Unlocking Africa

Episode 155, we speak with Dr. Austin Okpagu, the Country Manager for Nigeria at VertoFX. Dr. Okpagu joined VertoFX in June after an impressive tenure at JumiaPay, where he spent nearly four years driving business growth and expanding partnerships, culminating in his role as Managing Director for West Africa. His extensive experience in the payments and fintech sectors is further highlighted by his impactful contributions to Opay and Pagatech, where he led business development and partnerships. Beyond his professional roles, Dr. Okpagu holds a Ph.D. in Organisational Psychology and serves as a seasonal mentor at Innovest Afrika.

VertoFX is a global B2B financial technology company that enables businesses of all sizes to access advanced cross-border payments, FX and banking solutions. Using a purposefully built tech infrastructure and payment rails, businesses can instantly send and receive money in over 170 countries and convert between 49 currencies. Today, Verto helps 4000+ businesses from startups, SMEs to large corporate companies send millions of dollars per year.

What We Discuss With Dr. Austin

• How his leadership roles at JumiaPay, Opay, and Pagatech influenced his vision and strategy at VertoFX.
• The longstanding challenges of cross-border payments for African SMEs and the factors contributing to their persistence.
• The unique challenges of the African payment landscape compared to regions like Asia or Europe.
• How VertoFX is helping businesses access the $725 billion digital economy and address the challenge of only 17% of African exports staying within the continent.
• The impact of regulatory inconsistency on cross-border payments in Africa and how VertoFX navigates these challenges.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss A History of Western Ignorance: Why We Need to Think Differently About African Economics? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser:
LinkedIn - Terser Adamu
Instagram - unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu

Connect with Dr. Austin on LinkedIn at Austin Okpagu, Ph.D, and Twitter (X) @VertoFX

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 154 with Bronwen Everill who was a fellow of Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge from 2015 and was the Director of Cambridge’s Centre of African Studies. In August, she joined the faculty of the Princeton Writing Program. She is a visiting fellow at the Laboratory for the Economics of Africa’s Past, in the Department of Economics at Stellenbosh University.

Bronwen recently publishing Africonomics, which is a short, bold story of Western economic thought about Africa. Bronwen argues that these interventions fail because they start from a misguided premise: that African economies just need to be more like the West. Ignoring Africa's own traditions of economic thought, Europeans and Americans assumed a set of universal economic laws that they thought could be applied anywhere. They enforced specifically Western ideas about growth, wealth, debt, unemployment, inflation, women’s work and more, and used Western metrics to find African countries wanting. The West does not know better than African nations how an economy should be run. By laying bare the myths and realities of our tangled economic history, Africonomics moves from Western ignorance to African knowledge.

What We Discuss With Bronwen

• In what ways does Africonomics challenge conventional Western views of African economies?
• How have historical misconceptions about African wealth shaped Western interventions on the continent?
• How did Western economic policies during colonial times disregard Africa’s indigenous economic systems?
• How have Western metrics like GDP distorted perceptions of Africa's economic success or challenges?
• Examples of African traditions of economic thought that have been overlooked by Western interventions.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Powering Congo: Using Recycled Materials to Create Cutting-Edge Battery Technology for Businesses and Households? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser:
LinkedIn - Terser Adamu
Instagram - unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 153 with Benedict Owanga, who is powering Congo with Cutting-Edge Battery Technology. He is the founder of Owanga Solar, a pioneering company delivering clean energy solutions to energy-deprived regions. Through innovative use of recycled batteries and plastic, Benedict is transforming how electricity is accessed in the Congo.

Discover how this young African leader's bold vision for renewable energy is driving sustainable development and reshaping lives with affordable, on-demand electricity solutions. His inspiring journey offers a glimpse into a future powered by innovation and determination.

What We Discuss With Benedict

• Why is Congo central to Owanga’s mission, and what makes this region a key focus for the company's efforts?
• The key challenges faced during the development of Owanga Solar's first set of products.
• The evolution of Owanga Solar’s products, from the initial design concept to the latest innovations?
• How Owanga balances affordability and quality to ensure its products remain accessible while maintaining high standards.
• How Owanga ensures its products align with the specific needs of the communities it serves in Congo.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Africa’s Largest Tech Merger Could Fuel Groundbreaking Expansion From E-commerce to B2B Digital Services Platform? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser:
LinkedIn - Terser Adamu
Instagram - unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu

Connect with Benedict on LinkedIn at Benedict Owanga, and Owanga

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 152 with Daniel Yu, who is the Founder & CEO of Wasoko and Co-CEO of their new merger with MaxAB.

African B2B e-commerce pioneers Wasoko and MaxAB have recently completed the continent’s largest-ever tech merger following the signing of preliminary terms in Q4 2023. Conducted as an all-stock transaction, the deal establishes a truly Pan-African platform for communities to access essential digital and physical goods, marking Wasoko and MaxAB’s evolution from B2B e-commerce companies to a multi-vertical ecosystem for Africa’s $600 billion informal retail sector.

About Wasoko:
Wasoko is the largest e-commerce platform serving informal retailers across Sub-Saharan Africa. Wasoko enables retailers to restock products for their businesses at any time via mobile app with free same-day delivery.

About MaxAB:
MaxAB is the pioneer and leading B2B e-commerce player in the Middle East and North Africa. In 2018, MaxAB established itself as an e-commerce platform that enables local underserved merchants and mom-and-pop shops in Egypt and Morocco to grow, increase their revenues, and improve their own quality of life.

What We Discuss With Daniel

• The major challenges encountered during the integration of two companies and how they were addressed.
• Key factors that drove the successful completion of the merger in under 60 days.
• How the merger is set to reshape the B2B e-commerce landscape in Africa and drive industry transformation.
• The merger's potential impact on boosting intra-African trade and promoting local sourcing initiatives across the continent.
• Key markets with the highest growth potential and the factors driving their promising outlook.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Innovation, Leadership, and Technology: Canon’s Journey and Strategy for Africa? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamu

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn a Daniel Yu, and Twitter (X) @wasoko_official

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 150 with Somesh Adukia, Managing Director of Canon Central and North Africa. Canon, renowned as the world’s leading imaging company, was established in 1937. Over its 85-year history, Canon’s relentless drive for innovation has positioned it at the forefront of imaging excellence. The company is committed to strategic investments and seizing growth opportunities to sustain its leadership.

Canon Central and North Africa, founded in 2016, embodies the company’s global vision while catering to the unique needs of its regional markets. At the heart of Canon’s philosophy is Kyosei—‘living and working together for the common good,’ which highlights its dedication to customer focus, open communication, and respect for diversity.

Canon is on a mission to promote sustainable growth, minimise environmental impact, and enhance lives through cutting-edge imaging technology. From cameras to commercial printers and beyond, Canon’s enduring legacy continues to shape industries and enrich communities around the world.

What We Discuss With Somesh

• How Somesh's leadership style has evolved during his time in the African market.
• Canon's 2023 strategy focuses on 'ICE: Innovation, Customer & Employee Experience.' How does this theme drive the approach and priorities in the region?
• The growth opportunities that lie ahead for Canon in Africa.
• Canon's approach to market expansion in emerging regions like Sudan, Libya, and Rwanda.
• The role of technology and digital transformation in Canon's growth in Africa.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Closing Africa’s Insurance Gap: Using an Agent-Driven Model to Transform How Insurance Is Sold in Africa? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamu

Connect with Somesh on LinkedIn at Somesh Adukia, and Twitter (X) @CanonCNA

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 150 with Jihan Abass, who is CEO and Founder of Lami, which is an insurance as a service platform that digitises the entire insurance process and allows users to create and distribute digital insurance products in record time. As one of the first female African founders to secure $5.5 million in funding for her startup, Jihan's journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Lami addresses Africa's significant insurance gap by digitising the entire process and empowering agents to sell products like SME WIBA, personal accident, and motor insurance. After a strategic pivot to an agent-driven model, Lami has doubled its revenue and now generates over $300,000 monthly.

What We Discuss With Jihan

• What challenges in the African insurance market inspired the launch of Lami, and how Jihan aimed to address them.
• What led to Lami's pivot to an agent-driven model, and how this approach reshaped the company's growth and impact.
• How Lami's platform works to close the insurance gap in Africa, particularly in reaching underserved and remote communities.
• The challenges and lessons that came with raising $5.5 million as one of the first female African founders in the insurtech space.
• How Lami navigates the challenges and risks of operating in an emerging market with a developing insurance industry.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Dodai Is Building Affordable, High-Speed Electric Motorcycles in Ethiopia? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamu

Connect with Jihan on LinkedIn at Jihan Abass, and Twitter (X) @LamiInsurtech

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 149 with Yuma Sasaki, CEO and founder of Dodai, a groundbreaking e-mobility firm revolutionising transportation in East Africa.

Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dodai Manufacturing PLC is assembling and selling high-speed, affordable electric motorcycles equipped with long-lasting lithium batteries. Yuma shares how Dodai is making e-mobility accessible for everyone in Africa, helping commuters escape traffic jams, cut fuel costs, and embrace a more sustainable future.

