In a recent interview with howwemadeitinafrica.com, the founder, CEO of Sproxil, Ashifi Gogo, discussed how he was inspired to build a business to combat counterfeit products, the company’s early steps, recognition gathered over the years, profitability, product expansion, and competition.

“We provide brands interested in presenting their best self to the consumer with the technology to do so in emerging markets,” he said, describing what the company does in nutshell.

The interview also briefly reflects on his background as well as education and reveals that he was first exposed to product authentication technology while working on his Ph.D.  thesis topic –  authentication technology designed for emerging markets.

Ashifi went on to recount the tragic experience that cemented his decision to launch Sproxil when eighty-four children in Nigeria sadly passed away in 2008 after ingesting teething syrup which contained a high concentration of a toxic chemical. This was one of the multiple instances where counterfeit products were unchecked, and the outcome was fatal.

The CEO further expressed how Dora Akunyili, the Director-General of the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at the time, played a role in making Nigeria one of Sproxil’s key geographies at launch.

Read the full article here.