The Weekly Beat by Mansa

As Africa moves towards digital transformation, new technologies like crypto currency and NFTs are emerging, and the adoption across the continent is on the rise. Between July 2020 and June 2021, Africa had the fastest cryptocurrency adoption rate in the world at 1200 per cent. Furthermore, Nigerians were ranked 6th largest adopter of NFTs by Finder. But what exactly are these Non-Fungible tokens and how do they work?

The African tech ecosystem saw tremendous growth last year, with a record number of companies raising $4,77 billion of investments, and the emergence of at least 5 new tech-unicorns (start-ups valued at $1 billion)On this episode of the Weekly Beat, we explore the myths and monsters beyond funding, with ARED founder Henri Nyakarundi.

On this episode of the Weekly Beat, we feature Diaka Camara, the CEO and Founder of CBC Productions in Guinea. We delve into what it takes to build a sustainable business, as a woman in Africa.

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, we look at the impact on African trade, the agricultural sector, and rising oil prices. On the flip side though, we delve deep into how the sanctions on Russia could also shift global markets to further benefit natural gas exporters on the continent.

Analysts are still projecting a-complex global economic environment this year, but we look at the opportunities, and enablers of growth on the-continent in the mix of easing restrictions and rebuilding back to normality. We say, its a bright continent and the opportunities are enormous..

On this episode, we give you a deep deep analysis on opportunities and investment in grassroots football development in Africa. Our guest, the CEO of Rainbow sports, Kingsley Pungong gives insight on the relationship between football, policy and economics on the continent.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted plans, changed priorities, scrambled existing networks - and made most of us acutely aware of the fact that we cannot predict the future. With more people opting for entrepreneurship, we look at its rise post the pandemic.

South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom said that it found evidence of sabotage at one of its power plants. On this episode, we hear from the entrepreneurs who have been affected by the power cuts and the impact this has had on the economy.

The demand for electricity in Africa is expected to triple by 2030 - also requiring at least USD 27 - 31 billion per year to meet the energy shortage.On this episode, William Brent, the Chief Marketing Officer at Husk Power systems joins us as we look at energy development in Africa with a focus on investments and strategies required to move to move to cleaner energy.

A year on, and the war in Ethiopia is still ongoing - costing the country $2.5 billion while throwing Abiy’s vision for Ethiopia’s economic future into disarray. Several people have been displaced with fears that the situation could even get worse. On this episode, we speak to Samuel Getachew in Addis Ababa, on the economic impact this has had on one of Africa's fastest-growing economies.