Think BIG for Africa

On today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, my guest is Rwandan Petroleum Geoscientist; Donatien Ishimwe. We discussed the means for Africa to achieve Energy Independence.  Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy!

Welcome back to another episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s conversation, my guest is Jermaine Craig the Founder of Kwanda.  Jermaine is a London-born Egba gentleman, a Social Entrepreneur whose platform is bringing Africans in the diasporans together to fund local-led solutions in Africa.My insightful conversation with Jermaine went through various connecting tunnels and I think it is a must-listen/watch for any African who wishes to be part of the solution to Africa’s future.-       Intro - Social Entrepreneur - Jermaine Craig -       Create a Compelling Vision for Africa -       You Are NOT African Because… -       Sustainable Development Model -       The Vastness and Complexity of Africa -       The Copy and Paste Path of Civilization -       The Kwanda’s Project Pipeline -       Challenges Implementing Local Solutions in Africa-       Why Africans Need to Write and Read More -       Diaspora Investing in Africa -       Philanthropy vs. For-Profit Businesses in Africa-       The Way Forward - Capitalism vs Socio-Marxism -       Jermaine‘s Book Recommendations -       Advise to African Youths & Vision 2050 for AfricaListen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).  Enjoy!#africa #philanthropy #kwanda #entrepreneurship #africandiaspora #panafricanism #visionforafrica #developafrica #africanyouths #makeafricagreat #africa2050 #thinkbigforafrica

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is a leadership, culture, and transformation expert; Ethel Kuuya. Ethel specializes in helping organizations and leaders navigate the intersection of culture, leadership, and innovation as a coach and mentor.Ethel recently published “Leading Beyond Now - Five Commitments for Africa to Thrive.” In the first third of our conversation, Ethel and I discussed what it means to lead beyond now and the five commitments.1.        Leading Beyond Now – The 5 Commitments for Africa to Thrive2.      Curate Wise Council – Why many leaders don’t make good decisions3.      Challenging the norms in Africa4.     Why we must be anchored by Values as without VALUES nothing is sacred5.      Explored reasons many African leaders don’t commit to excellent leadership6.      Impact of the interference by Africa’s former colonial masters.7.      Land Reform in Zimbabwe.The discussion with Ethel was so interesting and important that we had to schedule a second immediately. Please, listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy! 

In this week’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. my conversation is with a brother/friend, and a former guest, Oluyomi Martins.Our conversation covers various issues and concerns about Nigeria’s current economic situation. We are asking questions to try to find out what happened and the way forward.00:00 Introduction02:35 NLC Protest in Nigeria03:32 Fuel Subsidy & Nigeria's Failed Projects15:27 Leadership Will Needed to Remake Nigeria17:06 Things Nigerians are Afraid to Say!21:22 What The CBN is Doing25:17 Inflation in Nigeria27:01 Solution to Productivity Issues32:40 Value chain & Supply chain41:59 8. Human Capital Issues48:10 Productivity, Inflation & Exchange Rate52:03 Tough Challenge for Young Nigerians58:04 Reversed Education Curriculum1:04:03 New Age Responsive Institutions1:07:00 12. Abia State Electrification Project1:11:13 Recalibration of Nigeria's FutureListen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc). Enjoy! 

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is Mbulelo Jili; a Branding Guru and Market Analyst. Mbulelo is the Founder and Managing Director of “The Local Agency.” The Local Agency helps brands scale & construct data-driven marketing strategies in African markets. This conversation was relatively short, however we covered several important topics. It started with banter where I exposed my Ignorance of music trends – I had only recently discovered Burna Boy.1.        Mbulelo’s life journey that led him to a Career in Advertising2.      The Diversity and Uniqueness of African Markets  - Led to The Birth of The Local Agency3.      Audience Research and The Road Map for Effective Marketing Strategy4.     The Evolution of Marketing and Branding in Africa5.      Ideal customers of “The Local Agency”6.      Personal and Business Branding in the age of the internet and social media.7.      Challenges in marketing in Africa 8.     Identifying and managing privacy issues in Africa9.      The next moves of  “The Local Agency”10.  What does representation mean to you?11.     Reading books to expand our horizon -  Mbulelo’s Recommendations12.   Fixing local issues through fostering entrepreneurial minds in Africa – a few more.Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy! 

