Nigeria, Oct. 26 -- In April 2020, Forbes Africa named Uzair Essack, a young South African entrepreneur, among its 30 Under 30 honourees. His achievement was built on an export business he started while studying at the University of Cape Town. An inquiry from a Saudi Arabian buyer for pineapples led to his first shipment.

Essack sourced the fruit, fulfilled the order and recognised the potential of exporting South African produce to international markets. That opportunity eventually grew into CapeCrops, a fresh-produce business serving customers across multiple countries.

What makes Essack's story relevant to Nigeria is that he began building the business while still a student. He did not wait for graduation to explore international tra...