He liked everything about flights and planes and even studied at the Kenya School of Flying. His ambition was to be the best pilot on earth. Today, he is a pilot by name but computer engineer by profession and practice.
Strolling in his office on Muthithi Road in Westlands, Nairobi, Dennis Asiema is all smiles on this chilly August morning. A graduate of Katin Institute, Malaysia, he clearly loves what he does.
He is a systems analyst and CEO of Infotech Africa, a technical solutions and programs developer based in Nairobi. The firm provides total IT solutions, develops e-commerce applications, and designs and manages professional websites, portals and interactive communities.
Infotech Africa was founded in late 2012 and incorporated in 2013 as a systems developing agency. “When I finished high school my dad was running an IT company,” he says, “so I borrowed a leaf.”
Contrary to expectations that he would often be at hangars after school or at airports following his ambition, there was a rare twist to the amazement of his close relatives who knew his interests. “I wanted to be a pilot and nothing else but upon completing school, I delved into computing never to look back. I also loved providing solutions to problems,” Asiema says.
He studied computer engineering in Malaysia. By 2013, Asiema had the idea to start his own company with his father as a shareholder. “I was not very keen on employment to work on a 9-5 kind of programme,” he says. “So I shared the idea and through my father, we raised an initial capital of Ksh350,000 and later injected another Ksh250,000 for start-up.”
The rise from one client
Infotech Africa was then conceived and through the years, the company has churned out numerous computer analytical programs and installations. His father owns 10% of the firm. Infotech Africa’s main main are system analysis, data and software development as well as installation. “Our major focus is payroll development and solutions for companies,” he adds.
What keeps the company going is the fact that he applies real life issues in his work. With a total of five employees, two of whom are sales executives, Asiema says he has achieved more than he expected. Infotech’s client base has grown and one client Victory Constructions, occupies a special space in Asiema’s heart. “This was our pioneer client. Through them, we have been able to make millions in our service provisions to other outlets,” he reveals.
It’s not been all smooth. Asiema says some of the most challenging business ventures are those dealing in computer and software technology. “There is inevitable scarcity of clients hindering cash flow. Sometimes we find ourselves cash-trapped. Getting professional developers is also hard enough because the few available are incredibly expensive,” he says, adding that a true entrepreneur never quits despite the challenges.
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Infotech Africa is upping its strategy to reduce the challenges. One such move is using the internet to reach out to potential clients. With focus on growth, Asiema hopes to attract investors to help diversify the firm’s products and services. Inspired by insights from ‘Everything you know about business is right’ magazine, Asiema says he is in the business for the long haul. “The only exit strategy I have for the business is probably to come back into it,” he says, jokingly.
The systems developer targets to hit one million dollar mark in turnover in the next few years. “I have tested the productivity and I can say with conviction that we shall hit the one million dollar mark with Infotech,” he says.
Asiema’s ambition is to have Infotech Africa among the top three system developing firms in Africa backed by a learning institute to offer professional courses in software development.
He advises the youth and upcoming entrepreneurs to get out and be unique. “The market is every competitive. Do not sell soap because everyone else can do that. Have something unique that is not readily available. Refine your scope and be patient and stay focused. Entrepreneurship is not a one-day affair.”
So is Asiema a millionaire? “Oh no, but I am soon hitting that as well.”
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