Shows
Pass the CalabashEp. 8: Can Africa’s Healthcare Sector be Saved and by Whom? with Dr. Sangu DelleIn this conversation, I am joined by Dr. Sangu Delle who discusses the multifaceted challenges facing Africa's healthcare system, emphasizing the need for systemic reform and the role of both public and private sectors in driving change. He highlights the stark disparities in healthcare access and quality across the continent, the impact of foreign aid, and the importance of accountability in governance.
2025-04-1557 min
Pass the CalabashEp. 7: Empowering Africa’s Youth through Education and Energy Innovation with Warren La FleurIn this conversation, Warren La Fleur and I discuss the pressing issues of youth unemployment in Africa, the role of education in addressing this challenge, and the innovative approaches being taken to enhance employability through entrepreneurship. They explore the potential of nuclear energy as a solution to Africa's energy crisis, emphasizing the importance of small-scale, modular reactors that can meet both household and industrial energy needs. The discussion highlights the unique opportunities presented by Africa's demographic transition and the need for robust institutional frameworks to support innovation and entrepreneurship.
2025-04-151h 00
Pass the CalabashEp. 6: Harnessing Catalytic Capital for Greater Developmental Impact in Africa with Frank Aswani“The world of impact isn’t short of money, we’re short of (high) risk capital”
I’m so grateful to have had this enlightening conversation with Frank Aswani, Chief Executive Officer of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) on how philanthropy fits into the for-profit picture and where it gets off the bus.
We also discussed, among other topics, why Africa should be the testing ground for global start-ups, why we need to be comfortable making profit while we serve our people, and Frank’s take on a business idea that could be game changing!
2024-09-3051 min
Pass the CalabashEp. 5: Em Ekong on Going from Capacity Building to Real Growth with SGB's
"How can we compete with the likes of China when we don't have grid?" Join me on this episode as I discuss the work of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) with the Regional Head of its West Africa Chapter, Em Ekong. She shares the thinking behind the tools ANDE employs to help Small and Growing Businesses (SGB's) thrive. We dig into the roadblocks to Africa's industrialization and, more importantly, what can and is being done about them.
2024-09-2449 min
Pass the CalabashFemi Longe on Social Capital Innovation and Bitcoin for Africa
I've had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Femi Longe, co-founder and former non-executive board member of Co-Creation Hub (CcHub). On this episode we dive deep into the evolution of CcHub, a pioneering force in Africa's tech innovation landscape. Femi shares his insights on making tech developments such as bitcoin work for Africa and the challenges of being labeled the "Silicon Valley of Africa".
2024-08-2057 min
Pass the CalabashEp. 3: Victor Asemota on African Innovators going beyond 'Coping' and 'Hoping'"You cannot entrepreneur your way out of dysfunction."Join me in my conversation on this episode with Nigerian tech entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader in the African tech ecosystem, Victor Asemota. We discuss new developments in tech and their implications for the future of the continent. Victor emphasizes the need for African entrepreneurs and policymakers to think bigger, address fundamental issues, and build sustainable models. He sees major opportunities in areas like healthcare, but stresses the importance of understanding local needs and sharing knowledge to avoid repeating past mistakes.
2024-07-0759 min
Pass the CalabashEp. 2: Simunza Muyangana on Running a Sustainable Hub ModelCan entrepreneurship hubs be sustainable beyond donor funding? Can they create value that their 'customers' willingly pay for? What kind of entrepreneurs are hubs designed to support, game-changing, industry-disrupting entrepreneurs or bread-and-butter business entrepreneurs?
I'm joined on this episode by co-Founder and Director of Entrepreneurship at Bongohive, Simunza Muyangana, to hear the story of Bongohive, Zambia's first innovation and tech hub, and learn how they are addressing these cornerstone questions through their work in Zambia.
Please pardon the less than perfect audio, we're figuring out the kinks as we go!
2024-07-0735 minPass the CalabashEpisode 1: Ruka Sanusi on Why all Businesses are Green BusinessesDo African businesses need to be climate conscious or is it a hype that’s being pushed onto them? What are the drivers of success for green economy entrepreneurs? Join Nachula Wilson and Ruka Sanusi, Executive Director of the Ghana Climate and Innovation Centre (GCIC), as they discuss these questions and Ruka’s work to support young businesses in Ghana.
2024-06-0543 min