Jackson Akor

Startups | Research | Strategy

[Vanguard Economics @Vanguard_Econ]

An engineer and educator who found his lane training entrepreneurs.

Meet Dr Ardawan Lalui who has worked with over 100 businesses through Vanguard Economics' YSEP and VIBE programmes. He brings a consulting style built on systems thinking and classroom patience, breaking complex challenges into steps his trainees can actually follow.

In this week’s #FacesofVE, Ardawan shares what pulled him into this work, why ideas without action hold entrepreneurs back, and what it takes to build a career as a consultants.

"Take the first step, and from there figure out the next, and the next and the next."
#VanguardEconomics #VE10

[Ndubuisi Ekekwe @ndekekwe]

To become an enduring category-king in your industry, your company must develop four defining characteristics:

1.     Perceptively Innovative
Move beyond merely serving customer needs; shape customer perceptions in the marketplace. When customers buy because you satisfy a need, you have a transaction. But when customers believe in what you stand for, identify with your mission, and proudly associate with your brand, you create something much more powerful. You create fans. And fans create fandoms. Products may attract customers, but perceptions build communities. And communities are where category-kings are born.

2. Evidently Inspired
Great companies do more than sell products; they inspire people. They stand for something larger than themselves. Customers trust them because they are authentic, credible, and purpose driven. They help people express their own aspirations, values, and beliefs through the products and experiences they create.

3. Ruthlessly Pragmatic
Customers depend on you to solve real problems. That means delivering reliably, consistently, and predictably. You make life easier for customers by honoring your promises, reducing friction, and executing with excellence. Vision matters, but execution builds enduring institutions.

4. Customer Obsessed
Your customers should find it difficult to imagine life without you. You understand what matters most to them and continuously discover new ways to create value. Customer obsession is not about satisfying customers occasionally; it is about making their success central to your mission.

Good People, the world’s most successful companies, are rarely accidental. They are built intentionally around these principles, combining innovation, inspiration, execution, and customer focus into enduring competitive advantages.

Join Tekedia Institute Mini-MBA and master the mechanics of business, strategy, innovation, and market leadership. A new edition begins on Monday, June 8 2026.

[Enyo Sam @enyosaam]

Easner's website got a fresh look!

Our Stablecoin banking infrastructure passed internal testing successfully.

We're going public beta

Check https://t.co/wiFlqcbzZC

[Enyo Sam @enyosaam]

About a year ago, after helping process over $2M in stablecoin-backed payments for a government agency involved in passport and visa processing in Europe, I saw a bigger problem:

Emerging markets still lack reliable, fast, and affordable access to global payments and dollar liquidity.

Today, I’m happy to announce that @easnerbanking's stablecoin infrastructure has successfully passed internal testing and we are preparing for public beta.

But the story started earlier.

It started on WhatsApp in March 2023.

When thousands of foreigners in my wider community were cut off from global and cross-border payment access, I became one of the trusted people helping them move money, support families, and access stablecoins when traditional systems failed them.

That experience showed me something clearly:

Stablecoins are the future of money movement.

After months of running this manually on WhatsApp, I knew it was time to build something bigger.

That became Easner.

And while we were building, the market changed dramatically.

The U.S. passed the GENIUS Act, creating a federal framework for payment stablecoins. Europe moved forward with MiCA. Across Africa and other emerging markets, regulators and financial institutions now see stablecoins as a serious layer for global payments, settlement, and dollar access.

The numbers tell the same story: stablecoins have processed trillions in adjusted transaction volume globally, and markets in Africa continue to show why emerging markets are some of the strongest use cases.

Over the past 12 months, we built lean product iterations, reached out to 150+ investors, and pitched or received feedback from people across the ecosystem.

Special thanks to Nitin Manivasagan for the intro to pitch @vsingh_5 from @HelloStillmark, Marwan Kawadri for recommending Easner to the @yzilabs's @EASYResidency program, where we were interviewed by @ellazhang516 and her team, and @camdoody of @BrickyardVC for taking the time to hear our story.

We were also accepted into the @startupestonia Visa Program, giving Easner a pathway to build, partner, and scale within the EU.

Yes, it’s been a ride and I’m so proud of what we have built:

Stablecoin infrastructure that works – enabling businesses, individuals, and nonprofits to access dollar liquidity, global payments, pay-ins, and payouts across key emerging market corridors.

