Oluwaseun Akoyon, Co-founder, RUN - Nigeria

Dec 09, 2025

Please tell us your name, where your business is located and what is it that you do?

My name is Oluwaseun Akoyon, and I am the co-founder of RUN, based in Lagos, Nigeria. At RUN, we are building an AI-driven logistics platform that helps businesses move goods efficiently while promoting green mobility, financial inclusion, and transparency for riders.

Tell us about how you got started.

My journey into entrepreneurship started in 2019, when I led a VR project that failed due to poor logistics and operational inefficiencies. Losing that business was painful, but it opened my eyes to how much Africa’s logistics sector struggles with broken systems, lack of accountability, and invisible inefficiencies. That experience became the foundation for RUN; a company built to fix the very inefficiencies that caused my first failure. We started manually connecting riders to SMEs, studied their real challenges, and over time began integrating AI dispatch, automation, and soon Web3 transparency tools to make Africa’s logistics ecosystem more equitable and efficient.

What makes your company unique?

RUN is rider-first at its core. Most logistics startups focus on speed; we focus on people, efficiency, and sustainability. Our asset-light aggregator model empowers thousands of independent riders, while our AI dispatch and route optimization system improves delivery efficiency and reduces emissions. We’re also developing the RUN Wallet, a Web3-based financial tool that helps riders earn, save, and access benefits transparently. This combination of AI + green logistics + blockchain accountability makes RUN one of the most future-forward logistics startups in Africa. 

Our biggest setback came when we ran into cash flow challenges in our early stages. We had strong traction but limited capital to expand. It forced us to slow down and operate manually for a while; matching riders and businesses ourselves, learning what truly worked before automating it. That period became our turning point. We built deeper empathy for our riders, refined our model, and designed systems that could scale sustainably. It taught me that slow growth built on real insight is better than fast growth built on assumptions.

How do you define success and to what do you attribute your success?

Success, for me, is impact that outlives profit; building something that creates real value for people and communities. Our success so far comes from three things: faith, people, and persistence. We’ve stayed grounded in purpose, built an exceptional team that believes in the mission, and kept showing up even when resources were scarce. That resilience has opened doors; from our national logistics [NIPOST] to being selected severally to pitch internationally.

What's next for your business, what will it look like in 5 years?

In the next five years, RUN will become Africa’s leading green logistics network, combining AI automation, Web3 transparency, and sustainability data tracking. We aim to reach 100,000 customers, 20,000 riders, and complete 15 million deliveries annually across five African cities by 2026. By then, RUN will not just move goods; it will move Africa’s logistics into a future of efficiency, equity, and environmental responsibility.

What do you think the future holds for Africa-focused entrepreneurs and advice do you have for entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

The future belongs to African founders who solve real local problems with global ambition. My advice: build for impact, not hype. Validate your ideas on the ground, stay close to your users, and don’t be afraid to start small. Every tough season will shape your clarity and endurance; two things you’ll need most on this journey.

Owning a business while balancing a personal life can be challenging; how do you take care of yourself?

I’ve learned to find balance in faith, family, and reflection. Time with my wife and son grounds me, and prayer helps me stay centered through uncertainty. I also set aside quiet moments to think, read, and evaluate; because leading a company isn’t just about doing; it’s about staying aligned with purpose.

What is your favorite quote or mantra?  What keeps you going?

“God gives vision before provision.” It reminds me that purpose-driven work often comes with seasons of scarcity, but every obstacle is preparation for a greater impact. 

What is your favorite app or a business tool that you can't live without

Notion for structure and planning. This tool runs almost everything at RUN, from team coordination to real-time client engagement.