My entry into African tech was atypical. And it all started with a podcast.
I used to work in agricultural commodity research in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, which was my first time living in West Africa.
After five years in the sector - during which I had a brief stint as a trader - I was burnt out and jaded. In 2017, somehow, I started following African tech startups, and longing for a creative project, I launched a podcast, Young African Entrepreneur (now defunct).
Thanks to the podcast, I had the opportunity to chat with incredible African founders building great tech companies.
In 2018, I quit my commodities job to join a Washington DC-based tech PR agency. I stayed in Abidjan, but I looked to move east to the hub of West African tech. In 2019, I put all my worldly possessions in a truck, and with my dog Gus, hit the road for Lagos, Nigeria.
When Covid broke out in 2020, I took a leap of faith and started my own PR solo practitioner business. I later set up No Filter PR.
While my background might seem unusual, if not downright weird, it has emerged as a strength. I combine on-the-ground knowledge of African markets, years of market research and media and public relations experience, with a sixth sense for what makes compelling and unforgettable stories.
Having a foothold in African tech is to have a glimpse into Africa’s future, and it’s that fascination that drives my storytelling for clients: to understand how technology will forge the trajectory of Africa, the youngest and fastest urbanizing region in the world.
Not your average publicist, Victoria combines a nuanced understanding of African markets with creative flair. She brings her unique experiences and insights from her past work as a commodity analyst and financial journalist to help her clients gain visibility and turn into global leaders. Victoria has 15 years experience and has lived in West Africa for nearly a decade.