Unlocking Africa
Terser Adamu, an Africa Business Strategist and International Trade Adviser, hosts the award-nominated Unlocking Africa Podcast. Each episode explores how to unlock Africa's economic potential through discussions with innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and business leaders. The podcast provides actionable insights for business leaders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to grow their business in Africa.
Episodes
Why Africa's Music Industry Isn't Getting Paid What It's Owed with Shain Shapiro
Episode 232 with Shain Shapiro, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Music Ecosystems and one of the world's leading experts on music, public policy, and economic development. Through his work advising more than 130 cities and governments worldwide, Shain has helped reposition music from being viewed simply as entertainment to being recognised as a driver of investment, job creati
Investing $100 Million to Create Africa's Next Million Jobs: Why Manufacturing Beats Tech with Daniel Yu
Episode 231 with Daniel Yu, Founder of Africa Jobs Fund, a philanthropic venture builder focused on creating high productivity jobs across Sub Saharan Africa through export manufacturing and international labour mobility.Daniel is best known as the founder and former CEO of Wasoko, one of Africa's leading commerce and supply chain technology companies. After spending more than a decade buildi
Are Businesses in Africa Leaving Money on the Table by Ignoring Working Parents? with Soledad Sanchez Canamares
Episode 230 with Soledad Sanchez Canamares, Family Friendly Workplace Policy Specialist at UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, where she works with businesses, governments, and development partners to advance workplace policies that improve employee wellbeing, talent retention, workforce productivity, and long term business performance.As organisations across Africa and around the world face growi
The Grandmothers Helping Solve Africa's Mental Health Crisis with Esther Tumbare
Episode 229 with Esther Tumbare, Chief Executive Officer of Friendship Bench, a pioneering Zimbabwean organisation transforming access to mental healthcare through community based solutions that have reached hundreds of thousands of people and expanded across multiple countries.Esther leads Friendship Bench's efforts to scale one of Africa's most recognised healthcare innovations while w
Can Financing Unlock Africa's EV Revolution Faster Than Technology? with Nena Sanderson
Episode 228 with Nena Sanderson, Chief Product Officer and Managing Director of Mobility at M-KOPA, a leading African fintech and asset financing company helping millions of people access productive assets, digital financial services, and clean mobility solutions through innovative pay as you go financing.Nena leads product strategy across M-KOPA's business while also overseeing its rapidly g
The Battle for Africa's Financial Rails: Stablecoins, Regulators, Cross Border Payments and Trade with Mimi Kufuor
Episode 227 with Mimi Kufuor, Global COO of KoinKoin, a digital assets exchange and financial infrastructure company focused on solving cross border liquidity and payment challenges across Africa and other emerging markets. Mimi oversees the company's global operations across multiple jurisdictions and works closely with regulators as digital asset frameworks continue to evolve. She also serv
The Untapped Trillion Dollar Opportunity in Africa’s Diaspora Economy with Nicholas Bassey
Episode 226 with Nicholas Bassey, Chief Operations and Program Officer at the African Diaspora Network (ADN), an organisation mobilising diaspora investment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic partnerships to accelerate economic growth across Africa. Nicholas joins us to discuss the future of diaspora investment in Africa, how African entrepreneurs can access global capital, and why Afric
Why Hiring and Paying Employees in Africa Is Harder Than Most Companies Expect with Ernestine Van Rappard
Episode 225 with Ernestine Van Rappard, CCO at Workpay, a Kenyan founded, Y Combinator backed payroll, HR, and Employer of Record platform helping companies hire, pay, and manage employees across Africa without setting up local entities. Ernestine joins us to unpack one of the biggest hidden barriers to doing business in Africa: compliant hiring, payroll, and workforce management across multiple
The Future of Ecommerce in Africa and Why Speed and Reliability Is Everything with Dima Rasnovsky
Episode 224 with Dima Rasnovsky, General Manager for Africa at Glovo, one of the world’s leading quick commerce and on demand delivery platforms transforming how consumers access food, groceries, retail products, and everyday essentials across cities. Dima leads Glovo’s growth and operations across African markets, helping drive the expansion of digital commerce, last mile delivery, and retail tec
The Nigerian Entrepreneur Building Africa’s Sports Economy Through Boxing, Events and Entertainment with Ezekiel Adamu
