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My journey

Juwon Lawal Razaq is a Nigerian-born businessman and a serial entrepreneur. He is the founder/ CEO of AfriCent Group, a conglomerate, headquartered in Logistics City Dubai World Central, UAE; with operations in West Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Lawal is the founder of Africent Industries, AfricentOCL which is a global commodity trading and related, Chartering Company.

Juwon Lawal Razaq is from Kogi State, Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos. He started business at a young age managing his father's palm oil extraction business.

He holds a BSc in Business Administration and an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. He also received professional executive training in agribusiness from Harvard Business School.

His research into the palm oil business led him into oil, marine and agriculture. In 2005, he began consulting in oil marketing and training, and in 2007 he established Stevepel Energy Resources Limited, an oil and gas outfit. By 2009, he delved into marine logistics services, floating S. T. & L. Bunkers Ltd which later transformed into ABD Fuels Plc. ABD Fuels, a corporate member of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) was a bunkering firm that marketed and supplied marine fuels to ships in port and at sea along the coast of West Africa. It began producing lubricants for automotive and industrial use in 2010. ABD Fuels is the firm that metamorphosed into S8 Contractors and now AfricentOCL UK Ltd , AfricentOCL & Commodities Co. Ltd , Africa.

Africent Group is a conglomerate headquartered in Logistics City Dubai World Central, UAE; with operations in West Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, with interest in Commodities, Metals & Mining Agriculture, and Retail. Africent Industry Ltd formally called Oillet Services was incorporated in the Nigeria Corporate Affairs Act. The Company was registered on October 13, 2013, and began the factory Construction project in 2017.

Africent Industries Oil Mills Process Palm kernel nut into crude palm kernel oil and palm kernel cake. Also processes soybean throw extrusion then via oil press to get soybean oil and soya meal.

AfricentOCL, founded in 2009 with its operational base in West Africa, the company has been involved in Maritime operations worldwide- gaining expertise in marine fuel brokerage, oil exploration, and shipping brokerage services. AfricentOCL is currently headquartered in London. AfricentOCL, offers special sea transportation support services, oil and ores brokerage services, vessel chartering and management.

Juwon Lawal’s entrepreneurial spirit is evidenced by his foray into different businesses across various industries as well as his drive to create sustainable business structures (or models) that are able to stand the test of time regardless of changing economic or political climates.

He is a regular attendee of the International Petroleum Week (IP) Week; a key event in the oil and gas industry where senior executives from all over the world gather in London for a round-table trade discourse. He was at the 2018 edition of The Africa Forum; an international landmark event aimed at promoting greater economic integration through increased investment flows into Africa. Alongside African leaders and business experts and entrepreneurs.

As an enthusiastic entrepreneur, Lawal is quoted by The Sun newspaper to have said, "I strongly believe in my country and that things will surely get better. I am very passionate about this country, and I strongly believe in Nigeria and Africa at large. Economic growth is a challenge across the globe. Still, the country will get there one day looking at the growth of small and medium industries, sales, and market hubs, you will agree that thriving small businesses are the true reflection of a country's economic well-being."

Lawal's ABD Fuels was the 2012 Young Achievers Awards winner of Marine Logistics Provider of the Year. In 2013, he emerged winner of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year by Global Excellence Recognition Awards. He is also a UN Eminent Peace Ambassador of the Year 2020.

Juwon Lawal Razaq was officially accepted as a member of the Forbes Business Council in 2020. Its members are respected leaders and executives who are selected for the council based on the depth and diversity of experience in leadership, management, customer engagement, technology & growth.