The Long Form Podcast

Why do so many African businesses collapse after their founders leave? In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, I sit down with Tara Fela-Durotoye, founder of House of Tara International and one of Africa's most influential entrepreneurs, to explore why building a successful business is only the beginning. 

We discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, scaling companies, founder dependency, wealth creation, Nigerian business culture, women in business, succession planning, and what it takes to build institutions that survive for generations. 

Tara also explains why so many founders become the biggest obstacle to their own success, what East African entrepreneurs can learn from Nigeria, and why making yourself replaceable is one of the most important leadership lessons in business. 

ShieldTech Hub- https://www.shieldtechub.com                                           

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

BasiGo Rwanda- https://www.basi-go.com/rwanda 

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

Can a young African build real wealth without wealthy parents, political connections, or millions in startup capital? 

In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, I sit down with Tresor Gashonga, Founder and CEO of Incuti Foods, one of Rwanda's fastest-growing food companies. Starting with just RWF 1.4 million, Tresor built a business that now works with more than 100 farmers, employs 25 people, and generates over RWF 200 million in annual revenue. 

We discuss entrepreneurship in Rwanda, identifying business opportunities, surviving the early years of a startup, cash flow, leadership, scaling a company, agriculture, manufacturing, food innovation, and the mindset required to build lasting wealth in Africa. 

Whether you're an entrepreneur, student, investor, or member of the African diaspora, this conversation offers practical lessons on business, innovation, and creating value in Rwanda and across the continent.

ShieldTech Hub- www.shieldtechub.com                                             

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

BasiGo Rwanda- https://www.basi-go.com/rwanda 

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has filed a new case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice, accusing Kigali of violating its sovereignty and committing serious breaches of international law. But what does the law actually say?
 In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, international law scholar and former ICTR and ICC legal officer Dr. Alphonse Muleefu explains the legal issues at the heart of one of Africa's most consequential international disputes. We explore self-defence under international law, state sovereignty, the UN Mapping Report, the concept of "lawfare," and the strengths and weaknesses of both Rwanda's and the DRC's legal arguments. 

This is a conversation for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the legal dimensions of the conflict in eastern Congo.

 Sponsors:

ShieldTech Hub- www.shieldtechub.com                                             

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

BasiGo Rwanda- https://www.basi-go.com/rwanda 

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

How do you build a multi-billion-franc company starting with just 300,000 Rwandan francs?

 In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, entrepreneur and Wood Habitat founder Paradis Nishimwe Imfura shares the complete story of building one of Rwanda's leading furniture and interior design companies. 

We discuss entrepreneurship, manufacturing, leadership, scaling a business, raising standards in African design, competing against imports, creating jobs, and the financial lessons every founder should know. 

Whether you're an entrepreneur, student, investor, or anyone interested in Rwanda's economic future, this conversation is a practical masterclass on building something valuable from almost nothing.

Sponsors:

Threat Informat - https://threatinformant.io/                                               

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

BasiGo Rwanda- https://www.basi-go.com/rwanda 

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

Before the RPF liberation struggle, before 1990, and before Rwanda’s transformation, there was RANU (Rwandese Alliance for National Unity) — a small underground movement created by Rwandan refugees living in exile.

In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, former Rwandan Minister of Justice and RANU founding member Tharcisse Karugarama tells the story of growing up as a refugee in Uganda, the struggles faced by stateless Rwandans, and how a group of young activists secretly organized a movement that would later become the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).

Karugarama reflects on the founding of RANU in 1979, meeting Ugandan President Milton Obote, working alongside figures such as Tito Rutaremara, Patrick Mazimhaka, and other early members, debates around socialism and the monarchy, and the decisions that eventually transformed RANU into the RPF in 1987.

This is the story before the war — the ideas, sacrifices, and hidden conversations that shaped modern Rwanda.

Sponsors:

Threat Informat - https://threatinformant.io/                                               

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

What does it really take to build a global career from Africa? 

In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and YouTube creator Tayo Aina reflects on a decade of traveling across Africa and the world, documenting cities, cultures, businesses, and untold stories. 

We discuss the hidden costs of creating world-class content, the challenges of traveling with a Nigerian passport, why he acquired a second citizenship, what Africa looks like when you've seen it up close, and the opportunities he believes the rest of the world still overlooks. 

This is a conversation about travel, entrepreneurship, identity, freedom, and the future of Africa.

Sponsors:

Threat Informat - https://threatinformant.io/                                               

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

African Languages Experts: https://africanlanguagesexperts.com

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

African music has never been more popular. Afrobeats, Amapiano, and other African sounds are reaching audiences across the world, generating billions of streams and reshaping global culture. But who is really benefiting? 

In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, Audiomack Co-Founder and CMO David Ponte discusses the rise of African music, the economics of streaming, why many artists still struggle to make money, what global platforms misunderstand about African audiences, and what it takes to build a technology company capable of competing with Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. 

We also explore why some African artists break through globally while others remain local, and what the future holds for music, technology, and culture on the continent.

Sponsors:

Threat Informat - https://threatinformant.io/                                               

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

African Languages Experts: https://africanlanguagesexperts.com

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

Uganda is often described as a country full of potential. But beneath the optimism, many Ugandans are navigating rising costs, economic pressure, uncertainty, and growing skepticism about the future. 

In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, journalist and analyst Angelo Izama discusses Uganda's changing mood, the rise of drug use as a coping mechanism, the country's oil strategy, AFCON 2027, youth frustration, and what the next major economic shock could mean for the region. 

We also explore the future of Uganda after Museveni and whether the country can translate ambition into lasting prosperity.

Sponsors:

Threat Informat - https://threatinformant.io/                                               

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

African Languages Experts: https://africanlanguagesexperts.com

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, Dr. Lawrence Muganga discusses identity, belonging, education, and the future of Uganda. 

From his childhood selling rabbits to becoming Vice Chancellor of Victoria University and later being nominated as State Minister for Internal Affairs, Dr. Muganga reflects on his journey, the debate surrounding Uganda's Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, his arrest on allegations of espionage, and the politics of recognition and citizenship. 

We also explore whether Africa's education systems are preparing young people for an AI-driven future, the limits of traditional university degrees, and what success looks like in a rapidly changing world.

Sponsors:

Threat Informat - https://threatinformant.io/                                               

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

African Languages Experts: https://africanlanguagesexperts.com

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media 

What does it actually mean to be East African?

In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, Marcus Kwikiriza reflects on living and working across Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, and why the dream of an integrated East Africa remains more complicated than many people assume.

Drawing on his experience during Kenya's 2007–08 post-election violence, Marcus discusses ethnicity, identity, labour mobility, xenophobia, the decline of mass media, and whether a genuine East African citizen is emerging. We also explore the future of radio, political consciousness, and the impact of the Basketball Africa League on local sports systems.

Sponsors:

Threat Informat - https://threatinformant.io/                                               

Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com 

Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739

Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.com

Produced by LF Media