As operational costs rise across Africa, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are seeking practical ways to modernise without breaking the bank. Enter OpTools, an open-source digital toolkit developed by Nigerian business analyst Olachi Sharon Amachukwu, designed to help businesses streamline workflows, automate tasks, and harness data-driven insights—without the hefty price tag of enterprise systems.
Bridging the Digital Gap
SMEs contribute up to 40% of GDP in emerging economies but often lag in digital adoption, relying on paper records, fragmented spreadsheets, or improvised tools. This limits their ability to track performance, reduce inefficiencies, and scale effectively.
“Digitisation is no longer optional; it is the foundation of competitiveness,” Amachukwu explains. “With OpTools, I wanted to create a free, accessible resource that gives small businesses capabilities previously reserved for corporations with deep IT budgets.”
What OpTools Offers
OpTools combines process templates, dashboards, and low-code automation into a single, practical toolkit. Features include:
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Process documentation templates (Visio and Balsamiq) to map workflows.
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Preconfigured Excel and Power BI dashboards with standard KPIs.
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Power Automate scripts for repetitive tasks like approvals, reporting, and reconciliation.
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Dataset upload function to visualise cycle times, costs, and bottlenecks from your own Excel or CSV files.
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“My Process Pack” exports for ready-to-deploy custom dashboards, diagrams, and automation flows.
Real Impact for SMEs
Early adopters are already seeing measurable benefits. A Lagos-based retail SME reported a 15% improvement in order fulfilment speed using OpTools’ dashboards. In Kaduna, a cooperative leveraged the automation flows to cut hours off manual reconciliation each week.
“This is about collective progress,” Amachukwu says. “When small businesses operate more efficiently, they strengthen economies, create jobs, and build resilient supply chains.”
By publishing OpTools on GitHub and providing video demos and quick-start guides, Amachukwu encourages a community-driven approach where users can adapt, expand, and improve the toolkit.
Analytics for Everyday Business
Industry experts note that analytics-driven process optimisation is no longer a luxury for large corporations—it’s critical for SME survival.
“The most successful businesses will be those that capture, analyse, and act on their own operational data. OpTools translates analytics into usable, practical resources for everyday businesses,” says Global View Institute, a Lagos-based consultancy.
In an era where digital-first operations define competitiveness, OpTools demonstrates that innovation doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. By empowering small businesses with simple, scalable tools, it offers a blueprint for how Africa’s SMEs can thrive in a rapidly evolving market.
