From a simple idea to help businesses work smarter, Shabbir Ali Matiya, Founder and CEO of Matiyas Solutions, has built a growing global technology company helping organizations simplify operations, automate processes, and make better decisions. With more than 40 professionals and clients across Africa, India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States, Matiya has turned his passion for digital transformation into a business focused on solving real-world challenges. In this interview, he opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of building a global ERP business, his most defining moments, and how technology can help businesses navigate Nigeria’s economic challenges.
TNC: We understand that building and sustaining a successful business is no easy feat. Could you kindly tell us about yourself and your company?
My name is Shabbir Ali Matiya, and I am the Founder & CEO of Matiyas Solutions. I started this company with a simple vision: to help businesses simplify their operations through technology. Early in my career, I realized that many organizations, especially small and medium-sized businesses, were struggling with manual processes, disconnected systems, and inefficient workflows. I believed there was a better way, and that inspired me to build a company focused on delivering practical, reliable, and scalable ERP solutions.
At Matiyas Solutions, we specialize in ERP implementation, customization, integration, consulting, support, and business automation. Our goal is not just to implement software but to help businesses transform the way they operate. We work with organizations across industries such as manufacturing, trading, healthcare, retail, logistics, NGO and services, enabling them to improve productivity, gain real-time visibility, and make informed business decisions.
The journey has been incredibly rewarding, but it has also come with its share of challenges. Like most start-ups, we began with limited resources and had to earn every client’s trust through consistent delivery and quality service. Every project taught us valuable lessons, strengthened our expertise, and reinforced our commitment to putting customers first.
Over the years, Matiyas Solutions has grown from a small team into a trusted ERP implementation partner serving clients across India, the Middle East, Africa, South-east Asia, US and other global markets. We have built a team of around 40+ skilled professionals, including ERP consultants, developers, project managers, QA engineers, and support specialists, all working towards one common goal: helping businesses succeed through digital transformation.
TNC: What keeps you motivated and focused on your business despite the inevitable challenges that entrepreneurs face? What are the unique challenges in your industry, and what have been some of the most memorable achievements or defining moments in your business journey?
Honestly? It’s the transformation I see when a client’s entire business changes after implementing our ERP. I remember one of our early clients, a mid-sized manufacturing company drowning in manual processes. After implementation, they cut their production planning time by 60%, reduced inventory costs, and suddenly had real-time visibility into their operations. The CEO told me, “It’s like we finally got control of our business.” That feeling never gets old.
The unique challenges in our industry are real. First, there’s the traditional skepticism; many business owners think, “Why do I need another software?” Changing mind-sets and getting buy-in is half the battle. Second, every industry and every company is different. What works for a pharmaceutical manufacturer won’t work for a trader. We can’t just implement a cookie-cutter solution; we need to understand their business deeply and customize accordingly. That’s complex, time-intensive work, but it’s also what differentiates us.
The most memorable moment was when we successfully implemented our first truly complex ERP for a multi-national trading company. They had operations across countries, multiple currencies, regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction, and a legacy system that was held together with string and duct tape. Everyone said it couldn’t be done. We did it in 14 months, on schedule, within budget, and with minimal disruption to their operations. That project proved we could handle enterprise-level complexity, and it opened doors globally.
TNC: Have you benefited from any government initiatives or incentives aimed at supporting businesses? How do you typically raise the funds needed to sustain and expand your business, particularly during economic downturns?
We’ve benefited from certain government initiatives, particularly around digital transformation and software exports. India’s & Africa’s push toward digitalization has created a favorable environment for companies like ours. That said, government support has been more about the policy environment rather than direct funding. What’s helped more is the competitive ecosystem and talent pool here.
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As for funding, we’ve taken a bootstrapped approach, reinvesting profits back into R&D and team expansion. This method has its advantages; we maintain control and aren’t pressured to chase unsustainable growth. But it also means we’ve had to be disciplined about capital allocation. During economic downturns, we’ve relied on cash reserves and managed our expenses tightly. We’ve also been fortunate to attract investors who believed in our long-term vision, but we remain cautious about burn rates and always ensure our core business is generating healthy cash flow.
TNC: Please walk us through a typical day in your life as a business owner—from the time you wake up until you retire for the day. What does your daily routine look like? What challenges do you commonly encounter with clients, employees, or operations, and what aspects of your work bring you the greatest satisfaction?
I wake up around 5:30 AM and spend some quiet time going through emails and reviewing overnight updates, which is especially important since we have clients and teams across different time zones. By 7 AM, I’m reviewing business metrics: new leads, project statuses, financial reports, and team utilization. A healthy business is built on understanding your numbers.
