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 & technology Enkopa Lab is repositioning investment approaches by prioritising human capital development over resource a...
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 quality of life. EGA has grown from a solar wholesaler to a leading manufacturer of solar panels, cle...
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 Centre has expanded its reach through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and cultur...
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 like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and many more. At the heart ...
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 access funding. SABA was founded in response to the challenges African governments faced in naviga...
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 supports early-stage, fast-growing food and agriculture companies that are solving critical sup...
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 business. The Gambia Tech Project, launched in partnership with the French Embassy and the Alliance Fr...
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 companies focus on developing B2B vertical market software solutions that drive the digital transfor...
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 employers by connecting them with skilled professionals with disabilities. Using an AI-powere...
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 efficiencies across portfolio companies. Alitheia Capital is a pioneering impact investment firm dedicat...
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 his impactful contributions to Opay and Pagatech, where he led business development and partnership...
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 recently publishing Africonomics, which is a short, bold story of Western economic thought about Afric...
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 renewable energy is driving sustainable development and reshaping lives with affordable, on-demand ele...
Episode 152 with Daniel Yu, who is the Founder & CEO of Wasoko and Co-CEO of their new merger with MaxAB. African B2B e-commerce pioneers Wasoko and MaxAB have recently completed the continent’s largest-ever tech merger following the signing of preliminary terms in Q4 2023. Conducted as an all-stock transaction, the deal establishes a truly Pan-African platform for communities to access essential digital and physical goods, marking Wasoko and MaxAB’s evolution from B2B e-commerce compani...
Episode 150 with Somesh Adukia, Managing Director of Canon Central and North Africa. Canon, renowned as the world’s leading imaging company, was established in 1937. Over its 85-year history, Canon’s relentless drive for innovation has positioned it at the forefront of imaging excellence. The company is committed to strategic investments and seizing growth opportunities to sustain its leadership. Canon Central and North Africa, founded in 2016, embodies the company’s global vision while cate...
Episode 150 with Jihan Abass, who is CEO and Founder of Lami, which is an insurance as a service platform that digitises the entire insurance process and allows users to create and distribute digital insurance products in record time. As one of the first female African founders to secure $5.5 million in funding for her startup, Jihan's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Lami addresses Africa's significant insurance gap by digitising the entire process and empowering agents to sell produc...
Episode 149 with Yuma Sasaki, CEO and founder of Dodai, a groundbreaking e-mobility firm revolutionising transportation in East Africa. Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dodai Manufacturing PLC is assembling and selling high-speed, affordable electric motorcycles equipped with long-lasting lithium batteries. Yuma shares how Dodai is making e-mobility accessible for everyone in Africa, helping commuters escape traffic jams, cut fuel costs, and embrace a more sustainable future. What We Discuss...
Episode 148 with Emeka Obiwulu, Founder & CEO of The Offshore Lab (TOL). With over two decades of global experience in engineering and project delivery, Emeka has led impactful projects across continents, emphasising sustainable, community-driven solutions that prioritise local engagement and long-term growth. At The Offshore Lab, Emeka focuses on harnessing technology to empower communities, foster innovation, and unlock local potential. The Offshore Lab offers integrated services in pr...
Episode 147 with Prachi Agarwal and Alberto Lemma, who are both Research Fellows at the International Economic Development Group at ODI. They came on the podcast to discuss their latest report, "Advancing Implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade in Nigeria", which explores the transformative potential of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade for Nigeria. ODI (Overseas Development Institute) is a leading global think tank dedicated to driving positive change. Their mission is t...
Episode 146 with Sylvia Brune who is CEO of pawaPass, a platform making it possible for millions of people in Africa to access services and opportunities without the need for a government-issued ID. With over 50% of people in Africa lacking valid identification, pawaPass offers an inclusive and secure solution to verify users online, enabling them to engage in remote jobs, financial services, online trade, and more. pawaPass' mission is to empower individuals and businesses across the con...