Unlocking Africa

Episode 180 with Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa, a leading voice in sustainable finance and international development, and a key figure in shaping Jersey’s strategic engagement with Africa. Dr Rufaro serves as Sustainable Finance Lead at Jersey Finance, where she champions the role of international finance centres in mobilising capital for Africa’s sustainable growth. With a rich background spanning environmental policy, infrastructure investment, and financial inclusion, she brings a unique, cross-disciplinary perspective to global sustainability conversations.In this episode, Dr Rufaro discusses the future of sustainability in Africa, focusing on the critical sectors of energy, transport, and water. She unpacks the challenges facing African nations as they strive to modernise ageing infrastructure amidst rising urbanisation and climate risks, and shares real-world examples of green and resilient projects that are beginning to deliver tangible impact.Dr Rufaro also explores how African governments and private sector actors can better mobilise capital and innovation to scale sustainable infrastructure solutions. She reflects on the vital role of International Finance Centres like Jersey in supporting Africa’s ambitions by connecting global capital with local development priorities.What We Discuss With Dr RufaroHow Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa’s diverse background in environmental science, development finance, and international policy informs her approach to sustainable finance in Africa.Why sustainable infrastructure in energy, transport, and water is essential to Africa’s long-term development.The major roadblocks African countries face in transitioning to green, inclusive, and climate-resilient infrastructure models.How African governments and private sector actors can work together to mobilise capital and drive innovation in sustainable infrastructure.The role International Finance Centres like Jersey play in supporting Africa’s infrastructure goals by connecting global capital with local development priorities.Did you miss my previous episode where I discus How a South African Startup Is Giving Underserved Communities Access To Instant Emergency-Response Services? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Dr Rufaro:LinkedIn - Dr Rufaro NyakatawaTwitter - @jerseyfinanceDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode 179 with Warren Myers, CEO and co-founder of AURA, a life-saving technology platform revolutionising emergency response in Africa and globally. Warren is on a mission to make safety accessible to all by building the world’s first global emergency response “clearing house” that instantly connects people in distress to the nearest vetted security or medical responders, anywhere in the world.Founded in South Africa, AURA is now the continent’s largest network of private emergency responders and has expanded to the UK, Kenya, and recently, the United States. Backed by a €13.5M Series B round co-led by Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund and Partech, AURA is scaling rapidly and embedding its smart response technology into mobile apps, wearables, insurance products, and IoT platforms, reaching over 1.2 million users and securing 200,000+ properties.Warren shares the challenges of building a tech-driven safety net in Africa, why the U.S. market presents both urgency and opportunity, and how AURA is helping under-resourced public systems by filling the gap with faster, smarter, and more affordable private response.What We Discuss With WarrenThe personal and systemic challenges that inspired Warren Myers to launch AURA and reimagine emergency response in South Africa.How AURA’s smart auto-dispatch platform is making security and medical assistance instantly accessible via mobile, APIs, and IoT devices. The importance of democratising access to safety in Africa, and how AURA’s low-cost subscription model reaches underserved populations.AURA’s B2B2C partnerships with companies like Uber, Samsung, and FNB to integrate life-saving services into everyday platforms.The strategy and significance of AURA’s $14.6M Series B raise to expand into the U.S. and launch a global emergency “clearing house.”Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Africa’s Untapped Health Data: Inside the Mission to Transform Africa’s Health Data Economy? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Warren:LinkedIn - Warren Myers and AURADo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode 178 with Estelle Dogbo, systems strategist, healthcare executive, and founder of BioVana Research. Estelle has spent her career at the intersection of biotechnology, digital health, and pharmaceutical development building adaptive health systems across African markets and beyond. From commercial leadership roles at Sanofi and Roche to co-founding 54gene and Syndicate Bio, Estelle has been a quiet force behind Africa’s genomics and health data infrastructure.Now, as CEO and Founding Partner of BioVana Research, Estelle is reimagining how African health data is valued, governed, and transformed into powerful R&D assets. BioVana partners with hospitals, universities, and research institutions to bring structure, visibility, and trust to African biobanking ensuring local data is ethically sourced, verifiable, and globally competitive. Their