Episode 223 with Ezekiel Adamu, entrepreneur, change agent, and Group CEO of Balmoral Group, one of West Africa’s leading event and experiential companies. In this conversation, we explore how Africa can build globally competitive sports and entertainment industries that drive economic growth, create jobs, and position cities like Lagos as international event destinations.Ezekiel shares how his jo
Building Kenya’s Luxury Hospitality Industry, Nairobi’s Creative Economy, and the Future of Tourism with Shamim Ehsani
Episode 222 with Shamim Ehsani, Co Founder of Tribe Hotels Group, a hospitality and lifestyle company redefining modern African luxury through the integration of culture, art, and experience led design. Shamim has built a portfolio that includes Tribe Hotel in Nairobi, Hero Bar, named The Best Bar in Africa, and the upcoming Tribe Beach House in Kilifi, while continuing a family legacy that has he
Building High Performance Teams, Drone Delivery Systems, and Healthcare Logistics with Juliet Oshagbemi
Episode 221 with Juliet Oshagbemi, Chief People and Culture Officer Africa at Zipline, a global leader in drone delivery, healthcare logistics and supply chain innovation. Zipline has been operating in Africa since 2016 and is now fully integrated into public health systems across Ghana, Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire, delivering blood, vaccines and essential medical supplies on demand a
Africa’s Payments Problem Is Not What You Think – Inside Mobile Money Infrastructure with Nikolai Barnwell
Episode 220 with Nikolai Barnwell, CEO of pawaPay, a leading pan African payments company building the financial rails that connect mobile money wallets across the continent and to the rest of the world. Nikolai brings over a decade of experience across mobile operating systems, business management, and digital infrastructure to this conversation about how money actually moves across Africa. In ad
How School Meals Can Transform Africa’s Economy: Agriculture, Jobs and Growth with Mehrdad Ehsani
Episode 219 with Mehrdad Ehsani, Vice President for Africa at The Rockefeller Foundation, a global institution working at the intersection of food systems, economic development, and climate resilience to improve livelihoods around the world. Mehrdad leads the Foundation’s work across Africa, focusing on building scalable systems that drive long term economic growth, agricultural transformation, an
How Crypto and Regulation Are Reshaping Africa’s Financial System: Payments, Remittances and Digital Assets with Ayotunde Alabi
Episode 218 with Ayotunde Alabi, CEO of Luno Nigeria, one of Africa’s leading cryptocurrency platforms. Ayotunde brings over a decade of experience across finance and technology, with leadership roles at Spektra, ARM HoldCo, FBNQuest and Heritage Bank. As a SEC Sponsored Individual with certifications from the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers in Nigeria and the Chartered Institute for Securitie
How Africa Can Own AI: From Talent to Infrastructure to Global Competitiveness with Amadou Daffe
Episode 217 of the Unlocking Africa Podcast with Amadou Daffe, CEO and Co founder of Gebeya, a leading pan African technology company building talent ecosystems, digital marketplaces, and AI powered platforms to unlock Africa’s global competitiveness.As artificial intelligence reshapes the global economy, a critical question is emerging: will Africa simply consume AI tools built elsewhere, or will
How Precision Medicine and Genomics Could Transform Healthcare in Africa with Derrick Akpalu
Episode 216 with Derrick Edem Akpalu, Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Revna Biosciences, a biotechnology company advancing precision medicine, genomics, and molecular diagnostics across Africa. Derrick is leading a mission to transform healthcare outcomes by building world class diagnostic and research capabilities that address some of the continent’s most pressing medical challenges. Th
How Africa Can Build a Stronger Agribusiness Economy: Patient Capital, Food Security & Investment with Luc-Etienne Dandrieu
Episode 215 with Luc-Etienne Dandrieu, General Manager of AlphaSeeds, a philanthropic investment company supporting sustainable agribusiness SMEs across Africa. In this episode we explore the future of African agribusiness, agricultural investment, and food security, and how patient capital can unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs across the continent.Luc-Etienne brings more than twenty year
The Trade That Kills Silently: Falsified Medicines and Pharmaceutical Crime in Africa with Foulo Basse
Episode 214 with Foulo Basse, President and Chief Executive of The Brazzaville Foundation, an organisation leading Africa’s battle against falsified medicines, counterfeit drugs, and pharmaceutical crime across the continent.Fake and substandard medicines are one of the most urgent yet under reported public health crises in Africa. From ineffective antibiotics and compromised malaria treatments to
Building Sustainable Manufacturing in Africa: Bamboo, Sanitation and Circular Supply Chains with Sander de Klerk
Episode 213 with Sander de Klerk, CEO and Founder of The Good Roll, a fast growing ecosystem reshaping the global paper industry through circular production, ethical sourcing, and socially inclusive solutions rooted in Africa.Recently named EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, Sander is building far more than a sustainable consumer brand. What began as The Good Roll, producing tree friendly
