Rofiat Abdurrazaq

The journey into product management is rarely a straight line. For Rofiat Abdurrazaq, it began behind spreadsheets and data models.

“I started my career in business and data analysis,” Rofiat shares. Over time, however, she became increasingly curious about what happened beyond the insights she was gathering. How did those data points shape products, inform executive decisions, and translate into solutions for real people? That curiosity pointed her toward a new path, but bridging the gap between raw analytical work and product management felt like stepping into uncharted territory.

That search for direction led her to the Product Leadership Accelerator, an initiative of the Innovate Africa Foundation. For Rofiat, stepping into the 12-week program was a turning point. Built around an intensive curriculum and hands-on guidance from global mentors, the accelerator gave her the exact structural foundation and direction she needed to pivot.

“It was the game changer. It helped me connect my analytical and technical background with product management.”

The impact of that 12-week shift went far beyond learning frameworks. In just a year, her professional landscape looked entirely different. She went from trying to find her footing in product to working as a Product Specialist at SBC, tackling complex problems at scale.

Reflecting on the ecosystem that made her pivot possible, Rofiat believes deeply in the mission of organizations like the Innovate Africa Foundation.

“Organisations like Innovate Africa Foundation matter because they give young talent like me the environment to put their curiosity to good use, to learn, ask questions, and discover what they are capable of.”

For Rofiat, having those questions answered by the right people changed everything.