model turns fragmented sample collections into strategic platforms for precision medicine, AI diagnostics, and responsible global collaboration.In this episode, Estelle shares her bold vision for African data sovereignty, why health systems must be built from the inside out, and how BioVana is helping African institutions shift from being invisible custodians to confident stewards of their own scientific future.What We Discuss With EstelleWhy Africa’s vast health datasets have remained invisible in global R&D, and how BioVana is changing that through ethical, locally rooted data governance.The critical role of biobanking infrastructure in unlocking breakthroughs in precision medicine, AI diagnostics, and clinical research across the continent.How BioVana is helping African hospitals and research institutions move from passive data custodians to active stewards in the global health ecosystem.What it means to build health systems “from the inside out” and why imported solutions often fail in high-complexity, low-resource environments.The risks of data extraction and decoupling in African research, and how BioVana ensures that local data remains connected to local value.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss The Future of Fashion Is African: Building an Ethical Clothing Factory in Rural Kenya? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Estelle:LinkedIn - Estelle Dogbo MSc and BioVana ResearchDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode 177 with Jo Maiden, founder and CEO of SOKO Kenya, a trailblazing ethical fashion manufacturer driving social and environmental impact from the heart of rural Kenya. Jo is a visionary entrepreneur transforming the global fashion landscape by proving that high-quality, sustainable production can thrive in Africa and uplift communities in the process.Founded in 2009, SOKO Kenya employs over 150 local workers and partners with global fashion brands to deliver garments made with purpose, not just profit. The company integrates solar power, rainwater harvesting, and waste repurposing into its operations all while providing fair wages, healthcare access, and pension schemes to its workforce. Beyond the factory, Jo’s Stitching Academy and Kujuwa Initiative have created pathways out of poverty through vocational training and menstrual health education for thousands of women and girls across Kenya.In this conversation, Jo shares how she built a values-driven factory from the ground up, why Africa is the future of ethical manufacturing, and what it takes to challenge the norms of fast fashion.What We Discuss With Jo MaidenJo’s decision to launch SOKO Kenya and her vision to use fashion as a vehicle for social and economic change in Africa.How SOKO Kenya is redefining ethical fashion by combining high-quality production with fair wages, community investment, and environmental sustainability.The role of local manufacturing in Kenya’s rural economy and how SOKO Kenya is creating dignified employment opportunities for women and youth.How sustainability is embedded into every layer of SOKO Kenya’s operationsSOKO Kenya’s collaborations with international fashion brands and what it takes to build trust, transparency, and long-term partnershipsDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Education for Economic Resilience: What It Takes to Build Lasting Education Systems in Africa? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Jo Maiden:LinkedIn - Joanna MaidenTwitter - @SOKOKenya_joDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode 176 with Dr Samuel Kembou, Global Co-Lead for Learning and Evidence at the Jacobs Foundation, a Swiss-based philanthropy advancing the learning and development of children worldwide. With a presence in Africa for over 35 years, the Foundation is known for its long-term commitment to strengthening education systems through rigorous research, strategic partnerships, and evidence-informed policymaking.Dr Kembou plays a central role in ensuring that data, learning, and research translate into practical, scalable solutions for education reform. He is a passionate advocate for placing evidence at the heart of decision-making, so that education systems not only deliver better outcomes for learners today but are built to adapt and thrive for generations to come.A respected leader in global education and development, Dr. Kembou brings sharp insight into how African countries can harness the power of learning systems to drive economic resilience and sustainable growth. His work at the Jacobs Foundation reflects a bold vision: that by investing in what works, we can transform the future of education across the continent.What We Discuss With Dr KembouWhy Dr. Samuel Kembou believes education is one of the most powerful tools for driving long-term economic growth and social resilience.The role of rigorous research and data in shaping effective education policies and improving classroom outcomes across African countries.The vision and impact behind the new $80 million co-funding mechanism in Ghana, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education, World Bank, and other key actors.How African countries can lead the global conversation on education innovation and help deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.The importance of multi-sector collaboration—including governments, philanthropies, and civil society in transforming education ecosystems.