Investments in infrastructure, FX stability key to business growth, says Autusbridge CEO

Olugbenga Johnson, chief executive officer (CEO) of Autusbridge Consulting Limited, says sustained investment in infrastructure and the stability of the foreign exchange (FX) market are key to driving business growth in the country.

Speaking with journalists at the 12th anniversary of the company on Thursday, Johnson said recent macroeconomic reforms are beginning to create a more stable operating environment that enables better planning for enterprises.

Admitting that the reforms had introduced economic pains initially, the CEO said there is now “some kind of stability in the forex space”.

“There has been no anxiety. With that, businesses can plan. You can make your projections, and that is the comfort that a lot of businesses are looking at,” he said.

“That stability helps businesses to be able to plan better.”

Johnson called for investment in infrastructure to ease logistics, boost connectivity, and expand access to technology — particularly in underserved communities.

“We are not asking for too much from our government. We want to move goods and services around easily,” the Autusbridge boss said.

“We want internet access even in remote areas. Some places are still very challenged when it comes to technology.

“Once infrastructure is in place, people and goods can move easily. That can be something that a lot of businesses can take advantage of for growth.”

Johnson said people, processes, and technology are the three pillars businesses must prioritise to scale sustainably.

He said while processes provide clarity and alignment during onboarding and expansion, technology drives compliance, efficiency, and revenue tracking.

“With technology, it is very easy for organisations to scale because you now know that there is something that is helping you to drive compliance. It tracks revenue, ensures staff are doing the right thing, and ensures that the business is safe,” he said.

‘STAYING POWER IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES’

Speaking about the company, Johnson said Autusbridge was established to help organisations tackle the challenges of sales.

He said the current macroeconomic climate has made many organisations reluctant to invest in training and technology.

The CEO also lamented the unregulated nature of the business environment and infrastructure gaps, which, he said, remain a critical issue for businesses looking to scale through technology.

Despite these constraints, Johnson said Autusbridge has recorded significant progress over the past decade, earning the trust of industry leaders across different sectors.

“When we started, there was no track record. Clients would ask: who are you currently serving? And we had no answer,” he said retrospectively.

“But today, we can confidently approach anyone with our service because we now have the track record that they are looking for.”

He attributed the firm’s success to “staying power”, encouraging entrepreneurs to exercise patience and commitment rather than looking for quick success.