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​​​​​​​100 LIONESSES: Featuring Kofo Akinkugbe, innovator and smart card technology market leader

January 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Kofo Akinkugbe is recognised globally for her entrepreneurial success story and strong business track record. She is founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd a market leader in smart card technology and digital security. SecureID is a world-class manufacturing facility with the only smart card production plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent. This company serves 16 countries across Africa and is fully certified by VISA, Verve and MasterCard. In 2012, Kofo won the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship Mature Business Award.

About Kofo Akinkugbe

Kofo Akinkugbe 4.png

Kofo Akinkugbe, a prize-winning graduate of Mathematics of the University of Lagos, spent 12 years in banking, first at International Merchant Bank (local affiliate of the First National Bank of Chicago) and then as a pioneer staff member of Chartered Bank. During this time, she received the British Government Chevening Scholarship to study for an MBA at the Strathclyde Graduate Business School, Scotland, UK.

Kofo is the founder of Interface Technologies (1998), SecureID Limited (2005) and SecureCard Manufacturing (2012). She currently serves as the Managing Director/CEO of SecureID Group (comprising of SecureID and SecureCard Manufacturing). SecureID is a MasterCard, VISA and Verve certified Smartcard Personalization bureau and digital technology company whilst SecureCard Manufacturing is the first polycarbonate Smartcard manufacturing plant producing high security identity cards and documents for the Banks, Telecoms and Public sectors. Mrs. Akinkugbe is a passionate and bold entrepreneur as both companies are the first of its kind in Africa.

Both companies, recognised and respected in the global Smartcard industry, provide high-end digital security solutions to organisations and governments across Africa and beyond. As a passionate and innovative real sector entrepreneur, Mrs. Akinkugbe has taken both companies through a number of strategic partnerships into the international market by attaining the most pre-requisite International certifications.

Kofo possesses a rare combination of entrepreneurship, manufacturing, personalization & technology acumen and also sits on the board of a number of local and multinational corporate, philanthropic and humanitarian organizations.

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About SecureID

SecureID is a well-established name in the Smartcard Sector, and continues to increase its presence in Africa. Over the last 8 years, SecureID has transformed ‘innovative and first to market’ technology into market leading card solutions that have been adopted extensively across all sectors and markets.

With a strong track record of successful implementation, SecureID has over 40 customers, all of whom rely on the great capability of SecureID products and solutions to meet their requirements. The company has a reputation for high production technology and quality, delivered in the quickest time possible, backed by comprehensive customer support. Our customers include global brands and market leaders.

They operate from a 6,780.45 sq m secure facility and their plant is specifically designed for printing and personalization of gift, loyalty, banking and telecom cards with mag stripe and chip encoding, embossing, thermal printing and many other services. SecureID company is PCIDSS certified.

Click to Read Kofo's full 100 Lionesses Profile

Click to view 100 Lionesses Index Page

Click to view 100 Lionesses Index Page

In 100 Lionesses Project Tags Kofo Akinkugbe
← O Medo de Vencer. The Fear of Winning.Elizabeth Crotty, an entrepreneur in South Africa helping global clients relocate to Australia to start new lives →

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace

Lioness Radio Show: AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
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Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
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Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
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Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

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Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
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Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
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Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
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Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Kelly Jean Valigy, a dynamic marketing and communications professional building a creative powerhouse in Mozambique
Kelly Jean Valigy, a dynamic marketing and communications professional building a creative powerhouse in Mozambique
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Mbali Ndandani and Portia Nondo, two passionate ecosystem builders driving support for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
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LIONESS DATA & INSIGHTS


LIONESS PLAYBOOKS



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Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
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Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
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Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
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Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf

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