At the heart of Nithio is our people. We’re fortunate to work with a team that’s not only brilliant and dedicated, but also deeply kind and value-driven. As a remote-first company, we’re intentional about creating time and space to connect in person. Our annual retreat is one of the most important ways we do that.
Every year, we come together from across the world to deepen working relationships, as well as connect more deeply with our mission to unlock billions to build climate resilience in Africa. During this period, we get to meet our local partners or clients who are serving the continent through clean energy, productive use, mobility, and climate technologies – and we can see the direct, real-world impact of our work through these site visits, hear directly from customers, and witness the real-world impact on the local communities that make our work more tangible.
Through structured working sessions, breakout groups, and all-hands brainstorming, we align on priorities and reflect on how we can work smarter and with more purpose. Spending time in our key markets like Kenya and Nigeria also deepens our understanding of regional nuances, such as what’s in demand in one market compared to another, what’s changing, and how we can tailor our support more effectively.
“After spending a year working at Nithio without meeting anyone in person, I realized just how important the retreat is. It takes me out of my remote work bubble and provides the opportunity to see the context behind the work we do daily and helps to build stronger relationships with the team.”
— Rachel Flansburg, People and Operations Assistant
As we navigate a fast-changing startup environment where collaboration, trust, and adaptability are essential, these insights matter. Through team-specific and informal activities, they help us learn more about the makeup of our team, ranging from the observant, leader, competitive, curious – each bringing something unique to how we work and collaborate.
A recurring piece of feedback from the team at large is just how deeply essential the in-person experience is to improving remote collaboration. For many, and especially new joiners, this is when things click: the connections, the mission, the shared vision. It reinforces that we’re not working in silos but rather building something together, and each person’s contribution is critical to that bigger picture.
“Planning and executing a retreat for a global team always reminds me of the African proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. We spend this time together so we can build sustainably and be more effective in our ‘alone’ time. When we come together, we’re more than the sum of our parts.”
— Annabelle Sullivan, Head of People & Operations
A lot of thoughtful planning and crafting of unique experiences goes into executing a retreat for a global team, especially balancing structure and flexibility, often about 6 months from start to finish. We aim to create space for everyone to make connections, have quiet reflections, and learn from each other.
What we hope to achieve after this, beyond the memories, is a stronger, more connected team. A team that feels motivated and better equipped with organizational context to lead and work smarter. We also use the opportunity to gather feedback from the team to understand what’s worked and where there’s room for improvement.
Ultimately, the goal of the offsite is to build on what worked well this year and also learn from challenges faced. To create an environment where the team is encouraged to celebrate milestones, where they feel connected and valued, and where we can all embrace fresh ideas as we look forward to the future.
Learn more about us here.
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