Funke Opeke

“"I've done more to pull down barriers to achieve what we needed to more-so than do any fundamental innovation, invention or acquired state-of-the-art knowhow."{{cite web |title=Funke Opeke - Creating Emerging Markets |url=https://www.hbs.edu/creating-emerging-markets/interviews/Pages/profile.aspx?profile=fopeke |work=Harvard Business School}}”

“"Being tied into that global ecosystem seemed to be the best route to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of what we had built."{{cite web |title=Funke Opeke - Creating Emerging Markets |url=https://www.hbs.edu/creating-emerging-markets/interviews/Pages/profile.aspx?profile=fopeke |work=Harvard Business School}}”

“"We were all young people trying to discover and create the best opportunities for ourselves."{{cite web |title=Funke Opeke - Creating Emerging Markets |url=https://www.hbs.edu/creating-emerging-markets/interviews/Pages/profile.aspx?profile=fopeke |work=Harvard Business School}}”

“"When I left NITEL and started MainOne, the vision was to bridge the digital divide and make Internet services more widely available across West Africa."{{cite web |title=Women in Tech Interview: MainOne CEO Funke Opeke |url=https://www.connectingafrica.com/women-in-tech/women-in-tech-interview-mainone-ceo-funke-opeke |work=Connecting Africa |date=25 March 2025}}”

“"I witnessed the tremendous growth of the Internet in the US and felt inspired that we could achieve improved socio-economic outcomes in Nigeria with technology deployment."{{cite web |title=Women in Tech Interview: MainOne CEO Funke Opeke |url=https://www.connectingafrica.com/women-in-tech/women-in-tech-interview-mainone-ceo-funke-opeke |work=Connecting Africa |date=25 March 2025}}”

“"What does that say about us as a society, about how much value we place on the education of our young people?"{{cite web |title=In conversation with Funke Opeke, CEO of MainOne, on strategic partnerships and Internet connectivity in Africa |url=https://techpoint.africa/feature/funke-opeke-interview-mainone/ |work=Techpoint Africa |date=2 July 2020}}”

“"It is safe to say that only the privileged have access to the Internet today. This leaves a large portion of our student population without access to learning."{{cite web |title=In conversation with Funke Opeke, CEO of MainOne, on strategic partnerships and Internet connectivity in Africa |url=https://techpoint.africa/feature/funke-opeke-interview-mainone/ |work=Techpoint Africa |date=2 July 2020}}”

“Raising money is the most difficult thing I ever did as an entrepreneur”

“Do not be afraid to take bold steps and ask for help. The most successful people did not make it on their own. You need to find mentors and advisors along the way: experienced, wiser people who know a lot and can help you fulfill your aspirations.Funke's leadership advice to African women and girls in TECH”

“We can promote more female empowerment in startups by creating a larger pool of women in tech, giving women in tech more visibility, and addressing challenges around gender bias with regards to funding.Funke speaking on the increased participation of women in the TECH space in Africa”

“The major challenges holding women back from success in this region are the lack of access to educational and professional opportunities and an inadequate number of female role models in the tech industry. However, African women are maximizing the opportunities that improved access to education and technology careers offer. Our representation in the industry is not far behind what you find in more advanced economies.Funke discussing the challenges facing African women in TECH”

“I believe mentorship programs for girls will provide the exposure, encouragement to acquire the foundational skills, and networks required for higher education and future career opportunities in technology.Funke on encouraging young Africans girls to pursue careers in tech”

“Through MainOne, my goals and ambitions have become more focused on improving Internet access for the citizens of West Africa in order to drive economic growth and human development.Funke speaking on her aspirations for starting MainOne”

““I don’t know that I am unique in that regard. It is all the things we learn: hard work, integrity and focus, but it is really about value creation. Each individual has to think about how they can utilize the opportunity and the assets they have to generate value and if you create value, you will be successful in business. That is what I strongly believe.Funke on the secret of her success”

“When you look at the original vision and the potential and where we are, you will know that there is so much to do. If I get complacent I may have to step aside so that the vision can move forward.Funke speaking on the need to stay motivated”

““It’s not really that you are innovating new technologies, but you’re innovating processes. You’re innovating deployment methodologies. You’re being very resourceful in terms of how you get things done to deploy what is already known and established practice in other markets.”Funke speaking in an interview with Harvard business school”

““If we’re going to transform our society, our society needs to be developed. It’s a youth population, it’s education, access to information, it’s the ability to innovate. It’s giving young people access that is going to bring about the full benefits of this.”Speaking on her vision and the importance of internet connectivity for the African youths”

““I came back from the US and the Internet had been exploding over there, but in Nigeria there was no Internet and no infrastructure. So we decided to put the pieces together and make this happen."Funke speaking on her vision to bridge the Digital divide in west africa”

“Africa's Most Powerful Women In Technology (2013)”

“CNBC All Africa Businesswoman of the Year (2012)”