By Damilola Fatunmise
Ade Olufeko is an American-born technologist and designer based in Lagos, Nigeria. His work spans digital infrastructure, intellectual property advocacy, and economic development, positioning him as a key figure in Nigeria’s technology and creative industries.
Before repatriating to Nigeria, Olufeko played a pivotal role in developing the country’s digital infrastructure. As the founder of Epiphany and Khafre (formerly The Avenue Creative Limited), he provided critical digital solutions at a time when cloud computing had not yet become mainstream.
His company hosted and managed over 70% of Nigeria’s websites in industries such as entertainment, oil and gas, and finance. This early infrastructure work contributed to the foundation of Nigeria’s evolving digital economy, preceding the widespread adoption of cloud services and digital transformation strategies.
In the United States, Olufeko refined his expertise in digital strategy and information architecture, consulting across media, technology, health, and finance sectors. His cybersecurity contributions were particularly significant during a multi-billion-dollar technology services deal between IBM and American Express in 2002, where he worked on countermeasure efforts against cyber threats. His role in the deal earned him an IBM Gerstner Award, a company and an industry-recognized honor for enterprise security and digital resilience.
During the early 2000s, at the height of Macromedia Flash and Rich Internet Applications, Olufeko was exposed to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential role in digital transformation. His early engagement in AI-driven interfaces shaped his later contributions to the integration of emerging technologies in business and creative industries.
His efforts in web engineering included serving as a Front-End Web Engineer in New York City, where he notably worked on Wall Street. He contributed to the development of major digital platforms for PayPal, Bank of America, and Warner Music Group, applying his expertise to the intersection of technology, finance, and entertainment.
During the Great Recession of 2009, Olufeko, like many entrepreneurs, was financially impacted, losing significant assets and having to rebuild from scratch. This period reinforced his resilience and adaptability, shaping his strategic approach to innovation and business sustainability.
Beyond infrastructure, Olufeko has been a key advocate for intellectual property rights in Nigeria’s creative and technology sectors. As the pioneering chair of the Creative Sector Group at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he played a role in shaping discussions around IP protection, ensuring that Nigerian creatives and entrepreneurs could protect and monetize their work in a globalized digital economy. His work has helped bridge the gap between policy, innovation, and economic sustainability, reinforcing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the international market.
Olufeko’s contributions extend beyond technology and economics. He founded The Wing Chun Foundation, an NGO dedicated to martial arts education in West Africa, emphasizing mental resilience, discipline, and personal growth. His work in this area highlights the role of structured learning in youth development, reinforcing the importance of human capital in long-term economic progress.
Through his multifaceted approach to digital infrastructure, intellectual property advocacy, and cultural preservation, Olufeko continues to shape Nigeria’s economic and technological landscape. His work addresses practical needs in infrastructure, policy, and creative industries, reinforcing Nigeria’s position within Africa’s evolving digital economy.