Elorm Ofori is a strategic Product Manager with over two years of experience in both B2B and B2C sectors. She manages the B2B buyer product at Complete Farmer, a platform connecting farmers, investors, and consumers across Africa. Ofori’s diverse portfolio encompasses projects like crypto staking apps, lost-and-found solutions, launchpads, and agricultural commodity marketplaces.
- How would you describe your job to a 5-year-old?
I help make a special online shopping list on the internet or phone that allows people worldwide to choose fruits, vegetables, grains, and tubers they like from farms in Ghana. Then, we send the food to their homes. It’s like helping people get the yummy food they want anywhere they live, all through a phone or laptop.
- What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned since launching your startup or getting into the role?
Since starting my role, the most surprising thing I’ve learned is how eager farmers are to adopt new technologies. I initially expected some resistance due to their traditional farming methods. However, many farmers are excited about using apps and tools to improve their productivity and help them reach new markets. Their enthusiasm has been incredibly encouraging and motivating.
- What’s one function or area of your job you spend the most time on?
I spend the most time on user research. It is crucial to understand what our users need, their pain points, and how they interact with our product. This helps us design and improve our product to serve them better and ensure it fits perfectly into their daily lives.
- What are three trends in your sector you are bullish on or keeping a close tab on?
- Precision Farming involves using data and technology to optimise crop yields and reduce waste. Sensors and drones monitor crop health and soil conditions in real time.
- Implementing blockchain to ensure transparency and traceability in the agricultural supply chain helps verify the origin and quality of produce, which is increasingly important to consumers globally.
- What gaps do you think startups in Ghana should be building for?
- Startups should provide farmers with tools and information to improve their yields and manage their resources.
- Solving healthcare access by developing platforms that connect patients to healthcare providers and ensure timely and affordable access to medical services.
- If you were to build a new company, which historical or contemporary figure would you appoint to the board and why?
I would appoint Kwame Nkrumah to the board. His vision for a self-reliant and innovative Africa aligns with the entrepreneurial spirit needed to drive a tech startup. Nkrumah’s emphasis on education and industrialisation would provide valuable insights and inspiration for building a forward-thinking and impactful company.
