Africa Tech Talks

Today on our podcast, we're excited to welcome Paulo Araujo who’s making internet available for people and businesses in Angola.

🎬 Full video (https://youtu.be/rrzAePII-5c)

00:00 Intro
03:18 Paulo’s Personal journey
05:32 WiConnect inception
06:58 Challenges of being an African Entrepreneur
10:59 Raising Funds and Accessing Talent
21:47 Funding Timming for a Startup
27:43 WiConnect is Now Data Oriented
35:10 Digital Inclusion
44:44 Financial Inclusion and Digital Payment Systems
46:19 The New Startup Law
54:50 Attracting the Startup Ecosystem
59:18 Our Followers Questions from X
1:04:56 Closing Remarks


🗣️More about our guest:

Born and raised in Angola, Paulo Araújo pursued his higher education in England, where he studied Mathematics and Management at Loughborough University. Upon returning to his home country, he was welcomed into a thriving economy and secured a position as a Financial Analyst at Standard Bank Angola. His career trajectory within the bank propelled him to the global markets room, where he served as a money market trader. However, his entrepreneurial spirit yearned for more, and alongside his cousin, he embarked on a new venture, founding WiConnect.

Today, Paulo Araujo is the General Director of WiConnect. The challenges he faced as one of Angola's entrepreneurs instilled in him a desire to support others on similar journeys. This led him to take the role of Vice President for Economic and Financial Affairs at AASED (Angola's Startup and Digital Entrepreneurship Association), where he continues to promote and foster entrepreneurship and economic development.


Follow Paulo Araújo on social media:

www.instagram.com/pcarroloaraujo
www.linkedin.com/in/paulo-888

Links and initiatives

- "Sonhar em Grande, Começar Pequeno: O Relato de um CEO a Ascender em Angola"
https://bit.ly/4bciANE
- Fortalecimento da Soberania Energética: O Papel da Mineração de Bitcoin na Autonomia Nacional" https://bit.ly/4bvTbyu

Follow us on:
https://www.africatechtalks.com/
https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks
https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks

Ivo Martins - www.ivo-martins.com
André Cavaco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-cavaco
Manuel Pinto de Andrade - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-pinto-de-andrade-69a03812/
Victor Calhau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-calhau/

Our guest on this episode is Chris Skinner, a leading expert on financial technology and the author of several books, including the best sellers "Digital Bank" and "Digital for Good". who’s also the founder of the Finanser, a website, and newsletter that provides insights on the future of finance.

📺Full video: https://youtu.be/kKk5QOq-t5I

00:00 Intro
01:08 FinTech's vs. Legacy Banks
06:00 Regulatory frameworks
08:55 The big question (decentralization vs centralization)
15:35 Buildings with humans
25:54 Investors for Portuguese-speaking African Countries / Everyone has a POS at their reach
28:55 Post mobile financial inclusion is data building
30:33 The Nigerian structures to grow
41:05 How to prepare our children for the future
46:07 Technology knows no borders
51:12 The best way to pay is when you don’t think about how to pay

About Chris Skinner

📝Blog: https://thefinanser.com/

📚Amazon books
- Digital for Good
- Doing Digital: Lessons from Leaders
- Digital Bank: Strategies to launch or become a digital bank

📺YT Videos

- Fintech expert Chris Skinner: countries need digital transformation to remain competitive
- Kids creating the future bank | Chris Skinner | TEDxAthens


Follow us on:

https://www.africatechtalks.com/
https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks
https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks

Ivo Martins - https://www.ivo-martins.com
André Cavaco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-cavaco
Manuel Pinto de Andrade - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-pinto-de-andrade-69a03812/
Victor Calhau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-calhau/

Our guest on this episode is Eduardo Clemente, the author of the book “Attitude is Your Superpower”, a mentor and investor in Angolan startups and a member of the board at a Pan African Bank. His insights go from what made him successful at what he does to the role in technology and digitalization in Africa, particularly Angola.

📺Full Video: https://youtu.be/pC_IhNk_iJA

00:00 Intro
4:09 Why Angola?
7:44 Attitude is your superpower
14:28 Adaptation is Key
20:47 How will technology impact the banking industry?
31:08 The marketing problem of blockchain
34:10 The issue of CBDC
35:10 What are the biggest technological challenges for the region
43:50 Closing the talent gap
53:06 The untapped potential
1:01:18 The trigger to success in the African markets
1:07:49 The person is key

Follow Eduardo on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardoclemente/

Follow us on:

https://www.africatechtalks.com/
https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks
https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks

Ivo Martins - https://www.ivo-martins.com
André Cavaco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-cavaco
Manuel Pinto de Andrade - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-pinto-de-andrade-69a03812/
Victor Calhau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-calhau/

Today on our podcast, we're excited to welcome Darwin Costa, a standout figure in the internet infrastructure scene.

