Good People, join me to thank our Team in CinderBuild Inc for executing the playbook amazingly. Cinderbuild, Africa’s largest and most dominant building and construction materials marketplace, will grow by 5x in 2024 compared with 2023 numbers. Yes, businesses are still growing in 3 digit-percentages in Nigeria!

Yes, we are experiencing huge growth because we have brought in a high level of efficiency in the sector. From nowhere, we are #1 brand now, and some of the leading construction projects in Nigeria now depend on Cinderbuild to source and deliver construction materials. Our goal is to simplify the building of Africa, one step at a time.

Our vision is to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and become the “Google and Amazon of Building Materials” in Africa. That is not a tough dream for a village boy! It was like yesterday when I wrote the Business Brief, and a brilliant Team took it, and they have done a supremely great execution job.

We have different products, depending on the structure of your project: CinderBuild for Buyers; CinderBuild for Corporates, CinderBuild for Estate Developers, CinderBuild for Estate Investors, etc.

5X growth; we can even do better with your support.

Ndubuisi Ekekwe

Co-Founder & Member of Board of Directors

Cinderbuild Inc, USA

The landscape of Chinese workplaces is undergoing a transformative shift with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This technological advancement is driving efficiency and productivity to new heights, but it also brings forth significant challenges that need to be addressed with a nuanced understanding and strategic approach.

China’s rapid development and deployment of AI in the workplace are largely market-driven, with minimal regulatory oversight. This has led to a surge in AI applications across various industries, particularly in sectors with lower profit margins where AI tools are aggressively used for workforce management. The country’s political economy has facilitated this accelerated progress, making China a valuable case study for AI’s implications in the workplace on a global scale.

While AI technologies have the potential to dramatically boost productivity, they also pose a risk of exacerbating worker exploitation. The balance of power is tilting further towards employers who control data and algorithms, leaving employees with diminished bargaining power. This is especially true for low-skilled jobs, where workers face increased workloads, stress, and job insecurity due to the pressure to meet both human supervisors’ expectations and algorithmic metrics.

Here’s how AI is making an impact:

Automation of Routine Tasks: AI-powered robots and machines are taking over repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, allowing human workers to focus on more complex and creative aspects of production.

Quality Control: Intelligent systems equipped with machine learning algorithms are being used to detect defects and ensure product quality, reducing the reliance on human inspection and minimizing errors.

Predictive Maintenance: AI is used to predict equipment failures before they occur, ensuring uninterrupted production and reducing downtime in factories.

Supply Chain Optimization: AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to optimize supply chains, making them more efficient and responsive to changes in demand.

Energy Management: AI is helping factories to reduce energy consumption by optimizing the use of machinery and predicting peak energy usage times.

Worker Safety: AI-driven monitoring systems are being deployed to enhance worker safety by identifying potential hazards and preventing accidents.

The integration of AI in Chinese factories is not just about technological advancement; it’s about building a sustainable and competitive manufacturing sector that can thrive in the global market. As AI continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly unlock new potentials and opportunities for innovation in the manufacturing industry.

The McKinsey Global Institute study highlights that half of all work activities in China could be automated, presenting the nation with the world’s largest automation potential. However, this also means that the workforce must rapidly adapt to these changes or risk being left behind.

The swift integration of AI in Chinese workplaces underscores the need for comprehensive policy evaluation to mitigate negative consequences. International policymakers can draw important lessons from China’s experience to ensure that the development of AI in workplaces globally is balanced and beneficial for all stakeholders involved.

The use of AI in Chinese workplaces is a testament to the country’s ability to harness technology for economic growth. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale of the potential pitfalls of unchecked AI deployment. As AI continues to evolve, it is imperative that its integration into the workforce is accompanied by thoughtful regulation and consideration for the well-being of employees. The future of work depends on our ability to strike a balance between embracing innovation and protecting the rights and interests of workers.

“Has Dangote refineries prevented any other company from setting up refineries? Why have others not done so? How come they have not done so for several decades? Was it Dangote that held them back?…But Dangote refineries surely cannot be asked to ‘compete’ with importers of petroleum products. That is not competition. Let the importers set up local refineries and compete by refining in Nigeria. That is fair and justified competition.” The president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina said.

“Investing is tough, considering that very few entities, if any at all, could afford to invest $19.5 billion, as Dangote had done, in a country where the economic climate was fraught with policy uncertainties,” Adesina said.

He further noted that while “pettiness is easy,” the focus should be on creating an enabling environment for such investments to thrive.

The caution from Adesina comes on the heels of allegations from the head of Nigeria’s oil regulator, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed. Ahmed accused Dangote Refinery of attempting to monopolize the supply of refined crude products to the nation’s oil marketers.

I agree 100% from my little reading of AO Lawal economics textbook in secondary school. Yes, the regulator cannot say a local factory is afraid of competition against importers. An importer is not a competitor but a free-rider.

Nigeria must be redesigned to give the local producers and manufacturers opportunities to win. That is all we are asking for this economy.

AfDB President Adesina, Femi Otedola, Ask Nigeria to Allow Dangote Refinery to Flourish