By 9 AM, I’m in the office. Most mornings involve team meetings with our sales team on pipeline updates, with project leads on implementation challenges, and with our technical team on product development priorities. I try to spend time understanding what’s blocking our teams and removing obstacles.
Afternoons are often client-focused. I’ll personally engage with key accounts, especially when they’re facing challenges or at critical project phases. I believe our team should see the owner invested in their success. I also dedicate time to strategic matters, market analysis, competitor movements, partnership opportunities, and long-term product roadmap discussions.
The common challenges I face daily are resource allocation – everyone wants more budget and managing client expectations, especially when they realize ERP implementation is more complex than initially assumed, and keeping our team motivated during demanding projects. Sometimes there’s friction between the sales team’s promises and what engineering can practically deliver, so I’m often the mediator.
What brings the greatest satisfaction? Seeing a project go live successfully, knowing a client’s business has been transformed, and most importantly, seeing our team grow and develop. When someone we trained becomes a senior consultant capable of handling complex implementations independently, that’s a win on multiple levels.
TNC: How would you describe your journey to success? What distinguishes you and your business from others in the industry?
My journey to success wasn’t a straight line. I started in the software industry, gained experience in ERP consulting with established firms, and eventually realized the gap in the market. There was a need for vendors who were nimble, customer-centric, and willing to invest the time to truly understand business problems rather than just selling software licenses.
What distinguishes Matiyas from our competitors? Several things. First, we’re consulting first. We don’t just install software; we help businesses reimagine their processes. Our consultants spend time understanding your business flow before we even touch the technology. Second, our customization capabilities are extensive. We don’t force our clients into a “one-size-fits-all” model. Third, we focus on long-term partnerships, not one-off transactions. After go-live, we’re still there, supporting you, optimizing your system, and adapting to your growth.
We also differentiate through our expertise in multiple industry verticals. Many ERP vendors specialize in a single industry; we have deep knowledge across manufacturing, trading, logistics, healthcare, and other sectors. And finally, our team quality is exceptional. We invest heavily in training and development. Our consultants don’t just know software; they understand business strategy and operations management.
TNC: Do you believe entrepreneurship is for everyone? What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to start or grow their own businesses?
Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, and I say that with respect. It requires a particular mindset. You need to be comfortable with uncertainty, willing to make decisions with incomplete information, and resilient enough to handle failures and criticism. You’ll face moments of doubt, financial stress, and pressure that many people simply don’t want to experience. And that’s okay; the world needs good employees just as much as it needs entrepreneurs.
For those considering it, here’s my advice: First, start with a real problem. Don’t build a business just because you want to be an entrepreneur. I built Matiyas because I saw real pain points in how companies manage their operations. Second, validate your idea ruthlessly. Talk to potential customers, understand their needs, and ensure they will actually pay for your solution. Many startups fail because they built something nobody wants.
Third, be prepared to wear multiple hats early on. I’ve been a salesman, consultant, support agent, and CFO all at once. If you’re not willing to get your hands dirty, entrepreneurship will be frustrating. Fourth, build a strong team. You can’t scale alone. Invest time in hiring people smarter than you in their domains. And finally, be patient with growth. Growth is important, but sustainable growth that maintains quality and culture is more important than explosive growth that burns out your team and your capital.
TNC: Let us have your perspective on a national issue. Economic hardship has become one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, with soaring inflation, rising unemployment, and the increasing cost of living affecting millions of households. In your opinion, how can your line of business help ease these challenges and support Nigeria’s economic recovery?
Economic hardship is definitely real. Nigeria and many developing markets face serious challenges: inflation is squeezing margins, unemployment is making it hard to find quality talent, and families are struggling with rising costs of living. It’s a difficult situation, and I empathize deeply with the impact it has on everyday people.
But here’s what I’ve learned: In challenging economies, efficient businesses survive and thrive while inefficient ones falter. That’s where solutions like ours become crucial. When operating margins are tight, you can’t afford waste. You can’t afford excess inventory sitting idle. You can’t afford manual processes costing you man-hours. You need every dollar, every resource, and every hour of labor to count.
Our ERP solutions help businesses achieve exactly that. By automating processes, we reduce operational costs. By providing real-time visibility, we help businesses make better decisions faster. By optimizing inventory and supply chains, we free up working capital. For a manufacturing company operating on razor-thin margins, these improvements can mean the difference between profit and loss.
More broadly, when businesses become more efficient, they create more jobs, pay better salaries, and contribute more to the economy. A thriving manufacturing sector needs suppliers, logistics providers, and retailers. A thriving trading company generates employment across the supply chain. Our role, in some way, is to create the efficiency that allows these businesses to expand, hire more people, and contribute to economic recovery. That’s not just business for us; it’s purpose.