🎬 Full video: https://youtu.be/B-ENnNx4tFg

00:00 Intro
02:42 Who is Darwin Costa
04:42 What will the Internet Become (David Bowie Perspective in 1999)
06:54 The perspective on Internet by Darwin
07:41 The importance of the Sub-Sea Cables for the Internet
11:08 Lag can Kill you (if you're playing online)
17:36 The importance of IXP's (Internet Exchange Points)
23:19 The state of the IXP's development
27:10 IPV6
33:01 IPV4 Vs. IPV6
40:42 Connectivity in Angola
46:29 The country needs connectivity
48:52 Data centers importance and governance
54:55 Data centers Neutrality
56:41 Build Capability for the future
1:03:19 Final remarks

🗣️More about our guest:

Darwin Costa is a true Internet evangelist, with a passion for the digital world that goes far beyond his professional pursuits. Armed with a bachelor's degree in business information technology and a Master's in Internet Business, he has immersed himself in the intricacies of networking, subsea cables, and Internet exchange points (IXPs).

Currently, Darwin is a key player at DE-CIX GmbH, the largest interconnection platform in the world, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the global Internet landscape. However, his impact extends far beyond his day job. With an unwavering commitment to fostering Internet growth and accessibility, he dedicates countless hours to volunteering activities with organizations like AFRINIC and the African IXP association.

But Darwin's true legacy may lie in his role as the founder of the Angolan Peering Forum, an initiative that aims to bridge the digital divide in his home country. Through this platform, he is paving the way for improved Internet connectivity, fostering collaboration among local stakeholders, and empowering communities to harness the transformative power of the Internet.

Darwin Costa is more than just a tech enthusiast; he's a digital visionary, using his expertise and passion to create a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous world – one fiber optic cable at a time.


Follow Darwin Costa on social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/darwin-costa-40b48455/
https://twitter.com/DarwinCosta1

Follow us on:

https://www.africatechtalks.com/
https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks
https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks

Ivo Martins - https://www.ivo-martins.com
André Cavaco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-cavaco
Manuel Pinto de Andrade - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-pinto-de-andrade-69a03812/
Victor Calhau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-calhau/

On today's episode of Africa Tech Talks, we are honored to welcome an Angolan Technology Entrepreneur in the HR space, Carlos Daniel, who’s the founder and CEO of Mirantes, a startup that promises to revolutionize the job search market, employee, and payroll management for the MSME companies.

🎬 Full video: https://youtu.be/TJopxzQQSL8

00:00 Intro
01:45 Who’s Carlos Daniel, the CEO of Mirantes
03:55 What do we do at Mirantes?
07:21 What specific problem does Mirantes solve?
11:28 A novel approach to the market problem
15:20 How will Mirantes evolve?
18:20 Does experience matter?
23:38 The two most important things
26:41 Passion above money
27:52 How to retain people?
34:33 Advice for new Entrepreneur's
37:37 The worst thing that can happen to an entrepreneur
39:59 How to secure funding for a Startup in Angola?
45:06 The most important metric for investors
48:31 The first million is the most difficult
49:34 What is the target market for Mirantes?
54:25 Expansion to Dubai
57:50 The challenges of growth
1:01:00 Future funding
1:06:31 A new generation of companies1:08:42 Start from Zero
1:10:15 Final remarks


Carlos Daniel is a multifaceted entrepreneur and strategic advisor with diverse expertise. He is the CEO and Founder of Mirantes Technologies, a company dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology products. He leads a talented team in expanding the company's footprint across national and international markets.

As the General Managing Partner & CEO at STATEMENT MC and Managing Partner at ST Academy, Carlos provides corporate training and consultancy services to major institutions in various sectors, empowering businesses with practical knowledge and skills.

Additionally, Carlos is a Founder and Board Member of an undisclosed organization, further contributing to the growth and development of the industry.

With a solid academic foundation, Carlos holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and a Full Stack Web Development Certification from freeCodeCamp, showcasing his versatility and commitment to continuous learning.

Through his diverse roles and entrepreneurial ventures, Carlos Daniel is making a significant impact, driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and delivering value across multiple sectors.