How Africa Can Become a Global Remote Work Hub: AI, Employer of Record & The Future of Work with Nicolas Goldstein
Episode 212 with Nicolas Goldstein, HR Tech entrepreneur and Co Founder of Breedj, an artificial intelligence powered talent marketplace transforming global hiring in Africa. With over fifteen years of experience in international recruitment, outsourcing, Employer of Record services, payroll compliance, and remote workforce management, Nicola joins the Unlocking Africa Podcast to explore how Afric
How Diaspora Capital Can Unlock Africa’s Next Generation of Scalable Businesses with Kanessa Muluneh
Episode 211 with with Kanessa Muluneh, serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Nyle Investment Group, a diaspora focused investment firm connecting global capital with high impact opportunities across Africa. Kanessa exited her first company at 21 and has since spent over a decade building, scaling, investing in, and advising businesses across Africa’s most important growth sectors, includin
Building Profitable IT Infrastructure for Global Remote Work From Africa with Francis Osifo
Episode 210 with Francis Osifo, Co Founder and CEO of Rayda, a global IT asset lifecycle management platform supporting remote and distributed teams in over 170 countries.As remote work reshapes how companies hire globally, one critical challenge remains under discussed: how businesses actually equip, manage, and retrieve devices for employees across borders. In this episode of the Unlocking Afric
Bridging Africa’s $100 Billion Trade Finance Gap Through Agribusiness Exports with Dara Adekunle
Episode 209 with Dara Adekunle, Managing Partner and CEO of FARMTIES Capital, an investment firm financing export oriented African agribusinesses and strengthening Africa’s role in global trade.Dara brings deep experience in impact investing, innovative finance, and international trade to this conversation on one of the most critical and under examined constraints to Africa’s economic growth the t
Financial Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, and How to Build Markets That Work in Africa with Carl Manlan
Episode 208 with Carl Manlan, a development practitioner and global thought leader working at the intersection of financial inclusion, policy, entrepreneurship, and social impact across Africa and emerging markets. Carl brings deep experience from senior leadership roles at Visa, where he served as Vice President of Social Impact and Sustainability for the CEMEA region, and at Ecobank Foundation,
Africa’s $2 Trillion Instant Payment Boom and What It Means for Trade and Economic Growth with Sabine Mensah
Episode 207 with Sabine Mensah, Deputy CEO of AfricaNenda Foundation and co author of the State of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems in Africa 2025 report, one of the most comprehensive studies on Africa’s digital payments infrastructure.The SIIPS 2025 report reveals the extraordinary scale of Africa’s instant payments transformation, with 64 billion real time payment transactions worth nearly 2 t
Unlocking Diaspora Wealth: How Housing Investment Is Driving African Development with Robert Hornsby and Franck Tcheukado
Episode 206 with Robert Hornsby and Franck Tcheukado, Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Jobomax Homes, a West African real estate developer focused on delivering secure, high quality housing for Africans in the diaspora and on the continent.Robert brings a unique perspective as a former US Air Force veteran turned entrepreneur, while Franck brings deep operatio
How Carnegie Mellon University Africa Is Building the Next Generation of African Tech and Engineering Leaders with Conrad Tucker
Episode 205 with Conrad Tucker, Director of Carnegie Mellon University Africa, the only United States research university with a full time teaching and research presence on the African continent.Based in Kigali Innovation City, CMU Africa was established to address the shortage of high quality engineering and technology talent required to drive Africa’s digital economy. Conrad brings deep experien
The Economic Importance of the African Diaspora Reclaiming Native Language and Identity with Andrew Osayemi
Episode 204 with Andrew Osayemi, Founder of YapTime and co creator of Meet the Adebanjos, the hit British Nigerian sitcom now streaming on Netflix.Andrew Osayemi is a diaspora entrepreneur whose career spans FX derivatives trading in London and New York, African diaspora television production, and now language learning and education technology. In this episode of the Unlocking Africa Podcast, Andr
Building Africa’s Global Cultural Influence and Creative Economy Through Film with Stella Nse Okuzu
Episode 203 with Stella Nse Okuzu who is the Director and CEO of the Royal African Society, one of the UK’s oldest and most influential Africa focused institutions, dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and strengthening relationships between Africa and the rest of the world. She also brings extensive experience from her work leading East Africa partnerships at Radio Workshop, wh
