Unlocking Africa

Episode #68 with Kola Oyeneyin, who is CEO of Opportunik Global Fund (OGF), which is a private wealth fund designed by Africans for Africans.At Opportunik Global Fund, the belief is that everyone should have access to opportunities regardless of their location. To that end, OGF offers USD investments to middle-class and mass-affluent Africans and Diasporans with a starting capital of $5,000. Their rigorous asset selection process and dedicated team ensure that investors receive healthy returns.OGF is licensed by the Cayman Islands and managed by Accuvise, a registered fund administrator overseeing over $216 million in Assets Under Administration. This means that their investors face minimal currency or political risks.What We Discuss With KolaThe Opportunik Global Fund aims to break down barriers faced by Africans and the Diaspora. What barriers are you trying to break down, and why? You've created a private wealth fund run by Africans for Africans. What do you think the significance of this is, and what additional value does it provide?What challenges have you had to overcome in order to create this fund? What is your forecast for the size of the fund in the next one to three years? How does OGF differ from other investment options available to Africans and Diasporans, and what advantages does it offer? And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss The Journey of Medsaf. Revolutionising the Way Hospitals and Pharmacies Access Medication in Africa with Vivian Lawal? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuConnect with Kola on LinkedIn at KolaOyeneyin, and Twitter @KolaOyeneyinDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #67 with Vivian Lawal, who is Founder of Medsaf, which is a curated medication marketplace for African hospitals and pharmacies. Medsaf is a global organisation with headquarters in the United States and a presence in Nigeria. They believe that quality medication is a fundamental human right. They focus on bringing high-quality medication manufacturers directly to pharmacies and hospitals, using our Medsaf platform. Their platform provides hospitals and pharmacies with access to credit, inventory management, and logistics. It’s a one-stop procurement service. What We Discuss With Vivian How does Medsaf differ from other medication marketplaces, and what unique value do you provide to your customers? What is the current state of the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector at the moment?Low-quality and counterfeit medicines are an issue throughout Africa. How do you keep counterfeit drugs out of your supply chain?  In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare industry in Africa, and how is Medsaf helping to address these challenges? How have you managed to scale up your business in Nigeria while navigating numerous regulatory hurdles and compliance requirements?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Success Against the Odds: Building a Booming Property Business in Soweto with Nthabiseng Sejake? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamu Connect with Vivian on LinkedIn at VivianNwakahLawal, and Twitter @MedsafComDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #66 with Nthabiseng Sejake, who is a rising star in the world of property investment. Nthabiseng is the founder of B Evolution, a rapidly expanding rental business based in Soweto. Despite having a portfolio with dozens of quality apartments on three sites in Soweto, Nthabiseng's business has been unable to secure funding from South Africa's formal banking sector. Nonetheless, her company has thrived in a market often overlooked by traditional investors. During this episode, she shares her insights on the challenges facing entrepreneurs in the property sector and how she has navigated these obstacles to build a successful business.What We Discuss With NthabisengWhat is the current state of South Africa’s property industry? How do individuals operating independently, like yourself, succeed in accessing and establishing a foothold in the highly competitive real estate industry? Soweto is an iconic place with a rich history and culture, but the western media has always depicted it as a low-income and high-crime area. What is the reality of living and building a business in Soweto? What tips would you give to other budding property entrepreneurs in Africa?  What do you think the importance of people from Soweto playing a big role in the development and regeneration of the area is? And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss From Paper to Practice. Achieving Lasting Change through Land Reform in Africa with Thierry Ngoga? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #65 with Thierry Ngoga who has 16 years of experience providing strategic and operational solutions to governments and development partners in relation to land management, agriculture, and urban development.His deep experience, which spans at least 17 countries across both Anglophone and Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa, has often focused on designing low-cost, locally grown solutions to issues related to natural resource management, agricultural systems, and governance. What We Discuss With  Thierry What do we need to know about land management in Africa? You published a book in 2018 with the title Rwanda’s Land Tenure Reform: Non-existent to Best Practice’. Can you give us a snapshot of some of the key themes from that book? What obstacles must African governments overcome in order to successfully implement land tenure reform?What impact does effective land reform have on African agricultural output and food security? How have you gone about increasing governments' capacity and capability so that they can appropriately prioritise issues like land reform and agriculture? And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Insights into the Complexities of Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa with Pritish Behuria? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuConnect with Thierry on LinkedIn at ThierryHozaNgoga, and Twitter @hozangogaDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #64 with Pritish Behuria who is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester. The university boasts Europe's largest department dedicated to studying global and international development issues, making Pritish an ideal guest to speak on the topic. Additionally, he is a renowned expert in the fields of industrial policy and comparative developmental trajectories, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. His extensive experience and knowledge allowed him to provide valuable insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing this region in terms of economic development and industrialisation.What We Discuss With  PritishThe majority of your research focuses on African development strategies and trajectories, particularly Rwanda. Why Rwanda? What are some of the present-day challenges that Africa faces in terms of development in the 21st century?What are the typical vulnerabilities present in African economies that hinder the attainment of sustainable economic growth?I came across an intriguing article that you published not long ago, titled "The Political Economy of a Tax Haven: The Case of Mauritius". Would you mind highlighting some of the central themes explored in this piece?What advantages could an African economy potentially gain from implementing a tax haven strategy?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss How a Boutique PR Company Is Changing the Conversation About Africa’s Tech and Start-up Sectors with Jessica Hope? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuConnect with Pritish on LinkedIn at PritishBehuria, and Twitter @pritishbehuriaDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #63 with Jessica Hope,  who is Founder and CEO at Wimbart, which is a boutique public relations company with a heavy emphasis on Africa & emerging markets. They produce hyper-targeted, relevant & meaningful media campaigns for a range of international clients.They work across technology, start-ups, entertainment, social enterprises, entrepreneurs and consumer products, to deliver memorable press campaigns.What We Discuss With  Jessica Hope How have PR and communications evolved in Africa during your time working on the continent? What is the current state of PR and communications in Africa? Do you believe African businesses truly understand the power of PR and communications, both internally and externally?Do you believe there is a link between positive PR and communications and investment flows into Africa or specific companies?Is it still difficult to pitch stories on Africa to journalists outside of Africa, or has this changed?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Connecting Talent to Opportunities. Overcoming Challenges in African Workforce Development with Noam Kan? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuConnect with Jessica on LinkedIn at JessicaHope, and Twitter @WimbartDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #62 with Noam Kan,  who is Director of International Business Development at XML International, a company that provides unique workforce solutions by partnering with local entities to recruit, onboard, oversee, and pay teams around the world. This approach allows the company to have a deep understanding of the local culture, language, and employment laws, making it easier to provide tailored solutions to its clients.XML International has a large network of partners around the world and in Africa, allowing them to access a large pool of talented professionals. They provide a range of services, including recruitment, payroll, compliance, and legal support. By taking care of these tasks, XML International frees up their clients to focus on their core business activities.What We Discuss With  Noam KanXML International is a company that works with local entities to recruit, onboard, manage, and pay teams all over the world, including Africa. How do you go about accomplishing this?How do you go about finding local entities and partners on the ground in order to operate successfully in Africa?What significant changes in African recruitment have you witnessed during your time on the continent?What is your process for locating qualified candidates in the African market?How do you invest in developing and nurturing African talent?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Maximizing Returns, Minimizing Risk. The Importance of Mitigating Political and Credit Risk in Africa with Amir Hussain? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuConnect with Noam on LinkedIn at NoamKan, and XML InternationalDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #61 with Amir Hussain,  who is a Senior Underwriter of Political & Credit Risk at Africa Specialty Risks.With an African-focused and experienced team of underwriters, Africa Specialty Risks provides coverage aimed at facilitating trade and investments for financial institutions, traders, and exporters, to name a few, transacting in Africa. Their mission is to provide the protection and confidence required to grow, develop, and increase business with African counterparties.What We Discuss With  Amir HussainThe company uses the tagline ‘Protecting Africa’. Can you explain how Africa Specialty Risks protects Africa? What is it protecting Africa from?What would you say to those who claim you are selling risk rather than highlighting the opportunities that Africa offers?What type of person or company is your service aimed at, and what are the benefits of the services you offer?What does Africa's risk outlook look like in the near future based on the data you've gathered?What political risks does the continent face as a result of the global economic downturn, which is causing rising inflation, depletion of foreign exchange reserves, and depreciation of many African currencies?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Revolutionising Retirement. Awabah's Vision for a More Inclusive Pension System in Nigeria with Tunji Andrews? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuConnect with Amir on LinkedIn at AmirHussain, and Twitter @AfricaSpecialtyDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #60 with Tunji Andrews,  who is CEO at Awabah, which is digital platform that helps millions of Nigerians get on the Micro Pension Scheme, which is the first step to a financially secure future. They make planning for retirement easier for many Nigerians .What We Discuss With  Tunji AndrewsWhat is the importance of having access to pensions, health insurance, life insurance, and accident insurance for people in Africa's informal sector?What measures or guarantees have been put in place to protect your customers' pensions? What challenges have you encountered in launching a solution like this, which is disrupting a large and well-established market and institutions?Awabah currently only operates in Nigeria. What African markets do you intend to enter next and why?Expansion into new markets requires a significant investment. Where is this money coming from, and do you have investors backing your ambitious plans?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss  The Importance of Training the Next Generation of Africa Focused Startup Investors with Mark Kleyner? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuConnect with Tunji on LinkedIn at TunjiAndrews, and Twitter @TunjiAndrews Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #59 with Mark Kleyner,  who is Co-Founder & Program Director of Dream VC, which is an investor accelerator for Africa. Through their community-driven educational platform, they run highly selective remote training programs on Venture Capital & the Innovation Ecosystem across Africa's Startup Ecosystems.What We Discuss With  Mark KleynerYou and your team have big plans to accelerate the next generation of ecosystem-building African investors. Can you tell us how you intend to achieve this?What do you think the importance of having Africans with the right skills and training to invest in African startups is? What is the current state of education and training for African-focused startup investors? In terms of skills and knowledge, how do African venture capitalists compare to their global counterparts?What advice would you give to someone who has no VC experience but wants to pursue a career in VC in Africa?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss From Idea to Impact. Investing in Africa's Most Promising Mission-Driven Startups with Emmanuel Adegboye? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamuConnect with Mark on LinkedIn at MarkKleyner, and Twitter @markkleynerRegister your interest now in Dream VC's programs and join a community of driven professionals who are making a difference in Africa's startup ecosystem: https://forms.gle/N6r7vjRfDgdUPHEZ6Don't just dream about breaking into or advancing your career in the African venture capital industry, make it a reality! Check out Dream VC's website now to learn more about their remote training programs and unlock your potential today: www.dream-vc.comDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here