How Sylvia Ezennaya is Using Technology to Uplift Thousands of Small-Scale Businesses

The cleaning industry, often seen as low-tech and labour-intensive, is experiencing a digital revolution. Globally, this sector is embracing technology to improve service delivery, customer experience, and operational efficiency. With the global cleaning services market projected to reach over $74 billion by 2025, there’s no doubt that digital transformation is key to unlocking new opportunities. 

In Nigeria, this trend is taking shape as companies like SweepSouth, Gidi Cleaners, Weclean and Rubis Services, begin to leverage technology to provide on-demand services. However, the unique approach of Rubis, spearheaded by Sylvia Nkeiruka-Anthony Ezennaya, has distinguished it from the rest. Unlike many competitors who focus solely on consumer-facing services, Rubis Services has created a comprehensive platform that benefits both customers and the thousands of small businesses that provide cleaning, laundry, delivery, and other related services. 

Uplifting Thousands of Small-Scale Businesses 

Under Sylvia’s leadership, Rubis Services has on-boarded over 1,000 cleaning businesses across Nigeria, offering them a digital platform to connect with customers more effectively. However, the impact doesn’t stop there. Rubis Services also supports over 600 small laundry businesses, many of which started as informal operations with little to no access to technology. By providing these businesses with a digital presence, Rubis Services has helped them expand their customer base and optimise their operations. 

Rubis Services also integrated over 100 delivery services into its platform, ensuring that logistics—often a bottleneck for small businesses—are handled smoothly. This has been a game-changer for many of Rubis’ partner businesses that struggled with reliable and timely delivery of their services. 

Beyond cleaning, laundry, and delivery, Rubis Services has also attracted a network of other related businesses, such as pest control, upholstery cleaning, and maintenance services. These enterprises, often overlooked in the broader market, now have access to a platform that connects them with a steady stream of clients. In total, Rubis Services has empowered more than 5,000 small-scale businesses, providing them with the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market. 

The Challenges and Triumphs of the Industry 

While technology is a powerful enabler, the cleaning services industry in Nigeria faces several challenges. Trust remains a significant issue, with many customers wary of unvetted providers. Rubis Services has tackled this by thoroughly vetting all partner agencies, building a network of trusted providers and fostering customer confidence. 

The industry’s fragmented nature also presents hurdles. Many cleaning businesses in Nigeria operate independently, lacking the resources to invest in technology. Rubis Services

has addressed this by offering a platform that levels the playing field, allowing even the smallest enterprises to compete effectively. 

Regulatory challenges further complicate the landscape. The lack of clear guidelines and standards in the cleaning industry has led to inconsistencies in service delivery. However, Rubis Services has set its own high standards, ensuring quality control across its platform and helping to professionalise the industry. 

Sylvia Ezennaya’s Vision for the Future 

Sylvia Ezennaya’s vision for Rubis Services goes beyond just connecting businesses and customers. She sees technology as a tool for economic empowerment, particularly for small-scale businesses that have traditionally been on the fringes of the formal economy. By providing these businesses with access to a larger customer base, operational tools, and a reliable platform, Sylvia is helping to uplift entire communities. 

Looking ahead, Sylvia plans to expand Rubis Services’ offerings even further. The company is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide personalised service recommendations and improve operational efficiency. Moreover, Sylvia is keen on expanding the platform www.rubisservices.com to include additional services like home repairs and maintenance, further broadening the opportunities for small businesses to grow. 

As the cleaning industry in Nigeria continues to digitise, there are vast opportunities for Rubis to expand its service offerings, perhaps venturing into areas like smart home maintenance, eco-friendly cleaning solutions, or AI-driven operational management. The broader industry still has significant untapped potential, particularly in regions where technology adoption remains low. 

For other players in the market, the success of Rubis Services highlights the immense opportunities that come with leveraging technology to uplift small-scale businesses. The future of the industry will likely see more collaborations and innovations, with Rubis Services leading the charge. But as competition grows, the challenge will be to maintain the high standards and customer trust that have been central to Rubis’ success.

Sylvia Nkeiruka-Anthony Ezennaya is a key player in the Nigerian Homecare industry. She currently runs Rubis Services, a platform using technology to solve homecare problems. She is also a co-founder of JB Lucent, connecting African small-scale farmers to global buyers.