At Bridge Africa Technologies, we believe that every award winner carries more than a title; they carry a story that can inspire, educate, and empower others across the continent and beyond. Our interviews are driven by a commitment to spotlighting excellence, not just through accolades, but through the experiences, challenges, and values that define each individual’s journey. By speaking directly with these changemakers, we uncover the real-world impact behind their achievements, offering readers authentic insights into what it takes to succeed in today’s global landscape. These stories serve as a bridge, connecting ambition with possibility for young Africans looking to carve their path in technology, innovation, and leadership.
Meet Ms Jane Onwuchekwa, a dynamic Business Intelligence Engineer at Amazon, widely recognized for her strategic insights and transformative work in data analytics, dashboard engineering, and scalable pipeline development. With a robust academic background, a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, and a master’s in Computer Science, Jane leverages deep technical acumen and analytical precision to power data-driven decision-making across complex systems.
Throughout her career, Jane has consistently delivered value at the intersection of data, innovation, and operational excellence. At Amazon, she leads high-impact initiatives, including the development of Optiq. This AI-powered SQL optimization tool has reduced query execution times by 40%, significantly boosting the productivity of data teams. Her dashboards have optimized the delivery flow of over 15 million packages monthly, showcasing her ability to translate granular data into enterprise-wide efficiency.
Jane’s talent and leadership were globally acknowledged when she received the prestigious BAT Award of Excellence 2025 in the Data Innovation Excellence category. This honor celebrates outstanding contributions to data science and engineering in Africa and beyond. Her research and thought leadership are also reflected in her published works, where she explores advanced data methodologies and the future of business intelligence.
Her journey from Lagos, Nigeria, where she first honed her programming skills at Ontoly Clouds., to shaping data innovation at Amazon in the United States exemplifies a remarkable blend of technical mastery and cross-cultural impact. Beyond her corporate role, Jane is an active member of professional and faith-based communities, mentoring aspiring data professionals and advocating for the ethical use of technology to improve lives.
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Looking ahead, Jane is driven by a vision to democratize data solutions and empower organizations to harness the full potential of analytics through intelligent systems and inclusive innovation. Her story is one of resilience, precision, and a deep-rooted passion for using data to shape a smarter, more connected world.
Exclusive Interview with Ms. Jane Onwuchekwa – Business Intelligence Engineer
1. Jane, let’s start at the beginning. Can you tell us about your early years in Nigeria and how your background shaped your passion for data and technology?
Jane: Absolutely. I was born and raised in Nigeria, and from a young age, I was drawn to solving problems. Mathematics has always been my favorite subject, not just for the numbers but also for the logic and structure behind every solution. Studying Mathematics at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture gave me a solid analytical foundation. But it was while working at Ontoly Clouds in Lagos that I truly started to understand the power of data. I was part of a team building software systems, and I began to notice patterns in user behavior and system inefficiencies that weren’t being fully leveraged. That curiosity pushed me into the world of data science and business intelligence. It wasn’t just about building systems; it became about understanding them and using data to make them better. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my journey.
2. You’ve worked across multiple countries and cultures. How has your Nigerian heritage influenced your approach to innovation and leadership, particularly in global environments like Amazon?
Jane: Growing up in Nigeria, you learn to be resourceful. We often had to find creative solutions with limited resources and that taught me resilience and adaptability. In high-pressure environments like Amazon, those skills are incredibly valuable. My Nigerian upbringing instilled in me a strong work ethic and a communal mindset. I’m always thinking about how my work affects the team, the business, and even society. I also try to mentor and uplift others wherever I go because I understand how impactful one opportunity can be. Being Nigerian has given me a unique perspective on innovation. It’s not always about the fanciest tools; sometimes it’s about asking the right questions and bringing people together to solve real problems.
3. You were recently awarded the BAT Award of Excellence 2025 in the Data Innovation Excellence category. What did that recognition mean to you, and how has it shaped your outlook moving forward?
Jane: That recognition was deeply meaningful. The BAT Award of Excellence validated years of hard work, experimentation, and the belief that data can be a force for transformation. To be honored among some of the brightest minds in Africa and the diaspora reminded me of the responsibility we carry not just to do excellent work, but to inspire and open doors for others. For me, the award isn’t the finish line. It’s a call to continue building innovative solutions that matter, to collaborate more deeply, and to share knowledge with the next generation of data professionals, especially young women from backgrounds like mine.
4. You led the development of “Optiq,” an AI-powered SQL optimization tool at Amazon. Can you walk us through how that project came to be and what it meant for your team and the business?