What We Discuss With Yuma

• The strategic and personal reasons why Yuma chose Ethiopia as a base of operations
• Valuable lessons learnt during his time at Uber and how they influenced the founding and operational strategies of Dodai
• Strategies Yuma has used to drive awareness about the EV market in Ethiopia
• The impact of affordable electric two-wheelers on urban transportation in Addis Ababa, including addressing traffic congestion and reducing emissions
• Exploring if Dodai's long-term vision is exclusively on e-mobility or expanding to include the development of broader EV infrastructure in Ethiopia

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Infrastructure That Lasts: Creating Lasting Value by Redefining Project Delivery in Africa with Emeka Obiwulu? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamu

Connect with Yuma on LinkedIn at Yuma (ይልማ) and Dodai

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 148 with Emeka Obiwulu, Founder & CEO of The Offshore Lab (TOL). With over two decades of global experience in engineering and project delivery, Emeka has led impactful projects across continents, emphasising sustainable, community-driven solutions that prioritise local engagement and long-term growth. At The Offshore Lab, Emeka focuses on harnessing technology to empower communities, foster innovation, and unlock local potential.

The Offshore Lab offers integrated services in project delivery, consulting, and capacity building, specialising in sustainable innovation for both onshore and offshore operations. Emeka shares insights from leading major projects, like the Wing-E redesign at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and impactful community initiatives such as The Badamia Home ICT Junior Lab.

What We Discuss With Emeka

• Exploring the philosophy behind The Offshore Lab's commitment to moving beyond "short-termism" in African project delivery
• How can investing in technology infrastructure become a catalyst for economic growth across Africa
• How does The Offshore Lab ensure that its infrastructure projects deliver lasting social and economic value to the communities they serve? 
• What methods does TOL employ to actively involve local talent and communities in project delivery, ensuring they benefit directly from each initiative?
• Why is a maintenance culture often lacking in African projects, and what steps can be taken to foster a stronger commitment to ongoing upkeep and sustainability?

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Policy, Growth, and Advancing Implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade in Nigeria with Prachi Agarwal and Alberto Lemma? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamu

Connect with Emeka on LinkedIn at Emeka Obiwulu, and Twitter (X) @theoffshorelab

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 147 with Prachi Agarwal and Alberto Lemma, who are both Research Fellows at the International Economic Development Group at ODI.

They came on the podcast to discuss their latest report, "Advancing Implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade in Nigeria", which explores the transformative potential of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade for Nigeria.

ODI (Overseas Development Institute) is a leading global think tank dedicated to driving positive change. Their mission is to shape a more resilient, just, and equitable future for everyone. ODI’s work focuses on sparking action against injustice and inequality by combining rigorous research with influential advocacy to create impactful ideas for people and the planet.

What We Discuss With Prachi and Alberto

• Exploring the inspiration behind the research on the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and its critical significance for Nigeria.
• The transformative potential of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade for Nigeria's economic growth and development.
• Key findings from the report on Nigeria's digital ecosystem and its current landscape.
• Examining the current state of Nigeria's digital infrastructure and its impact on the country’s readiness for implementing the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade.
• Identifying regulatory gaps Nigeria needs to address for effective implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Building Digital Trust: How Pawapass Is Addressing Online Verification and Cybersecurity Issues for African Businesses? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamu

Connect with Prachi on LinkedIn at Prachi Agarwal, and Twitter (X) @_Prachi_Agarwal

Connect with Alberto on LinkedIn at Alberto Francesco Lemma, and Twitter (X) @alblemma

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]

Episode 146 with Sylvia Brune who is CEO of pawaPass, a platform making it possible for millions of people in Africa to access services and opportunities without the need for a government-issued ID.

With over 50% of people in Africa lacking valid identification, pawaPass offers an inclusive and secure solution to verify users online, enabling them to engage in remote jobs, financial services, online trade, and more.

pawaPass' mission is to empower individuals and businesses across the continent through scalable and cost-effective digital verification.

What We Discuss With Sylvia

• The importance of non-ID-based user verification in African markets and how pawaPass is making this possible. 
• Insights into the evolution of the regtech space since the inception of pawaPass
• Exploring the biggest challenges African businesses face with online identity theft and fraud, and how pawaPass is addressing these critical issues.
• The economic benefits for businesses and individuals using pawaPass, and how it opens up new opportunities for growth and inclusion.
• Identifying the African markets with the fastest adoption of regtech solutions and the factors driving this growth

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss The Importance of African Entrepreneurship in the New Scramble for Africa with Parminder Vir OBE? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamu

Connect with Sylvia on LinkedIn at Sylvia Brune, and Twitter (X) @silversen

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
[email protected]