Razaq Juwon Lawal is a Nigerian-born businessman and entrepreneur who has made his mark in various industries across the world. He is the founder and CEO of Africent Group, a conglomerate with headquarters in Dubai and operations in West Africa, the UK and the UAE.
Lawal’s journey to success began at a young age, when he helped his father run a palm oil extraction business in Lagos. His father, who was also an industrialist, taught him the basics of commerce and inspired him to pursue his own dreams. Lawal made his first million naira at 23 by producing and selling palm oil, following his father’s footsteps.
However, Lawal did not stop there. He ventured into the oil and gas sector in 2005, establishing Stevepel Energy Resources Limited, an oil marketing and trading company. He later expanded into marine logistics services in 2009, founding S.T. & L. Bunkers Ltd, which later became ABD Fuels Plc. The company specialized in bunkering, supplying marine fuels to ships along the West African coast, and producing lubricants for automotive and industrial use. ABD Fuels also became a member of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).
In 2017, Lawal transformed ABD Fuels into S8 Contractors, which became the flagship company of Africent Group. The group consists of several subsidiaries that operate in different sectors, such as agro-processing and food products, e-commerce and information technology. Some of the notable brands under Africent Group are Oillet Services, Rapiwallet and KreekAfrica.
Lawal’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. He is an official member of the Forbes Business Council and was elected a UN Eminent Peace Ambassador for the year 2020. He holds a B.Sc and an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.
Lawal is an example of a visionary entrepreneur who has leveraged his passion, skills and opportunities to create value and impact in the world. He is also a testament to the potential of African entrepreneurs to compete globally and contribute to the development of their continent.
One of his other ventures is Africent Academy, which offers online courses and training for entrepreneurs and professionals who want to learn from his experience and expertise. Some of the courses offered by Africent Academy are:
- How to Start and Grow a Successful Business in Africa
- How to Access Funding and Partnerships for Your Business
- How to Manage Your Finances and Taxes as an Entrepreneur
- How to Market Your Products and Services Online and Offline
- How to Build a Strong Team and Culture for Your Business
- How to Innovate and Adapt to Changing Customer Needs
- How to Deal with Challenges and Risks as an Entrepreneur
- How to Lead with Purpose and Impact as an Entrepreneur
These courses are designed to equip learners with practical knowledge, skills and tools that they can apply immediately to their own businesses or careers.
We at Rising Africa are proud to share the inspiring story of Lawal, who has shown us what it means to be a leader, a visionary, and a changemaker. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.
Through our Success Stories portal, we celebrate Rising Africans of all ages and sectors who have risen above challenges and made impactful innovations. Our Wonder Kids section features young achievers aged 1-12, while the Super Teens category highlights those aged 13-19, and Young Achievers profiles those aged 20-30. We also have dedicated portals for Women in Africa and persons living with disabilities.
In addition to celebrating African achievement, our Opportunities portal connects African youth to the latest sponsorship, scholarship, awards, and other life-changing opportunities. By providing access to these opportunities, we aim to empower African youth to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.
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