customised and configured smart card readers with a completion period of six months at the rate of N27,000 per device.

Aside from winning the contract, Zinox technologies produced and delivered all devices in record time, and saved the federal government billions of Naira that were hitherto paid to foreign vendors that would never deliver on promise, thus putting INEC in a difficult situation in delivering election results.

The smart card readers from Zinox Technologies, were deployed to polling stations during elections and were used to verify the identity cards of registered voters.

The essence was to ensure that all those who have fake identity cards are identified in all elections. Since the voter cards have biometrics, it became easy for the smart card readers to verify the identity of those who come out to vote during elections. The design was to completely stop the incidence of double voting, which often occurs during elections, and this was achieved through the quality card readers produced and delivered by Zinox Technologies.

Acquisition of Konga

As Africa’s foremost serial digital entrepreneur, Leo Stan Ekeh had a long time dream of setting up e-Commerce business in Nigeria, through the launch of BuyRight Africa.com, long before the emergence of Jumia and Konga.

In 2015, he launched Yudala, an e-Commerce company, which became Nigeria’s first true composite (online and offline) retail chain, featuring experience stores in different parts of the country.  

As a businessman with foresight, Ekeh, in February 2018, acquired Konga, with a ground plan to expand its operations into e-Commerce, an industry it pioneered in Nigeria with the launch of BuyRight Africa.com, which was then challenged by the absence of credit card and e-payment infrastructure when it was launched several years ago.

During the acquisition of Konga, the company said in a statement: “We have always had an interest in Konga and another big one you know very well but our priority was Konga first because of the integrated nature of the four quality companies in one.

“Our ambition is to up the tempo by revolutionising e-Commerce on the African continent, with Konga at the fore-front of this initiative. In addition to positioning the business on a path of profitability in the short term, our long term plans are focused around seeing Konga well established in other African markets.”

Through the acquisition of Konga, Ekeh was able to strengthen and to grow the Nigerian e-Commerce industry and he was able to create direct and indirect job opportunities for millions of Nigerian youths.   

Digital Support

Leo Stan Ekeh, through his company, the Zinox Group, has supported several initiatives that have impacted startups, individuals and the Nigerian economy.

He has mentored several startups and empowered them digitally. In one of his visits to startups in Imo State, Ekeh charged the mentees to stay focused on their track and be intentional in their commitment to keep forging ahead even when the tide seems against them; adding that “entrepreneurship anywhere in the world is tough but with patience, perseverance and commitment, they will push through the veil.”

Ekeh, an indigene of Imo State, was in Owerri, the state capital recently with other dignitaries including Vice President Kashim Shettima and many governors, politicians and captains of industry at the grand finale of the Imo at 50 Celebration, where he was honoured with the Distinguished Star of Imo State (DSI) award.

While responding to questions on the state of the economy, Ekeh commended President Tinubu for the courage to start the reforms from the day he assumed office, arguing that any delay would have shrunk the economy further and completely wiped out investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy.

The Dogged Fighter

Despite his achievements in the Nigerian technology space, Leo Stan Ekeh was faced with many battles that would have consumed him and crumbled his businesses, but he was able to overcome all battles from all fronts because he was straightforward, God-fearing and focused on building the Nigerian digital economy.

The latest battle that vindicated him was the court dismissal of several years of complaints brought against Ekeh and his companies by Mr. Joseph Benjamin, and  which a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana filed against Ekeh, his wife, his staff, Technology Distributions Ltd and Zinox Technologies Ltd.

“One intriguing aspect of this matter is that none of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of the nominal complainant’s numerous petitions has found merit in any of his allegations against the defendants.

“When called upon before the court to prove his said allegations, the complainant failed to turn up in court. One then wonders on what premise he wants to maintain the campaign of persecution against the defendants,” the trial judge said.

The order followed objections filed by Admas Ltd, Technology Distributions Ltd challenging the 15-count charge in number FCT/HC/CR/985/2024: the Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Leo Stan Ekeh & 12 ors contending that the matter was unconstitutional and gross abuse of judicial process, and for want of jurisdiction.  

Trial judge, Justice Akpan Okon Ebong, struck out the case by Mr. Femi Falana SAN, purporting to act on a fiat donated to him by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, against the Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, and 12 others.

Justice Ebong in the March 20, 2025 judgment, held: “It is my conclusion based on the foregoing that this charge (No. FCT/HC/CR/985/2024, Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Leo Stan Ekeh and 12 Ors) constitutes a gross abuse of court process and is liable to dismissal. I accordingly hereby dismiss it.”

The dismissal of the case vindicated Leo Stan Ekeh and his companies of the several years of frivolous cases brought against him and his companies by Mr. Joseph Benjamin. This is one of the many battles fought and won by the dogged fighter, Leo Stan Ekeh who turned 70 years on February 22, 2026.