KSH–as he prefers to be called, is a modest, loving yet determined man, who will stop at nothing to accomplish success. With a heart of gold, Khalil strives to enhance the living conditions of societies all over Africa by initiating and implementing various technological upgrades and sustainable local-based solutions to issues arising.
Khalil is a dynamic, creative, intelligent, hard-working entrepreneur and a firm believer in the power of technology to impact and improve livelihood in developing countries. His vision, dedication, and principles set him apart from his peers, – Mustapha Usman CEO of Africa Infotech Consulting
Born on the 29th of October, 1990, in Kano, Nigeria, Khalil is the eldest of five children. Born into a family recognized for its input in the trade sector of Nigeria, Khalil preferred to dance to the rhythm of his own drum than ride on his family's name and its accomplishments.
Kano is famous for breeding prominent and prosperous African entrepreneurs such as Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and the Dantatas. A list on which Khalil Suleiman Halilu is working to include his name very soon.
Intrigued by the amazing world of feasible development through automation, Khalil came up with schemes to embody his love for entrepreneurship at an incredibly early stage in life.
Once, Khalil identified the shortage of electricity in his neighborhood and devised a plan to aid those in need by producing ice using his household’s generators. He then sold packs of ice to neighbors who had no access to power. Khalil was known to be a pleasant child with a look at pinpointing problems and finding sustainable solutions to them. Khalil did not devote his entire childhood fixed on the idea of finding solutions to issues in his neighborhood. He enjoyed spending time with his mates and welcomed his interest in music production by working as a DJ in his high school years. Khalil’s friends describe him as a jolly companion who is not only hard-working but determined to reach his goals once he sets his mind to it.
Education:
Khalil attended the Rainbow Primary School in Kano in 1996 and soon after, began his Secondary School Education at St. Thomas Catholic School (2001-2003) which he completed at Prime College, in Kano (2006).
After graduating from high school, Khalil enrolled at the University of Hertfordshire and obtained his Bachelor of Science (B. Sc) degree in Business Administration, as well as his Master’s degree in International Business.
As part of his University course requirements in 2008, Khalil and his team successfully planned and operated a fully functioning business venture in a time frame of just three days with Khalil leading the unit. Instead of settling for the usual buying and re-selling business scheme, Khalil and his team took a different route from their competitors. They started their business, a gaming center that attracted a substantial amount of customers in a short time.
After three days of managing the gaming center, Khalil and his team used the profits generated to plan and host an African-themed party. Khalil performed as the DJ, and tickets sold out in a couple of hours.
In the end, the team raised a significant amount of money from their business ventures. They generated the most in their class group and even broke the historical record of the university. Until this day, Khalil and his team’s record remain unchanged.
Career and Achievements:
Khalil is what one can call a ”true born entrepreneur.” This only became clear in the later stages of his life when he developed a passion for providing affordable yet sustainable technological solutions to businesses operating in the agricultural sector. His continuous efforts and willingness to help others, has added value to humanity and positively changed the narrative of technological innovation in Africa.
After graduating from the University, Khalil worked as an admin clerk at Archimode & Associates. His path took a unique turn when he joined the family business and took over the position of Marketing Manager at Gongoni Company Limited. Gongoni is a vertically integrated aerosol manufacturing company and forms part of the sister company, Scirrocco International Limited, which specializes in the manufacturing of tea and cold beverages.
Khalil also served as Chief Operating Officer at Scirrocco and held this position for a little over three consecutive years.
At the young age of only 23, Khalil already held several positions in various companies as well as established an outstanding reputation for himself in the business sector.
Some positions Khalil has held over the time frame of three years include:
Managing Director (MD) at Khash Strategic Services Ltd. In 2014.