Follow Carlos Daniel on social media:

https://ao.linkedin.com/in/carlos-c-daniel
https://www.instagram.com/carlos_danielstmc

Links and initiatives

https://www.mirantes.io
https://www.instagram.com/mirantes_technologies/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mirantes-tech/
https://x.com/MirantesTech

Follow us on:

https://www.africatechtalks.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@africatechtalks
https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks
https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks

Ivo Martins - https://ivo-martins.com
André Cavaco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-cavaco
Manuel Pinto de Andrade - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-pinto-de-andrade-69a03812/
Victor Calhau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-calhau/

On today's episode of Africa Tech Talks, we are honored to welcome a trailblazer in the healthcare digital sector, Dr. Ikpeme Neto. Neto is the founder and CEO of WellaHealth, a pioneering health-tech company that is bringing affordable healthcare and medications to millions of people.

🎬Full video: https://youtu.be/Hyk_7-ekIOA

00:00 Intro
02:48 Origin Story
07:58 The transition from being a doctor to an entrepreneur
10:45 How early failures gave him valuable lessons
15:28 The importance of having the core competencies in-house
17:38 What is Wellahealth and its Vision
22:11 Bringing insurance companies on-board
26:08 Market a product based on trust
30:23 Harnessing data
35:00 The importance of data for Wellahealth
40:15 Advice to entrepreneurs (Don’t do it!)
48:37 Developing talent - WellaSchool
54:38 Diversification
57:14 How to address Malaria effectively
59:22 Final Remarks

🗣️ More about our guest:

Neto has embarked on an extraordinary journey to revolutionize access to quality and affordable healthcare across Africa. With a diverse background in medicine, business, and entrepreneurship, he has harnessed the power of technology to address pressing healthcare challenges, leaving a mark on the lives of countless individuals. Join us as we get into Dr. Neto's inspiring story, from his roots as a medical professional to his entrepreneurial ventures and uncover the driving force behind WellaHealth's groundbreaking solutions.

Follow Ikpembe Neto on social media:
https://twitter.com/docneto
https://ng.linkedin.com/in/ikpemeneto

Links and initiatives
https://www.wellahealth.com/
https://ng.linkedin.com/company/wellahealthtech

Follow us on:
https://www.africatechtalks.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@africatechtalks
https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks
https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks

Ivo Martins - https://ivo-martins.com
André Cavaco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-cavaco
Manuel Pinto de Andrade - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-pinto-de-andrade-69a03812/
Victor Calhau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-calhau/

In today's episode, we're delighted to introduce Emerson Paim, an inspiring tech entrepreneur from Angola with a fascinating personal journey and a deep social and environmental conscience.

🎬Full video: https://youtu.be/bzb7klHjXHA

00:00 Intro
03:44 The journey outside Angola
14:05 Kubinga’s Inception
23:08 The Seed Star Experience
28:20 New Players in The Market
32:30 Smarter Cities
43:24 Digital Inclusion
54:03 How Urbanization is impacting Development in Africa
1:02:00 We Build on Each Other’s Backs
1:09:52 Final Remarks


🗣️ More about our guest:

Born and raised in Angola, Emerson Paim always wanted to explore the world. His search for knowledge and experience took him to Portugal and England, where he honed his skills, immersed himself in diverse cultures, and did all types of work. But, like an irresistible gravitational force, the call of his roots drew him back to Angola.

Upon his return, a flame burned inside him: the flame of entrepreneurship. The "little bug," as he affectionately calls it, had been with him for a long time, whispering ideas and possibilities. And it was in this fertile soil of ambition and opportunity that Kubinga was born, which means "to ask" in Kimbundu.

More than a mobility platform, Kubinga is a vibrant ecosystem that connects drivers and passengers, facilitates the delivery of food and goods, and offers mobile payment solutions. All of this is carefully adapted to the local reality, with affordable rates, cash payment acceptance, and operation in areas with limited internet.

More than 100,000 users are already part of the community, and the platform is present in 5 provinces and boasts partnerships with renowned companies.

The future of Kubinga is bright, with plans to expand to new provinces, launch new services, and consolidate the platform for mobility in Angola.

Emerson Paim's story is an ode to entrepreneurship, an inspiring example that dreams can become reality with passion, persistence, and adaptability, transforming not only the dreamer's life but also that of an entire community.

I invite you to join this journey, to be part of Kubinga, and to believe, like me, that dreams can move mountains!

Follow Emerson Paim on social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eucp/

Links and initiatives

https://www.kubinga.com/

Follow us on:

https://www.africatechtalks.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@africatechtalks

https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks

https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks

Ivo Martins - https://ivo-martins.com

André Cavaco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-cavaco

Manuel Pinto de Andrade - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-pinto-de-andrade-69a03812/

Victor Calhau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-calhau/

In today's episode, we're delighted to introduce Nuno Aires, who is the founder and general director of Tequila, a marketing and communications agency based in Luanda, Angola.

