Unlocking Africa

Episode 165 with Bernard Laurendeau, who is Managing Director of Enkopa Lab, which is at the forefront of driving successful Japan-Africa investments by leveraging AI and technology. With a focus on market diversification, the firm helps Japanese companies navigate Africa's complex business landscape. Enkopa Lab on driving successful Japan-Africa investments through AI & technology

Enkopa Lab is repositioning investment approaches by prioritising human capital development over resource acquisition. Japanese firms have made significant inroads into sectors like financial services, technology, and FMCG, distinguishing their approach from other major players. However, risk-averse decision-making remains a challenge for many Japanese corporations, slowing international expansion.

In this episode we explore the opportunities, challenges, and future of Japan-Africa investments, looking into insights into how technology, data, and innovation are unlocking new possibilities.

What We Discuss With Bernard

• The evolution of Japan’s investment and engagement in Africa over the past three decades and its impact on economic development.
• Common misconceptions Japanese companies have about the African market and how they impact business opportunities and investment strategies.
• The key barriers preventing greater Japanese investment in Africa and the challenges firms face when entering the market.
• How Enkopa Lab uses AI and digital tools to empower Japanese companies with data-driven insights for smarter investment decisions in Africa.
• Strategies African countries can adopt to enhance their appeal and attract more Japanese investment.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Made in Africa, for Africa: How Ener-G-Africa Locally Manufactures Affordable Energy Solutions? 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 Bernard:
LinkedIn - Bernard Laurendeau (ቤርናር - ベルナルド)
Twitter (X) - @_blaurendeau

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 164 with André Moolman, CEO of Ener-G-Africa (EGA), a renewable energy company dedicated to expanding access to affordable solar power across the continent. With a focus on low-income households and small businesses, EGA is tackling Africa’s energy challenges through innovative, cost-effective solutions that go beyond electricity, driving economic growth, sustainability, and improved quality of life.

EGA has grown from a solar wholesaler to a leading manufacturer of solar panels, clean cookstoves, and biomass fuels. The company now operates in multiple African countries, with strategic partnerships, flexible payment plans, and a commitment to community transformation at the core of its mission. From helping families like the Jansens in South Africa to supporting township entrepreneurs, EGA is proving that clean energy can be both accessible and life-changing.

In this conversation, we explore EGA’s impact, the challenges of bridging the energy gap in underserved communities, and the company’s vision for scaling sustainable energy solutions across Africa.

What We Discuss With Andre

• How Ener-G-Africa is helping to tackle Africa’s energy challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions.
• The unique approach that sets Ener-G-Africa apart from other renewable energy manufacturers on the continent.
• The major challenges faced by communities relying on traditional cooking methods and their impact on health, the environment, and daily life.
• How Ener-G-Africa keeps its solar and cooking solutions affordable for low-income households despite the rising cost of living in many African countries.
• How Ener-G-Africa’s installment payment plans make solar products more accessible and the impact they’ve had on customer adoption.
• The biggest challenges Ener-G-Africa faces in scaling across different African countries and the strategies used to overcome them.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Inside the Culture, Creativity & Community: How The Africa Centre Has Built a Home for African Heritage in the UK Since 1964? 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 Andre:
LinkedIn - André Moolman
Twitter (X) - @AfricaEner

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 163 with Olu Alake, CEO of The Africa Centre, a cultural institution dedicated to celebrating and amplifying African and diaspora heritage. Since its founding in 1964, The Africa Centre has been a vibrant space for intellectual exchange, artistic expression, and community-building, evolving to meet the dynamic needs of the African diaspora in the UK and beyond.

Under Olu’s leadership, the Centre has expanded its reach through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and cultural advocacy, cementing its reputation as a global hub for African excellence. From nurturing emerging artists, some of whom have gone on to win prestigious awards like the Turner Prize, to promoting entrepreneurship and thought leadership, The Africa Centre remains a crucible for creativity and transformation.

In this conversation, we explore the Centre’s journey, its role in reshaping narratives about Africa, and the exciting initiatives in store, from the UK-Kenya cultural season to the 104th anniversary of the Berlin Conference.

What We Discuss With Olu

• The evolution of The Africa Centre since 1964 and its evolution in response to the changing needs of the African diaspora in the UK.
• How The Africa Centre balances its rich legacy with the evolving needs and engagement styles of modern audiences.
• The strategies The Africa Centre uses to ensure inclusivity and represent all of Africa, beyond just major countries.
• How The Africa Centre continues to promote intellectual and social conversations among African thinkers and changemakers today.
• Why the Centre has been instrumental in launching the careers of renowned African artists.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Inside the Business of Afrobeats: International Festivals, Culture & Global Influence? 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 Olu:
LinkedIn - Olu Alake
Twitter (X) - @TheAfricaCentre

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 162 with Adesegun Adeosun (SMADE), CEO of SMADE Entertainment, Europe's leading Afrobeats music, live entertainment, and lifestyle promotions company.