How Radio and Storytelling Are Empowering African Youth and Driving Change with Melissa Mbugua
Episode 202 with Melissa Mbugua, East Africa Partnerships Lead at Radio Workshop. Melissa Mbugua leads partnerships across East Africa at Radio Workshop, an award winning organisation that trains young people across the continent to create powerful radio programmes and podcasts. Through storytelling, Radio Workshop equips youth with the skills, tools and confidence to inform their communities, inf
Fighting Misinformation and Advancing Health Literacy and Journalism in Africa with Dr Mercy Korir
Episode 201 with Dr Mercy Korir, CEO and Editor in Chief of Willow Health Media. Dr Mercy Korir is a medical doctor, award winning journalist, and business executive who is redefining health journalism in Africa. As CEO and Editor in Chief of Willow Health Media, she leads the first dedicated Health and Science Newsroom in Kenya and the region, with a mission to empower communities through credibl
How Traverze Travel Became Zimbabwe’s Leading Travel Management Company and Expanded Across Africa with Zodwa Mkandla
Episode 200 with Zodwa Mkandla, Founder and Managing Director of Traverze Travel, one of Zimbabwe’s most successful travel management companies and a leading player in Africa’s tourism and aviation industries. Since 2003, Traverze Travel has redefined corporate and leisure travel in Zimbabwe through exceptional service, innovative travel solutions and strong regional expansion into South Africa an
Building a Fintech for Africa’s Street Vendors, Informal Traders and Low Income Workers with Kosta Scholiadis
Episode 199 with Kosta Scholiadis, Founder and CEO of Street Wallet, a South African fintech company empowering informal traders and street vendors to access the digital economy.Kosta brings a wealth of entrepreneurial insight and purpose driven innovation to this conversation about financial inclusion and the digital transformation of Africa’s informal economy. Founded in Cape Town, Street Wallet
How Climate-Resilient Greenhouses and Digital Tools Are Transforming African Farming with Anaporka Adazabra
Episode 198 with Anaporka Adazabra, Founder and CEO of Farmio Limited, an agritech company redefining agriculture through smart, accessible technology that empowers farmers to build profitable and climate resilient agribusinesses across Africa.Anaporka is a Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Awardee and a driving force behind the transformation of Africa’s agricultural sector. Through Farmio, she
How a Nigerian Entrepreneur is Putting Nigerian Honey on the Global Map with Omar Lababidi
Episode 197 with Omar Lababidi, CEO of Wafroex and Founder of Goldswarm, a premium West African honey brand that is redefining sustainable luxury while empowering thousands of smallholder farmers across Nigeria. With over twenty years of experience investing in, leading and scaling companies, Omar combines deep business expertise with a passion for innovation, sustainability and community developm
Using Solar Drying Innovation to Tackle Food Insecurity in Sudan: The Solar Foods Story with Dr Alaa Salih Hamadto
Episode 196 with Dr Alaa Salih Hamadto, Founder and CEO of Solar Foods, a pioneering Sudanese enterprise transforming food preservation, agriculture, and sustainability across Africa and the Middle East.Dr Hamadto is an award-winning scientist and social entrepreneur whose company merges traditional solar drying techniques with modern IoT and clean technology to build climate-resilient, community-
How Africa Can Unlock $500 Billion in Economic Value Through Smarter Infrastructure Investment with Thomas Kingombe
Episode 195 with Thomas Kingombe, Managing Director and Partner at BCG South Africa and co-author of Bridging Africa’s Infrastructure Execution GapAfrica is on the verge of an infrastructure transformation that could redefine its economic future. With more than 130 cross-border projects across energy, transport, digital and water sectors, the continent has the potential to unlock 500 billion dolla
Unlocking Affordable and Patient Capital for MSMEs in Africa with Dr Henry Clarke Kisembo
Episode 194 with Dr Henry Clarke Kisembo, Group Global Lead and Executive Chairman of Development Associates Link International (DALI), an organisation driving inclusive finance, digital transformation, and sustainable business development across Africa and beyond.Dr Kisembo is a respected financial economist, development finance specialist, and digital economy advocate with over twenty five years
Raising ₦100 Billion to Fund Africa’s Digital Economy Through Verified Data and Local Infrastructure with Samuel Efosa-Austin
Episode 193 with Samuel Efosa-Austin, founder of ECO Africa, Tech for Good Africa, and the ECO Fund. Samuel is leading a bold mission to raise ₦100 billion in local currency to finance Africa’s data infrastructure, proving that the continent can build and fund its own digital future.Samuel shares how verified data, technology, and local capital can drive inclusive growth across Africa. Through ECO
Why Africa Holds the Key to Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Supply Chains with Lindokuhle Shongwe
