Welcome to our episode of  Meet the CEO episode of the month!

This time, we feature Pauline Nantongo Kalunda, Executive Director at ECOTRUST, whose journey in conservation is as inspiring as it is impactful.

Passionate about empowering smallholder farmers, Pauline shares the story behind ECOTRUST's 27 years of work and the investments that have transformed lives across Uganda.

Welcome to the first Meet the CEO episode of the month.

This time, we feature Kanessa Muluneh, founder of Nyle
. Her vision is clear — unlocking Africa’s investment potential through profitable, high-impact ventures.

For 2026 alone, Nyle is targeting investments in more than 270 real estate and agriculture projects, 210 entertainment projects, 55 manufacturing ventures, and 37 mining and trade projects.

Buckle up as Kanessa dives into mentorship, scaling businesses, and navigating successful exits.

Meet Kanessa Muluneh — Founder, Nyle.

When building businesses across Africa, there’s a clear split between traditional and digital sectors.

Traditional businesses—like agriculture, construction, and mining—serve everyday needs. They’re resilient, even in tough economies, but often operate informally with limited systems and documentation.

Digital ventures are more structured and data-driven—but scaling them brings its own challenges.

For investors, one key lesson stands out: it’s not just about money.

Access to networks, mentorship, and knowledge is critical—especially for businesses looking to expand beyond their home markets.

Kanessah Muluneh, Ceo at Nyle joins us for this episode

MTN Nigeria has warned that rising fuel prices could affect its profitability this year, even as the country’s largest telco operator delivers record revenue growth and rebounds from last year’s currency shocks.

In its Q1 2026 results released on Wednesday, the company said it expects a 1.8 to 2.0% decline in full-year Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) margins if diesel prices average ₦2,000 ($1.45) per litre in the second half of the year. 

Based on current revenue levels at ₦1.5 trillion ($1.09 billion), an expected decline of 2.0% would translate into an estimated ₦120 billion ($87.24 million) to ₦140 billion ($101.78 million) hit to profits.

Uganda Airlines may be at a real turning point.

With the recent recapitalisation, the government has essentially given the airline the breathing room it needs—and for new CEO, Gima Wake, that space is critical. He’s taken on a very difficult job, inheriting years of mismanagement and operational instability.

But early signs suggest a shift. The focus so far has been on restoring reliability—fewer disruptions, more predictability—and that’s already improving passenger confidence.

The bigger challenge now is financial discipline: fixing inefficiencies and building a structure that can actually sustain a commercial airline.

Derek Nseko, Ceo Airspace Africa joins us for this episode

South Africa withdrew a draft artificial intelligence policy after discovering that several of its academic citations were apparently AI hallucinations, raising questions about the state’s ability to regulate the fast-growing technology.

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi admitted that the department failed to spot the fabricated references before releasing the draft policy for public comment: “It’s a major embarrassment.”

Uganda is generating more electricity than ever before—but if that’s the case, why do so many households and businesses still lack reliable, affordable, and safe energy?

Is the real challenge no longer supply, but access—and affordability?

That’s what ABSA Bank Uganda and the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization Company are now trying to address through a new green energy line of credit.

With up to 11 billion shillings in concessional financing, the facility will support clean energy companies to scale solar and other solutions, especially in underserved markets.

Financial markets remain resilient despite tensions driven by the Middle East conflict, according to the latest Global Financial Stability Report.

While the conflict has caused periods of volatility, markets have avoided major disruptions such as sharp losses, margin calls, or forced sell-offs. This stability is supported by central bank liquidity measures, improved market structures, and well-capitalized banks.

However, risks remain. Rising public and private debt, along with the growing role of leveraged non-bank investors, are increasing pressure on bond markets. Emerging markets are particularly exposed to sudden shifts in global investor sentiment.

The report also warns that many countries now have limited policy space after years of economic support measures.

Policymakers are being urged to closely monitor vulnerabilities, strengthen oversight, and stay ready to act, while also addressing emerging risks such as cybersecurity linked to artificial intelligence.

"Uganda's oil story is no longer just a promise — it's steel in the ground, wells being drilled, and processing facilities taking shape. But behind the headline numbers is a quieter revolution — local companies that started with nothing and can now lift 200 tons, move equipment across borders, and compete regionally. Our guest today is one of those witnesses — someone who has been inside this industry, moving the rigs, navigating the geopolitics, absorbing the shocks — and still believes the biggest chapter hasn't been written yet. This, he says, is just the tip of the iceberg."

Uganda is entering the final stretch toward its first oil, with government and industry leaders emphasising readiness, partnerships, and long-term value.

Officials say significant progress has been made on key projects, including Tilenga, Kingfisher, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, all critical to unlocking production.

But beyond infrastructure, Gloria Sebikari, Public Relations Officer at the Petroluem Authority of Uganda, says the focus is now shifting to institutional readiness—ensuring the country has the skills, regulatory frameworks, and private sector capacity to manage oil production sustainably.