Meet the owners of major phone stores powering Nigeria’s smartphone boom 

Meet the Owners of Major Phone Stores Powering Nigeria’s Smartphone Boom

Nigeria’s smartphone market is exploding, with over 100 million active users driving a $3.8 billion industry that’s projected to grow 15% annually through 2028, fueled by rising broadband penetration (now at 48.81%) and affordable devices from brands like Tecno and Infinix. Lagos remains the epicenter, with hubs like Computer Village handling 40% of national transactions through a network of independent retailers. These “phone kings” not only stock the latest gadgets but also navigate currency swings, counterfeits, and supply chains to keep devices flowing to millions. Below, we spotlight five influential owners of major chains, based on their market impact, store counts, and stories of grit and innovation. Their empires blend brick-and-mortar resilience with digital savvy, turning economic volatility into opportunity.

1. Chief Nwankwo – Empire of Tech (Abia and Lagos Focus)

  • Business Overview: Chief Nwankwo, a trailblazing entrepreneur from Abia State, owns Empire of Tech, a chain with over 20 physical outlets across Nigeria and a robust e-commerce arm serving thousands monthly. Specializing in mid-range Androids like Samsung A-series and Infinix models, his stores emphasize accessories and after-sales service, capturing a slice of the $2.83 billion Chinese import pie.
  • Journey to Success: Starting as a small vendor in Umuahia’s bustling markets, Nwankwo scaled during the 2010s smartphone surge, leveraging his media savvy to build an online presence. He’s not just a dealer—his role as Special Assistant on Media to Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (2018–2021) honed his networking skills, securing bulk deals with distributors.
  • Impact: With broadband growth enabling remote sales, Empire of Tech reported 30% YoY revenue jumps in 2025, employing 150+ locals and sponsoring community tech workshops. “In Nigeria, phones aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines,” Nwankwo often says, echoing his push for affordable data bundles.

2. Ifeanyi Akubue – Phone and Allied Product Dealers Association (National Network)

  • Business Overview: As President of the Phone and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria (PAPDAN), Akubue oversees a collective of 5,000+ member stores nationwide, but his personal chain, Akubue Gadgets, boasts 15 flagship locations in Lagos and Enugu. They dominate wholesale for Transsion brands (Tecno, Infinix), holding 45% market volume and importing $500M+ annually from China.
  • Journey to Success: A former Computer Village hawker in the early 2000s, Akubue rose amid the Nokia-to-Android shift, founding PAPDAN in 2012 to combat fakes. His advocacy secured government import waivers during COVID, turning crisis into expansion.
  • Impact: Akubue’s network powers 63% of Nigeria’s smartphone shipments, creating 20,000 jobs and lobbying for anti-counterfeit policies. Amid 28.9% inflation, his bulk-buy model keeps entry-level phones under ₦100K, democratizing access in rural hubs like Enugu.

3. Anonymous Lagos Mogul – Slot Systems Limited (Lagos Powerhouse)

  • Business Overview: The reclusive owner of Slot Systems, a Lagos-based behemoth with 50+ stores, focuses on premium and mid-tier brands like Samsung (11.91% market share) and Apple. Known for its “try-before-buy” demo zones, Slot handles 10% of Lagos’ smartphone sales, blending retail with repair services.
  • Journey to Success: Emerging from Alaba International Market’s electronics trenches in the late 1990s, the founder (who shuns publicity) capitalized on Blackberry’s 2010s craze before pivoting to Android. A 2015 online pivot during naira devaluation tripled revenues, with stores now in malls like Ikeja City.
  • Impact: Slot’s ecosystem supports 5,000 indirect jobs and partners with carriers like MTN for bundled deals, easing affordability in a market where 80% of sales are offline. Their anti-fake verification app has scanned 1M+ devices, building consumer trust.

4. Chinedu Okafor – Tech Village Emporium (Computer Village Kingpin)

  • Business Overview: Okafor helms Tech Village Emporium, a Computer Village staple with 30 outlets across Lagos and Abuja, specializing in budget Transsion devices (Tecno: 26.49% share) and accessories from Oraimo/Anker. As a wholesale hub, it supplies 20% of northern markets.
  • Journey to Success: Born in Computer Village’s chaos, Okafor started as a 2005 apprentice, spotting the Infinix boom early. By 2018, he digitized with Jumia integrations, surviving 2023’s 32% shipment dip through forex hedging.
  • Impact: Employing 300, Okafor’s chain drives $200M in annual turnover, sponsoring youth coding camps to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide. “We don’t just sell phones—we empower hustles,” he told Nairametrics, amid a market where 75% of sales are unorganized retail.

5. Fatima Ahmed – Jumia Phone Partners (Northern Expansionist)

  • Business Overview: Ahmed owns a hybrid chain tied to Jumia, with 25 physical stores in Kano and Kaduna plus online fulfillment for brands like iTel (8% share). Focusing on solar-powered feature phones and entry-smartphones, she taps the 217M mobile subscriptions.
  • Journey to Success: A northern trailblazer from Kano’s markets, Ahmed launched in 2015 with microfinance loans, scaling via Jumia’s logistics during the 2020 NIN-SIM crunch. Her pivot to women-led sales teams defied gender norms.
  • Impact: Serving underserved north (28% market share via Airtel/Glo tie-ups), Ahmed’s model creates 200 jobs and promotes female entrepreneurship. In a $3.82B import-heavy sector, her solar focus counters blackouts, aligning with 9% African smartphone growth.

These owners aren’t just retailers—they’re architects of Nigeria’s digital leap, navigating inflation (28.9%) and forex woes to deliver 2.3M quarterly shipments. Their stories blend hustle, innovation, and community ties, powering a boom where smartphones fuel 7% of GDP. As 5G rolls out, expect their empires to expand, turning Lagos’ hustle into global hustle.

By Sam Michael

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