Episode 192 with Lindokuhle Shongwe, Project Leader at BCG and co-author of Africa Unleashed: Harnessing Africa’s Critical Mineral Opportunity.Africa sits at the centre of the global energy transition. With vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, copper, platinum group metals and rare earths, the continent holds the minerals powering electric vehicles, clean energy, digital infrastructure and advanced m
The Roads We Never Build: Rethinking Access to Infrastructure Finance in Africa with Joseph Kihara
Episode 191 with Joseph Kihara, Africa Practice Lead at Africa International Advisors and author of The Roads We Never Build: Rethinking Access to Infrastructure Finance in Africa.Joseph Kihara is reshaping the way we think about Africa’s infrastructure challenge. Rather than focusing on a shortage of capital, he reframes the issue around access — the ability to design, structure, and deliver fina
AI in African Healthcare: Using AI to give Africans control of their health and Faster Health Diagnosis with Darlington Akogo
Episode 190 with Darlington Akogo, Founder and CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, a pioneering company using artificial intelligence to transform healthcare access and quality across Africa. Darlington Akogo represents a new generation of African innovators translating global ambitions for sustainable development into tangible local solutions. In this episode, he shares how minoHealth is tackling systemic
Driving Sustainable Growth in Africa through Infrastructure Investment in Hospitals and Schools with Rashad Sinokrot
Episode 189 with Rashad Sinokrot, CEO of Alliad, a global integrated services leader delivering over 300 million dollars’ worth of impact-driven infrastructure projects across Africa and other emerging markets.Rashad shares how Alliad has transformed from a catering firm into a global partner for governments, companies, and aid organisations, while driving inclusive development in challenging envi
How Nithio is Driving Africa’s Energy Transition Through Blended Finance and AI Powered Risk Analytics with Roeland Menger
Episode 188 with Roeland Menger, CEO of Nithio, a climate fintech platform that invests in clean energy companies and helps others allocate capital to climate solutions that build resilience. Roeland brings deep experience from his work at Google, the World Bank, and Power Africa to this conversation about bridging Africa’s clean energy financing gap.In this episode, he shares how Nithio’s Facilit
Building Africa’s UFC: How a Nigerian Entrepreneur Is Taking African Combat Sports From the Village to the World with Maxwell Kalu
Episode 187 with Maxwell Kalu, Founder and CEO of African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), the leading promoter of indigenous African combat sports. Maxwell Kalu brings a unique blend of cultural stewardship, business strategy, and visionary storytelling to this conversation about taking Africa’s ancient fighting traditions to the global stage. In this episode, he shares how AWFC is transfor
Connecting Farmers to Consumers: How PricePally Is Making Fresh Food More Affordable and Accessible in Africa with Luther Lawoyin
Episode 186 with Luther Lawoyin, Founder and CEO of PricePally, a pioneering e-commerce platform transforming how consumers access fresh food across African cities. Luther Lawoyin brings a powerful blend of entrepreneurial vision, technological innovation, and deep market insight to this conversation on the future of food distribution in Africa. In this episode, he discusses how PricePally connect
Using Smart Technology to Make Electricity Cheaper, Cleaner and More Reliable for African Homes with Kailas Nair and Jon Kornik
Episode 185 with Kailas Nair, Chief Growth Officer and Co-founder, and Jon Kornik, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Plentify, an award winning clean tech AI company transforming home energy management in Africa and beyond.Kailas Nair and Jon Kornik bring a wealth of experience from global leaders such as McKinsey, Google, Tesla, and Vitality to this conversation on how artificial intellig
Building a Borderless Economy: How Itana is Creating Africa’s First Digital Special Economic Zone with Nkechi Oguchi
Episode 184 with Nkechi Oguchi, Chief Marketing and Community Officer at Itana, Africa’s First Digital Special Economic Zone. As Chief Marketing and Community Officer, Nkechi is at the forefront of positioning Itana as the digital jurisdiction of choice for technology and service-based businesses operating in Africa.In this episode, Nkechi unpacks Itana’s bold vision: a one-stop digital platform t
From Soil Sensors to Farm Analytics: Using Technology to Improve Soil Health and Food Security in Africa with Brian Bosire
Episode 183 with Brian Bosire, CEO and Co-Founder of UjuziKilimo, a leading agri-tech company empowering Africa’s smallholder farmers through data science, IoT, and predictive analytics.Brian Bosire is on a mission to digitise Africa’s agricultural value chains by putting powerful, real-time insights in the hands of smallholder farmers. In this episode, he shares the story behind UjuziKilimo, whic
