DEJI ADEBUSOYE
ABOUT ME
Hey there! Thanks for being here. I’m the author of Scaling for Success: Empowering African SMEs and a Partner at Sahel Capital, a private investment firm focused on food and agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. At Sahel Capital, we manage the Fund for Agriculture Financing in Nigeria (FAFIN) and the Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA). In other words, I get to help businesses grow while making a real difference.
I co-lead SEFAA, an impact-first fund investing in agribusinesses that bring direct or indirect benefits to smallholder farmers across 13 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. I also manage investments and portfolios for SEFAA and FAFIN, including two portfolios we recently exited. On top of that, I’m a director on the board of one of our portfolio companies and offer advice to several startups and SMEs.
Before all this, I spent three years in senior roles at Syngenta Crop Protection AG, where I helped launch Syngenta Nigeria and later took on a global role in Switzerland. My journey started at Procter & Gamble, where I worked on building systems across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
I’m an African-Asia Impact Investing (AAII) Fellow and a Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) Fellow. I studied chemical engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, graduating with a first-class degree, and later earned an MBA from INSEAD Business School.
Outside of work, I’m a proud husband and dad. My wife is my rock and a big supporter of my vision, and our two smart, active kids keep life exciting! When I’m not trying to help SMEs succeed, I’m aiming to be the best dad and husband I can be. I also love traveling and the great outdoors—nothing beats a bit of adventure.
Join me on this journey of helping SMEs scale and remain profitable!
African businesses could use a serious boost. Ever wonder why so many companies struggle to grow, barely last a few years, or just aren’t attractive to investors? The truth is, there’s actually a lot of money out there looking for good investments—but the problem is finding businesses that are ready to take it.
From my daily interactions with African businesses, I can tell you, it doesn’t have to be this way. With just a few strategic tweaks, these companies could be primed for growth and generate big wins for everyone involved—especially the founders.
In my articles, I dive into the nuts and bolts of what it takes, covering everything from better governance and growth mindsets to smart cash flow management and sustainable business practices. My mission? To help more African SMEs break through the longevity barrier and thrive well beyond what’s typical on the continent
Provides valuable insights and practical advice that can help you navigate your business challenges and seize opportunities that come your way.
Reviews
Deji leverages his extensive expertise across finance, strategy, and operations to provide a practical guide for business owners in Nigeria [Africa]. His insights tackle the unique challenges of the Nigerian business environment, offering proven, actionable solutions
Kunle Iludiran
Financial Consultant
Scaling For Success: Empowering African SMEs” by Deji Adebusoye is not just a book; it is an essential guide for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners navigating the complexities of business growth in turbulent operating environments. In a very succinct way, Deji articulated and masterfully addresses the unique challenges faced by African SMEs, offering practical insights and strategies that empower African entrepreneurs to make informed decisions.
The success strategies and guides offered in the book would be of significant importance to all SME leaders, particularly during critical points of inflexion, where decisions and choices could determine the trajectory of a business. In such pivotal moments, the absence of sound and informed decision-making can lead to a downward spiral and eventual business failure, making the guidance offered in the book invaluable.
Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, “Scaling For Success” is a must-read. It equips you with the tools and knowledge to thrive in an ever-evolving market landscape. I highly recommend this book to all SME owners in Africa who seek to enhance their decision-making processes and achieve sustainable growth and profitability.
Dr. Okey Nwuke
Director, Family Business Initiative, Lagos Business School & Non-Executive Director, Access Bank Plc
"Scaling for Success: Empowering African SMEs" by Deji Adebusoye stands out for its practical, context-specific approach to scaling and growing businesses. Adebusoye presents methods, tactics, and strategies that resonate deeply with the African SME landscape, making them not only relevant but also highly actionable. Each chapter addresses real, topical challenges—from team-building to accessing capital—faced by African entrepreneurs, and recommends approaches that are immediately implementable. I recommend it as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs seeking practical solutions to common growth barriers in the African SME sector”
Olaniyi Oladejo
Management and Development Consultant.
“Scaling for Success” by Deji Adebusoye offers a compelling and practical approach to building and sustaining a thriving business in Africa. Deji's extensive expertise shines through in the real-world examples and case studies he presents, making the content both relatable and insightful. This book is highly recommended for both current and aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of their business’s size or stage.
Funke Okuwobi
HR Systems & Data Analyst, Grafton Group
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