Since its inception, SMADE Entertainment has successfully planned, organized, and delivered some of the biggest Afrobeats concerts and festivals across the UK, Africa, and Europe. Their events have been headlined by global superstars like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and many more.

At the heart of their success is Afro Nation, the world’s largest Afrobeats festival, celebrating African culture through music, food, art, and an electrifying atmosphere. Tune in to hear SMADE’s journey, the rise of Afrobeats on the global stage, and the impact of live entertainment in shaping African music culture.

What We Discuss With Adesegun (SMADE)

• SMADE’s journey in bringing Afrobeats to the global stage, the inspiration behind organising events in the U.K., and the rise of the genre as a worldwide movement.
• The key business principles that have driven SMADE Entertainment’s rise to become one of Europe’s leading entertainment companies.
• The importance of strategic partnerships in SMADE Entertainment’s expansion.
• The major financial challenges faced in launching Afro Nation and SMADE Entertainment, and how they were overcome to build a successful entertainment empire.
• The strategies that set SMADE Entertainment and Afro Nation apart in the highly competitive global festival scene.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Scotland and Africa Can Do More Business Together: Challenges & Opportunities? 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 SMADE:
LinkedIn - Adesegun Adeosun Jr (SMADE)
Twitter (X) - @iamSMADE

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 161 with Frazer Lang, CEO of the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA), an organisation dedicated to promoting trade, investment, and business collaboration between Scotland and African nations. With a focus on tangible commercial outputs, SABA bridges the gap between African governments and Scottish businesses, making it easier for both sides to engage, execute opportunities, and access funding.

SABA was founded in response to the challenges African governments faced in navigating the fragmented UK market and the difficulties Scottish businesses encountered in identifying viable opportunities in Africa. By leveraging Scotland’s expertise in key sectors such as Energy, Agriculture, Education, healthcare, and Fintech, SABA takes a targeted approach to building mutually beneficial partnerships.

Frazer discusses how SABA provides critical support throughout the business development process, working with governments, institutions, and private-sector partners to de-risk trade opportunities and drive economic growth. As a not-for-profit, independent trade association, SABA reinvests surplus funds into initiatives that promote the interests of its members, ensuring long-term impact in both Scotland and Africa.

What We Discuss With Frazer

• Exploring the historical and educational connections between Scotland and Africa and their lasting impact.
• Understanding the factors limiting trade between Scotland and Africa despite their strong historical ties.
• How SABA supports companies in identifying and securing funding opportunities for projects across Africa.
• The perception of Scottish companies and investment by African governments and its impact on business relations.
• The critical role of local expertise and partnerships in driving successful business development.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Profit, Impact, and Growth: An Investment Model That Turns Small Farmers into High-Growth Agribusinesses? 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 Frazer:
LinkedIn - Frazer Lang

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 160 with Luni Libes, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and impact-driven venture builder. Luni is the founder and CEO of Africa Eats, an innovative investment company tackling food insecurity and poverty across Africa by scaling profitable, for-profit agribusinesses. He also leads SEMX, a groundbreaking initiative unlocking public capital markets for African SMEs.

Africa Eats invests in and supports early-stage, fast-growing food and agriculture companies that are solving critical supply chain inefficiencies, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Through its long-term, equity-holding model, the company has helped businesses grow 50%+ annually, transforming subsistence farmers into sustainable entrepreneurs while delivering strong returns for investors.

Luni shares his philosophy on impact-driven capitalism, why traditional venture capital isn’t the right model for African SMEs, and how SEMX is pioneering a new segment on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius to connect fast growing African enterprises with global investors. His mission is clear: build a thriving ecosystem where African agribusinesses don’t just survive but scale, creating lasting economic transformation across the continent.

What We Discuss With Luni

• Lessons from founding multiple businesses and investment ventures that have shaped the approach to building and growing Africa Eats.
• How Africa Eats’ long-term equity investment model differs from traditional VC funding and the reasons behind this approach.
• The benefits of Africa Eats’ "Forever" equity model for both investors and entrepreneurs compared to traditional venture capital.
• The key factors driving the impressive growth of Africa Eats’ portfolio companies, scaling from tens of thousands to millions in revenue.
• How the SEMX initiative is bridging the capital gap for African SMEs by leveraging access to public markets.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Incubation and Innovation: Shaping Gambia’s Business Landscape by Nurturing Young Innovators? 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 Luni:
LinkedIn - 'Luni'​ Libes
Twitter (X) - @lunarmobiscuit

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 159 with Boubacar Demba Coly, who is an inspiring ecosystem builder, business and entrepreneurship coach, and tech conceptor who is leading change in Gambia’s startup scene. As the project manager of the Gambia Tech Project, Boubacar is at the forefront of creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs and enabling a thriving tech ecosystem in a country often seen as challenging for business.

The Gambia Tech Project, launched in partnership with the French Embassy and the Alliance Franco Banjul, is dedicated to supporting innovation through incubation, mentorship, funding, and networking. With a focus on empowering young entrepreneurs, the program has ambitious goals: coaching 50 entrepreneurs annually, incubating 10 startups, and organising global tech-entrepreneurship events to connect over 300 innovators.