A Billion-Tonne Vision: The Company Using Rocks to Remove Carbon and Boost African Agriculture with Sam Davies
Episode 182 with Sam Davies, CEO and Co-Founder of Flux, a pioneering climate-tech company based in Nairobi that’s scaling Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) to remove carbon from the atmosphere and restore Africa’s soils. A former British Army reconnaissance officer, Sam transitioned from military leadership to climate entrepreneurship, driven by a personal vision to contribute meaningfully during th
From Concept to Capital: Designing Smarter and Simpler Blended Finance Funds for Africa with Aly-Khan Jamal
Episode 181 with Aly-Khan Jamal, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Lagos, and co-author of the landmark report Scaling Blended Finance: Practical Tools for Blended Finance Fund Design.Aly-Khan Jamal brings deep expertise in development finance, capital mobilisation, and impact investing to this conversation on how blended finance can be a game-changer for Africa’s sus
Bridging Finance and Sustainability: How International Finance Can Support Sustainable Infrastructure in Africa with Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa
Episode 180 with Dr Nyakatawa who is a multifaceted business consultant with more than 20 years’ experience working in financial services, specifically wealth management in large financial services companies in South Africa and across Africa. She joined Jersey Finance in 2021 and is responsible for market development in Africa, currently with a primary focus on South Africa.An international speake
How a South African Startup Is Giving Underserved Communities Access To Instant Emergency-Response Services with Warren Myers
Episode 179 with Warren Myers, CEO and co-founder of AURA, a life-saving technology platform revolutionising emergency response in Africa and globally. Warren is on a mission to make safety accessible to all by building the world’s first global emergency response “clearing house” that instantly connects people in distress to the nearest vetted security or medical responders, anywhere in the world.
Africa’s Untapped Health Data: Inside the Mission to Transform Africa’s Health Data Economy with Estelle Dogbo
Episode 178 with Estelle Dogbo, systems strategist, healthcare executive, and founder of BioVana Research. Estelle has spent her career at the intersection of biotechnology, digital health, and pharmaceutical development building adaptive health systems across African markets and beyond. From commercial leadership roles at Sanofi and Roche to co-founding 54gene and Syndicate Bio, Estelle has been
The Future of Fashion Is African: Building an Ethical Clothing Factory in Rural Kenya with Jo Maiden
Episode 177 with Jo Maiden, founder and CEO of SOKO Kenya, a trailblazing ethical fashion manufacturer driving social and environmental impact from the heart of rural Kenya. Jo is a visionary entrepreneur transforming the global fashion landscape by proving that high-quality, sustainable production can thrive in Africa and uplift communities in the process.Founded in 2009, SOKO Kenya employs over
Education for Economic Resilience: What It Takes to Build Lasting Education Systems in Africa with Dr Samuel Kembou
Episode 176 with Dr Samuel Kembou, Global Co-Lead for Learning and Evidence at the Jacobs Foundation, a Swiss-based philanthropy advancing the learning and development of children worldwide. With a presence in Africa for over 35 years, the Foundation is known for its long-term commitment to strengthening education systems through rigorous research, strategic partnerships, and evidence-informed pol
The Future of Farming: Using Tech, Finance, and Human Networks To Connect African Farmers to Global Markets with Desmond Koney
Episode 175 with Desmond Koney, CEO and Founder of Complete Farmer, a Ghanaian agritech company which empowers African farmers to conduct their work in a much more sustainable and profitable way. Complete Farmer provides farmers with AI and data-driven technology to allow for "precision agriculture" so farmers can optimise their resources. The platform connects farmers with global market
Generational Wealth: How African Families Are Navigating Wealth, Succession and Investment Across Africa with Faizal Bhana and Claire Machin
Episode 174 with Faizal Bhana and Claire Machin, who are recognised voices in global finance and private wealth, working at the forefront of family governance, cross-border investment, and wealth structuring. Faizal serves as the director for the Middle East, Africa, and India at Jersey Finance, while Claire is the group director and head of private wealth at Suntera Global. Together, they bring e
Africa’s Biodiversity Economy: Transforming Conservation Into Economic Growth and Sustainable Development with Edwin Tambara
Episode 173 with Edwin Tambara, Director of Global Leadership at the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). Edwin shares AWF’s groundbreaking approach to the biodiversity economy, an innovative model that integrates conservation and economic development, driving both environmental preservation and community prosperity.AWF has played a pivotal role in supporting Zimbabwe’s biodiversity economy, from na
