In a remarkable move demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the ever-evolving African job market, Socium, a startup established in 2021 by Samba Lo, has announced its expansion into Central Africa with the inauguration of a new office in Douala, Cameroon. This strategic decision marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s journey, solidifying its dedication to meeting the continent’s increasing demands for recruitment and personnel administration solutions.
Already having established offices in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, Socium has strategically chosen Cameroon as the launchpad for its expansion into Central Africa, citing its belief in the market’s maturity and the country’s dynamism.
To steer this ambitious endeavor, the company proudly welcomes Jordan Tchato as the Director of Central Africa. Tchato’s wealth of experience and in-depth understanding of the unique challenges of Central Africa positions him as a crucial asset in guiding Socium’s growth in this vibrant region.
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With a current workforce of 25 employees, Socium stands out with its predominantly African ownership structure. Following a successful initial fundraising round of one million euros conducted between February and May 2022, the startup has extended its reach in West Africa, now operating in over 20 countries across the continent. It boasts a robust network of partners, encompassing more than 90 companies of all sizes, 25 schools and universities, and has forged close ties with active diasporas.
Among its distinguished clients, Socium serves multinational corporations such as Orange, EY, and Philip Morris, as well as national champions like Petroivoire and Azalaï. With a presence in Gabon and Cameroon, Socium aims to expand further throughout the entire sub-region. This expansion carries particular significance in a region where businesses and their employees grapple with significant organizational challenges, particularly in areas like salary administration, contracts, and validations. By embracing a comprehensive approach to human resources, Socium aspires to streamline the day-to-day operations of businesses while bolstering their ability to attract top local and international talent.
Samba Lo, the CEO of Socium, expresses his enthusiasm for this expansion, emphasizing, “Socium was conceived from our vision of a vibrant and interconnected African continent. Our presence in Central Africa signifies a major stride in realizing this vision, and we are eager to continue aiding local businesses and talents in driving growth and innovation.”
Jordan Tchato, the new Director of Socium for Central Africa, also eagerly anticipates this opportunity, stating, “It is a true honor to join the Socium team to lead the company’s operations in Africa. I am convinced that our expertise in recruitment and personnel administration will bring real added value to this burgeoning region, helping businesses and professionals fully harness their potential.”
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The inauguration of the Douala office represents a significant step in the ongoing expansion of Socium in Africa, underlining its steadfast dedication to economic empowerment and connectivity on the continent. Socium positions itself as a comprehensive provider of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), encompassing the entire human resources cycle, from recruitment to personnel administration. The different modules have been developed by incorporating the specificities of local markets, offering a tailored solution to meet the unique needs of businesses across the African continent.
Socium is a pan-African startup founded by Samba Lo in 2021, committed to delivering innovative recruitment and human resources management solutions. With a robust network of partners and a team of dedicated professionals, Socium is devoted to driving business growth and supporting career development across Africa. Its comprehensive HRIS solution, integrating local specificities, streamlines human resources management, enhances productivity, and facilitates decision-making.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard