Why bet on a startup when you can get a sure thing from a government bond?

On this episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we're diving into the excitement of venture capital and its powerful potential to drive economic growth.

We sit down with Nneka Eze from VestedWorld, a firm at the forefront of this space, to explore the real-world challenges and untapped opportunities. We ask why VCs are taking the leap, what it takes to build a thriving ecosystem, and what the future holds for African entrepreneurship.

Is this a reckless gamble or the smartest move an investor can make? Find out in today's episode.

Special thanks to our guest, Nneka Eze (Managing Partner, Vested World).

Follow us on social media: @flywheeleconomics

And check out our website @flywheeleconomics.com.

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Can a nation's economic power be a powerful tool for international development? Or is it primarily a strategy for advancing a country's own interests?

On this episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we’re navigating this complex world with a former UK High Commissioner to Nigeria. He has seen firsthand how foreign policy and economic strategy intersect on the ground.

Join us as we explore the core of economic diplomacy: how it has evolved, the true purpose of foreign aid, and how a nation can balance its own agenda with the development needs of another. This is a conversation about the real-world impact of diplomatic dollars on the global stage.

Special thanks to our guest, Paul Arkwright, former British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Sign this petition to reverse the aid cuts in the UK: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/719301

Our website: @flywheeleconomics.com

Social media: @flywheeleconomics

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Flywheel Economics is proud to present this episode on Mafita, a programme that transformed lives by equipping some of Northern Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups with skills, dignity, and opportunity.

At its heart, Mafita was about practical empowerment rooted in context. We heard stories like the young woman with a disability who could finally pursue catering once small adjustments were made to her training space. A boy once scavenging through dustbins who now has access to meaningful opportunities. A child bride who became a skilled seamstress and opened doors for her sisters.

These are not just anecdotes, they’re ripple effects, the flywheel in action. By providing tailored training and respecting cultural realities, Mafita showed how inclusion creates momentum that lifts families and entire communities.

In this episode, Umar Nuhu and Hauwa Umar, reflect on what it takes to design programmes that listen, adapt, and spark positive change without erasing people’s identities.

This isn’t only a story about skills training. It’s about resilience, dignity, and the power of opportunity to set lasting change in motion.

Special thanks to our guests.

Our website: @flywheeleconomics.com

Socials: @flywheeleconomics

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After a deep dive into one of the most critical challenges of our time, Flywheel Economics proudly presents the final episode of our Affordable Housing Miniseries. This series has been a journey into the heart of building truly resilient and sustainable communities, moving beyond just bricks and mortar to address the very foundations of economic well-being.

In this concluding episode, we bring together the powerful insights from our discussions, from the transformative potential of secure land titling in unlocking capital and stability, to the innovative solutions powering the sector. We’ve explored the complex ecosystem of housing finance, policy, and community empowerment.

Join us as we synthesise these threads, offering a comprehensive look at what it truly takes to create affordable housing solutions that foster equitable access and long-term prosperity. This isn't just about shelter; it's about the blueprint for a more inclusive and robust global economy.

Special thanks to our guest host, Daniel Simpkins.

Our website @flywheeleconomics.com

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Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment, ready to redefine its economic future. In this episode, we dive into the heart of the nation's non-oil export sector, a vibrant space brimming with untapped potential.

Join us as we uncover the importance of shaping export policy, ensuring it champions growth that reaches every corner of the economy. We also shine a light on the incredible impact of empowering women in the export space, recognising their pivotal role in unlocking new markets and diversifying Nigeria's global presence. This isn't just about trade; it's about building a more resilient and sustainable economy from the ground up.

This isn't your typical economic analysis. We go beyond the numbers to explore the real-world innovation driving Nigeria's next big leap.

Special thanks to our guest, Titi Ojo (Management Consultant and Trainer).

Listen to Flywheel Economics wherever you get your podcasts. Find more insights at flywheeleconomics.com and connect with us social media @flywheeleconomics.

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As we hit the midpoint of 2025, it’s time for a "Momentum Check" here at Flywheel Economics! In this special episode, we look back at the groundbreaking conversations from the first half of the year and unpack the crucial lessons for the future of economic development, especially in emerging markets.

We revisit all our episodes; from the power of land titling for affordable housing to the art of maximising aid effectiveness beyond simple cuts, and the bold entrepreneurship building an EV ecosystem from scratch in Senegal.

