Emmanuel Avemegan

After his first business trip to Shenzhen in 2012, Emmanuel Avemegan from Togo, affectionately known as Manu, could not have anticipated spending a decade in the bustling city. Driven by his passion for technology, he found himself back in Shenzhen nine months later.

“The city’s entrepreneurial spirit, vibrant tech scene, and the presence of major tech companies attracted many people like me who are interested in innovation and business,” Manu said.

Drawn into Shenzhen’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, Manu embarked on a journey to establish a strong foothold in the Chinese market. In 2018, he co-founded Brass House, a Brazilian-Dutch bar nestled in Shuiwei 1368 Cultural Block in Futian District. Two years later, in 2020, he founded AMKONEC Co. Ltd., a company pioneering innovative fiber optic internet and data center solutions for telecom and internet providers across Africa and some European customers.

Manu told Shenzhen Daily that Shenzhen’s business environment is highly conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.

“The city offers numerous advantages for businesses, including a well-developed infrastructure, access to a vast pool of skilled talent, proximity to manufacturing hubs, and a supportive ecosystem for both startups and established companies. In addition, the city has also implemented various policies and supportive incentives,” Manu said.

“Our company AMKONEC is in the tech, research, and innovation sectors, and we have benefited from policies which can help us grow, invest in R&D, and remain competitive in the global market,” Manu added.

Manu observed that these supportive policies Shenzhen has implemented played a role in attracting companies and talents to the city, further solidifying its reputation as a global tech and innovation hub.

Despite global economic challenges, Manu remains optimistic about the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), citing its remarkable resilience and growth.

His confidence stems from Shenzhen’s unwavering focus on innovation and technology, the GBA’s robust infrastructure development, and the city’s seamless connectivity to the international market.

Summing up his perception of the city, Manu used three key words: innovative, dynamic, and transformative.

He elaborated, stating that Shenzhen fosters an environment that encourages experimentation and inventive thinking.

“New ideas and trends emerge and evolve at a rapid pace, making the city an incredibly dynamic place to be. Its growth and development illustrate how cities can radically change and redefine themselves within a relatively short span of time,” Manu said. “I’m looking forward to what the future holds for me here in this city.”