Disclaimer: This episode is entirely in Portuguese

🎬 Full video: https://youtu.be/FS0YWotIRxY

00:00 Intro
01:37 Who is Nuno Aires
04:37 The Tequila Project
08:07 The power of AI in Marketing
13:39 The challenges of the Angolan consumer in the digital market
20:15 How hard is it to retain clients
37:12 Marketing, Publicity, Brand
42:49 The Impact of Currency Devaluation in Small Companies
51:00 Nuno’s Biggest Brand References
59:00 Final Remarks and the Future of Tequila

🗣️More about our guest:

He founded Tequila in February 2023, after previous experiences as Director of Solutions at Innovation Makers and Deputy Director at Banco BCS.

On social media, Nuno Aires shares insights about Tequila, such as the post "One Tequila a day, you don't even know how good it would do you ;)", reinforcing the relaxed and creative tone that the agency seeks to convey.

Follow Nuno Aires on social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nunoaires/

https://twitter.com/nunoaires

https://linktr.ee/nunoaires


Links and initiatives
https://www.instagram.com/TequilaAgencia

In today's episode, we're delighted to introduce Lisa Videira, an inspiring tech entrepreneur from Angola with a fascinating background as a former professional sportswoman.

🎬Full video: https://youtu.be/WB6nvmlliKY

00:00 Intro

04:03 My journey

07:55 The story of a winner

17:57 Role of AASED and Purpose of the Organization

23:24 The startup act for Angola

31:34 Angolan Success Stories

42:15 The Main Challenge of AASED

55:02 Advices to entrepreneurs

1:00:00 Final Remarks

🗣️More about our guest:

Lisa is the visionary behind LV Digital, Lda, a company dedicated to transforming e-learning accessibility in Angola. Her commitment to digital innovation extends to her role as the acting President of the Angolan Association of Startups and Digital Entrepreneurship (AASED), where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital entrepreneurship in the region. Lisa's entrepreneurial spirit also led her to launch Angola's first kitesurfing school, offering a unique 'free of charge' program for four years, further showcasing her dedication to sharing her passions and knowledge with others. Join us as we dive into Lisa's journey, exploring her contributions to technology, education, and sports in Angola.

Follow Lisa Videira on social media:

https://ao.linkedin.com/in/lisa-videira

Lisa's links and initiatives:

https://linktr.ee/lisa_videira

https://www.linkedin.com/company/associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-angolana-de-startups-e-empreendedorismo-digital-aased/

https://www.aased.ao

https://www.linkedin.com/company/lv-digital-lda/

Follow us on:

https://www.africatechtalks.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@africatechtalks

https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks

https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks

Ivo Martins - ivo-martins.com

André Cavaco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-cavaco

Manuel Pinto de Andrade - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-pinto-de-andrade-69a03812/

Victor Calhau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-calhau

Today on our podcast, we're excited to welcome Mark Essien, a standout figure in the Nigerian tech scene. 

🎬 Full video: https://youtu.be/lZyEcz-Gmvw

00:00 Intro

01:03 Why he became an engineer

06:53 File Sharing Software - His first successful product “exit”

12:58 Good Products VS Good Markets

15:33 Test your idea (market fit) based on real time world data (eg.: Google Keywords)

26:08 HNG Internship - No coders available, how to turn a problem into an opportunity

26:08 HNG Internship - When a problem creates opportunities

38:00 How AI will change the future of work

42:00 Crypto / CBDC’s and currencies in Nigeria

49:00 Counting voting sheets in National Elections: Is there a better way?

56:49 Lessons learned from the counting voting sheets initiative

1:00:46 Mark's plans for the future? (Pivoting to Europe and India, cars.ng, travel.ng, etc.)

🗣️More about our guest:

Mark is the brains behind Hotels.ng, Nigeria's trailblazing online hotel booking platform. Born in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, on December 18, 1980, he's a successful entrepreneur, software developer, and startup investor. His work, particularly with Hotels.ng, has significantly advanced Africa's travel and hospitality sectors. Join us as we delve into Mark's journey and the impact of his innovations.

Follow Mark Essien on social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markessien/

https://twitter.com/markessien

Mark's other Links and initiatives

https://hotels.ng/

https://www.instagram.com/hotelsng/

https://twitter.com/hotelsng

Follow us on:

https://www.africatechtalks.com/

https://twitter.com/afri_techtalks

https://www.instagram.com/africatechtalks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-tech-talks