This mid-year reflection underscores how these efforts collectively build momentum, creating the very "flywheels" of sustainable growth we champion.

Join us as we synthesise these powerful insights and set the stage for what's next in driving real change.

Our website: @flywheeleconomics.com

Socials: @flywheeleconomics

To sign the petition reversing the proposed UK aid cuts, please click here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/719301

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What happens when the money shrinks, but the challenges don’t? In this podcast episode, we take a deep dive into the messy, political, and deeply human world of international development, with someone who’s spent years inside it.

Our guest, Peter J. Evans, (probably not the one you’re thinking), is a seasoned adviser on governance, inclusion, and aid strategy. He joins us for a reflective and nuanced conversation about the future of aid in an era of constraint. Drawing on his work with major donors like FCDO and his deep experience in political economy, Peter unpacks the realities behind the rhetoric and asks how we can still make aid matter.

Together, we explore the tensions between foreign policy and development goals, the risks of radical simplification, and why we need to treat context as more than just a slogan. From the legacy of “fat aid” to the fragility of anti-corruption efforts, this episode invites listeners to reconsider how effectiveness is defined and what a more grounded, politically aware model could look like going forward.

If you're a policymaker, donor, practitioner, or simply tired of one-dimensional aid debates, this conversation is for you. Lend your voice by signing a petition to reverse these cuts and push for a smarter, more responsible aid strategy. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/719301

Special thanks to Peter J. Evans for sharing his insight and candour.

Website: @flywheeleconomics.com

Socials: @flywheeleconomics

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Imagine launching a modern business where the entire ecosystem needs to be built from scratch – from charging stations to obtaining custom license plates. This is the incredible, real-life story at the heart of our latest episode.

Join us as we dive into the journey of an economist (who remarkably doesn't even drive!) who became the visionary founder of an electric vehicle (EV) taxi company in Senegal. This isn't just a tale of entrepreneurship; it's a powerful case study in the importance of innovation in driving change, especially within the unique realities of emerging markets.

This real-life example perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Flywheel Economics: demonstrating how the flywheel effect can create new industries and economic momentum from the ground up.

Special thanks to our guest Matthew Sellar (Founder, Mbay Mobility) for his valuable insights.

Our website: @flywheeleconomics.com

Socials: @flywheeleconomics

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Ever wondered why securing affordable housing remains such a complex puzzle in some parts of the world? One key aspect lies beneath our feet – in land titling. In this crucial episode of the Flywheel Economics Affordable Housing miniseries, we dive deep into one of the thorniest, yet most fundamental, issues preventing widespread access to safe and affordable homes.

Join us as we explore why secure land rights are absolutely foundational to unlocking affordable housing development, especially in emerging markets.

Affordable housing is a global concern. The World Bank estimates that lack of safe and affordable housing is a concern for over 330 million people around the world. From the world’s richest population dissatisfied by housing costs to emerging markets facing lower purchasing power, where we get to live is everyone’s business.

Join Flywheel Economics for our Affordable Housing miniseries as we attempt to make sense of this fascinating and critical puzzle. From AI to financing, we’ll explore solutions that bridge affordability with sustainability, ensuring everyone has access to a safe and secure home.

Special thanks to our guest Andrew Smith (Development Consultant and Land Governance Reform Expert) for his valuable insights.

Our website: @flywheeleconomics.com

Socials: @flywheeleconomics

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The landscape of international development is currently navigating a period of significant challenge and uncertainty. Recent data from the OECD indicates a notable fall in Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2024, the first decrease in several years. These recent cuts stem from a confluence of factors, including economic pressures in donor countries, shifts in geopolitical priorities, and increasing domestic fiscal demands. The uncertainty surrounding the consistency and level of future aid flows necessitates a greater focus on the effective and efficient use of every development dollar, emphasising value for money. 

How do we ensure international development programmes truly deliver impact? It's a question that goes beyond just cutting costs. Achieving genuine Value for Money (VfM) isn't just about minimising expenses; it's about maximising effectiveness. In this episode, we explore practical tools and strategies to measure and improve VfM, ensuring every development dollar delivers its fullest potential for real-world impact. 

Special thanks to our guest, Deep Biswas (Economist and VfM Consultant) for his valuable insights.

Our website: @flywheeleconomics.com

Socials: @flywheeleconomics

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