Tech innovator seeks local ideas at summit
Climate tech entrepreneur, Ayo Ogunlowo, has challenged African innovators to build locally-grounded climate solutions to meet global standards. He spoke at the Web Summit Qatar in a masterclass, organised by
Climate tech entrepreneur, Ayo Ogunlowo, has challenged African innovators to build locally-grounded climate solutions to meet global standards. He spoke at the Web Summit Qatar in a masterclass, organised by Tech Connect Africa.
Speaking on “Learnings from African Diaspora: Leveraging Global Communities to Fuel Innovation” in Doha, Ogunlowo, founder of Atunlo and CarbonScope, emphasised the need for homegrown climate technology infrastructure in Africa’s financial sector.
“You can’t import climate tech and expect it to work well in local contexts,” he said. “The solution is to build locally while collaborating with those with international experience, ensuring we maintain global standards while addressing our unique challenges.”
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Ogunlowo’s remarks come as Nigeria’s financial institutions face pressure to measure and report carbon emissions in line with global ESG standards. His observation that “there is no climate tech software built locally” in Nigeria led to CarbonScope360—a carbon accounting and emissions tracking platform designed for financial institutions in emerging markets.
“A bank has over 600 branches with an average of two generators per branch, pool cars for staff commuting so there is Scope 1, Scope 2, Scope 3 emissions, and then there is financed emissions as well,” Ogunlowo said, highlighting the multifaceted nature of institutional carbon footprints.
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CarbonScope360 has secured acceptance from commercial banks, signalling institutional recognition of locally-built climate infrastructure. The platform enables financial institutions to track, measure, and report emissions in all operational and financial activities, a critical capability as African banks prepare for stricter environmental disclosure.
Besides Ogunlowo, other panellists are Asmaa Kotb, chief executive of Koycber; and Raquel Adaobi, chief executive of Kinnect. The discussion was moderated by Keziah Larbi, head of Startups and Digital Content at Tech Connect Africa.
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Ogunlowo also outlined an ambitious social impact vision for 2026. Through Atunlo Foundation, which focuses on climate tech innovation and STEM education, he sponsors over 200 students and manages a N3 million fund dedicated to youth development in these critical sectors.
“Every kobo I get, I want to give back,” Ogunlowo said. “By end of the year, I want to see if I can hit 1,000 students sponsored. If I am able to achieve that—no excuses, just get it done.”
As African nations intensify efforts to meet Paris Agreement targets while managing developmental priorities, Ogunlowo’s model, local innovation informed by global standards, offers a blueprint for bridging the climate tech gap across emerging markets.