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss The Future of Farming: Using Tech, Finance, and Human Networks To Connect African Farmers to Global Markets? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Dr Kembou:LinkedIn - Samuel Kembou, PhDTwitter - @Foundation_JFDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode 175 with Desmond Koney, CEO and Founder of Complete Farmer, a Ghanaian agritech company which empowers African farmers to conduct their work in a much more sustainable and profitable way. Complete Farmer provides farmers with AI and data-driven technology to allow for "precision agriculture" so farmers can optimise their resources. The platform connects farmers with global markets, creating new opportunities for growth and profitability.Desmond shares his insights on how Complete Farmer is bridging the gap between traditional farming and modern technology, tackling the challenges of soil degradation, over-reliance on chemicals, and food insecurity. He discusses the company's mission to improve farming efficiency, promote sustainability, and support rural communities across the continent. Desmond also highlights the impact of Complete Farmer’s platform on both smallholder farmers and food companies, driving economic transformation and creating a more transparent and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.What We Discuss With DesmondThe role of data-driven insights in optimising farming operations, increasing yields, and improving resource management for smallholder farmers across Africa.The impact of Complete Farmer’s platform in connecting farmers to global markets, creating new opportunities for growth and profitability.How Complete Farmer’s AI and precision agriculture models help farmers make informed decisions.The role of agritech companies like Complete Farmer in reshaping Africa’s agricultural landscape and ensuring long-term food security and economic stability.How Complete Farmer is addressing critical challenges like soil degradation, over-reliance on chemicals, and food insecurity through technology and sustainable farming practices.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Generational Wealth: How African Families Are Navigating Wealth, Succession and Investment Across Africa? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Desmond:LinkedIn - Desmond KoneyTwitter - @CompleteFarmerDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode 174 with Faizal Bhana and Claire Machin, who are recognised voices in global finance and private wealth, working at the forefront of family governance, cross-border investment, and wealth structuring. Faizal serves as the director for the Middle East, Africa, and India at Jersey Finance, while Claire is the group director and head of private wealth at Suntera Global. Together, they bring extensive experience advising families, corporates and institutions on how to build, manage and preserve wealth across generations.In this episode, Faizal and Claire discuss how African family businesses are evolving in their approach to investment and succession. They explore the growing interest in establishing formal family office structures, the increasing influence of the next generation, and the rise of alternative financing methods, including Sharia-compliant finance, green finance and tokenisation.Drawing on their deep understanding of markets across East and West Africa, they examine how improved governance, enhanced regulatory frameworks and international financial centres such as Jersey and Kigali are supporting the ambitions of African families.Faizal and Claire’s shared vision is to help African families navigate complexity with confidence and unlock economic opportunity that creates value not just for themselves but for communities and economies across the continent.What We Discuss With Faizal and ClaireWhy Africa's next generation is reshaping how family wealth is structured, governed and invested globally.How African families are building their own family offices to take control of investment strategy and succession planning.The growing appeal of Sharia compliant and green finance as mainstream investment tools for African family businesses.How international financial centres like Jersey and Kigali are helping African families unlock global markets and manage cross border wealth. Why corporate governance is becoming essential for African families seeking to grow and professionalise their businesses. Did you miss my previous episode where I discus Africa’s Biodiversity Economy: Transforming Conservation Into Economic Growth and Sustainable Development? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Faizal:LinkedIn - Faizal BhanaTwitter - @jerseyfinanceConnect with Claire:LinkedIn - Claire MachinTwitter - @sunteraglobalDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode 173 with Edwin Tambara, Director of Global Leadership at the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). Edwin shares AWF’s groundbreaking approach to the biodiversity economy, an innovative model that integrates conservation and economic development, driving both environmental preservation and community prosperity.AWF has played a pivotal role in supporting Zimbabwe’s biodiversity economy, from nature-based tourism and wildlife conservation to the commercialisation of non-timber forest products. Through its work, AWF demonstrates that conservation can be a powerful driver of economic development, creating jobs, enhancing livelihoods, and attracting private investment. Edwin takes us through the challenges and successes of aligning conservation goals with economic agendas and how the African Wildlife Foundation is empowering local communities to become stewards of their natural resources.This episode offers a fascinating look at how biodiversity is becoming a key asset for Africa's future, showcasing how conservation and sustainable development go hand in hand to create a thriving, green economy.What We Discuss With EdwinThe vision behind AWF’s Biodiversity Economies initiative and its role in driving sustainable economic growth in Africa.How AWF is working with the Zimbabwean government to integrate biodiversity into national economic planning and development.The impact of nature-based tourism and non-timber forest products on Zimbabwe’s economy and rural livelihoods.How AWF is overcoming challenges of aligning conservation with economic agendas, particularly in Zimbabwe’s remote regions.AWF’s approach to promoting private investment in biodiversity economies and attracting sustainable financing for conservation projects.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Expanding Financial Access: Building a Marketplace for Agrocommodity Trade and Export in Nigeria? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Edwin:LinkedIn - Edwin TambaraTwitter - @EdwinTambaraDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode 172 with Abiola Jimoh, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of XchangeBox, the company behind PayRep, a platform supporting payments, collections, and access to financial products for SMEs, farmers, and traders across Nigeria.XchangeBox focuses on improving access to financial services for underserved communities through its PayRep platform. By offering services such as health insurance, pension savings, microcredit, and digital payments, the company supports the growth and stability of local economies. With a Super Agent licence, a PSSP, and a Microfinance Bank, XchangeBox works to complement government efforts to promote financial inclusion, particularly in rural and northern regions of Nigeria.In this episode, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in building financial services for underserved markets, the role of regulation in shaping the fintech sector, and the potential for a more coordinated e-commerce framework across Africa.What We Discuss With AbiolaThe operational strategies that have enabled XchangeBox to scale transaction volumes and build trust at agent locations across rural Nigeria.Navigating regulatory frameworks in Nigeria’s fintech sector and securing multiple licences.The importance of localising services while maintaining a unified product experience across different Nigerian regions.Why Africa needs a more intentional and synergised e-commerce framework to unlock the continent’s full potential.Future expansion opportunities across African markets and the need for greater cross-border fintech collaboration.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss AI and Solar: Why Financing Is the Missing Piece in Africa’s Clean Energy Puzzle? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Abiola:LinkedIn - Abiola JimohTwitter - @rajabiolaDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter

Episode #171 with Dami Olawoye, CEO of Rivy (formerly Payhippo) and leader in renewable energy financing across Africa.Dami Olawoye is at the forefront of making clean energy accessible across Africa through Rivy, an AI-powered lender focused on enabling homes and businesses to switch to solar power. With Rivy’s recent rebrand and a $4M pre-Series A funding round, the company is expanding its efforts to provide affordable financing solutions that help Nigerians move away from unreliable grid power and embrace renewable energy. Rivy’s mission is to address one of Africa’s biggest challenges by making solar power more accessible to those who need it most.In this episode, we explore how Rivy is helping to scale clean energy adoption, the role financing plays in supporting this transition, and how Nigerians can benefit from affordable solar energy. Dami shares his thoughts on the future of clean energy in Africa and the importance of financial solutions in making renewable energy a reality for everyone.What We Discuss With DamiThe inspiration behind Rivy’s pivot from SME lending to focusing on renewable energy financing in Africa.The role of affordable financing in making solar power accessible to homes and businesses in Nigeria.How Rivy is using AI to scale the adoption of clean energy and ensure successful loan repayments.The significant impact Rivy is having on reducing CO2 emissions and improving energy access across underserved communities.Africa’s clean energy future and the importance of building the financial infrastructure to support widespread solar adoption.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss From Dakar to Abidjan: Investing in Women Entrepreneurs in Francophone Africa? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Dami:LinkedIn - Dami OlawoyeTwitter - @RivyHQDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at info@etkgroup.co.ukSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus material - Unlocking Africa Newsletter