Afropolitan Scaling Impact with Obinna Ukwuani (Chief Digital Officer, Bank of Kigali Plc)
Mar 22, 2023
51:58
Quote: "Don't approach entrepreneurship from a position of
desperation; instead, build and have leverage."
The Afropolitan Podcast highlights Afropolitans who embrace the
unknown and walk with purpose. Through this podcast, we aim to empower
Africans in the Diaspora to maximize their potential and contribute to
the development of a vibrant and progressive black community.
In this episode, we chat with Obinna Ukwuani, Chief Digital Officer at
the Bank of Kigali Plc, where he drives digital product development to
achieve digital financial services objectives. Obinna, born in America
with Nigerian roots, studied Economics at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT). He founded and directed the Makers Robotics
Academy Rwanda and NESA by Makers, and now serves as the Founder and
Director of Bruk Oil Mills in Enugu. Obinna previously worked at
Paystack and shares his entrepreneurship insights in this episode.
Obinna is passionate about education, entrepreneurship, and the
transformative power of Web3/Blockchain technologies for people
worldwide. Join us as Obinna discusses his journey to the Bank of
Kigali and the importance of digital technology and services in
solving Africa's challenges.
Obinna's Reading List:
1. Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by
Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson - https://amzn.to/3kD1fbO
2. The Biafra Story: The Making of an African Legend by Frederick
Forsyth - https://amzn.to/3Zt7vBN
3. The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis - https://amzn.to/3ICWJlD
Show Notes:
1:22 Introduction to the Afropolitan Podcast
1:42 Obinna's background and journey to MIT, earning a BSc in
Economics
7:28 Obinna's decision to return to Nigeria and his role in
nation-building and creating opportunities
12:09 Obinna's work with the Makers Robotics Academy Rwanda and its
impact on the local community
14:14 Obinna shares his first significant encounter with failure and
the lessons learned
20:46 Obinna discusses insights from working with Paystack and Bank of
Kigali on technology's potential for Africans
24:19 Obinna talks about his experience raising funds for startups and
offers advice for first-time founders navigating the fundraising
process
28:35 The importance of managing desperation and balance when
dealing with investors
31:20 Sam Altman's New Yorker profile and the need for Africa to
leapfrog - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/10/sam-altmans-manifest-destiny
38:12 Obinna shares his thoughts on Web3 and Blockchain, addressing
skepticism and guiding principles
42:53 Books that have profoundly impacted Obinna's life
50:27 Hypothetical title of a book about Obinna's life
51:35 Obinna's perspective on what it means to be Afropolitan
The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of
Afropolitan. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
Connect with Afropolitan:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan
Website - https:
desperation; instead, build and have leverage."
The Afropolitan Podcast highlights Afropolitans who embrace the
unknown and walk with purpose. Through this podcast, we aim to empower
Africans in the Diaspora to maximize their potential and contribute to
the development of a vibrant and progressive black community.
In this episode, we chat with Obinna Ukwuani, Chief Digital Officer at
the Bank of Kigali Plc, where he drives digital product development to
achieve digital financial services objectives. Obinna, born in America
with Nigerian roots, studied Economics at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT). He founded and directed the Makers Robotics
Academy Rwanda and NESA by Makers, and now serves as the Founder and
Director of Bruk Oil Mills in Enugu. Obinna previously worked at
Paystack and shares his entrepreneurship insights in this episode.
Obinna is passionate about education, entrepreneurship, and the
transformative power of Web3/Blockchain technologies for people
worldwide. Join us as Obinna discusses his journey to the Bank of
Kigali and the importance of digital technology and services in
solving Africa's challenges.
Obinna's Reading List:
1. Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by
Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson - https://amzn.to/3kD1fbO
2. The Biafra Story: The Making of an African Legend by Frederick
Forsyth - https://amzn.to/3Zt7vBN
3. The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis - https://amzn.to/3ICWJlD
Show Notes:
1:22 Introduction to the Afropolitan Podcast
1:42 Obinna's background and journey to MIT, earning a BSc in
Economics
7:28 Obinna's decision to return to Nigeria and his role in
nation-building and creating opportunities
12:09 Obinna's work with the Makers Robotics Academy Rwanda and its
impact on the local community
14:14 Obinna shares his first significant encounter with failure and
the lessons learned
20:46 Obinna discusses insights from working with Paystack and Bank of
Kigali on technology's potential for Africans
24:19 Obinna talks about his experience raising funds for startups and
offers advice for first-time founders navigating the fundraising
process
28:35 The importance of managing desperation and balance when
dealing with investors
31:20 Sam Altman's New Yorker profile and the need for Africa to
leapfrog - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/10/sam-altmans-manifest-destiny
38:12 Obinna shares his thoughts on Web3 and Blockchain, addressing
skepticism and guiding principles
42:53 Books that have profoundly impacted Obinna's life
50:27 Hypothetical title of a book about Obinna's life
51:35 Obinna's perspective on what it means to be Afropolitan
The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of
Afropolitan. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
Connect with Afropolitan:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan
Website - https: