The Long Form Podcast

This week on The Long Form, I sit down with Sheila Kyarisiima — Partner at NISK Capital, Co-Chair of Spelman Estates (owners of Silverback Mall & Pinnacle Hotel), and a member of Kenya’s National Investment Council appointed by President William Ruto. 

We dive into her personal journey from Harvard and Wall Street to Kigali real estate, unpack the challenges of running luxury properties like the Pinnacle Hotel, and explore how Rwandan SMEs can raise capital beyond bank loans. 

Sheila also shares her outlook on East Africa’s economic future, her insights on entrepreneurship, and how she balances leadership, family, and life. This is a conversation about money, strategy, and Africa’s next economic chapter — don’t miss it.

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Produced by LF Media 

My guest this week on The Long Form is Amjad Taha — one of the Arab world’s most outspoken and controversial political analysts. From Israel and Palestine to Sudan’s war, Middle Eastern influence in Africa, and the rise of extremism, Amjad doesn’t hold back. 

In this unfiltered conversation, we challenge him on his support for Israel, accusations against the UAE, and what terrorism means for East Africa and Rwanda. This episode goes beyond headlines to uncover the hard truths about global power, geopolitics, and the battle for Africa’s future. #Israel #Hamas #MiddleEast  

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 

Augustine "Jay-Jay" Okocha is not only one of Nigeria’s greatest ever footballers — he’s one of Africa’s most gifted to ever grace the game. From dazzling stepovers in Frankfurt and PSG, to battling legends like Keane, Viera, and Gerrard in the English Premier League, Okocha carved a place in football history. 

But behind the flair lies the untold story: the pressures of fame, the silence after retirement, and the hard financial lessons every African player must learn. 

In this exclusive episode of The Long Form, recorded in Kigali at the SportsBiz Africa Forum, we dive into Okocha’s career highs and lows, his views on Rwanda’s progress, the future of African football, and what legacy he hopes to leave behind.

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 explosive episode of The Long Form, I sit down with Richard Mugisha, one of Rwanda’s most prominent lawyers and Senior Partner at Trust Law Chambers. 

Mugisha opens up about his 20+ year legal career, the future of law in the age of AI, and his landmark 2018 petition at the Supreme Court challenging the criminalization of adultery. We also dive into the evolution of free speech in Rwanda, legal integration in East Africa, and the challenges of practicing law across borders. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in Rwandan and African politics, law, free speech, AI, and the future of justice.

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 explosive episode of The Long Form Podcast, I sit down with Ukrainian journalist and political commentator Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, to unpack the Russia-Ukraine war — from its origins to its global consequences. 

We discuss what drives Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, the daily reality of Ukrainian civilians under bombardment, and the dangerous uncertainty of relying on the United States under Donald Trump. What does Ukraine’s war mean for Africa, Rwanda, East Africa, and the Global South? And what lessons should African nations learn from Europe’s tragedy? 

This is a conversation about war, democracy, leadership, and survival in the 21st century.

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 Rwanda today, girls are completing school at higher rates than boys, yet young men make up over 85% of prisoners and more than 60% of drug-related arrests. Why are boys being left behind — and what does it mean for Rwanda’s future? 

In this live-recorded episode of The Long Form, I sit with Alain Numa — a former RPF liberation fighter, Pastor, and founder of Boys to Men, an initiative mentoring teenage boys into responsible men. We discuss Rwandan manhood, masculinity, trauma, fatherhood, and the urgent need to rethink how we raise boys. Is Rwanda at risk of creating a generation of broken men — or can we fix the “boy problem”?

This conversation dives deep into gender, mental health, education, men’s rights, and the future of masculinity in Africa, with lessons that go far beyond Rwanda.

Waka Fitness: Go to https://waka.fitbase.rw/thelongform and get 20% off your gym membership. Offer lasts until end of August 2025!

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 drives an American real estate developer from Denver to invest $26 million into Rwanda’s sports infrastructure? 

In this episode of The Long Form, I sit down with Andrew Feinstein, the man behind Kigali’s stunning Zaria Court project in the heart of Kigali Sports City. 

We explore his partnership with NBA executive Masai Ujiri, his insights into the man that is President Paul Kagame, and his bold vision to revitalize Africa’s sports complexes—from BK Arena to Amahoro Stadium—without letting them become white elephants. We also discuss his long-term bet on Brand Rwanda, his take on African economic growth, and why he believes sports infrastructure can transform economies across the continent.

If you’re interested in Rwanda’s development, African sports business, real estate, leadership, and Pan-African investment, this is a must-watch.

Paid partnership with: 

Waka Fitness: Go to https://waka.fitbase.rw/thelongform and get 20% off your gym membership. Offer lasts until end of August 2025!

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 explosive episode of The Long Form, independent photojournalist Teddy Mazina — now living in exile after fleeing Burundi in 2015 — reveals untold truths about his homeland’s political chaos. 

From witnessing the failed coup against Pierre Nkurunziza to his recent trip deep into M23-controlled territory in Eastern Congo, Mazina unpacks the roots of Burundi’s crisis, the reality of life under President Évariste Ndayishimiye, and why the conflict in the DRC could reshape the entire Great Lakes region. 

This is a raw, insider’s look at war, leadership, corruption, and the fight for a better future.

Paid partnership with: 

Waka Fitness: Go to https://waka.fitbase.rw/thelongform and get 20% off your gym membership. Offer lasts until end of August 2025!

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 

This week on The Long Form, I speak with Damien Vassallo, the Head of School and CEO of Ntare Louisenlund International School, one of Rwanda’s most elite and forward-thinking institutions. From his journey as an American educator to his role shaping education in Bugesera, Rwanda we explore the stark realities of academic inequality, the challenges of transitioning students from local schools, and the high cost of quality education in a low-income country.

We also tackle Rwanda’s education reforms, the mindsets educators are trying to shift — and why some teachers are terrified of AI in the classroom.

This is a conversation about power, privilege, pedagogy, and the future of learning in Africa.

Paid partnership with: 

Waka Fitness: Go to https://waka.fitbase.rw/thelongform and get 20% off your gym membership. Offer lasts until end of August 2025!

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 

This week on The Long Form, I sit down with Dr. Lassina Zerbo — former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso and current Chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board. In this high-stakes conversation, we explore why Dr. Zerbo believes that Africa’s development depends on nuclear energy — and why Rwanda is betting big on atomic power.

We also discuss his brief but historic tenure as PM, the legacy of Thomas Sankara, the geopolitical risk of nuclear conflict, and the role of African innovation in the global energy transition.

From coups in Burkina Faso to Kigali’s nuclear future — this is one of our most urgent conversations yet.

Paid partnership with: 

Waka Fitness: Go to https://waka.fitbase.rw/thelongform and get 20% off your gym membership. Offer lasts until August 2025!

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