For years at TechHour, we analyzed the finished products of global giants. Now, at PayDues, we are documenting the messy, gritty process of building those products here in Africa.
In this episode of Founders Raw Talk, I sat down with Remy Ajenifuja, the Founder & CEO of FroNet Wireless and Baobuzz. Remy isn’t just building software; he is building infrastructure. From digging trenches for internet cables to transforming public buses into moving data points, his journey is a masterclass in solving “boring” problems that yield massive scale.
Here is what happens when you stop chasing hype and start chasing utility.
1. The “Unsexy” Internet Opportunity (FroNet)
While many ISPs fight over the affluent estates in Lagos, Remy saw a different gap: the underserved middle class and student populations. FroNet Wireless focuses on areas where fiber might be too costly or logistically difficult. By targeting off-campus hostels and high-density residential areas, FroNet provides uncapped, affordable Wi-Fi—bridging the digital gap where it hurts the most.
- The Pivot: They initially targeted the general Lagos middle class but realized the “hair on fire” problem was actually in student housing and underserved clusters.
2. Turning Traffic into Traction (Baobuzz)
If you live in Lagos, you know traffic is inevitable. Remy looked at a Danfo bus and didn’t see a nuisance; he saw “media real estate.”
Baobuzz maximizes underused assets—public transport vehicles—for advertising. But this isn’t just pasting stickers on a bus. They are building an AI infrastructure to provide qualitative data for advertisers.
- The Scale: Public transport is the only medium that reaches up to 70% of the Nigerian population daily. Baobuzz is digitizing this offline audience.
3. The Reality of the Trenches
The most “Raw Talk” moment of our conversation? Remy revealed he went two years without funding or revenue. He didn’t quit. He spent that time researching, engaging students in different geopolitical zones, and refining the model. This is the difference between a “CEO” and a “Founder.” A CEO manages; a Founder survives until the model works.
Watch the Full Conversation
We dive deep into the economics of ISP businesses, the future of programmatic offline advertising, and how to build sustainable margins in a high-inflation economy.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/C3lHVB3gnMM?si=cZnrX1foZcT8CpHo
Check out the companies:
- FroNet: fronet.com.ng
- Baobuzz: baobuzz.vercel.app
