Frustrated as a student, already under pressure from higher education fees, a young Richmond Arthur found that the high costs, and unreliable connectivity at his university were the catalyst to his career.

 

Richmond is the Founder and CEO of Maxinet (www.MaxinetGh.com), one of Ghana’s leading Internet Service Providers. Richmond’s exasperation with costs and inferior connectivity fuelled his vision to build quality, reliable and affordable internet solutions for his fellow Ghanaian students. The growth in internet penetration in Ghana has steadily grown over the past period, with an estimated 53% of households having Internet access by January 2022. However, access to quality internet is challenging, for both businesses and households.

Richmond started Maxinet in 2018, just a year before graduating from Ghana Technology University with a B Degree in Information Technology. Less than five years on, Maxinet has certainly lived up to its name and its founding vision.

Challenges of a start-up

Along the way, Richmond explains there were some key business lessons in establishing his own ISP. “It didn’t come on a silver platter,” he says. “I had to go through a process of starting up a business – and one of the challenges was the capital. I underestimated the amount of startup capital for sure, and ultimately required more than ten times my initial estimation. Every time I revised it, I needed more – and more.”

The second challenge faced was to build the right infrastructure.

“I had knowledge but not all the expertise to build everything. I found it hard to find the right engineers, and to be able to afford them. I learnt that creating the right team is a process, and that finance and human resource go hand in hand in the beginning.”

Finding partnerships

Maxinet uses the upstream services of Workonline Communications (www.Workonline.Africa) to connect to the global Internet. Workonline is one of the largest IP transit providers in Africa and has a large footprint across West, East and Southern Africa.

When first introduced to Workonline, Richmond and the team hit it off immediately.

“They were the most experienced of all the providers we had considered, and had a very mature, long-term approach to collaborative market growth,” says Richmond. “The Workonline ecosystem is robust and they introduced me to many others already making use of their services. We also tested their services thoroughly and found that they were able to offer the best and fastest routes from and to Ghana, offering the benefits of improved latency while keeping the traffic on the continent instead of sending it to London or Europe for example.”

Without the experience and assistance of the Workonline team, we would have struggled to establish the quality service we are able to provide

The partnership between Workonline and Maxinet has grown from strength to strength. Workonline business development manager, Daniel Duah, attributes this to open communications and collaboration between Maxinet and Workonline teams.

Richmond agrees and echoes Daniel’s views. “Since we signed up, we’ve had reliable service, great partnerships, and a deep personal connection. In fact, now we are friends, it’s not just business any more. Once I get that kind of service, it flows downwards to my customers and everyone benefits”

“This collaborative approach has helped me build a better and stronger customer base.”

Independence rules

Being an independent ISP was a significant milestone for Maxinet. Workonline supports and guides their customers through the process of establishing an independent ISP.

Independence in the Internet industry refers to having your own block of unique addresses, issued by Afrinic the African Internet registry, and can be a complex process. The benefits of this are important to downstream customers but often not understood or appreciated. The impact of independence is control over quality – Maxinet can provide the same quality service and speed but at a lesser fee than the larger telco’s charge.

“Without the experience and assistance of the Workonline team, we would have struggled to establish the quality service we are able to provide. Their engineers are world-class and always there when we need them,” adds Richmond.

He adds a story of the early days in the business where Workonline helped negotiate a lower monthly service cost for his base station, protecting Maxinet’s cashflow and helping to grow the long-term viability of the business.

Starting an ISP in a growing and vibrant market like Ghana is often seen as a great business opportunity and with low barriers to entry. Maxinet’s story shows that it can be done if you have the right partners on your side and an appetite for collaboration and independence.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business Economy Finance Fintech

Zero Processing Fee; GTBank Removes Point of Sale (POS) Processing Fees to Support Businesses

post-image

Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (www.GTBank.com) has announced the removal of processing fees on all GTBank POS terminals, reinforcing its commitment to supporting businesses with cost-effective payment solutions.

 

This initiative, which took effect Tuesday, 11 February 2025, communicates that merchants using GTBank POS terminals will no longer incur Merchant Service Charges (MSC) when receiving payments from customers.

At Guaranty Trust Bank, we are always looking for ways to add value to our financial ecosystem

With this initiative, all qualifying SME Merchants can now receive payments at zero cost, allowing them to reduce operational expenses, whilst promoting the merchant’s enterprise, and enhancing customer experience.

Speaking on the initiative, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank Nigeria, said: “At Guaranty Trust Bank, we are always looking for ways to add value to our financial ecosystem. By implementing the zero processing fees on POS transactions, we are empowering businesses to…

Read More
Business

Anambra South Concerned Citizens Petition INEC Over Senate Vacancy

post-image

 

The Anambra South Concerned Citizens, led by Engr. Ikechukwu Nwosu, Convener of the Anambra South Concerned Citizens movement, have formally petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly, demanding urgent action to fill the vacant senatorial seat in their constituency.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the INEC Chairman, with copies sent to the Senate President, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and traditional institutions within the constituency, the group expressed deep dissatisfaction over the prolonged vacancy following the passing of their late Senator, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who died on July 27, 2024.