In today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, my guest is a polyglot Adedeji Odulesi. Adedeji is fluent in three Nigerian and four European languages. This extraordinary language skill and composure enable Adedeji to become a sort after International Master of Ceremony. Also, Adedeji has a YouTube channel where he showcases other Africans with excellent language skills.Africa being a continent with over 3,000 languages, I was excited to speak with Adedeji on his views about the impact of the diversity of language and culture on Africa. Here are our conversation topics;1.        Build a career around your talents, skills, and what you love 2.      How a polyglot farmer became a most sort-after Master of Ceremony3.      How does Africa’s diversity of languages and cultures affect its unity 4.     The role of language in development in a fast-paced world5.      Advise for young Africans - See your cup ss HALF-FULL and take ownership of your present and future 6.      Why we shouldn’t place our hope on politicians – most have never successfully built ANYTHING.7.      Africa Will Be The Center of The World in 20-30 Years 8.     Why Africans must challenge our normsListen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc). Enjoy! 

This month is the 3rd anniversary of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. I’m grateful to all my guests and members of my audience worldwide. I’m thankful for supporting me on this incredible journey. Please help me reach more people by sharing and inviting others to the podcast.In this first episode of our anniversary month, my guest is an uncommon Sports Business Entrepreneur; Syombua A Kibue. Syombua is a Sports Pathway Specialist and an advocate for Girls and Women in Sports, Investor & Mentor. She is the CEO of SKEIYA. Syombua understands the huge economic and social opportunities that sports bring to Africa, and she is working on making them work for our communities.Though this conversation with Syombua was primarily focused on sports, it opened and expanded different issues in Africa worth discussing. The huge opportunities in sports in Africa are wholly untapped. Our conversation topics included;1.        How to make the global sports systems work for Africa2.      How to make the world come to Africa to learn3.      Why do African players prioritize their European clubs ahead of their countries4.     Why don't Africans speak with one voice?5.      Her journey -Entering the business of Sports6.      Taking advantage of the love of sports in Africa - Where is Sports going in Africa? –7.      Should African countries have permanent standing national teams?8.     Creating sustainable environments to attract global talents to build Africa9.      Girls and Women in Sports10.  Advice to young Africans and 20-30 Vision for AfricaListen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy!

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is a medical doctor, a Public Health Specialist, and a Researcher; Bridget Nwagbara. Bridget is an advocate for cardiovascular health and longevity. She is also the Co-founder of Viedial Healthcare which builds personalized care to prevent cardiovascular diseases.  In this conversation, we covered topics like;-       Why Africans are prone to Cardio-Vascular diseases-       The MYTH of long life in African villages-       Public Health Advocacy for Cardio-Vascular Diseases in Nigeria -       How to get stakeholders to buy-in into the implementation of public health policies and proposals-       The issues that motivated Bridget to choose to work on Cardio-Vascular diseases-       The need for individuals to find out their Risk Factors for Cardio-Vascular diseases-       Bridget’s books recommendations - Biographies and Philosophies that shape our times-      AI, “Coded Gaze” and other ways of knowing – interesting concept -       Longevity and Re-designing of Life Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy!#africa #healthcare  #publichealth #healthcareresearch #cardiovasculardiseases ##cardiovascularhealth #makeafricagreat #africa2050 #thinkbigforafrica

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. My guest on today’s episode is one of my many brothers, Oluyomi Martins. Yomi is a Business Coach and financial services consultant with over two decades of work experience in various International Banks and Financial Services Training and Consulting Firms.Nearly all of us have bank accounts, and incur fees and charges for using them. In his recently published book “How to Conduct A Bank Statement Forensic Audit” Yomi takes us from debit through recovery of erroneous fees and charges. As a financial services consultant and bank statement forensic auditor, Yomi has assisted individuals, corporations, and government agencies in recovering over N2B (two billion naira) in excess bank charges and fees.In this conversation, our discussion included;-       Bank charges and fees specifically in Nigeria.-       The extent of excess changes and unlawful fees by banks in Nigeria and globally.-       Training in Financial literacy for customers.- Looking out for excessive and unlawful changes and fees in your bank accountListen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy! 

