Execution as a Service: What It Means in an African Context
By Konan Nguessan | Founder, Nguaya
Introduction
In many parts of the world, once a project is approved and funded, delivery is expected to follow. But in West Africa, that link is far less predictable. Despite growing investment and interest in the region, too many projects stall — not because the ideas are bad, but because execution is fragile, slow, and often chaotic.
At Nguaya, we created a model called Execution as a Service (EaaS) to address this gap. It’s not just a phrase — it’s a response to one of the most persistent and costly problems in the region: the inability to move efficiently from planning to real-world results.
Why Execution Fails in West Africa
The challenge is not ambition. Many investors and institutions come to Côte d’Ivoire with well-funded strategies and detailed business plans. The breakdown happens after the paperwork — when it's time to get permits, coordinate logistics, engage communities, and monitor daily progress.
As highlighted in the World Bank’s regional investment climate reports:
“Many investment projects in Sub-Saharan Africa suffer delays and cost overruns due to weak implementation capacity and coordination failures.”
We see it firsthand: high-potential projects stall because no one is fully accountable for execution. Communication breaks down. Costs rise. Timelines drift. And opportunities are lost.
What Is Execution as a Service?
Execution as a Service means you don’t just get advice — you get a hands-on partner that delivers. At Nguaya, we step in to manage everything that needs to happen on the ground. We become your operational arm in West Africa.
Our services include:
Project planning and structuring
Government and stakeholder engagement
Local partner identification
Operational coordination and oversight
Real-time reporting and problem solving
You get the discipline of a project manager, the situational awareness of a local operator, and the transparency of a trusted partner.
Why It Matters in the African Context
In West Africa, successful execution requires more than checklists and Gantt charts. It demands adaptability, trust, and relationships. Systems are fluid. Realities shift. A permit that takes a week in theory might take a month without the right network.
What global firms often lack in this context — precision, trust, and on-the-ground traction — is exactly what we provide.
The Nguaya Approach
Nguaya is not a contractor or an agency. We are operators. Founded by a U.S. Army veteran and trained project leader, we combine military discipline, international standards, and deep local insight. We’re based in Abidjan, but built to execute across West Africa.
We serve serious investors and institutions who want their projects to succeed — and need someone they can rely on to make it happen.
Final Thought
In West Africa, ideas are easy. Execution is rare.
Nguaya exists to ensure execution becomes the reason your project succeeds — not the reason it fails.
