Promise George the sturdy Development Banker is usually very enthusiastic.
His energy levels go beyond description and he was the one who said –
“Edgar, I just finished talking about you to the MD of Lebara and she wants to meet with you.”
I said me? Lebara? No be that sim card we dey use those days when we first started our London missionary Journey.
Most Nigerians who frequent London as tourists, in those days would know Lebara.
Once you land at Heathrow, the first thing you do after claiming your luggage is to buy a Lebara SIM card quickly and it will come with a bonus ‘credit’ and you will be on.
These days, with roaming and especially WhatsApp that need went up in smoke.
So I said, “ok, I will come but by 11am on Friday.”
I had a meeting at Fidelity Bank where I was to view my Coffee Table Book which overran because I met a very interesting banker, Bayo who had written 8 books.
Then I rushed to see Johnson the MD at Fidbank UK each time calling Promise to beg for his understanding.
I finally walked into their beautiful office nestled on the 4th floor of the Iconic Western House on Broad Street in Lagos.
We were ushered into her office and I was immediately struck by her lithe, engaging beauty.
Why do some of these very brilliant women come with such stupendous beauty, I asked myself.
She was in a brilliant gown, which stood quite elegantly and then she wrapped her head with a beautiful shawl which added more to her exquisite looks.
She seemed excited to meet me as Promise had done a very good job of introducing and selling me before the meeting.
She had been an aggregator in the telco industry for years – I asked what an aggregator is and she replied and I still didn’t know what it was but nodded my head before I am branded an illiterate.
She got the tier 5VMNO licence meaning that they do not own telecoms infrastructure but are allowed to lease from existing MNOs.
This particular licence was secured through a partnership with a local Tech partner – Vas2 Nets technology.
Her Network operates on a software-led, asset-light business model under the tier 5 licence ‘the highest regulatory category issued by the NCC.
It leverages Airtel’s core mobile infrastructure and uses Sweden’s Telness Tech, which now provides the underlying automated operations and Business Support systems’ to streamline customer experience.’
It uses the 0724 number series and uses a unique’ predictable voice bundle that protects credit balances.
One edge it would bring to the market she tells me after giving me one ‘sweet tea’ like that is that a Lebara SIM card automatically unlocks a Sterling Bank digital wallet which provides users with integrated access to microloans.
As she speaks, I notice the twinkle in her eyes- her enthusiasm is infectious and the joy that comes from at least surviving the initial start-up turbulence remains inspiring.
We move to the expansive foyer to take pictures and I watch her very closely without her knowledge.
Her lithe frame belies the steely zeal of her determination.
This arena she is tiptoeing across has been the graveyard of many a goliath – Starcomms, Multilinks etc.
You would say different era, different technology and different spectrum but they all had something in common, an unwavering vision led leadership.
But the varient that I feel running thru Teni’s veins is a different kind.
The kind that will take no prisoners even as she mops up market share and all with a smile.
From what I saw and what I heard the 1m subscriber target by Dec would be reached without breaking a sweat judging by the elegant but very affirmative drive of this very beautiful Ijebu lady.
Lebara SIM cards will be open to the public this June and I’ll be amongst the first to secure it with its customised handset.
Ask me how you can get yours and ill point you to Teni so you dont disturb me.
