How can a career marked by unexpected roles and global experiences redefine an industry? Nche shares his fascinating journey from managing ports and selling fish to spearheading Victory Farms in Kenya. His global experiences in Nigeria, France, India, Spain, and Kenya have influenced his leadership and vision for revolutionizing agriculture. Nche’s unique story reflects his commitment to blending global insights with local impact, shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.

Nche Wadike is the CEO of Victory Farms, where he drives innovation in the agricultural sector with a vision to transform farming practices in Africa. Under his guidance, Victory Farms has grown significantly, tackling major agricultural challenges and implementing cutting-edge solutions. Nche’s unique journey reflects his commitment to blending global insights with local impact, shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.

In this conversation, we uncover:

• How Nche’s diverse career has shaped his leadership at Victory Farms
• Key obstacles faced in agriculture and strategies for overcoming them
• How to maintaining balance while leading a major enterprise
• Goals and plans for Victory Farms
• How global experiences can influence leadership and problem-solving

Our favourite quote from the podcast:

"I've realised it more with Victory Farms, is that when you're very passionate about what you do, work doesn't feel like work anymore."

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron, a trailblazer who left Harvard Business School to pursue a groundbreaking career in clean energy development in Africa. Aaron shares his transformative experiences, from a life-changing summer in Nairobi to leading PowerGen in Kenya. We discuss the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the challenges of being a power developer in Africa, and how technological advancements are revolutionising the future of energy in the region.

Aaron Cheng is the CEO of PowerGen Renewable Energy, a leading renewable energy developer across Africa. Under his leadership, PowerGen has been at the forefront of providing sustainable energy solutions across the continent, aligning with global sustainability goals and driving innovation in Africa's power sector.

In this conversation, we uncover:

• Leaving Harvard for PowerGen in Kenya
• Energy sector obstacles and solutions in Africa’s energy industry
• The impact of technology on energy development
• PowerGen’s sustainability efforts and the importance of collaboration
• Tips for aspiring energy professionals and balancing work with family life

Our favourite quote from the podcast:

"At the end of the day, we only have this one life we all know. Life is really short, sadly, so just make the best of it and don't fall to the pressures of society—the pressures of certain stereotypes, roles, and career paths that you have to take, or the ways in which sectors and industries operate. Be bold."

What does it truly take to turn a bold idea into global success? 
Matt pulls back the curtain on his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a startup to creating a global impact. He reveals the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the challenges of building a business in Africa, and the secrets behind maintaining a strong co-founder relationship. He also shares how he balances leadership with family life, keeps his team inspired, and stays resilient through tough times.

Matt Tilleard is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of CrossBoundary, a firm dedicated to unlocking capital for sustainable growth in underserved markets. With a vision to transform frontier economies, Matt has led CrossBoundary in connecting global investors with high-impact opportunities, particularly in Africa. His work focuses on sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and economic development, blending finance, strategy, and development for measurable social and environmental impact.

In this conversation, we uncover

• Matt's journey from startup to global impact
• Challenges and successes in building a business in Africa
• Secrets to a successful co-founder relationship and leadership balance
• Building a dynamic company culture and attracting top talent
• Staying motivated and resilient through tough times, with future goals for CrossBoundary

Our favourite quote from the podcast:
‘As an entrepreneur, you have to definitely be an optimist. You also have to have a lot of comfort living in the fog. Comfort with ambiguity, essentially you don't know how things are going to work out.’

Zaina has a background in the energy and investment space with top tier investment banking on wall street and canary wharf. She then moved back to Kenya, where she was born and raised, to work with Crossboundary as part of their investment team to deploy capital for energy projects across the African continent. On the podcast we explore:

• Her journey into the energy investment space
• The driving force behind her move back to Kenya
• Adapting to the different working cultures between wall street/canary wharf and Nairobi
• Working in large investment banks vs. boutique investment firms
• Attracting more women into the energy and investment space
• Capital raising challenges for energy projects in Africa
• The most important lessons she has learnt throughout her career

Our favourite quote from the podcast:

— Zaina on challenging moments she has faced being a female in the energy and investment sector

Erik began his journey within the Hydrogen sector in 2017, out of personal interest and a desire to shape an industry that was at a nascent stage. Fast forward to 2023 - he has worked on over 50 clients cases within the sector with Baringa Partners & Boston Consulting Group, co-authored a free book on our hydrogen future called “Touching Hydrogen Future” and chaired the World Hydrogen Leaders congress. On the podcast we explore:

• The motivation behind the “Touching Hydrogen Future” book
• The book writing and publishing journey
• Why the book took a colourless approach to hydrogen
• Solving the issue of water accessibility for GH2 projects
• Key takeaways on Africa’s Hydrogen potential
• The importance of governmental support

Our favourite quote from the podcast:

— Erik on the inspiration behind the "Touching Hydrogen Future" book

Dan has a background in delivering critical infrastructure projects across Europe, Middle-East, Africa and Australia. He found his way into the Green Hydrogen sector with Fortescue Future Industries, attracted by the prospect of helping a start-up scale in a new and exciting technology. Through that journey he has gone on to establish himself as an industry specialist and is the author of the Green Hydrogen Insight newsletter.  On the podcast we explore:

• His journey into the Green Hydrogen sector
• The various colours of Hydrogen
• Hydrogen use cases and the impact on reducing CO2 emissions 
• Busting the Hydrogen myths
• Africa’s Green Hydrogen potential

Our favourite quote from the podcast:

— Dan on Africa's Green Hydrogen Potential

Bhavik is at the forefront of the data centre boom in Africa. He started his career working in private equity before moving to Raxio where he has played a key role in leading the business to becoming one of Africa’s premier data centre businesses. On the podcast we explore:

• The driving force behind Raxio’s growth
• How DC companies can approach scaling their teams
• Raising capital within the sector
• The challenges that might hinder the growth of the sector
• Raxio’s ambitions moving forward

Our favourite quote from the podcast:

Diana is a rising star when it comes to investment facilitation for SMEs in East Africa. She currently works at Future Africa, where she helps their portfolio companies get investment ready and is also a founding member of the Nairobi Business Angel Network. On this podcast, we explore:

• The Nairobi Business Angel Network (NaiBan)
• The need for a stronger local funding ecosystem
• Capital raising tips for start-ups
• Funding disparity between male and female founders
• Keeping African talent in Africa

Our favourite quote from the podcast:

— Diana on bridging the funding disparity between male and female founders.

This podcast is created by Inuka Partners, a talent partner specialising in emerging markets. If you would like to be a guest of have any recommendations please connect with Shaun Mogul, Director and Founder at Inuka.