Unlocking Africa

Luni Libes, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Africa Eats, focuses on revolutionizing African agribusiness to combat food insecurity. He shares insights on his unique equity investment model, which empowers small farmers to scale their businesses while ensuring sustainable growth. Luni discusses the challenges of traditional venture capital in Africa and introduces the CEMEX initiative, which facilitates investment access for SMEs. He highlights the evolving opportunities in agricultural investments amid a growing population, aiming to inspire lasting economic transformation.

Episode 159 with Boubacar Demba Coly, who is an inspiring ecosystem builder, business and entrepreneurship coach, and tech conceptor who is leading change in Gambia’s startup scene. As the project manager of the Gambia Tech Project, Boubacar is at the forefront of creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs and enabling a thriving tech ecosystem in a country often seen as challenging for business.The Gambia Tech Project, launched in partnership with the French Embassy and the Alliance Franco Banjul, is dedicated to supporting innovation through incubation, mentorship, funding, and networking. With a focus on empowering young entrepreneurs, the program has ambitious goals: coaching 50 entrepreneurs annually, incubating 10 startups, and organising global tech-entrepreneurship events to connect over 300 innovators.During this episode we explore Boubacar’s journey, the mission of Gambia Tech, and the untapped potential of Gambia’s youth. From fintech to agritech, hear how this initiative is turning bold ideas into successful ventures, building sustainable networks, and redefining what’s possible in the region.What We Discuss With BoubacarKey lessons from building ecosystems in Senegal and how they’ve influenced the approach to development in Gambia.The biggest challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Gambia and potential strategies to overcome them.Strategies for helping entrepreneurs in Gambia overcome the perception of the country as an unfavourable business environment.The unique opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship presented by Gambia’s young and dynamic population.Common traits and practices shared by the most successful startups on the Gambia Tech program.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Alternative VC Investing: Building Stronger Last-Mile Ecosystems to Drive Startup Growth 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 Boubacar:LinkedIn - Boubacar Demba ColyTwitter (X) - @gambiatechDo 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 158 with David Ogundeko, a poet, entrepreneur, and venture steward. David is the founder and CEO of Funema, a last-mile, impact-driven, alternative investment company with a presence in Pennsylvania, Lagos, and Cape Town.Funema is an impact venture building company investing cash-in-kind, providing a combination of capital and venture-building services to early-stage companies. These companies focus on developing B2B vertical market software solutions that drive the digital transformation of small businesses, empowering them to evolve into thriving, tech-enabled enterprises.David shares his philosophy at Funema, where the mission is grounded in the belief that they are graced with the ability to support, partner with, and co-create innovative solutions alongside visionary entrepreneurs. These efforts are aimed at addressing the unique developmental challenges of underserved communities in emerging markets by leveraging inclusive innovations and contextualised technologies.What We Discuss With DavidFunema's venture-building-for-equity model and how it operates effectively in emerging markets.The misalignment of traditional VC models with the needs of emerging markets and the alternative approaches required.Funema’s distinctive approach to “building visionary people” and its impact on the African investment landscape.Strategies for developing a talent pipeline equipped for long-term leadership roles and sustained success.The essential business skills entrepreneurs in emerging markets need to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Family, Technology, and Inclusion: How a Tunisian Online Accelerator is Empowering Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Talent? 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 David:LinkedIn - David OgundekoTwitter (X) - @TeleDaveDekoDo 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 157, with Sonia Kherigi Nasfi and Nour El Imane Nasfi Founders of Deaf Square, which is an online career accelerator dedicated to bridging the gap between talented individuals who are hard of hearing and forward-thinking employers. They help hard of hearing people access high-quality education in the tech field, and job opportunities in leading industries.  Their platform also supports employers by connecting them with skilled professionals with disabilities. Using an AI-powered solution, Deaf Square offers adaptive learning experiences and a virtual trainer designed to help users master sign language, ensuring a truly inclusive and impactful approach. Sonia recently achieved a significant milestone by winning the Northern Africa Startup Awards in the Women in Tech category, a well-deserved recognition of the dedication, innovation, and perseverance that have shaped Deaf Square's journey.What We Discuss With Sonia and NourThe unique dynamics and experiences of running a company as a mother-daughter team.The major barriers hard of hearing individuals face in accessing tech education and how they can be addressed.Practical advice for employers on creating a more inclusive hiring process for hard-of-hearing and disabled individuals.The role of AI in enhancing Deaf Square’s training programs and its impact on accessibility and learning outcomes.Unique insights from African startup culture that have influenced and shaped Deaf Square’s offerings.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Women, Wealth, and Impact: How Africa’s Largest Gender Lens Fund Directs Capital? 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 Sonia and Nour:LinkedIn - Sonia Kherigi Nasfi and Nour El Imane Nasfi,Twitter (X) - @Deaf_SquareDo 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 156, with Yewande Adewusi, a visionary strategist and dynamic leader, currently the Chief Operating Officer and Operating Principal at Alitheia Capital. With a keen eye for market trends and a proven track record in driving strategy, business development and operational excellence, she spearheads the firm's operations, steering value creation initiatives, and enhancing operational efficiencies across portfolio companies.Alitheia Capital is a pioneering impact investment firm dedicated to directing capital toward businesses that expand access to essential goods and services for small and growing enterprises, as well as low-income households.Since launching their inaugural fund in 2009, Alitheia Capital has grown to manage a diverse portfolio exceeding $250 million across multiple funds. These include the fully deployed Alitheia Clean Energy Fund (ACEF), which promotes sustainable energy solutions, and their financial inclusion funds, Goodwell West Africa Microfinance Development Company (GWAMDC) and its successor funds, uMunthu I and II, together investing over $50 million in SMEs across sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, their flagship fund, Alitheia IDF, stands as the largest gender lens fund on the continent, with a portfolio surpassing $100 million, driving transformative change in gender-focused investments.What We Discuss With YewandeHow Alitheia Capital maintains a balance between financial returns and social impact, embodying their tagline, “true profit with a purpose.”The strategic priority of gender-lens investing at Alitheia Capital and the impactful results achieved through this focus.Alitheia Capital's commitment to a long-term, patient capital approach and its focus on sustainable growth in a short-term-driven industry.The key factors and strategies Alitheia Capital uses to identify high-potential businesses and make investment decisions.The specific criteria Alitheia Capital uses to evaluate a company's contribution to social or environmental impact within its community.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Streamlining Payouts, Managing Global Expenses, Automating Finances, and Driving Revenue Growth for African Businesses? 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 Yewande on LinkedIn at Yewande Adewusi, and Twitter (X) @goli80Do 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 155, we speak with Dr. Austin Okpagu, the Country Manager for Nigeria at VertoFX. Dr. Okpagu joined VertoFX in June after an impressive tenure at JumiaPay, where he spent nearly four years driving business growth and expanding partnerships, culminating in his role as Managing Director for West Africa. His extensive experience in the payments and fintech sectors is further highlighted by his impactful contributions to Opay and Pagatech, where he led business development and partnerships. Beyond his professional roles, Dr. Okpagu holds a Ph.D. in Organisational Psychology and serves as a seasonal mentor at Innovest Afrika.VertoFX is a global B2B financial technology company that enables businesses of all sizes to access advanced cross-border payments, FX and banking solutions. Using a purposefully built tech infrastructure and payment rails, businesses can instantly send and receive money in over 170 countries and convert between 49 currencies. Today, Verto helps 4000+ businesses from startups, SMEs to large corporate companies send millions of dollars per year. What We Discuss With Dr. AustinHow his leadership roles at JumiaPay, Opay, and Pagatech influenced his vision and strategy at VertoFX.The longstanding challenges of cross-border payments for African SMEs and the factors contributing to their persistence.The unique challenges of the African payment landscape compared to regions like Asia or Europe.How VertoFX is helping businesses access the $725 billion digital economy and address the challenge of only 17% of African exports staying within the continent.The impact of regulatory inconsistency on cross-border payments in Africa and how VertoFX navigates these challenges.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss A History of Western Ignorance: Why We Need to Think Differently About African Economics? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Dr. Austin on LinkedIn at Austin Okpagu, Ph.D, and Twitter (X) @VertoFXDo 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 154 with Bronwen Everill who was a fellow of Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge from 2015 and was the Director of Cambridge’s Centre of African Studies. In August, she joined the faculty of the Princeton Writing Program. She is a visiting fellow at the Laboratory for the Economics of Africa’s Past, in the Department of Economics at Stellenbosh University. Bronwen recently publishing Africonomics, which is a short, bold story of Western economic thought about Africa. Bronwen argues that these interventions fail because they start from a misguided premise: that African economies just need to be more like the West. Ignoring Africa's own traditions of economic thought, Europeans and Americans assumed a set of universal economic laws that they thought could be applied anywhere. They enforced specifically Western ideas about growth, wealth, debt, unemployment, inflation, women’s work and more, and used Western metrics to find African countries wanting. The West does not know better than African nations how an economy should be run. By laying bare the myths and realities of our tangled economic history, Africonomics moves from Western ignorance to African knowledge.What We Discuss With BronwenIn what ways does Africonomics challenge conventional Western views of African economies?How have historical misconceptions about African wealth shaped Western interventions on the continent?How did Western economic policies during colonial times disregard Africa’s indigenous economic systems?How have Western metrics like GDP distorted perceptions of Africa's economic success or challenges?Examples of African traditions of economic thought that have been overlooked by Western interventions.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Powering Congo: Using Recycled Materials to Create Cutting-Edge Battery Technology for Businesses and Households? 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) - @TerserAdamuDo 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 153 with Benedict Owanga, who is powering Congo with Cutting-Edge Battery Technology. He is the founder of Owanga Solar, a pioneering company delivering clean energy solutions to energy-deprived regions. Through innovative use of recycled batteries and plastic, Benedict is transforming how electricity is accessed in the Congo.Discover how this young African leader's bold vision for renewable energy is driving sustainable development and reshaping lives with affordable, on-demand electricity solutions. His inspiring journey offers a glimpse into a future powered by innovation and determination.What We Discuss With BenedictWhy is Congo central to Owanga’s mission, and what makes this region a key focus for the company's efforts?The key challenges faced during the development of Owanga Solar's first set of products.The evolution of Owanga Solar’s products, from the initial design concept to the latest innovations?How Owanga balances affordability and quality to ensure its products remain accessible while maintaining high standards.How Owanga ensures its products align with the specific needs of the communities it serves in Congo.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Africa’s Largest Tech Merger Could Fuel Groundbreaking Expansion From E-commerce to B2B Digital Services Platform? 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 Benedict on LinkedIn at Benedict Owanga, and OwangaDo 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 152 with Daniel Yu, who is the Founder & CEO of Wasoko and Co-CEO of their new merger with MaxAB.African B2B e-commerce pioneers Wasoko and MaxAB have recently completed the continent’s largest-ever tech merger following the signing of preliminary terms in Q4 2023. Conducted as an all-stock transaction, the deal establishes a truly Pan-African platform for communities to access essential digital and physical goods, marking Wasoko and MaxAB’s evolution from B2B e-commerce companies to a multi-vertical ecosystem for Africa’s $600 billion informal retail sector. About Wasoko:Wasoko is the largest e-commerce platform serving informal retailers across Sub-Saharan Africa. Wasoko enables retailers to restock products for their businesses at any time via mobile app with free same-day delivery.About MaxAB:MaxAB is the pioneer and leading B2B e-commerce player in the Middle East and North Africa. In 2018, MaxAB established itself as an e-commerce platform that enables local underserved merchants and mom-and-pop shops in Egypt and Morocco to grow, increase their revenues, and improve their own quality of life.What We Discuss With DanielThe major challenges encountered during the integration of two companies and how they were addressed.Key factors that drove the successful completion of the merger in under 60 days.How the merger is set to reshape the B2B e-commerce landscape in Africa and drive industry transformation.The merger's potential impact on boosting intra-African trade and promoting local sourcing initiatives across the continent.Key markets with the highest growth potential and the factors driving their promising outlook.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Innovation, Leadership, and Technology: Canon’s Journey and Strategy for Africa? 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 Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Daniel on LinkedIn a Daniel Yu, and Twitter (X) @wasoko_officialDo 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 150 with Somesh Adukia, Managing Director of Canon Central and North Africa. Canon, renowned as the world’s leading imaging company, was established in 1937. Over its 85-year history, Canon’s relentless drive for innovation has positioned it at the forefront of imaging excellence. The company is committed to strategic investments and seizing growth opportunities to sustain its leadership.Canon Central and North Africa, founded in 2016, embodies the company’s global vision while catering to the unique needs of its regional markets. At the heart of Canon’s philosophy is Kyosei—‘living and working together for the common good,’ which highlights its dedication to customer focus, open communication, and respect for diversity.Canon is on a mission to promote sustainable growth, minimise environmental impact, and enhance lives through cutting-edge imaging technology. From cameras to commercial printers and beyond, Canon’s enduring legacy continues to shape industries and enrich communities around the world.What We Discuss With SomeshHow Somesh's leadership style has evolved during his time in the African market.Canon's 2023 strategy focuses on 'ICE: Innovation, Customer & Employee Experience.' How does this theme drive the approach and priorities in the region?The growth opportunities that lie ahead for Canon in Africa.Canon's approach to market expansion in emerging regions like Sudan, Libya, and Rwanda.The role of technology and digital transformation in Canon's growth in Africa.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Closing Africa’s Insurance Gap: Using an Agent-Driven Model to Transform How Insurance Is Sold in Africa? 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 Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Somesh on LinkedIn at Somesh Adukia, and Twitter (X) @CanonCNADo 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