In this interview, The Kenyan Wall Street talks to Justus Kirigua shortly after his appointment as the Advisory Board Chair of The Adaptis Group, on his plans for his new role, leadership, and the business potential in Africa.
TKWS: Congratulations on your appointment as the new Advisory Board Chair for Africa at The Adaptis Group. What excites you the most about this role, and what are your primary goals during your tenure?
JK: I’m honored to serve as the Advisory Board Chair for Africa at The Adaptis Group. What excites me most is that Adaptis is an African-led firm dedicated to creating jobs and opportunities across the continent.
My primary goal is to establish strong governance structures that support long-term, sustainable growth. By fostering stability and trust, we can empower African businesses to thrive and create a meaningful impact in their communities. This is a chance to contribute to a brighter, more prosperous future for Africa.
Innovation thrives where there are challenges.
Justus Kirigua, Chair, The Adaptis Group’s Advisory Board
TKWS: The Adaptis Group emphasizes innovation as a cornerstone of its mission. How do you envision leveraging your experience in technology-driven solutions to foster innovation across the Group’s diverse sectors?
JK: Innovation is at the core of Adaptis’ mission, and we view technology as a catalyst for long-term transformation. With my background in computer science and experience founding tech-driven businesses, I bring a deep understanding of how technology can revolutionize industries.
Our focus is on fostering a culture of continuous innovation, where emerging technologies, data-driven insights, and creative problem-solving are integral to our operations. By embedding innovation into our DNA, we ensure that Adaptis stays ahead of the curve, constantly rethinking traditional approaches and leveraging technology to drive efficiency, scalability, and industry leadership across all our sectors.
TKWS: With your background as a tech mobility expert and leader in Kenya’s transport sector, what lessons from your journey at PTG Travel Group can be applied to address logistical challenges across Africa?
JK: Africa has the potential to leapfrog traditional infrastructure models and develop homegrown solutions that rival or even surpass those in first-world economies. My journey at PTG Travel Group has reinforced a critical lesson: innovation thrives where there are challenges.
When we first ventured into mobility tech, platforms like Google Maps were poorly optimized for Africa—lacking essential features such as turn-by-turn navigation and real-time traffic monitoring. However, as global tech giants recognized the untapped potential in Africa, they rapidly adapted their solutions to our unique needs.
One striking example is addressing and location mapping. In many developed nations, fixed addresses are the foundation of logistics. But in Kenya, we’ve innovated beyond that, leveraging WhatsApp location pins, mobile payments, and hyper-localized delivery networks to run efficient transport and logistics operations without a formal address system. This isn’t just adaptation—it’s a demonstration of how Africa is pioneering new ways of thinking about mobility and logistics TKWS: What qualities do you believe are essential for leaders in today’s fast-changing corporate landscape, especially in Africa?
JK: In today’s fast-changing corporate landscape, especially in Africa, values-driven leadership is essential. Success is not just about strategy; it’s about consistency in the fundamentals.
Great leaders distinguish themselves by mastering the simple but powerful habits that shape strong organizations and cultures. This means:
- •Being punctual—Respecting time reflects discipline and reliability.
- •Upholding integrity—Telling the truth fosters trust and credibility.
- •Staying organized—Clear structure leads to efficient decision-making.
- •Respecting commitments—Honoring your calendar ensures accountability.
- •Treating people right—People are the backbone of any business; investing in them creates lasting impact.
In a rapidly evolving world, leaders who embrace these principles with discipline and authenticity will drive meaningful change, build resilient businesses, and inspire the next generation of African leaders.
TKWS: Adaptis operates across seven key sectors, including energy, telecommunications, and industrial infrastructure. In your view, which of these sectors holds the greatest potential for growth, and what should stakeholders focus on to unlock it?
JK: All seven sectors—energy, telecommunications, and industrial infrastructure, among others—hold immense growth potential. The key differentiator will not be the sector itself but the ability to execute with excellence and innovation.
Emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation, will be game-changers in enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and execution speed. At Adaptis, we are committed to leveraging AI-driven solutions to optimize operations, drive sustainability, and maintain a competitive edge across all our focus areas.
For stakeholders, the priority should be strategic adoption of technology, policy alignment, and investment in talent development to fully unlock Africa’s industrial potential. Those who integrate smart technologies and prioritize execution excellence will lead the next wave of transformation on the continent.
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