In the meantime, visit emergingmarkets.today

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This is the last encore episode of 2023!

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

Guyana's Transformation: Since the discovery of oil in 2015, Guyana has been on a remarkable journey of growth. It's projected to have a real GDP growth rate of 4346%.

The Qatar of South America: Steven believes that Guyana has the potential to become the "Qatar of South America" and the world's fastest-growing economy. This bold claim is backed by the country's massive oil reserves and its strategic location.

Investment Opportunities: Guyana's growth isn't just about oil. There are significant opportunities in infrastructure development, eco-tourism, and real estate. Plans are underway for a massive deepwater harbor and a road or rail network connecting Guyana to Brazil.

The Future of Guyana: Despite its small population, Steven predicts an influx of people due to its status as the fastest-growing economy.

For more on Smart City Clearing Company Ltd.(Sc3) click here

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Another encore from one of my favorite episodes!

We talked about the little known country of Suriname. Our guest, Monique Pool, founder and director of the Green Heritage Fund Suriname, shares her insights and experiences with her journey into the wildlife conservation.

Here are my three biggest takeaways from the episode:

Learn more about Monique and the Green Heritage Fund Suriname here

You can contact them here

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This is an encore episode!

Let’s keep Emerging Markets Today ad-free: Help us by donating any amount via Ko-fi ⁠https://ko-fi.com/apicasso⁠.

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This episode is an encore!

The year was 2021, in the middle of the Covid pandemic and I interviewed Carlos Kazuo Missao, and he was the director of the GFT Group in Brazil. This episode captured all the changes the fintech sector was going through (and still is).

Here's a sneak peek of what we discussed:

The Brazilian Fintech Landscape: Brazil is a hotbed for entrepreneurs and interconnected individuals, making it an exciting environment for fintech. The pandemic has even accelerated digital transformation in the financial market, leading to the success of challenger banks and digital wallets.

The Power of PIX: We discussed the new instant payment solution, PIX, launched by the Brazilian central bank. It's revolutionizing payments in Brazil, with over 2 billion reais transferred in the first month alone!

The Rise of Digital Wallets: Digital wallets have thrived in Brazil as a cheaper way to handle digital money. They've become marketplaces where users can transact money between companies and access consumer financial services.

Banking the Unbanked: We touched on the issue of unbanked individuals in Brazil, and how digital wallets and light apps with financial services are reaching this population. The pandemic has even led to a surge in the number of people becoming banked overnight.

Open Banking Revolution: Carlos shared his insights on the importance of open banking regulation in Brazil, aiming to democratize access to financial services and create a more competitive environment.

Carlos believes that this is just the beginning for the fintech sector in Brazil. With the country's entrepreneurial spirit, the availability of technology, and supportive regulations, the future looks promising.

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This is an encore episode!

Last year, I had the pleasure of chatting Ian Herbison, the CEO of the Speyside Group. We had a very insightful conversation about India's potential in the emerging markets, and I'm excited to share some key takeaways with you.

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I've got some news to share that's just too good to keep under wraps.

The podcast is turning three – can you believe it?

In these 3 years I spoke to some amazing founders and thought leaders from different countries and sectors and I decided that some of the past episodes deverse to be shared again.

So, I picked 5 of the past episodes, some of them were from the early days of the podcast where I still growing my audience, but they are still relevant. You will see that the audio quality wasn't the best at the begining but hey, we learn as we go along.

Having said that, from now until the end of the year I will be republishing these episodes, hopefully with an improved audio quality - you all can hear them again or for the first time.

Let’s keep Emerging Markets Today ad-free: Help us by donating any amount via Ko-fi⁠ ⁠https://ko-fi.com/apicasso⁠⁠.

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I had the pleasure of speaking with Aziz Musa, the founder of Cush Digital, a leading digital marketing agency in North Africa.

Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:

1️⃣ Navigating Challenges in Emerging Countries: Aziz highlighted the difficulties of working in a nascent market like Sudan, from infrastructure issues to talent gaps. It's not an easy feat, but it's fascinating to hear how businesses like Cush Digital are overcoming these obstacles and thriving in such environments.

2️⃣ The Power of Adaptability: Aziz's journey to Egypt was unexpected, driven by the war in Sudan. This highlights the importance of adaptability in the face of unforeseen circumstances. Aziz's ability to pivot and make the best of the situation is truly inspiring.

3️⃣ North Africa's Untapped Potential: While sub-Saharan Africa often takes the spotlight, Aziz shed light on the opportunities and potential in North Africa. He emphasized the importance of exploring and understanding this region's unique market dynamics and consumer behavior for businesses looking to expand their presence.

Check out emergingmarkets.today

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In this episode, I chat with Paul Breloff, co-founder of Shortlist, about the pivotal role of human capital in Africa's economic trajectory.

Shortlist provides executive search services and work force development for leading startups and impact organizations in Africa.

Here's a snapshot of our conversation:

1️⃣ The Power of People: While big ideas capture attention, it's the individuals behind them that truly make a difference. Discover how Shortlist is addressing the challenges of finding and developing the right talent in Africa.

2️⃣ Why Africa? Paul's journey from a small town in Western New York to working extensively in India and Africa offers a unique perspective on the booming startup and innovation economy in the continent.

3️⃣ Challenges & Opportunities: From data problems to experience gaps, Paul discusses the unique talent dynamics in Africa. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on approaches and the need for on-the-job training for young professionals.

4️⃣ Impact Organizations: Learn about businesses that address significant social problems while working with markets. Paul shares his experiences with companies that focus on renewable power, green growth, and more.

Check out emergingmarkets.today

Follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠@todayemerging⁠⁠ 

This episode is all about innovation in Latin America!

We're chatting about the new and exciting businesses in Latin America through the lens of venture capital, so I invited Daniel Lloreda and he is a managing partner at H20 capital, a early-stage venture capital fund with operations in Miami, Mexico & Colombia.

We talked about innovative startups you might not have heard of - what I like to call "unsexy businesses" - those that don't get the big headlines on TechCrunch but are solving real life problems with truly innovative solutions.

Also, why businesses are choosing countries closer to the US more specifically Latin America and and why expats from Latin America choose to start their companies in the US.

Check out emergingmarkets.today

Follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠@todayemerging⁠⁠