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By Christy Anyanwu
Lauret Kambili Maduka, a former senior corporate banking executive, who successfully managed credit risk portfolios, is a breath of fresh air.
She is a clear proof of the ability of the capacity of the human mind to adjust, learn new things, become adept at them and then deploy the knowledge acquired to take advantage of new opportunities, innovate, create value and excel in such new engagements.
A graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she studied Economics before getting into banking, and then going to obtain a STEM Master of Business Administration degree from the W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States, has received awards, including the National Black MBA Association Award.
Her MBA programme was run on full scholarship awarded by the W.P. Carey School of Business. Today, she is making her mark in the rapidly growing and deepening world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications.
In this interview, the Microsoft executive gives advice on how SMEs can deploy Generative AI to achieve strategic growth.
Please introduce yourself, stating what you are doing now, where and what you studied.
I’m currently a Business Planning & Strategy Manager at Microsoft, where I work at the intersection of product strategy, AI innovation, and user growth for Microsoft AI-Powered Browser – Edge. I hold a STEM MBA and previously worked in corporate banking, managing credit risk portfolios. I studied Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which built a strong analytical foundation for the work I do today—particularly around emerging tech and digital financial inclusion.
Based on your background in banking and previous work deploying Microsoft AI solutions, how can Nigerian and African SMEs targeting Diaspora customers use Generative AI in a strategic manner to boost their business?
Generative AI can be a game-changer for African SMEs targeting the Diaspora. First, it enables hyper-personalized marketing at scale—using AI to craft culturally relevant messages, translate content, and respond instantly to customer inquiries. Second, SMEs can deploy AI to automate back-office functions like inventory tracking, customer segmentation, and export compliance documentation. Lastly, tools like Copilot or ChatGPT can assist business owners who may not have formal training but need support in writing proposals, product descriptions, or engaging with overseas platforms.
What advice can you offer these SMEs on how to navigate the business landscape against the background of the tariff program of the Trump Administration?
Tariff volatility requires SMEs to be agile. My advice is twofold: first, diversify logistics and sourcing routes—don’t depend solely on one export destination or shipping method. Second, leverage digital platforms to understand real-time tariff implications. Generative AI tools can synthesize regulatory information and recommend cost-saving strategies such as switching from finished goods to semi-processed exports or partnering with consolidators in lower-tariff zones.
Currently, SMEs are struggling to package, brand and export their processed foodstuff targeted at the African Diaspora. Do you think that the time has come to establish a US-based corporate consolidator which will handle this aspect of the production and distribution value chain across America and Canada?
Absolutely. A US-based consolidator could solve a major bottleneck. Most SMEs don’t have the capacity to navigate FDA labeling requirements, cold chain logistics, or retail partnerships. A shared-service model that supports packaging, regulatory compliance, and last-mile distribution would not only ease entry into North American markets but also unlock economies of scale, helping more African products reach Diaspora shelves competitively.
You studied Economics at UNN and worked in a reputable bank. Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, also studied Economics at UNN and is now in the political governance space. Would you say his economic policies have been good for Anambra SMEs?
Some of his policies show promise, especially his focus on industrialization and local production. The push toward digital revenue collection and support for youth entrepreneurship are steps in the right direction. However, execution is key. SMEs need enabling infrastructure – stable power, digital payments, and market access to truly thrive. If those foundational elements are scaled, then Anambra could become a hub for SME-led innovation.
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When first ran for the governorship, he once promised to create the commercial attributes of Dubai and reproduce the manufacturing prowess of Taiwan in the state. If you had opportunity to offer him advice as an external consultant, what would you tell him?
I would advise grounding that vision in sector-specific hubs—start with agro-processing, digital services, or light manufacturing where Anambra has latent comparative advantage. Build innovation clusters, partner with diaspora investors, and digitize government-business interactions to reduce red tape. Dubai and Taiwan weren’t built in a day; they succeeded through long-term alignment between policy, infrastructure, and private capital.
What do you think the Federal Government should do to rapidly expand AI knowledge, application and adoption in the education system?
Start with a national AI-in-Education framework. Introduce AI literacy in secondary school curricula; incentivize universities to offer AI electives across disciplines—not just in computer science—and fund hackathons or innovation challenges. Partnering with companies like Microsoft, Google, and local startups will accelerate exposure and hands-on learning.
What role should Corporate Nigeria play in this?
Corporate Nigeria must invest in building the talent pipeline—through internships, sponsorship of AI bootcamps, and funding university research. Companies also need to “walk the talk” by deploying AI tools in their operations and sharing best practices. If businesses model AI integration, adoption across the ecosystem will follow.
Nigerians are facing health challenges that can be prevented through early diagnosis. Are you likely to team up with other people to sponsor preventive health checks for people in identified groups like communities, churches, etc, under the joint collaboration of People For People and the major health sector professional bodies?
Yes, I would gladly support such an initiative. Preventive healthcare has a multiplier effect—not just on individual well-being but on workforce productivity and household stability. Partnering with trusted institutions like churches and local health bodies ensures both reach and trust, which are critical for uptake.
What does style mean for you?
Style, for me, is intentionality. It’s the quiet confidence of being fully myself, whether in a boardroom, on stage, or in casual spaces. It’s about expression without excess, elegance without effort.
Some women are crazy about handbags, shoes or perfumes. What is your fashion fetish?
Definitely shoes. A good pair of comfortable heels or clean sneakers can carry me literally and metaphorically through just about anything.
What is the fashion item you cannot do without?
A structured blazer. It elevates any outfit, and as someone who transitions often from strategy meetings to casual networking events, it’s a staple.
What major leadership lessons have you imbibed and which are helping you in your work as a leader?
Three key lessons: Clarity is kindness—people thrive when goals are clearly communicated. Influence is more powerful than authority—especially in cross-functional teams. Feedback is a gift. I’ve learned to seek it, give it generously, and model openness. These principles have shaped how I lead, build trust, and deliver results.
