Toyin Umesiri, a global entrepreneur, consultant, and inspirational speaker, is committed to expanding Africa’s presence on the international market and sets a leading example for women in the field of technology.
Originally from Kaduna, Nigeria, Umesiri received a BSc. in Mathematics from the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, before pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Systems from Central Michigan University in the United States. Like many Africans, Umesiri left Nigeria in pursuit of better educational opportunities. In an interview with Vox Africa, she explained her realization of the impoverished state of Africa when she said, “America educated me about the poverty in Africa.”
Upon graduation, Umesiri began a career in corporate America, initially with the Whirlpool Corporation, then with Walmart, where she implemented global sourcing solutions throughout the United Kingdom and North America. Since then, she launched Nazaru LLC, a U.S. based platform that seeks to increase trade between Africa and the U.S. Her mission serves to educate the world about the importance of international trade in Africa by strengthening connections to foreign investors and highlighting African exports on the global market.
"Africa exists in a business context and not only in the context of war, famine, and diseases," said Umesiri at the 2018 Trade with Africa Business Summit. She facilitated the Summit, which partnered with organizations such as the World Trade Center and the USAID East Africa Trade and Economic Hub. The program aimed to change the international conversation about Africa as she pushed for the idea of using economic trade and expansion to build Africa rather than relying on aid. Umesiri also serves as an ambassador to the Intra-African Trade Fair by appointment of the African Union and the African Export-Import Trade Bank.
Umesiri was also a speaker at She Leads Africa, a women’s empowerment organization. She is known to use her position of power to educate and uplift others, particularly women seeking a career in technology. SIA-Africa recognizes Toyin Umesiri as the person of the month because of her dedication to bringing Africa into the focus of global trade, therefore contributing to economic growth and sustainability for the continent.
Toyin Umesiri’s opening address at the 2019 Trade with Africa Business Summit:
