SCIX African Trade Talks

🎙️ Episode 3 – Breaking Borders: The New Africa Trade Wave 📅 October 23, 2025 🎧 Hosted by Chad Chawanda – The Intra-Africa Trader Africa is losing over $5 billion every year by trading within the continent using foreign currencies. In this episode, Chad unpacks how new trade systems, digital reforms, and payment innovations are redrawing Africa's economic map. 💰 Trade & Payments: Why using the U.S. dollar for intra-African trade is costing billions and how the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) can make local currency trade faster, cheaper, and fairer. 🌍 Policy Shift: With the end of AGOA, the U.S. Africa trade agreement, Africa faces a turning point. This is more than an ending  it's a reset. A call to build regional value chains and strengthen AfCFTA-driven trade between African nations. 💡 Digital Future: From Nigeria's new National Single Window and Trade Facilitation Portal to a flat-rate air freight corridor with Uganda Airlines digital transformation is redefining how Africa trades, travels, and does business. 📈 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Trade in African currencies, not foreign ones. 2️⃣ Build Africa-to-Africa supply chains. 3️⃣ Invest in digital trade and innovation the engines of the next decade. Africa's story is shifting from dependence to independence, from fragmentation to integration. This is the new wave of African trade and it's just beginning. 🎧 Subscribe to Scix African Trade Talks: Insights on Africa – The Daily Brief to stay informed on what's shaping Africa's trade, travel, and business future.

🎙️ Scix African Trade Talks, Insights on Africa Podcast daily brief   Episode 2 — "Africa on the Move: Travel, Trade & the AfCFTA Momentum" 📅 23 October 2025 🎧 Hosted by Chad Chawanda , The Intra-Africa Trader       🌍 Episode Overview   Africa is on the move literally and economically. In today's episode, Chad explores how new visa-free corridors, rising intra-African trade, and private-sector participation in the AfCFTA are connecting the continent like never before. From Nairobi to Dakar, and from Johannesburg to Lomé, Africa's integration story is accelerating.       ✈️ Key Highlights   1️⃣ Travel & Mobility • Senegal & Kenya sign a visa-free travel agreement allowing 90-day stays. • More African nations are adopting bilateral visa waivers, boosting tourism and cross-border business. • Yet a University of Cape Town study shows travel between African states remains costly and complex. → Insight: Africa must harmonize visa systems, go digital, and lower intra-Africa airfares to unleash its tourism & business potential.       2️⃣ Trade & Intra-Africa Growth • Intra-African trade rose 8.5%, while exports outside the continent grew only 0.4% (tralac data). • South Africa is broadening trade with Indonesia & Türkiye, showing the shift toward diversified partners. • Biashara Afrika 2025 Forum in Lomé spotlights AfCFTA-aligned investment and SME expansion. → Insight: Now's the time for African businesses to map new suppliers, distributors, and regional value-chains.       3️⃣ AfCFTA Momentum • Wamkele Mene, AfCFTA Secretary-General, acknowledges progress is slower than hoped intra-Africa trade still at 14%. • On 30 October, NEPAD Business Group Nigeria hosts "Mobilising Africa's Private Sector for AfCFTA," convening policymakers and entrepreneurs to accelerate implementation. → Insight: The private sector holds the key to turning AfCFTA from policy into profit.       💡 This Week's Takeaways 1. Travel faster: Kenya-Senegal visa-free deal opens new service and tourism markets. 2. Trade smarter: 8.5% growth proves intra-Africa sourcing = resilience. 3. Collaborate wider: Attend Biashara Afrika & NEPAD forums to build the next wave of partnerships.       🎯 Closing Thought   Africa's story is being written by those who trade, travel, and collaborate across borders. If this episode gave you value, share it with a friend, partner, or investor who believes in Africa's rise.   🎧 Subscribe to Scix African Trade Talks to not miss Insights on Africa series and follow @IntraAfricaTrader for daily trade, travel & AfCFTA updates.    

🎙️ Scix Africa Trade Talks — Morning Brief   Episode Title: Today in Africa Trade & Travel — October 22 2025   Host: Chad Chawanda — The Intra-Africa Trader Produced by: Scix Africa Trade Talks | Powered by Advocado Digital & Intra Africa Trader Recorded in: Cape Town, South Africa       📰 Segment 1  Trade & the AfCFTA • NEPAD Business Group Nigeria is convening a forum on 30 October themed "Mobilising Africa's Private Sector for AfCFTA" to deepen private-sector engagement. • Somalia's Parliament formally ratified the AfCFTA Agreement (20 Oct), integrating the Horn of Africa nation into the continental pact. • Across the continent, African CEOs view the AfCFTA as a strategic buffer against global tariff turbulence a foundation for regional growth and resilience. • DHL Group announces a €300 million infrastructure and logistics investment across Sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring global confidence in Africa's trade corridors.   🎯 Take-away: AfCFTA momentum is accelerating from political ratifications to private-sector mobilization and major logistics investments. 👉 For business leaders: align your supply chains and partnerships with this continental framework now.       ✈️ Segment 2 Travel, Connectivity & Intra-Africa Movement • The International Bureau of Aviation (IBA) projects 15 % growth in African air passenger traffic in 2025, reaching ~113 million travellers a clear sign of post-pandemic recovery. • A new report highlights that many intra-Africa flights still route through Europe revealing a huge gap in direct city-to-city links within Africa. • Air Tanzania has launched a direct Dar es Salaam ↔ Accra service, connecting East and West Africa for stronger tourism and business flows.   🎯 Take-away: Africa's travel sector is booming but connectivity lags behind. Every new route creates fresh opportunities for trade, tourism and investment. 👉 If you work in logistics, hospitality or content creation, follow these emerging routes closely.       🧭 Why This Matters & What You Can Do • Traders & Exporters: AfCFTA ratifications reduce barriers optimize sourcing and logistics regionally. • Travel & Mobility Players: Passenger growth means surging demand for regional hospitality and support services. • Entrepreneurs & Creators: Tell stories of African mobility and trade corridors the audience is continent-wide and growing.       🔔 Quick Headlines Round-Up • 🇸🇴 Somalia ratifies AfCFTA expanding continental reach. • 🇳🇬 NEPAD Nigeria mobilises private-sector AfCFTA engagement. • 💶 DHL Group invests €300 million in Sub-Saharan logistics. • ✈️ African air travel to grow 15 % in 2025 connectivity on the rise. • 🌍 Air Tanzania launches Dar es Salaam ↔ Accra direct route.       🎧 Episode Credits   Host & Producer: Chad Chawanda — The Intra-Africa Trader Executive Production: Scix Africa Trade Talks & Advocado Digital Research Sources: NEPAD Business Group Nigeria, AfCFTA Secretariat, Somalia Parliament Press Release, DHL Group Newsroom, IBA Report 2025, Air Tanzania Press Centre. Theme Music: "Scix Africa Soundscape 2025" by Advocado Studios Location: Cape Town, South Africa       📡 Listen & Engage   🎙️ Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube @GlobalBusinessTour 💬 Follow @IntraAfricaTrader on Instagram | LinkedIn | X | TikTok | Facebook 📩 Email: hello@advocado.africa | chad@scixtrading.com

Judith Li is the Director of Programs at the Westerwell Foundation, based in Berlin, Germany. In this episode, Judith shares hard lessons learned operating a startup servicing the African community, the need for return on investment vs. return on impact, how the lack of infrastructure inhibits entrepreneurial growth, and sound advice for anyone interested in investing time and resources in the African economy. In this episode, you'll discover: -Judith's entrepreneurial journey and the quest to impact one million people...00:45 -About the Westerwell Foundation....04:10 -Lessons learned regarding startups in Africa...07:20 -Be the one being chased, not the one doing the chasing...09:30 -Travel experiences, and the impact of technology on the modern business world...12:00 -Advice for those interested in investing in Africa...14:15 -Judith's thoughts on grant funding...20:20 -Network recommendations for African entrepreneurs...22:45 -And much more...

In this episode Kevin Nolan shares insights on the value of due dilligence, legal support and understanding the value of legal entities when investing in Africa.         Kevin Nolan is a Partner at DLA Piper LLP a Global law firm located in more than 40 countries.      Book recommendation: Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a team by Patrick Lencioni It starts with clients by Andrew Sobel     Podcast recommendations: The new york times daily podcast 

In this episode Marc Msipa, shares insights on Venture Capital and Investing, in real estate in Zimbabwe and other parts of the continent, based on his knowledge and experience.             Marc Msipa is the Co founder at Tigere Housing, a company that is digitizing real estate financing in Africa. He has been involved in Venture capital and investment banking.        Book recommendations:   Africa's Greatest Entrepreneurs by Moky Makura    

In this episode Venture Capital and Angel Investor Lavanya Anand, shares insights based on her experince in Kenya and other East and West African markets.           Lavanya Anand has been involved in the Venture Capital space operating in Kenya since 2018, she is a curious and forward- thinking investment professional, who seeks to faciltate social and econimic change in frontier and emerging markets.       Podcast recommendations:   Masters of Scale by Reid Hoffman  The Flip Africa by Justin Norman The Consumer VC by Mike Gelb The Twenty Minute VC by Harry Stebbings How I Built This by Guy Raz

In this episode Mr Allan Majuru CEO Zimtrade and Ambassador of IATF 2023 shares insights on Zimtrade's initiatives and efforts to grow exports for Zimbabwean businesses and sme's.        Mr Allan Majuru is the CEO at Zimtrade, he is also Board Chairperson of Agricultural Marketing Authority of Zimbabwe and Ambassador of Intra Africa Trade Fair (IATF 2023). IATF is an initiative of Afreximbank, in Collaboration with the African Union and the AFCFTA Secretariat, hosted by African governments.     Book recommendations: The Monk who sold his ferrari by Robin Sharma The 5am club by Robin Sharma   Podcast recommendations: The Smallstarter by John-Paul Iwuoha     website link   www.shopatzim.co.zw  

In this episode Tuti Mwambenja, shares Angel investor insights, based on her experience doing business in Tanzania. Tuti takes us through lessons from her travels across the continent and some insights on e-commerce and credit in East Africa.          Tuti Mwambenja is the Country Director for World Business Angels Investment Forum in Tanzania. She has been involved in the Tourism industry in Tanzania.    Book Recommendations: The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach Soar by TD Jakes

In this episode, Mr Neil Thanedar shares insights based on his journey from how he moved from running a lab with his father to starting up backed up by investors such as Mark Cuban. Neil takes us through the future of biotech.          Niel Thanedar is the founder and GP at Utopia Ventures. In Africa Neil invested in Paystack and believes African startups are still so underrated. Niel attended Y Combinator winter 2015, he is senior advisor for Shri Thanedar U.S. representative from Michigan's 13th congressional district. Neil is the founder and Chairman at Labdoor, Founder and CEO at Air to All, he is also an Author with over 100+ essays written, in the areas of startups and politics.              Podcast Recommendations: Alex Brown and Joe Gradwell   The founders podcast 

In this episode, Mr Mark Kleyner shares insights based on his journey in the Venture Capital space in Africa. He also talks about how Dream VC is working on improving the funding environment through their community- driven educational platform, that runs highly selective remote programs on Venture Capital and the innovation Ecosystem across Africa's startup Ecosystems.        Mr Mark Kleyner is the Co- Founder and program director for Dream VC, an investor accelerator for Africa.       Book Recommendations: Super forcasting by Dan Gardner and Philip E. The power law by Sebastian Mallaby. Red notice by Bill Browder       www.dream-vc.com  

In this episode, Ms. Lola Adekanye shares insights based on her journey in commercial law, making businesses operate responsibly, ethically across the continent and reducing corruption. She also touches on business intergrity and governance.      Ms. Lola Adekanye is a licensed attorney, a member of the New York State Bar and the Nigerian Bar, with more than a dacade of experience as a corporate attorney and compliance specialist.          Book recommendations:     Atomic Habits by James Clear Uncaptured by Mosilo Mothepu   Podcast recommendations: Democracy that delivers by Center for International Private Enterprise    

In this episode, Mr Nimrod Gerber shares insights based on his journey living and investing in Africa, he shares more about impact investing and the value of building long term relationships.   Mr Nimrod Gerber is the Managing Partner of Vital Capital Fund and a member of its investment committee. He is also a selected member of the World Economic Forum RAGA and Stratergy Officer, a member of The Africa Leadership Council in Global Private Capital Association (GPCA) and a member of executive consultation groups of OECD and others.    Book recommendations:   Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo Principles by Ray Dalio What brought you here wont get you there by Marshall Goldsmith 

In this session, Mr. Edward Galante tells us how and why Mangwana Capital came to be established in Zimbabwe, and the investments they have made and continue to make under the private equity fund.  Edward Galante is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mangwana Capital (Pvt) Limited, an investment advisory firm. He is the founder of Houses For Africa -Zimbabwe Private Limited (HFA), they have developed over 2400 residential medium density housing as well as 10,000 units of high and medium density stands.  www.mangwanacapital.com    Books; The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman

In this episode, Mr. Fazal Habardeen tells us how he has reengineered travel for Muslims with CrescentRtaing and Halal Trip, having experienced the difficulties of finding basic faith-based needs as a frequent Muslim traveller.  Mr. Fazal Habardeen is the Founder and CEO of CresentRating, the World's leading authority on Halal Travel providing insights, research, consultancy, training and rating services to every sector of the Tourism industry from Government bodies to hotels. CrescentRating has grown across the Middle East, South Asia, Western Europe and the rest of Asia. Halal Trip (2014) was launched along with a mobile app to become the trusted trip advisor for Muslim travelers.   Book recommendations;  The Rihla by Ibn Battuta  

In this episode, Ms. Angela Njehia tells us that despite our leaders passing various policies, sustainability isnot just a thing of the leaders; it is a collective responsibility for each one of us to ensure that we survive; find and explore the different ways to doing things to achieve more sustainable solutions and results for our environment. Ms. Angela Njehia is a Founding member and Director of Tierranjani Africa, a Boutique Tourism Consultancy based in Nairobi that operates across Africa. She has 15years of experience in sustainable tourism working in Kenya and across Africa. Angela has extensive knowledge of African tourism currently having a footprint of her work in over 10 African countries, having worked as a tourism practitioner and later transitioned to tourism development.  Angela is the first East African to be accredited as a Hospitality Food Waste Management consultant through The Pledge; and a certified coach and auditor of the Green destinations.  www.tierranjaniafrica.com  Book recommendations: Dreams in a Time of War by Ngugi wa Thiong'o  The Leader who had no Title by Robin Sharma 

In this episode, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang tells us that all the different stakeholders in tourism have to be satisfied with the outcomes for meaningful tourism to work. Not only the guests, but the host communities and the employees have to be happy in that environment.  Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt is the founder and CEO of the Hamburg-based China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) one of the leading experts on the biggest global outbound tourism source market- China. He has been connected to China and tourism development for more than 40 years. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang is a full time professor for International Tourism Management at the West Coast University of Applied Sciences Germany and a visiting professor at universities in China, UK and New Zealand.    E-book recommendations; COTRI Weekly Meaningful Tourism Weekly www.china-outbound.com   

Mr. Vincent Mohau Motholo is the Chief Financial Officer of the University of Cape Town (UCT) and is the Chairman of the South Afrcian Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). In this session, Mr. Vincent talks to Chad about his role at SAICA, and emphasizes that technology has readily availed digital data to help us in decision making, understanding behaviour, understanding where trends are going, and anticipate what the future may look like. He also talks about his 5 personal values for leadership.  Vincent is an experienced chartered accountant. He leverages professional exposure, career progression and knowledge building gained over a 15-year profession, marked by substantial development and success. His interests are in the fields of finance, governance, strategy and innovation.  Book recommendations; Boardroom Dancing: Transformation Stories from Corporate by Nolitha Fakude Betting on a Darkie: Lifting the Corporate Game by Mteto Nyati

In this episode, we feature Ms. Namubiru Patience Hilda, a Domestic Taxes Officer with the Uganda Revenue Authority who has a passion for Taxes and Trade. She is an author and member of the African Tax Research Network (ATRN), and a part of the research unit of African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).  Ms. Patience tells us how the Intra-African small businesses by women and young people are considered informal and invaluable in some countries, and therefore making it difficult to track such revenue.