Banke Alawaye
Years in Tech
23
Current Role
Program Manager, CodeLagos
Core Skills
Managing large programs/projects, assisting businesses identify digital tools that enable them to scale.
Interview Date
14th December, 2018
I’m mostly known for being an expert in exploiting digital tools for business growth and my kick-ass presentations. With over 20 years of work experience with many businesses, I’ve been helping personal brands and organisations make the best of digital tools for years.
I’m a Chartered Management Consultant. I have a B.Sc in Computer Science, a Masters in Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, Scotland and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management from Pan African University’s Enterprise Development Centre.
Served as Country Manager, Praekelt International, a leading pan African digital agency, leading operations in East and West Africa. My work experience spans investment banking, software development, management consulting and digital marketing.
Currently CEO, Innovative Solutions, an emerging digital consultancy based in Lagos Nigeria. I serve as Program Manager, CodeLagos – an initiative to train 1 million Lagos residents to code. I’m also on the advisory board for Girl Code Academy and cofounder, SheProfitsAfrica, a Digital & Entrepreneurship Fellowship programme designed to assist women entrepreneurs in leveraging ICT tools to grow their businesses profitably.
I’m a passionate advocate for women in technology and was recognised as Digital Frontier Woman by DecadeOfWomen.
Personal Links
What experiences led you to technology and how did you develop the skills to compete in the industry?
I’ve always been fascinated by computers and studied computer science in university. My interest propelled me to continue to learn even outside of the classroom. In my first job, I shadowed the more experienced programmers and dissected their code to understand how they approached problems.
How has your background helped/differentiated you in the tech industry?
I’ve always been open to learning new skills and naturally drawn to solving problems and applying myself in any situation. This has led to seemingly unrelated experiences that have combined to give me what one employer referred to as a ‘unique mix of skills’. I have been a programmer, an investment banker, a recruitment consultant, digital marketing specialist and now program manager and CEO of a digital consultancy.
What advice would you give to women considering a career in technology? What do you wish you had known?
There’s more to tech than coding. Find what you enjoy doing and don’t stop learning. As long as you bring a great work ethic to the table, you can achieve anything.