Expanding Financial Access: Building a Marketplace for Agrocommodity Trade and Export in Nigeria with Abiola Jimoh
Episode 172 with Abiola Jimoh, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of XchangeBox, the company behind PayRep, a platform supporting payments, collections, and access to financial products for SMEs, farmers, and traders across Nigeria.XchangeBox focuses on improving access to financial services for underserved communities through its PayRep platform. By offering services such as health insurance, pension savings,
AI and Solar: Why Financing Is the Missing Piece in Africa’s Clean Energy Puzzle with Dami Olawoye
Episode #171 with Dami Olawoye, CEO of Rivy (formerly Payhippo) and leader in renewable energy financing across Africa.Dami Olawoye is at the forefront of making clean energy accessible across Africa through Rivy, an AI-powered lender focused on enabling homes and businesses to switch to solar power. With Rivy’s recent rebrand and a $4M pre-Series A funding round, the company is expanding its effo
From Dakar to Abidjan: Investing in Women Entrepreneurs in Francophone Africa with Stephanie Sarr Dioh
Episode #170 with Stephanie Sarr Dioh, Tech and Finance Business Leader, Gender Lens Investor and Board Executive at Women’s Investment Club (WIC).Stephanie SARR is driving inclusive economic transformation in West Africa through her pioneering work with WIC Capital, the first investment fund in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire dedicated exclusively to supporting businesses led by women. As a prominent f
How to Enhance Supply Chain Efficiency in Africa Through Product Digital Identity Management with Dare Odumade
Episode #169 with Dare Odumade, CEO of Chekkit Technologies and contributor to the recently published book Thrive: Mastering E-commerce the African Way published by the Africa Retail Academy at Lagos Business School.Dare Odumade is at the forefront of supply chain innovation in Africa through his work with Chekkit Technologies, a company on a mission to protect consumers, build brand trust, and el
The Structural Changes Required To Build Resilient Diagnostics and Healthcare Systems in Africa with Dr Allan Pamba
Episode #168 with Dr Allan Pamba, Executive Vice President at Roche Diagnostics. Dr Allan Pamba is a global health leader and seasoned executive at the forefront of transforming healthcare systems through innovation, access, and sustainability. As Executive Vice President at Roche Diagnostics, the world’s largest biotech company and a global pioneer in personalised healthcare, he brings decades of
Why the West Isn’t Always Best: How Afro-Optimism Can Redefine African Succes with Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Episode #167 with Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, who is a seasoned strategist, business leader, and author of the recently published book "Afro-Optimism Unleashed: Scaling African Excellence to the Global Stage Adeolu Adewumi-Zer is at the forefront of redefining Africa’s business narrative through her transformative SCALE framework and deep-rooted belief in Afro-optimism. Drawing from decades of execut
AI and Agriculture: Using AI To Provide Quick and Effective Advice to Farmers with Dr William Derban
Episode #166 with Dr William Derban, Head of Programs and Partnerships at the Digital Innovations Group for Opportunity International, defining technical standards, developing business strategy, and negotiating collaborations across mobile money, mobile/cell-phone banking, and agent banking.Opportunity International is at the forefront of leveraging AI to bridge the gap between technology and smal
Increasing Japan-Africa Business Opportunities Through AI & Technology with Bernard Laurendeau
Episode 165 with Bernard Laurendeau, who is Managing Director of Enkopa Lab, which is at the forefront of driving successful Japan-Africa investments by leveraging AI and technology. With a focus on market diversification, the firm helps Japanese companies navigate Africa's complex business landscape. Enkopa Lab on driving successful Japan-Africa investments through AI & technologyEnkopa
Made in Africa, for Africa: How Ener-G-Africa Locally Manufactures Affordable Energy Solutions with André Moolman
Episode 164 with André Moolman, CEO of Ener-G-Africa (EGA), a renewable energy company dedicated to expanding access to affordable solar power across the continent. With a focus on low-income households and small businesses, EGA is tackling Africa’s energy challenges through innovative, cost-effective solutions that go beyond electricity, driving economic growth, sustainability, and improved quali
Culture, Creativity & Community: How The Africa Centre Has Built a Home for African Heritage in the UK Since 1964 With Olu Alake
Episode 163 with Olu Alake, CEO of The Africa Centre, a cultural institution dedicated to celebrating and amplifying African and diaspora heritage. Since its founding in 1964, The Africa Centre has been a vibrant space for intellectual exchange, artistic expression, and community-building, evolving to meet the dynamic needs of the African diaspora in the UK and beyond.Under Olu’s leadership, the C