Happy New Year! I wish you and your loved ones good health, joy, and happiness. May you use 2024 to advance your purpose for the betterment of all in your orbit.Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. Today’s episode was recorded just before Christmas and got caught up in the holiday celebrations. Now, this insightful episode starts our exciting 2024.My guest is an American Entrepreneur and angel Investor who lives in Nairobi; Paul Breloff. Paul is the CEO and co-founder of Shortlist, a talent platform connecting skilled professionals to great careers across Africa, India, and now 25+ countries globally. In his spare time, he finds other ways to support innovative & impactful startups as an angel investor (particularly edtech/job tech) and as an advisor/venture partner to VC funds & venture studios. In this insightful conversation, Paul addressed important issues that many young Africans would like to understand about jobs, careers, and entrepreneurship.-       The role of Shortlist in solving Human Capital challenges in fast-growing Africa and recruiting for Executive roles in Africa. The huge challenge of creating hundreds of millions of jobs for the teeming young Africans.-       Entrepreneurship is a mindset with a passion for problem-solving. His hobby as an Angel Investor. How to attract Investors to your business venture, the value, and how to De-Risk a business venture-       Paul’s advice to young Africans - Embrace the low-cost but high return of personal development. Think locally and act locally. And finally, his vision is to make Africa the home of the industrial world.Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy! 

ALL Pan-Africanists MUST Hear This!A bonus topic in my recent conversation with Sylvester Sedibane; a young, purpose-driven leader from South Africa.If Africans want to be United, then we MUST stop telling ourselves bogus and untrue stories.#africa #developafrica #leadership #panafricanism #oneafrica #africandiversity #criticalthinking #curiosity #africanyouths #makeafricagreat #africa2050 

On today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. my guest is a young Educationalist. Entrepreneur and Ethical Leader from South Africa; Sylvester Sedibane. Sylvester is a purpose-driven individual who is passionate about personal growth and development and has a strong desire to help young people navigate the challenges and opportunities of life.He is currently in Kigali, Rwanda, so we started the conversation with a constructive discussion about traveling in Africa and the recent announcements of Visa FREE travel by Kenya and Rwanda.-       Education - Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth-       The Big Challenge for Educators in Africa – Funding and Keep Their Student Excited to Learn-       The Profound Process to Discover Your Purpose-       Servant Leadership is People Oriented-       Sylvester’s 5 Books to You Reach The Next Level -       Advice for young Africans - Do Away With The AVERAGE MindsetListen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).

As part of my recent conversation with John Kofi Annan, we delved into the Meaning, Relevance, Status, and Future of Pan-Africanism Skill Based Education, Technology, Meritocracy, Integrity in Leadership | John Kofi AnnanVideo: https://youtu.be/Db-z8YhM08YAudio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1709230/14118646

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is John Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian who has lived in Nigeria for several years. John is a Global Tech Coach, Public Speaker, ICT/Management Consultant, Leadership Coach, and Pan-Africanist.John started from a humble but solid beginning. He learned business and people skills from his mum and he has used these to create impact for thousands of young Africans.The first six-minute banter is not included here, but it’s available as a video clip, Also the last discussion about Pan-Africanism is so juicy that it will come as a separate mini episode afterward.-       From a tomato seller to a Technology trainer with thousands of students-       Journey from Ghana to Enugu to work with great mentors-       Meritocracy in Africa-       The need for education in African Certification with No Real Value-       Practically Oriented Based Education System-       Who will save Africa?Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).  Enjoy! 

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is Daniel Kwaku Merki. Daniel enables African entrepreneurs to create solutions to Africa's most challenging problems and to promote general-purpose technologies of the 21st century on the continent.My conversation with Daniel started with him telling me about systemizing to role of Angel Investing. Then, a series of important and interesting topics;Access Availability – Education General Purpose TechnologyStart Small and Thinking BigIndependent ThinkingPhilosophical Foundation of Africa’s DevelopmentDiversity of Thought and Idea MeritocracyListen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy!

