Interview with Edem Soglo, Founder and CEO of Rigwealth Group

Rigwealth Group operates in civil engineering and building services among other sectors. Could you give us an overview of the civil engineering sector in general in Ghana as that is the sector where you founded the mother company?

It is no doubt the civil engineering sector is the key to Ghana’s development yet little attention has been given to this sector in the sense that the main Ghanaian civil engineering companies have not been given much opportunities to explore their capabilities as the foreigners are getting the best opportunities and that has been of major concern.

What should be done?

My advice is that it is about time Ghana as a nation and Ghanaians in general trust our artisans. Opportunities must be created to allow civil constructors to optimize their modern skills in the nation’s socio-economic development.

Rigwealth Group is an umbrella for a number of companies. Please describe us briefly your main divisions.

Rigwealth Group is an integrated set of companies. Its regular activities fall under the products and services sectors.
Currently the group manages Civil Engineering & Finishing services, Energy, Man Guard & Electronic Security solutions, Outsourcing or general goods supply and other SME businesses.

Currently we are providing security solutions for the Chinese embassy in Ghana. We also just completed an automatic main entrance door the first green commercial building in West Africa, “One Airport Square”.

Which do you give most priority to at the moment? Where do you see the most opportunity for growth?

In the Civil Engineering & Finishing services.

What kind of projects are you doing now?

Currently we are providing security solutions for the Chinese embassy in Ghana. We also just completed an automatic main entrance door the first green commercial building in West Africa, “One Airport Square”. Other jobs are in the pipeline that I can tell now for confidentiality sake.

Your target for revenue growth is 80-90% growth each year. So what is your medium-term strategy for the group? What vision do you have?

Our mid-term plan is to increase our growth by using modern communication platforms and social media. That is something that we have started already.

You founded this group yourself, what kind of legacy are you trying to build and leave behind? You mentioned that there are not enough opportunities for civil engineers in Ghana.

Yes, well we are still learning. My desire is to have motivated and dedicated workers and to build a strong brand for tomorrow. That is my passion.

You have had part of your education in Togo, so is your market just in Ghana or are you also looking at working in other places in the region or anywhere else?

We are looking at West Africa in general, concentrated mostly in Ghana. We have already got some opportunities in Togo where we did some works for some key people in the government of Togo. For me, once we gain good ground financially we will start opening our branches in the neighbourhood countries to support them.

What are your major challenges?

I don’t know challenges and I don’t have one, what people call challenges are my exams for promotion. So I love those things they call challenges. To mention one, I would say it has to do with collaboration with my foreign suppliers. They want us to make large consignments, but the need sometimes is very small owing to the client’s budgets. And so many times it becomes an issue and you have no option but to buy from the local market. We too can’t do much stock because the needs vary.

Are you looking for any kind of partnership?

Yes, for projects funding, all kind of project small and big, short and long period. A standby projects supporter or financier.

It is difficult here with the Ghanaian banking environment. The interests are very high for local entrepreneurs. So what you would like is someone who could supply some financial support project by project.

Exactly what I am talking about, project by project.

What is your vision for Ghana?

We aim to make shelter and comfort everyone’s right in Ghana by providing the best yet affordable Civil Engineering & Finishing services and free consultations.

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