Proville is a Nigerian company based in Lagos that provides technology solutions for businesses in Nigeria with the goal of helping to curb unemployment and underemployment across Nigeria and Africa. In this interview with Innovation Village, the Chief Operations Officer (COO), Adeshina Adewunmi, tells us more about Proville, its aims and of course his thoughts on the Nigerian startup ecosystem.
Can we meet the Founder of PROVILLE and what year was the startup launched?
I’m Adeshina the COO at Proville; Proville is a French word for Professional Village. The idea which has been long overdue kicked off as a result of our founders seeing a demand and supply gap that existed within the professional service space. Also from a deep understanding of the market and projections that collaborates the fact that by the year 2023, millennials would account for over 85% of the working population. Proville was thus registered in December 2016, project phase commenced in 2017 and the Proville.net platform was officially launched on 29th May 2018 to the public to bridge the gap between professionals and their prospects, reduce unemployment and underemployment and promote the future of work in Africa.
What is PROVILLE all about and what does it have to offer?
Proville is a Nigerian company based in Lagos that provides technology solutions for businesses in Nigeria and Africa. One of our solutions is the Proville.net platform available on the web and mobile (App stores) which promotes the future of work across Africa and the globe. Proville.net allows service receivers post jobs ranging from but not limited to web developments, accounting services, business plans, social media consulting, writers and get quotes from a wide range of competent professionals available on the platform. The goal is simply to help reduce unemployment and underemployment across Nigeria and Africa while aligning with the future of smart work in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1, 8 and 9.
What motivated the creation up of PROVILLE?
As earlier mentioned we saw the high rate of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria and Africa and decided not to stay silent. We decided to be the change agent we want in Nigeria and Africa. Take a look at the recently released unemployment rate in Nigeria; this currently stands at over 22%. This is just alarming and if we all fold our arms, then certainly the future looks bleaks.
What is unique about the services PROVILLE has to offer?
Proville is unique first from its other professional on demand sites or freelancer sites across the globe with its unique payment solution that provides a safe and secure platform for both our clients (service receivers) and professionals (service providers). We are also the first statistically in Africa and most likely globally to adopt a hub for our professionals to work for free on selected days of the week which fosters collaboration and capacity development for professionals in every city or country we own a physical presence.
How does PROVILLE work?
Proville operates on a B2B2C and P2P business model, for the P2P we have clients visit the Proville.net platform and post jobs indicating their budget and several professionals across Africa and the globe bid for same. Once a client also called service receiver is satisfied with one of the bids, he/she accepts the proposal and then the contract begins. The client is thus expected to make payment through our unique escrow model and release payment to the professional according to the agreed milestones. Should there be any issues along the way, our support team is always ready to help and resolve all issues that can arise.
What has the traction been like since its launch?
I must say impressive considering the fact that we are one of the pioneers of our industry space. The market is still relatively new and adoption seems rather low here in Nigeria and Africa when compared to other developed countries across the world. We have however recorded significant progress, growth and recognition from both local and the international agencies among which include but not limited to shortlisting for the Royal Society of Art Award (RSA) Future of Work Award 2018 (flexible working category), selected among 100 African Startups Initiative held in Egypt a program supported by the International Finance Cooperation (IFC) and Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation (MIIC), Shortlisting on the African Top 30 Startups Award (still ongoing), Y Combinator Startup School 2018 among others.
What were the challenges encountered and achievements recorded so far since PROVILLE launched?
First getting the right talents always make the list, that’s also one of the challenges, our platform; Proville.net is now solving. The infrastructural gap is also a challenge almost all Startups face in Africa or should I say Nigeria face thus breeding high cost of operations among others. Last but not the list is unfavorable policies, Nigeria and Africa is still doing catch up in this regards though I must acknowledge that a lot has improved in this area but more still needs to be done.
From your point of view how would rate the Nigerian startup ecosystem and in what areas do you think the ecosystem needs support?
My opinion has always been that the Nigerian startup ecosystem is clumsy and not united. We have some selected niche (not to call names) who appears to be the government favorites for incentives and engagements thus given leverage above others. The fact remains that we have a lot of amazing startup companies in Nigeria doing amazing things but the synergy is just not there to collaborate and achieve more together.
What advice do you have for prospective African entrepreneurs out there?
The entrepreneurship journey in Africa and across the globe takes time, commitment, delay gratification and consistency to survive. When the going gets tough, remain why you started in the first place.
What are the future plans for PROVILLE?
We would keep creating value for the business community, helping to solve the unemployment and underemployment problems and providing options for people to choose how to work, when to work and who to work for- that is the future of work and we are committed to driving this cultural change in the next 5,10 and 20 years. We also plan to extend our offices branches across major African countries within the next 5 years.