KSH Construction & Design LTD in 2014 Creative Director/Business developer- Africa Infotech Consultancy–2015 Operations Manager at ZCET Global Meter Services Ltd. in 2017
A CHANGE OF HEART AND DIRECTION
After unsuccessfully enrolling into a JAVA and DBA course, Khalil adapted and switched lanes to reach his goals and dreams than give up. He committed to carrying out in-depth research and stumbled upon the wonderful world of System Architecture along the line.
This type of architecture solely concentrates on design, construction, maintaining, and upgrading software and technological systems.
In 2018, KSH steered his focus onto this new field in the business world. He shepherded away from the sector his family’s businesses operate in and created something for himself in a completely distinct niche.
He subsequently focused on ways to provide sustainable solutions to technologically advanced environments. It was only after he altered course that Khalil came to the staggering realization that opportunities abound everywhere and It really depends on your point of view.
In the same year, OyaOya Strategic Services Ltd and ShapShap Logistics Ltd. came into being. OyaOya is a technological application designed to connect commodity traders in an ecosystem that is both fast and efficient.
ShapShap is an on-demand platform popular in Africa for catering to personal and business logistical needs. A technological application, ShapShap connects clients with drivers supported with flexible route options and insurance cover on goods being transported.
The app’s primary aim is to encourage SME growth and help bridge the gap between businesses and the unbanked people in Africa.
In 2018, Khalil also launched Zabe, an election monitoring application that monitors election counts in Nigeria and provides detailed feedback on the election process to observers.
During Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, Zabe recorded the voting process of over 2,000% of users within a single election week.
In 2019, Khalil founded the first-ever eco-friendly technological hub in West Africa, best known as The CANs. The hub grew very popular over a short period and has continued to attract fellow environmentalists and technology enthusiasts from all over the continent. A community that encourages individuals to share ideas, host events, and become one with nature, The CANS is not only a technological platform but serves as a center, where technology start-ups can connect, learn, grow and prosper.
High-profile events are regularly hosted at the hub, including the send forth party for the outgoing German Ambassador in June 2019.
Because of his business acumen, strategic skill, and detailed planning, Khalil is an asset and valuable resource to have on the Africa Infotech Consultancy board, as well as the JIGS Environmental Services and Agro-Allied Ltd. Khalil currently serves as the Chairperson of MACE Nigeria Ltd., which introduced the first digital content marketplace in Africa.
He also played an integral role in the setup of New AD, a UK-based company that is developing and supporting the global anaerobic digestion industry and other important technology inventions and devices used in the renewable energy enterprise.
Away from his tertiary education, Khalil has got various awards and certificates for his participation and contribution to the growth and sustainability of the advancement of technology in Africa. Khalil Suleiman Halilu (KSH) today.
Close friends and family members describe Khalil as a workaholic with a passion for people. He is an extremely busy individual and runs a tight schedule. Khalil rarely gets time to unwind, and this does not stop him from achieving his goals and maintaining relationships. KSH enjoys the outdoors and never misses playing his favorite sports, Polo and golf on weekends. He is an experienced player and enjoys physical activities that soothe, heal and revitalize mind and body. Coupled with KSH’s ardor for technology and sustainable development, he is also in love with horses. Khalil considers himself an equestrian enthusiast and owns polo horses. He regularly plays polo with some of his favorite horses Crypto, Nicole, Skylar, and MJ.
One can expect to find Khalil in the company of fellow business owners, where they share visions, hopes, and dreams As well as what is achievable in the near future. Khalil is a true inspiration to so many, not only in the business sector but in mainstream society as well. His determination, perseverance, and positive attitude are the driving force behind his success and achievements.
When given the opportunity to explore and travel to new places, Khalil ensures his bags are packed and his passport ready. He enjoys the small things in life and chooses not to take anything for granted.
Khalil has a vast network of friends and business associates, all of who come from different backgrounds and cultures. Even with time-zone differences and communication barriers, they all agree on one thing with Khalil Suleiman Halilu and that is his reliability, dependability, and loyalty to his friends and colleagues.
