Unlocking Africa

Episode #38 with Eric Annan who is Founder and CEO of AYA, a curated marketplace for early-stage startups and high growth businesses to access vetted African Web3 digital skilled talents.AYA helps early-stage startups and medium-sized companies find the right fit talents to supercharge their business. Eric is passionate about ensuring that there are as few barriers as possible for Africans to access additional employment opportunities and to share their talents with the world.What We Discuss With Eric AnnanAYA stands for resilience. Is there a specific type of resilience that differentiates African tech talent from those from other parts of the world?Why are so many African startups registering their companies outside of Africa, in places like Delaware?These days, there are numerous talent/employment platforms available. What is the value proposition of AYA?How can we stop the brain drain of Africa´s brightest tech talent?How can we invest in developing more African tech 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 The Significance of Social Entrepreneurship and Social Development in Driving Africa’s New Era with Prof. Tal Edgars? 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 Eric Annan on LinkedIn at EricAnnan, and Twitter @e_annan24Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #37 with Prof. Tal Edgars is Group Executive Chairman at GBSH Consult Group. Also, a multi-award winner, globally renowned business authority, seasoned diplomat and a cutting edge thinker and author with an outstanding record in planning, managing and executing highly successful private and public sector initiatives in Africa, Europe, America & Asia. He has a background in academia, diplomacy, and international civil service. Is one of  Africa's foremost authorities and informed voices on foreign policy, contract theory, Growth and Competitiveness Practice, complex negotiations, strategic foresight, government affairs, and how countries and businesses can participate actively in their own development.What We Discuss With Prof. Tal EdgarsWhat, in your opinion, is required to successfully implement private and public sector initiatives in Africa?What is the role of ethical leadership in Africa, and do you believe it is widely practised and understood?Why is entrepreneurship and innovation important in Africa, and what role does it play in creating the Africa We Want?What economic, social, and cultural value do you believe social entrepreneurs and innovation can bring to African economies?What positive impact may AfCFTA have on social entrepreneurship and social development?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Why Africa Needs to Improve Cybersecurity to Boost Investment and Economic Development with Kendrall Felder and Larry Yon? 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 Prof. Tal Edgars on LinkedIn at TalEdgars, and Twitter @ProfTalEdgarsDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #36 with Kendrall Felder and Larry Yon who are Co-Founders of CyberAlliance, which is a global technology solutions firm, with a Pan-African focus, creating strategies that advance digital transformation and accelerate cyber security.  CyberAlliance focuses on helping sub-saharan African countries implement technology and cyber security in a way that drives job creation, profitability, and economic development. What We Discuss With Kendrall Felder and Larry YonWhat are some of the challenges you face when developing and implementing strategies to improve cyber security in Africa?In Africa, effective cybersecurity remains a challenge, with many organisations unprepared for cyber attacks. Why is this the case?What efforts can be made to increase cybersecurity awareness in Africa?What is the significance of countries like Kenya enacting new anti-piracy legislation to combat piracy and protect content, networks, and intellectual property?What is the relationship between cyber security and economic development 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 How to Accurately Forecast Africa’s Long-Term Development Potential. African Futures & Innovation with Jakkie Cilliers? 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 Kendrall and Larry on LinkedIn at Kendrall Felder and Larry Yon, and Twitter @_CyberAllianceDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #35 with Jakkie Cilliers who is the author of Africa First!: Igniting a Growth Revolution, and Head of African Futures and Innovation at the Institute for Security Studies. An institute that builds knowledge and skills that secure Africa’s future.What We Discuss With Jakkie CilliersWhat are Africa's development prospects and potential based on the data you've gathered?Is Africa on track to meet the objectives outlined in Agenda 2063?Do you believe the term "leapfrogging" is misused or misunderstood in the context of Africa?What will future trade relations between Africa and the rest of the world look like. What shifts or changes are you forecasting?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 to Successfully Structure and Start an Africa Focused Venture Capital Fund with Samantha Lee? 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 Jakkie on LinkedIn at JakkieCilliers, and Twitter @JakkieCilliersDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #34 with Samantha Lee who is an angel investor, venture capitalist and the founder of StoneSoup Partners, a firm that invests in African startups.StoneSoup Partners believe that it is possible and better to build companies that do well by doing good. They believe that financial value should be derived from social value. In the long run, they hope to reshape entrepreneurship so that it is no longer solely focused on profit maximisation but also addresses broader societal challenges.What We Discuss With Samantha LeeHow did you go about gaining local knowledge and expanding your network in order to invest in African startups?In terms of your recent and current investments, what type of startups do you prefer to invest in?Is your strategy for investing in African startups different from that of Southeast Asia?What are the challenges of establishing a fund dedicated to investing in African startups?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 Power of Media: How a Ghanaian Radio Station Transformed a Community with Phillip Nyakpo? 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 Samantha on LinkedIn at SamanthaLeeDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #33 with Phillip Nyakpo who is an author and former journalist. His most recent book, Absolute Radio, is a spellbinding true story of entrepreneurship, media, culture and tradition, all tastefully rolled into one! Absolute Radio is an authentic story of girls and boys who became women and men – and heroes – on the wings of a radio station. Running the course of 25 years, the story comes from the culturally stylish twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana, with global footprints.What We Discuss With Phillip NyakpoIn the context of African media, how significant is private ownership?Prior to 1990, only a few African countries permitted commercial or non-state radio. What significance did the launch of SKYY POWER FM have?Were there any economic benefits to the local community as a result of privatised radio, either directly or indirectly?What is your opinion of the current state of African media?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss What Is the Future of the Creator Economy in Africa? Creating Value Through Community with Patrick Palmi? 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 Phillip on LinkedIn at PhillipNyakpo, and Twitter @NyakpoDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #32 with Patrick Palmi who is CEO and Founder of Palm TV,  which is Africa's first ecommerce marketplace platform for affiliate creators. If you run an online community, Palm TV Store makes it incredibly simple to open an online store with exciting affiliate products to sell to your community at the best retail price.In the last three years, the Palm TV marketplace has generated over US$15 million in GMV for young African creators and affiliate merchandise partners.What We Discuss With Patrick PalmiCan you describe the infrastructure required for a platform to ship products and process payments anywhere in Africa, as well as how you built it?What are some of the nuances unique to African e-commerce?How can African content creators effectively leverage their network and community to create commercial value?Can you describe the process you use to find and integrate reputable suppliers into your platform?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Impact Investing in Africa. Promoting Positive Capital for Development in Africa with Gert van Veldhuisen? 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 Patrick on LinkedIn at PatrickPalmi, and Twitter @palmtvstoreDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #31 with Gert van Veldhuisen who is Co-Founder of BiD Capital Partners and Director Africa of Unknown Group, which is an early-stage Venture Capital and business development firm with operations in 110+ countries. Unknown believe that founders turn the world’s problems into opportunities by developing solutions that go beyond what is known. Together with industry leaders, they tap in to this potential by giving them the opportunity to bring their solution to scale. As the Director Africa, Gert is responsible for the companies activities on the African Continent. He brings together entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, public institutions, development organisations, investors, and ecosystem builders to explore opportunities, form partnerships, and transform them into scalable, impactful solutions.What We Discuss With Gert van VeldhuisenWhat does impact investing mean to you, and how does it impact the African continent?What is your process and thesis for identifying startups with investment potential in Africa?How can startups properly position themselves for investor due diligence?How would someone go about getting into the African impact investment industry?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 Entrepreneurship Can Play a Critical Role in Africa’s Transformation and Future Development with York Zucchi? 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 Gert on LinkedIn at GertvanVeldhuisenDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #30 with York Zucchi who is a serial entrepreneur and Founder of The StartUp Tribe, an initiative to support Municipalities, Governments and Corporates in helping people to start and grow their businesses. As of Feb 2022 they are active in 27 countries assisting over 312 cities & municipalities.In a career spanning 28 years across over 11 countries, York has created projects & businesses that have impacted people's lives in over 83 countries. Starting businesses across various sectors such as healthcare, IT, tourism, academia, and  so on. Some succeeded, while others failed. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, MIT, Harvard and even the space agency NASA. What We Discuss With York ZucchiWhat are some of the things you've noticed about African entrepreneurship that you won't find anywhere else?What are some of the real challenges that African businesses experience in scaling?What works and what doesn't in encouraging entrepreneurship on the continent?Can entrepreneurship create the jobs that are required to absorb the 20m people entering Africa's labour force each year?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 Telling the African Story Can Empower and Contribute to the Economic Development of Africa with Lanre Aina? 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 York on LinkedIn at YorkZucchi, and Twitter @YZPDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode #29 with Lanre Aina who is Co-founder and CEO of ATHLST, a digital sports news and content studio. AHLST works closely with African athletes to transform their personal stories into immersive and impactful content that resonate with sports fans worldwide. In an era where there’s a convergence of entertainment, sports, and culture, the African athlete is 62-65% less likely than his/her American or European counterpart to have their stories told by way of op-ed, documentary or film. ATHLST intends to change that, and in the process meet the news and branding needs of African athletes ensuring that they take control of their own narrative, and by extension, expand their presence and deepen their relevance in sports. What We Discuss With Lanre AinaWhat are the risks of allowing others to tell Africa's story, and why is it important for Africa to tell its own?What is driving the rise in the number of Africans wanting to tell the African story?What are some of the challenges in licencing an African documentary to streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon?How did you go about creating a value chain and ecosystem that allows you to create high-quality African content?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notesDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Changing the Financial Landscape of Africa by Creating a New Microfinance Model for the Continent with Viola Llewellyn? 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 Lanre on LinkedIn at LanreAina, and Twitter @lanreainaDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here