Inside the Business of Afrobeats: International Festivals, Culture & Global Influence with Adesegun Adeosun (SMADE)
Episode 162 with Adesegun Adeosun (SMADE), CEO of SMADE Entertainment, Europe's leading Afrobeats music, live entertainment, and lifestyle promotions company.Since its inception, SMADE Entertainment has successfully planned, organized, and delivered some of the biggest Afrobeats concerts and festivals across the UK, Africa, and Europe. Their events have been headlined by global superstars lik
How Scotland and Africa Can Do More Business Together: Challenges & Opportunities with Frazer Lang
Episode 161 with Frazer Lang, CEO of the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA), an organisation dedicated to promoting trade, investment, and business collaboration between Scotland and African nations. With a focus on tangible commercial outputs, SABA bridges the gap between African governments and Scottish businesses, making it easier for both sides to engage, execute opportunities, and ac
Profit, Impact, and Growth: An Investment Model That Turns Small Farmers into High-Growth Agribusinesses with Luni Libes
Episode 160 with Luni Libes, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and impact-driven venture builder. Luni is the founder and CEO of Africa Eats, an innovative investment company tackling food insecurity and poverty across Africa by scaling profitable, for-profit agribusinesses. He also leads SEMX, a groundbreaking initiative unlocking public capital markets for African SMEs.Africa Eats invests in and
Incubation and Innovation: Shaping Gambia’s Business Landscape by Nurturing Young Innovators with Boubacar Demba Coly
Episode 159 with Boubacar Demba Coly, who is an inspiring ecosystem builder, business and entrepreneurship coach, and tech conceptor who is leading change in Gambia’s startup scene. As the project manager of the Gambia Tech Project, Boubacar is at the forefront of creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs and enabling a thriving tech ecosystem in a country often seen as challenging for busine
Alternative VC Investing: Building Stronger Last-Mile Ecosystems to Drive Startup Growth in Africa with David Ogundeko
Episode 158 with David Ogundeko, a poet, entrepreneur, and venture steward. David is the founder and CEO of Funema, a last-mile, impact-driven, alternative investment company with a presence in Pennsylvania, Lagos, and Cape Town.Funema is an impact venture building company investing cash-in-kind, providing a combination of capital and venture-building services to early-stage companies. These compa
Family, Technology, and Inclusion: How a Tunisian Online Accelerator is Empowering Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Talent with Sonia and Nour Nasfi
Episode 157, with Sonia Kherigi Nasfi and Nour El Imane Nasfi Founders of Deaf Square, which is an online career accelerator dedicated to bridging the gap between talented individuals who are hard of hearing and forward-thinking employers. They help hard of hearing people access high-quality education in the tech field, and job opportunities in leading industries. Their platform also supports emp
Women, Wealth, and Impact: How Africa’s Largest Gender Lens Fund Directs Capital with Yewande Adewusi
Episode 156, with Yewande Adewusi, a visionary strategist and dynamic leader, currently the Chief Operating Officer and Operating Principal at Alitheia Capital. With a keen eye for market trends and a proven track record in driving strategy, business development and operational excellence, she spearheads the firm's operations, steering value creation initiatives, and enhancing operational eff
Streamlining Payouts, Managing Global Expenses, Automating Finances, and Driving Revenue Growth for African Businesses with Dr Austin Okpagu
Episode 155, we speak with Dr. Austin Okpagu, the Country Manager for Nigeria at VertoFX. Dr. Okpagu joined VertoFX in June after an impressive tenure at JumiaPay, where he spent nearly four years driving business growth and expanding partnerships, culminating in his role as Managing Director for West Africa. His extensive experience in the payments and fintech sectors is further highlighted by hi
A History of Western Ignorance: Why We Need to Think Differently About African Economics - Africonomics with Bronwen Everill
Episode 154 with Bronwen Everill who was a fellow of Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge from 2015 and was the Director of Cambridge’s Centre of African Studies. In August, she joined the faculty of the Princeton Writing Program. She is a visiting fellow at the Laboratory for the Economics of Africa’s Past, in the Department of Economics at Stellenbosh University. Bronwen recentl
Powering Congo: Using Recycled Materials to Create Cutting-Edge Battery Technology for Businesses and Households with Benedict Owanga
Episode 153 with Benedict Owanga, who is powering Congo with Cutting-Edge Battery Technology. He is the founder of Owanga Solar, a pioneering company delivering clean energy solutions to energy-deprived regions. Through innovative use of recycled batteries and plastic, Benedict is transforming how electricity is accessed in the Congo.Discover how this young African leader's bold vision for re
