Connected Leadership with Peter Boyd Leading the Way | Kola Masha: Building the Highest-Impact Business
Jan 13, 2026
Kola Masha, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Babban Gona, shares insights from his journey from music and TV to engineering and social entrepreneurship. He discusses the importance of disciplined leadership in doubling smallholder farmers' incomes through holistic support. Kola highlights the role of AI in enhancing education and health services, as well as how patience and delegation are crucial for scalable impact. With a focus on comprehensive systems that strengthen food security and mobility, his vision redefines leadership and purpose-driven business.
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From Performer To Engineer To Founder
- Kola Masha described a winding career from classical singer and TV host to mechanical engineer and Harvard-trained business leader.
- His wife's Sunday-morning nudge pushed him into entrepreneurship and founding Babban Gona about 15 years ago.
Depth Plus Scale As Core Purpose
- Kola frames his purpose as founding the earth's highest-impact business by combining depth and scale of impact.
- He targets enabling 50 million smallholder farmers to double their income across Africa.
Holistic Model Anchored By Income
- Babban Gona delivers a holistic package: training, financing, inputs, and market access to double farmer incomes.
- The organization now builds an ecosystem of entrepreneurs to translate income gains into better food, education, healthcare, and home logistics.