Welcome to another episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. Today, I have a third-time returning guest David Owumi. David is the founder of SALT House – Africa’s First INCLUSION Research Institute. He is one of my favorite guests as he and his organization are taking on important work in our society.In this conversation, we explored the complexity of African society and the various SALT House initiatives to promote and embed Inclusion.SALT House Initiatives – such as SALT House Business, SALT House Governance, Beyond Borders ProjectSALT House plans to host the first-ever African Inclusion Festival in NigeriaThe difficulty of implementing DEI in an already very diverse society.Inclusion in Education - Science and Mathematics are not Western in origin.How Africa will catch up with The West - Read the books Westerners read.Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).  Enjoy! 

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is Sharon Mbugua; a friend I met in Nairobi in 2006. Back then Sharon was working in Market Research and Consumer Insights. However, this conversation was not about her career, it was about the most precious gift we have; life.Sharon survived a brain tumor and today, she is living with epilepsy and the impacts on her life. Our conversation started with a chit-chat catch-up after 17 years and evolved into;Life-Changing Health Event – Sharon shared being diagnosed with a cancerous  brain tumor, treatment, and surgery in India which resulted in regular epilepsy episodesBecoming an Epilepsy Warrior – Sharon advocates for epilepsy, media appearances, podcasting – “Wellness and You”, as well as being appointed to national and international (UN) led organizations.Consequences of Underfunded Healthcare in Africa – Discussion on healthcare funding and the inevitable eventualities in a few decades as Africa’s young population gets older and needs healthcare.Changing or Losing Careers Due to Healthcare Crisis – I and Sharon tried to articulate our individual struggles to return to our former careers after our health incidents.Sharon’s book recommendations, advice to young Africans, and her vision for Africa by 2050.  Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).  Enjoy!

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, I have an amazing young guest; Bavukile Vilane. Bavu is from South Africa. He is a consultant, entrepreneur, speaker, and the Founder of Whatsnxt.  Our conversation opened with Bavu telling about his discovery of the beauty and elegance of African cities and his desire to explore more. A beautiful start of an interesting and thought-provoking conversation. -       A Father’s Voice – The lessons from his father that built his foundational VALUES for the future and how playing team sports helped him develop leadership abilities.  -       Whatsnxt – Bridging the gap between GOOD and GREAT with a simple framework of Think, Plan & Execute. Helping small businesses and young entrepreneurs -       The drive that young Africans need to have to build Africa. Inferiority Complex - Mindset shift amongst the younger generation of Africans  -       Discussed Bavu’s favorite quote “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." — Will Durant  -       The need to change narratives in order to restore hope in Young Africa  - We explored the need to be open to learning from every group of the human family. -       Life Changing Books Recommendation - The Third Door and Four Classics  Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc). Enjoy! 

On today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, my guest is Ayodeji Oyebola. Ayodeji is a Business Strategist, Author, Leadership scholar, Keynote Speaker, and Organization Development consultant. Gallup’s Top 5 Strengths: Strategic, Ideation, Responsibility, Developer, and RelatorThis conversation started with a discussion about Deji’s work as an Organization Development consultant and his book titled “Caring -The Soul of Leadership”. Then discussed the phenomenon of subjective truth (my truth), perception, and their impacts on everyday life.  Setting goals,  Deji’s book recommendations; check out “Strength Finder 2.0”,  and advice to young Africans about instant gratification. Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).Enjoy! 

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. Today’s conversation is one of the most impactful in the last two years of speaking with leaders from across Africa. My guest is a lawyer and entrepreneur; Amne Suedi. Amne work is unlocking opportunities for both local businesses and investors by forging strategic partnerships across Eastern African markets. She has adopted the moniker of Africa's pickiest Investment Adviser. Amne has an honest assessment of the real opportunities that will move Africa forward and benefit both local businesses and investors.In this very important conversation, we discussed;1.        Picking the right local and foreign investment collaborators.2.      The investment needs of Africa – Education, agriculture, infrastructure vs. high technologies.  We questioned if Africa is been used as a laboratory to perfect new technologies that do not align with the immediate needs of the continent. 3.      The role of legal systems (Rule of Law) in enabling or disabling investments in Africa. 4.     Questions and challenges about the abilities of AFCfTA to enable the internal African market to thrive.5.      Fantastic book recommendations to strengthen your mind – 6.      Finally, Amne shared the greatest advice for young Africans – Become VALUABLE to yourself and to your community.Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc) and YouTube.Enjoy!