Highlighting the implications of the delay, the petitioners noted that Anambra South, which comprises seven local government areas—Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Aguata, Orumba North, Orumba South, Ihiala, and Ekwusigo—has been without representation in the Senate for over 180 days. They described the situation as a gross disenfranchisement of their people, an act of…

Read More
Business Culture Economy International Interviews

FX Volatility Risk: Why Nigerian Businesses Must Be Cautious When Borrowing in Foreign Currency

post-image

By Anayo Nwosu

In a rapidly evolving economic landscape where currency fluctuations have become the norm, Nigerian businesses are constantly weighing their financing options. One of the biggest dilemmas faced by companies is whether to borrow in foreign currency or stick to naira-denominated loans. While foreign currency loans often come with significantly lower interest rates, they carry a hidden danger—FX Volatility Risk—which has led to the downfall of many companies.

The Temptation of Foreign Currency Loans

Imagine a manufacturing company in Nigeria that wants to expand by acquiring new machinery from an overseas supplier. The cost of this machinery is $1,000,000, and the foreign supplier agrees to ship the equipment with a one-year payment plan, provided a Nigerian bank issues a confirmed letter of credit as a guarantee. The loan comes with an attractive 7% annual interest rate, much lower than naira-denominated loans, which range from 19% to 32% per annum.

At first…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Government International

Peter Obi Engages Indonesian Leaders on Governance and Economic Transformation

post-image

Nigerian public figure and presidential hopeful Peter Obi has continued his engagements in Indonesia, holding high-level discussions with key political and economic leaders to gain insights into the country’s development strategies. His visit on February 3rd and 4th included meetings with top government officials who played significant roles in Indonesia’s economic transformation under Presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo.

Obi’s discussions began with Agung Laksono, a former Minister, former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and a former member of Indonesia’s Presidential Advisory Board. Laksono provided Obi with valuable insights into the governance strategies that shaped Indonesia’s rapid development, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, disciplined execution, and a focus on measurable progress across key sectors.No alt text provided for this image

Read More
Business Economy Government

NDPC Marks 3rd Anniversary with Team Bonding Event to Strengthen Workplace Unity

post-image

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) recently celebrated its third anniversary with a specially organized team bonding event aimed at fostering stronger connections among its workforce. The event, which brought together staff members in a relaxed and engaging environment, provided an opportunity for them to reflect on their collective achievements, strengthen team spirit, and reinforce the Commission’s commitment to its mandate.

Held in a lively atmosphere, the event featured a mix of recreational activities, including friendly competitions, interactive games, and team-building exercises designed to enhance collaboration. Staff members also enjoyed a variety of food, drinks, music, and dance, creating a festive mood that encouraged camaraderie and networking beyond the usual work setting.

Speaking at the event, senior officials of the NDPC highlighted the significance of teamwork in achieving the Commission’s objectives. They emphasized that fostering a strong internal culture of cooperation and mutual support is essential to maintaining efficiency in regulatory…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Society Travels Trends

Lagos Governor Speaks on Expansion of Red Line Rail Service, Receives Mixed Public Reactions

post-image

 

By ANTHONY EMEKA NWOSU

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a significant enhancement to the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to revolutionize urban mobility. Effective from tomorrow, the Red Line will expand its service schedule, now offering five morning trips and four evening trips daily, an increase from the previous two morning trips. This step is aimed at improving the daily commute for residents traveling along the high-demand route from Agbado to Oyingbo.

This upgrade promises to ease the stress of navigating the city’s notorious traffic jams by reducing overall travel times. With a journey time of just 50 minutes between Agbado and Oyingbo, commuters will benefit from the convenience of waiting times as brief as two minutes at each station. The increased frequency of train services is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of the Red…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Tourism Travels Trends

Radisson Hotel Group concludes record-breaking year with over 300 new signings and openings in 2024

post-image

Radisson Hotel Group (www.RadissonHotels.com) reported a record-breaking year in 2024 after adding almost 40,000 keys to its global brand portfolio, thereby achieving significant milestones and further strengthening its footprint around the world. Radisson Blu remained the leading upper upscale brand in Europe for the 13th consecutive year and the Group is now leading the upscale resort segment in EMEA.

VIDEO
Elie Younes, EVP & Global Chief Development Officer, walks you through Radisson Hotel Group’s 2024 Business Development highlights

 

Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, comments: “Despite global geopolitical…

Read More
Business Economy Gadgets News Security Society Software Technology Technology Trends

Zoracom Announces Strategic Collaboration with Exeon Analytics AG to Enhance Cybersecurity Resilience and Next-Gen NDR Solutions

post-image

 

Zoracom, Nigeria’s foremost Network Security Operations Center (NSOC) and leading cybersecurity firm, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at advancing Next-Generation Network Detection & Response (NDR) capabilities and bolstering cybersecurity operational resilience. The company revealed plans for a strategic visit to its partner, Exeon Analytics AG, in Zürich, Switzerland, scheduled for 2025, as part of its commitment to innovation and excellence in the cybersecurity landscape.

In an official statement, Zoracom emphasized that this collaboration underscores its dedication to addressing the evolving challenges of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world. The initiative is designed to not only enhance Zoracom’s service offerings but also to provide cutting-edge solutions to its growing customer base, which includes enterprises, government agencies, and organizations across various sectors.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

The strategic partnership with Exeon Analytics AG, a renowned Swiss-based leader in cybersecurity analytics, is expected to deliver significant benefits, including:

  1. Support for a Growing…
Read More