Jane: Optiq was born out of a recurring challenge: long-running SQL queries that slowed down decision-making and wasted computational resources. I worked with a cross-functional team of four to develop a tool that not only identified inefficiencies in SQL queries but actually generated optimized alternatives. We integrated AI and machine learning models to recognize patterns, which drastically reduced execution time by about 40% on average. It wasn’t just a technical win; it freed up valuable time for our data team, reduced operational costs, and made the overall business more agile. I learned so much about collaboration, scalability, and the value of persistence during that project.
5. What does a typical day look like for you at Amazon as a Business Intelligence Engineer, and how do you balance technical work with strategic impact?
Jane: No two days are the same, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most. I usually start by reviewing key dashboards and data pipelines for any issues or optimization opportunities. A good portion of my day is spent collaborating whether it’s aligning with product managers, brainstorming with data scientists, or presenting insights to senior stakeholders. My role is a blend of technical precision and business alignment. I don’t just build dashboards; I tell stories with data. The goal is always to enable smarter, faster decisions across the company. I also prioritize documentation and mentoring because good data practices should scale with the organization.
6. Many professionals struggle with staying current in a fast-evolving field like data analytics. What are some of your strategies for continuous learning and growth?
Jane: That’s a great question because staying current in data analytics requires intentional effort. I dedicate time every week to learning whether that’s taking a short online course, reading industry publications, or exploring a new feature in AWS or Power BI. I also try to work on side projects that stretch my skills in unfamiliar areas. But beyond technical growth, I invest in soft skills communication, leadership, and collaboration. These are often what distinguish good engineers from great ones. And of course, I stay plugged into communities, both professional and faith-based, where I can learn from others and share what I know.
7. Let’s talk about impact beyond the workplace. How do you use your skills and experiences to give back to communities, both in the U.S. and back in Nigeria?
Jane: Giving back is very important to me. I actively mentor young professionals who are just starting out in data and tech, especially those from Africa or underrepresented backgrounds. I also contribute to data literacy initiatives and career development workshops. In Nigeria, I partner with a few non-profits to offer virtual training and career guidance. I believe that knowledge is meant to be shared. Every skill I’ve gained, every lesson I’ve learned, becomes more meaningful when I can use it to help someone else navigate their own journey.
8. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations, both in terms of your professional journey and the legacy you hope to leave in the tech industry?
Jane: I’m passionate about democratizing access to data and making analytics tools more intuitive and accessible for organizations of all sizes. In the long term, I want to build or lead initiatives that bridge the gap between raw data and strategic action, especially for businesses in Africa that are still in the early stages of digital transformation. I also hope to contribute to academic research and perhaps teach one day. Ultimately, I want my legacy to reflect not just the tools I built or the metrics I improved, but the lives I touched and the doors I helped open for others. If I can be remembered as someone who made data more human and more impactful, that would be a legacy worth striving for.
Closing Remarks – Interview with Jane Onwuchekwa
As our conversation with Jane Onwuchekwa draws to a close, it’s difficult not to walk away inspired by the journey of a woman who continues to shape the world of data with clarity, grit, and purpose. From her early beginnings in Nigeria, grounded in the discipline of mathematics, to her current role at Amazon where she engineers data solutions that directly influence global operations, Jane represents a new generation of professionals redefining excellence.
Throughout our discussion, Jane shared not just the technical rigor that underpins her work designing scalable ETL pipelines, optimizing SQL queries through AI, and leading the creation of impactful dashboards but also the deeper philosophy that guides her: a commitment to using data as a tool for empowerment and transformation. Her story is not one of luck, but of relentless learning, adaptability, and vision.
Her BAT Award of Excellence in 2025, in the Data Innovation category, was not a surprise; it was a recognition long overdue. More than an accolade, it symbolizes the influence she holds as both a pioneer and a mentor in the tech industry. Whether it’s through building high-performance tools like Optiq or mentoring young professionals across borders, Jane continues to raise the bar, not just for women in tech but for the entire African diaspora in STEM fields.
At Bridge Africa Technologies, our mission is to spotlight African talents who are not just succeeding abroad but shaping the future with brilliance and integrity. Jane Onwuchekwa stands tall among them. Her story is a powerful reminder to the youth, especially young Nigerians, that your background is not a limitation; it’s the beginning of a legacy. With focus, skill, and a sense of purpose, you can contribute meaningfully on the global stage while still staying rooted in community and identity.
As Jane continues to build, lead, and inspire, we are confident that her next chapters will carry even greater impact. And for those watching, learning, and dreaming, this is your call to rise.
