Startup Story
Adeolu Adewumi-Zer is a passionate Afro-optimist, seasoned global strategist, and the author of "Afro-Optimism Unleashed: Scaling African Excellence to the Global Stage." With nearly 25 years of experience spanning four continents, she now channels her expertise into empowering African leaders and businesses as the Founder & CEO of ZER Consulting Africa (ZER), a purpose-driven Pan-African strategy and management consulting firm founded in 2023 and with a workforce of 8 people. ZER partners with development agencies, investment funds, and social ventures, providing strategic guidance for SME growth through their proprietary SCALE framework. Adeolu is a dedicated advocate for Africa’s development, championing financial inclusion, gender equality, and quality education while serving on impactful boards and inspiring global audiences.
LoA spoke to the inspirational Adeolu Adewumi-Zer about her entrepreneurial journey, her passion-driven advocacy work, and her vision for the future of her business.
What does your company do?
ZER Consulting Africa (ZER) is a purpose-driven Pan-African strategy and management consulting firm committed to building African excellence for the global stage. We adopt a collaborative approach, leveraging extensive global experience, robust networks, and our proprietary SCALE framework to serve as a catalyst for transformative change across Africa.
“We adopt a collaborative approach, leveraging extensive global experience, robust networks, and our proprietary SCALE framework to serve as a catalyst for transformative change across Africa.”
What inspired you to start your company?
My return to the African continent in 2017 revealed a wealth of talent and innovative ideas, often hampered by a lack of exposure and experience. I found myself becoming a trusted advisor, a sort of “business mom” to many.
After leaving my last full-time role at the end of 2022, I took a year-long sabbatical to reflect and align my purpose with the needs I observed. This period of introspection culminated in an epiphany one weekend. After two decades of building successful companies for others, it was time to invest my drive, energy, and passion into building something for my children and the next generation of African leaders.
What makes your business, service or product special?
Several key factors differentiate ZER:
Experienced Founder: I bring nearly 25 years of experience, a proven track record of success, and strong leadership to drive innovation and growth.
Extensive Network: We leverage a vast network to facilitate access to valuable resources, strategic partnerships, and unique opportunities, fostering enhanced collaboration.
Diverse Expertise: Our team’s diverse expertise provides strategic vision and deep industry knowledge, driving success and innovation across various sectors.
Collaborative Approach: Collaboration is at the core of our methodology, fostering a culture of teamwork and shared goals to achieve impactful results.
SCALE Framework: Our proprietary SCALE framework provides a structured approach to support SME growth.
Tell us a little about your team
Our core team of eight is geographically diverse, spanning four countries and two continents: Nigeria (4 members), Kenya (2 members), Germany (1 member), and the Netherlands (1 member).
Beyond our core team, we collaborate with a network of strategic partners across various nations to deliver our five pillars of service. Additionally, we maintain a flexible, scalable collective of expert consultants who typically hold full-time corporate positions but contribute to specific projects and assignments.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My entrepreneurial journey, a return to my African roots, began in rural Pennsylvania. Growing up in a college town, I was exposed to diverse cultures through international students, which broadened my worldview.
College further immersed me in a diverse community, solidifying my passion for embracing different perspectives and contributing to Africa's growth.
Despite facing challenges and rejections, I remained determined to return to Africa. My path led me to Munich, which served as a stepping stone to my eventual homecoming to Nigeria as the CEO of a subsidiary of a global financial powerhouse.
Now, I leverage my global experience to empower African leaders and businesses through ZER Consulting Africa.
While, as the child of a university professor and a stay-at-home mom, I don't come from a traditional entrepreneurial family, my experiences fostered a spirit of initiative and a desire to create impact, which ultimately led me to entrepreneurship.
“We leverage a vast network to facilitate access to valuable resources, strategic partnerships, and unique opportunities, fostering enhanced collaboration.”
“Collaboration is at the core of our methodology, fostering a culture of teamwork and shared goals to achieve impactful results.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Having spent the first year establishing our company's foundation, our focus this year is on professionalization. This includes a recent rebranding, a revamped website, and the development of new marketing materials, supported by the addition of a business developer, based out of Kenya.
With existing hubs in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, we aim to strengthen our portfolios in these regions while expanding into Francophone Africa. We are also focused on creating a sustainable and scalable business that can continue to impact the African continent for generations to come.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Three key elements provide me with the greatest satisfaction:
Fun: Despite the hard work and long hours, I am passionate about what I do, making it an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
Flexibility: Entrepreneurship offers the flexibility to manage my time and work from various locations, allowing me to balance professional and personal commitments, such as volunteering at my children's school and spending quality time with my family.
Freedom: I have the autonomy to choose the projects and clients that align with my purpose, which, despite potential financial fluctuations, provides true freedom.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
My advice, applicable to everyone, is to ensure you have sufficient savings to self-fund your business until it becomes profitable, which typically takes at least two years. This financial cushion is crucial for navigating the initial challenges and uncertainties of entrepreneurship. Also, remember that the best time to build a strong network is before you actually need it; cultivate those relationships early and consistently.
Find out more
Email: millie.smith-clare@ambitionpr.co.uk
Website: https://zerconsulting.com/
Why LoA loves it…
Having an ambitious vision and mission is essential to creating impact in the lives and businesses of others, and passionate Afro-optimist, Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, is certainly on a mission with her specialist consulting business. Harnessing the power of collaboration and shared expertise, she is now empowering the current and next generation of African leaders and businesses who will realize the continent’s full social and economic potential. Inspirational! — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa