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African Tech Roundup Podcast

African Tech Roundup

300 episodes

The essential guide to Africa's technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems. Since 2015, co-founders Andile Masuku and Musa Kalenga have convened the continent's most influential voices — from startup founders and investors to policymakers and tech leaders — delivering bold, pan-African insights with a global perspective. Whether you're building, investing, or leading in African tech, this is where the conversation happens.

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Nikolai Barnwell: Why PawaPay bet on mobile money over cards, and stayed out of the fintech boom

    · 51 min · Episode 258

    Episode overview: Nikolai Barnwell has been resident in Kenya since 2009, and he watched the African mobile money story arrive in real time. Fresh out of university, he joined the early Africa-focused fund 88mph as a…

  2. Russell Southwood: An outsider's take on 25 years of Africa's digital story

    · 48 min · Episode 257

    Episode overview: Russell Southwood has been watching Africa's digital story unfold since 2000, when the number of people involved in the continent's internet could be counted in the hundreds. Armed with yellow pages…

  3. Seyi Ebenezer of Payaza: Bookkeeping is the new black

    · 1 h 18 min · Episode 256

    Episode overview: Seyi Ebenezer didn't come to fintech from a hackathon or an accelerator. He came from KPMG's audit desks and Access Bank's corporate finance floors. These are environments where the numbers had to…

  4. Natasha Blycha of Stirling & Rose / Nooriam / LexChip: Why AI without law is just code without conscience

    · 48 min · Episode 255

    Episode overview: Natasha Blycha's path into emerging technology law started in an unlikely place. As a gap-year volunteer teaching English and economics at a school outside Gweru, Zimbabwe, circa 2000, she was…

  5. Prince Nwadeyi of SAG Ventures: Building solutions corporates need but won't execute themselves

    · 37 min · Episode 254

    Episode overview: Prince Nwadeyi spent years providing market research that unlocked South Africa's R600 billion (~USD 34.4 billion) informal economy for blue-chip clients. The likes of Swiss Re, Liberty, NASPERS all…

  6. April Long of Pyxis: Why serving bulk traders beats saving SMEs in Africa-China trade

    · 54 min · Episode 253

    Episode overview: April Long spent two years fighting reality. The co-founder and CEO of "Afro-Asia Cross-border payment infrastructure" startup Pyxis was so determined to serve Africa's small merchants - the "bottom…

  7. Andrew Hall of Paratus Namibia: Building Networks Serving Small Populations Across Vast Distances

    · 12 min · Episode 252

    Episode overview: Andrew Hall faces a unique challenge: building profitable telecommunications infrastructure across one of Africa's largest countries with one of its smallest populations. As managing director of…

  8. East Meets Africa: Bernard Laurendeau on Curating African Opportunity For Japanese Investors

    · 42 min · Episode 251

    Episode overview: Bernard Laurendeau has a mission: to stop African business leaders from asking for "patient capital." The Ethiopian-French management consultant, now operating from Tokyo, believes this standard pitch…

  9. World-class Design: Guidione Machava on Why 'African Designer' Is a Limiting Label

    · 54 min · Episode 250

    Episode overview: Guidione Machava has a confession: he's tired of being called an "African designer." The Mozambican product designer, now based in France and fresh from stints at Shopify and Paris-based 23point5,…

  10. Strategy Diaries: Wabo Majavu on Balancing Commercial Success with Digital Inclusion

    · 1 h 09 min · Episode 249

    Episode overview: In this conversation, South African strategist Wabo Majavu, executive strategy and business operations leader at Africa Data Centres, unpacks how technical expertise at organisations like MTN and…

  11. Ola Oyetayo of Verto: Building a Profitable Cross-Border Fintech for Emerging Markets

    · 38 min · Episode 248

    Episode overview: In this conversation, Verto co-founder and CEO Ola Oyetayo shares the journey of building a cross-border payments platform that tackles the unique challenges African businesses face when making…

  12. Innovating Venture Building Support: David Ogundeko on Funema’s Vision for Backing African Ventures

    · 51 min · Episode 247

    Episode overview: In this conversation, David Ogundeko shares the journey of Funema, an impact-focused alternative investment firm operating for nine years across Nigeria, South Africa, and the US. He discusses his…

  13. Adapt or Be Left Behind: Marie Lora-Mungai on AI and the Future of African Filmmaking

    · 29 min · Episode 246

    Meet Marie Lora-Mungai, expert advisor in African creative industries and sports business and founder of Restless Global - whose 20-year journey from CNN journalist to production company founder to industry advisor…

  14. From Policy to Independent Media: Fatu Ogwuche on Creative Storytelling in Tech

    · 42 min · Episode 245

    Episode overview: In this conversation, Fatu Ogwuche shares insights into her transition from working at Meta and consulting for Nigeria's Electoral Commission to launching her own media platform, Big Tech This Week.…

  15. Carrier Neutral: How Unicorn Factory Aims to Open Up Africa’s Internet Infrastructure

    · 27 min · Episode 244

    This episode features an engaging conversation with Rob Bergman, Chief Investment Officer at Unicorn Factory, exploring the nuanced intersection of digital infrastructure investment and internet connectivity ecosystem…

  16. Inside Money & Moves: Tinashe Mukogo On Merging Corporate Expertise With Independent Media

    · 58 min · Episode 243

    Episode Overview: This episode features a relaxed, peer-to-peer conversation between two media entrepreneurs—African Tech Roundup co-founder and executive producer Andile Masuku, and Money & Moves founder and writer…

  17. Joshua Bicknell On How Balloon Ventures' 'Boring Business' Portfolio Drives 0.5% Of Uganda's GDP

    · 41 min · Episode 242

    Episode Overview: This episode features a deep conversation with Joshua Bicknell, co-founder of Balloon Ventures, exploring how the organisation evolved from a non-profit connecting young people with informal…

  18. Ochuko Ogra On Backbone Connectivity Network's (BCN) Nigeria Growth Strategy

    · 11 min · Episode 241

    This episode features a brief check-in with Ochuko Ogra, Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer at Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN), sketching Nigeria's digital infrastructure landscape. Episode overview: BCN has…

  19. Alan Knott-Craig Jr On Life After Mxit's Royal Fail (2016)

    · 52 min · Episode 240

    Listen in as Alan Knott-Craig Jr, son of Alan Sr, the pioneering co-founder and first CEO of Vodacom, one of South Africa's leading mobile network operators, and later the feisty CEO of challenger telco Cell C—takes us…

  20. Building Bridges: Maya Horgan Famodu's Silicon Valley-Africa Crossing Playbook (2017)

    · 1 h 15 min · Episode 239

    Episode overview This unfiltered 2017 archive dialogue captures Maya Horgan Famodu (Founder and Partner, Ingressive Capital) before she became known for straight-talking LinkedIn posts about founder insights and…

  21. Talent Tales: Ethiopia's Quiet Tech Rise vs Nigeria's Developer Gold Rush (2018)

    · 27 min · Episode 238

    As we wind down 2024, we're diving into our archives to serve up some memorable throwback conversations. Whether you're a long-time listener revisiting these gems or discovering them for the first time, these…

  22. Why Carbon CEO Chijioke Dozie Is Ditching Nigeria's Free Banking Playbook

    · 20 min · Episode 238

    Meet Chijioke Dozie, the co-founder steering Carbon through Nigeria's increasingly noisy neobank scene. In this candid chat with Andile Masuku, Dozie makes a case for zigging while others zag—specifically, charging for…

  23. Ambar Van Der Wath Unpacks Baobab Network's $20K Toe-Dipping Investment Proposition

    · 16 min · Episode 237

    Ambar van der Wath—who leads investor relations at one of Africa's leading accelerator slash VC firms, Baobab Network—discusses with Andile Masuku how the firm is creating accessible entry points for cautious investors…

  24. Koltronics Nigeria's Lanre Kolade and the inside story of Google's Equiano cable landing in Togo

    · 20 min · Episode 236

    This episode features an illuminating dialogue with Lanre Kolade, Chairman of ConnectedCompute, CEO of Koltronics Nigeria and former CEO of CSquared, exploring the intricate dynamics of infrastructure development and…

  25. This Is Connectivity a la VC With Accion Venture Lab's Jasiel Martin-Odoom

    · 33 min · Episode 235

    This episode features a candid conversation with Jasiel Martin-Odoom, Africa Investment Officer at Accion Venture Lab, exploring the intersection of venture capital and connectivity-focused content creation and…

  26. Victor Mapunga On Building From First Principles In Africa's 'Tech Graveyard'

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 234

    In a landscape where African tech startups often chase buzzwords and quick wins, some founders are taking a more fundamental approach to innovation. This episode explores how one Zimbabwean entrepreneur is building…

  27. Britam Director Shares Strategy on Modernising Insurance for Africa's Digital Age

    · 30 min · Episode 233

    In a rapidly evolving financial services landscape, traditional African insurers are racing to modernise their operations and product offerings to meet changing consumer needs. This episode explores how one of East…

  28. Safaricom Ethiopia's Network Chief on Building Network Infrastructure From Scratch

    · 18 min · Episode 232

    In October 2022, Safaricom launched its telecommunications services in Ethiopia, marking a major milestone as the first private operator to enter the Ethiopian telecom market. This move broke the long-standing monopoly…

  29. Future in the Humanities EP 2/3: Everybody Gets a Conspiracy

    · 17 min · Episode 230

    In this episode, Wits University media researchers Samuel Olaniran and Iginio Gagliardone guide an audio tour into the complex world of conspiracy theories in the era of social media and global crises. Drawing from…

  30. Future in the Humanities EP 3/3: Slave Ride

    · 26 min · Episode 231

    In the third and final episode of the Future in the Humanities podcast mini-series, titled "The Gig Economy's Hidden Costs", Wits social scientist and researcher Fikile Masikane guides an exploration of the complex…

  31. Future in the Humanities EP 1/3: Touching Brains

    · 27 min · Episode 229

    In the opening episode of the Future in the Humanities podcast mini-series, titled "Touching Brains", Wits University research collaborators Sahba Besharati and Victoria Williams let us in on their multidisciplinary…

  32. Digital Transformation Pulse Check: Undersea Cable, Remote Power Supply & Terrestrial Fibre Optic

    · 38 min · Episode 228

    In this special edition of the African Tech Roundup podcast, taped at the fringes of the inaugural Africa Digital Transformation Strategy Summit (convened by NOVACOM Summits), Refiloe Mpakanyane investigates the state…

  33. ATRUC S2 EP4: Can AI be trusted? with Jania Okwechime & Wessel Oosthuizen

    · 55 min · Episode 227

    In this African Tech Conversations episode, guest host Kate Bryne chats with avid AI proponents Jania Okwechime (Partner at Deloitte - West Africa Data Analytics Leader) and Wessel Oosthuizen (AI Lead - Deloitte…

  34. UNAJUA S13 EP3: Is the "play-to-earn" trend over-hyped? feat. Kate Byrne

    · 11 min · Episode 226

    In this UNAJUA episode, Kate Byrne parses through majorly-hyped trends like "play-to-earn" to pinpoint the true potential of the extraordinary new level of connectivity and engagement enabled by applied Web3…

  35. UNAJUA S13 EP2: How is the world taking to the crypto meltdown? feat. Kate Byrne

    · 18 min · Episode 225

    In this UNAJUA episode, Kate Byrne gauges the ongoing fallout of the current global meltdown in crypto markets and speaks on the current international tenor in crypto adoption. This is the second instalment of a…

  36. UNAJUA S13 EP1: Are NFTs over? feat. Kate Byrne

    · 15 min · Episode 224

    This is the first episode of a UNAJUA Series focused on distilling a handful of global Web3 buzz trends like crypto, NFTs, the metaverse and even AI— reflecting how they are unfolding within an African context.…

  37. UNAJUA S12 EP3: What is 'Delegated Proof of Stake'? feat. Jordan Muthemba

    · 9:23 · Episode 223

    This is the final episode of the three-part UNAJUA Series focused on what sets blockchains apart. Seasoned Kenyan blockchain developer and Web3 enthusiast Jordan Muthemba is on strike for this series. In this podcast,…

  38. UNAJUA S12 EP2: What are 'Proof of Work' and 'Proof of Stake'? feat. Jordan Muthemba

    · 9:45 · Episode 222

    This is Part 2 of a three-part UNAJUA Series focused on what sets blockchains apart from each other. Seasoned Kenyan blockchain developer and Web3 enthusiast Jordan Muthemba shares insights on this series. Jordan is a…

  39. UNAJUA S12 EP1: Are all blockchains the same? feat. Jordan Muthemba

    · 13 min · Episode 221

    This is Part 1 of a three-part UNAJUA Series focused on what distinguishes different types of blockchains from each other. Seasoned Kenyan blockchain developer and Web 3 venture builder Jordan Muthemba shares insights…

  40. Gqom: The Babusi Nyoni Story

    · 31 min · Episode 220

    This special piece of podcast storytelling offers a compelling glimpse into the heart and mind of one of Africa's most gifted multi-hyphenate technological innovators, Babusi Nyoni. Babusi is a Zimbabwean creative…

  41. ATRUC S2 EP3: Journey Into The Cryptoverse With Hope Ditlhakanyane & Nzwisisa Chidembo

    · 42 min · Episode 219

    Standing in for Musa Kalenga on this African Tech Conversations instalment is Andile Masuku, whose day job is serving as Head of Community at Founders Factory Africa (FFA). Andile extends a recent lunch break exchange…

  42. UNAJUA S11 EP3: How do you vet the investment worthiness of blockchain startups?

    · 12 min · Episode 218

    This is the final episode of a three-part UNAJUA Series focused on the Blockchain Africa investment opportunity, featuring venture capitalist Hope Ditlhakanyane and venture builder Nzwisisa Chidembo. In their…

  43. UNAJUA S11 EP2: Crypto as a personal investment opportunity? ft. Hope Ditlhakanyane & Nzwi Chidembo

    · 11 min · Episode 217

    This is the second episode of a three-part UNAJUA Series focused on the Blockchain Africa investment opportunity, featuring the passionate South African venture capitalist Hope Ditlhakanyane and seasoned Zimbabwean…

  44. UNAJUA S11 EP1: Is African VC into blockchain tech? ft. Hope Ditlhakanyane & Nzwisisa Chidembo

    · 15 min · Episode 216

    This is the first episode of a three-part UNAJUA Series dealing with investing in African blockchain tech. And we're stoked because it's the first to feature two voices. The first voice you'll hear is that of Hope…

  45. BONUS: Can PAXFUL deliver on being Africa's 'Uber for money'? feat. Ray Youssef

    · 56 min · Episode 215

    This throwback bonus episode features a chat with Ray Youssef taped in 2019. Ray is Co-founder and CEO of Paxful, a US-headquartered peer-to-peer Bitcoin marketplace he dubbed at the time the "Uber for money" with a…

  46. ATRUC S2 EP2: Convening 'Blockchain Africa' proponents with Sonya Kuhnel

    · 45 min · Episode 214

    This African Tech Conversations episode features Sonya Kuhnel. In 2014, Sonya co-founded Bitcoin Events, a company that hosts some of South Africa's leading cryptocurrency and blockchain events - not least, the annual…

  47. UNAJUA S10 EP3: Should you set up a DAO? feat. Justin Irabor

    · 5:39 · Episode 213

    Thinking about starting or joining a DAO? In the last of a three-part share focusing on how DAOs work, Nigerian creator, scientist and knowledge worker Justin Irabor offers a handy take about whether or not you should.…

  48. BONUS: Binance is bullish on the 'Blockchain Africa' opportunity feat. Emmanuel Babalola

    · 25 min · Bonus

    Self-taught software developer and serial digital product creator Emmanuel Babalola is Director for Africa at the world's largest crypto exchange, Binance. Emmanuel is also the interim CEO of a social payments app for…

  49. UNAJUA S10 EP2: How do you set up a DAO? feat. Justin Irabor

    · 4:38 · Episode 212

    This is the second of a three-part share explaining how DAOs work. In this episode, Nigerian creator, scientist and knowledge worker Justin Irabor offers pointers on setting up a DAO. OP-ED: How African Digital…

  50. UNAJUA S10 EP1: Why DAO? feat. Justin Irabor

    · 5:31 · Episode 211

    This is the first episode of a three-part UNAJUA series that explains how Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) work. Nigerian creator, scientist, and knowledge worker Justin Irabor presents the series. On this…

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