We are building with infrastructure partners including @Noah_HQ and @turnkeyhq, and working on integrations with @raincards and @yellowcard_app.

These integrations helped internal testing go as expected, and Easner’s Stablecoin API Infrastructure is now integrated into our business and personal banking products.

We are preparing for public beta and speaking with businesses, individuals, and organizations across the USA, Europe, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Africa.

You move money across borders, need better dollar access, or want stablecoin-powered payment infrastructure, I’d love to speak with you.

https://t.co/OYbHQ1aGIS

[Slash @slashapp]

From Series B to co-leading our Series C

We sat down with @GoodwaterCap's @erickimSF and @lecheverriae on why they are doubling down on Slash.

“Victor and Kevin have helped me redefine what true generational founders look like. ”

[Vanguard Economics @Vanguard_Econ]

We were at the first ever EU-Rwanda Business Forum 🥳🗺️🌍
Organised by @EUinRW & @RDBrwanda, the forum convened private sector companies from European Union member states & Rwanda, & explored investment, partnership & trade opportunities

[Vanguard Economics @Vanguard_Econ]

Comparatively, the employment rate amongst individuals with a TVET qualification is higher than that amongst individuals with a primary, secondary or university level of general education.
TVET needs to be strengthened to further enhance the job market in Rwanda. #FridayFact

[preach love ❤️ @redcap_blondie]

Mr. Peter Obi is the only presidential candidate who is still campaigning for the party's gubernatorial election, while others have already retired. He is always in service of the people. Baba is not even backing down, even though his mandate was stolen. He is still all smiles, campaigning and fighting the legal battle. Kudos to our dear president. We are lucky to have you.

[ITWeb @ITWeb]

#ITWebBI2023 : Jackson Akor, head of corporate services, Vanguard Economics, Rwanda gives a talk on Data literacy as the key to embedding a data culture within your organisation. @jackson_akor

[ITWeb @ITWeb]

#ITWebBI2023 : Transformation starts with the people and not the technology. @jackson_akor

[ITWeb @ITWeb]

#ITWebBI2023: Data literacy is not a technical skill, it's a professional skill. @jackson_akor

[ITWeb @ITWeb]

#ITWebBI2023 : Teach data literacy within the context of mapped skill. @jackson_akor

[Jackson Akor @jackson_akor]

We've got you in Prayers!

#EndBadGoveranceInNigeria

[Obinna Umeh @tweetsbyobinna]

My phone's battery life is just %12 now. We may all die at Lekki Toll Gate. Please pray for us. If I'm okay, I'll update tomorrow. Again, pray for us. #EndSARS #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria

[Academic Hive @AcademicHive]

Academic Hive in collaboration with ELSEVIER presents a FREE 1-Day Webinar on "Secrets of Getting Published".

October 16, 2020.
9:30 AM (WAT; GMT +1).

Learn how to:
*Select journal to PUBLISH
*Avoid PREDATORY journals & lots more!!

Register FREE: https://t.co/PkjjqRej9B

[Sunek Books @Idohonesty]

Covid19 is opportunity for Africans to become relevant globally using increased and improved Agricultural production.
You can become that African Youth that births the next big thing in the Agricultural Sector if only you take this opportunity.
Visit
https://t.co/xnjsTdziwu
#COVI

[Africa Blockchain Institute @AfricaBlockInst]

Exciting times!

This Month at #ABIChat we will be receiving Mr. @Adexdeji, Senior Partner at @ForensicsD, #Africa 1st #Blockchain Intelligence Consulting Firm, now in recent partnership with #ChainAnalysis. He will be speaking on: "So, Who Moved #Satoshi's 50 #BTC."

[Jackson Akor @jackson_akor]

@IFRA_Nigeria @SDGsScholar Congratulations @SDGsScholar Terhermen.

[BBC World Service @bbcworldservice]

This nine-year-old Kenyan inventor has come up with an ingenious way to wash his hands, and reduce the spread of the #coronavirus 👐🏾🙌🏾

[Wit21 Hub @wit21hub]

We are really excited to announce the award of the @Pollinationproj grant to our co-founder @AApejoye & Ogunfuye Samuel. This will go a very long way to support 120 children and teenagers at Wit21 Hub to acquire 21st century skills.

#SDG4

https://t.co/MiAMWNQ1Nw