08/04/2026
to Hope Joy!
Following a comment I made about a discussion with Aliko Dangote, I received this remarkable response from Hope Joy, which I consider one of the best responses ever!
Here is what I wrote:
"Afterthought 5.
I recently ran into Aliko Dangote, and he told me about his plan to build a network of oil pipelines across Southern Africa. My only response was: 'Can I also put our fibre cables on your pipes?'
As entrepreneurs, I am going to ask again: What do YOU see?"
__Here is Hope Joy’s response:
"Strive Masiyiwa - You always tell us to focus on what we know best and your focus is on technology. Dangote told you about fuel and your mind never left technology.
While everyone else heard pipeline, you heard corridor. While everyone else thought about fuel, you thought about fibre.
You didn't try to become an oil man. You simply asked one question — how does this serve what I already do?
That is mastery. Go so deep in what you do that every conversation someone else is having eventually points back to your work.
You didn't chase Dangote's opportunity. You brought your own opportunity into his".
__You absolutely nailed it in your response, Hope Joy!
It’s not about me or Aliko Dangote. It’s about YOU because I’m trying to teach you an important principle. Hope Joy [and many others] saw it, too:
# You must focus on the opportunity presented to you [personally] based on what you do, not on what others do.
When I was a child in Zambia, my mother heard there was going to be a new mine, and she rushed to ask them for permission to set up a canteen to feed the miners, because she was into fast food.
She never interested herself in mining because she knew nothing about mining. She made a lot of money in her own way!
I never step out of my lane, but use every opportunity to go faster and further within that lane.
Don’t despise what YOU do well and look for so-called “big money” in things that others are doing that THEY are good at.Africa
