Flexible workspace provider eyes Abuja business growth

A global workspace provider, Regus, has expanded its presence in Abuja with the opening of a new facility aimed at providing flexible office solutions for entrepreneurs, startups and corporate organisations.

Speaking during the opening ceremony recently, the Country Manager of International Workplace Group, Ayo Akinmade, said the project was inspired by growing demand for ready-to-use office spaces in major business districts across the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, the company’s vision is to strategically position workspace hubs in key commercial areas to ease the burden of setting up conventional offices for businesses.

He explained that the firm had already established centres in the Central Business District and other commercial corridors, adding that Jabi was the next natural expansion point as part of plans to cover between eight and 10 locations in Abuja.

Akinmade noted that the concept was designed to eliminate the stress and high capital involved in renting and furnishing offices.

“The inspiration is that there is a need for these kinds of offices where, instead of people having to find an office, create the environment, set up the desk, chair, internet, and all of that, they can simply show up with their laptop and start working,” he said.

He disclosed that clients could subscribe monthly without the traditional requirement of paying yearly rent in advance. He further revealed that subscribers would enjoy access not only to the Abuja facility but also to thousands of Regus locations globally.

“We are in 132 countries with more than 7,000 locations. If you sign up here and travel to Lagos, Port Harcourt, London, or any other city where we operate, you can use our spaces freely once your subscription is active,” he added.

Addressing concerns about fraudulent activities sometimes linked to shared workspaces, Akinmade said the company had put strict Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures in place before onboarding clients.

He stated that all intending customers must provide valid means of identification, proof of address, and Corporate Affairs Commission documentation to verify the legitimacy of their businesses.

He, however, admitted that incidents sometimes arise in Nigeria’s business environment, noting that disputes reported as fraud cases are occasionally contractual disagreements between parties.

“Our business is not to facilitate fraud. Our business is to facilitate legitimate businesses operating. But where suspicious patterns emerge, we immediately alert law enforcement authorities,” he said.

Akinmade added that the company continues to work closely with security agencies to strengthen preventive measures against fraudulent activities within its facilities.

Also, a representative of Logitech Integrated Services, Sylvester Egweni said the collaboration was a natural decision for the indigenous company, given Regus’ global reputation in the co-working and serviced office industry. He described the partnership with the global workspace provider Regus as a strategic move aimed at aligning with an internationally recognised brand while expanding its footprint in Nigeria’s property development sector.

According to him, Logitech, which was incorporated in December 2019, is positioning itself for international relevance through partnerships with established global brands.

“I think that’s a no-brainer because Regus is a renowned international brand, and for us at Logitech, an indigenous Nigerian company looking to go global too, it’s not rocket science that you partner with a renowned global brand like Regus,” he said.

Egweni explained that Logitech’s role in the partnership focused on the development and delivery of the physical infrastructure that supports Regus’ operations.

He noted that the company handled facility development, including infrastructure and interior finishing required to make the workspace fully operational.

“Part of our core mandate is property development and projects similar to the kind of services delivered for Regus. What they do is co-working, and all that, but the facilities people come to use have to be provided by someone, and that’s where we come in,” he added.

The opening of the facility is expected to strengthen the growing demand for flexible workspaces and modern business environments in Nigeria’s commercial landscape.