During this episode we explore Boubacar’s journey, the mission of Gambia Tech, and the untapped potential of Gambia’s youth. From fintech to agritech, hear how this initiative is turning bold ideas into successful ventures, building sustainable networks, and redefining what’s possible in the region.

What We Discuss With Boubacar

• Key lessons from building ecosystems in Senegal and how they’ve influenced the approach to development in Gambia.
• The biggest challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Gambia and potential strategies to overcome them.
• Strategies for helping entrepreneurs in Gambia overcome the perception of the country as an unfavourable business environment.
• The unique opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship presented by Gambia’s young and dynamic population.
• Common traits and practices shared by the most successful startups on the Gambia Tech program.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Alternative VC Investing: Building Stronger Last-Mile Ecosystems to Drive Startup Growth in Africa? 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 Boubacar:
LinkedIn - Boubacar Demba Coly
Twitter (X) - @gambiatech

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 158 with David Ogundeko, a poet, entrepreneur, and venture steward. David is the founder and CEO of Funema, a last-mile, impact-driven, alternative investment company with a presence in Pennsylvania, Lagos, and Cape Town.

Funema is an impact venture building company investing cash-in-kind, providing a combination of capital and venture-building services to early-stage companies. These companies focus on developing B2B vertical market software solutions that drive the digital transformation of small businesses, empowering them to evolve into thriving, tech-enabled enterprises.

David shares his philosophy at Funema, where the mission is grounded in the belief that they are graced with the ability to support, partner with, and co-create innovative solutions alongside visionary entrepreneurs. These efforts are aimed at addressing the unique developmental challenges of underserved communities in emerging markets by leveraging inclusive innovations and contextualised technologies.

What We Discuss With David

• Funema's venture-building-for-equity model and how it operates effectively in emerging markets.
• The misalignment of traditional VC models with the needs of emerging markets and the alternative approaches required.
• Funema’s distinctive approach to “building visionary people” and its impact on the African investment landscape.
• Strategies for developing a talent pipeline equipped for long-term leadership roles and sustained success.
• The essential business skills entrepreneurs in emerging markets need to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Family, Technology, and Inclusion: How a Tunisian Online Accelerator is Empowering Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Talent? 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 David:
LinkedIn - David Ogundeko
Twitter (X) - @TeleDaveDeko

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 157, with Sonia Kherigi Nasfi and Nour El Imane Nasfi Founders of Deaf Square, which is an online career accelerator dedicated to bridging the gap between talented individuals who are hard of hearing and forward-thinking employers.

They help hard of hearing people access high-quality education in the tech field, and job opportunities in leading industries.  Their platform also supports employers by connecting them with skilled professionals with disabilities. Using an AI-powered solution, Deaf Square offers adaptive learning experiences and a virtual trainer designed to help users master sign language, ensuring a truly inclusive and impactful approach.

Sonia recently achieved a significant milestone by winning the Northern Africa Startup Awards in the Women in Tech category, a well-deserved recognition of the dedication, innovation, and perseverance that have shaped Deaf Square's journey.

What We Discuss With Sonia and Nour

• The unique dynamics and experiences of running a company as a mother-daughter team.
• The major barriers hard of hearing individuals face in accessing tech education and how they can be addressed.
• Practical advice for employers on creating a more inclusive hiring process for hard-of-hearing and disabled individuals.
• The role of AI in enhancing Deaf Square’s training programs and its impact on accessibility and learning outcomes.
• Unique insights from African startup culture that have influenced and shaped Deaf Square’s offerings.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Women, Wealth, and Impact: How Africa’s Largest Gender Lens Fund Directs Capital? 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 Sonia and Nour:
LinkedIn - Sonia Kherigi Nasfi and Nour El Imane Nasfi,
Twitter (X) - @Deaf_Square

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 156, with Yewande Adewusi, a visionary strategist and dynamic leader, currently the Chief Operating Officer and Operating Principal at Alitheia Capital. With a keen eye for market trends and a proven track record in driving strategy, business development and operational excellence, she spearheads the firm's operations, steering value creation initiatives, and enhancing operational efficiencies across portfolio companies.

Alitheia Capital is a pioneering impact investment firm dedicated to directing capital toward businesses that expand access to essential goods and services for small and growing enterprises, as well as low-income households.

Since launching their inaugural fund in 2009, Alitheia Capital has grown to manage a diverse portfolio exceeding $250 million across multiple funds. These include the fully deployed Alitheia Clean Energy Fund (ACEF), which promotes sustainable energy solutions, and their financial inclusion funds, Goodwell West Africa Microfinance Development Company (GWAMDC) and its successor funds, uMunthu I and II, together investing over $50 million in SMEs across sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, their flagship fund, Alitheia IDF, stands as the largest gender lens fund on the continent, with a portfolio surpassing $100 million, driving transformative change in gender-focused investments.

What We Discuss With Yewande

• How Alitheia Capital maintains a balance between financial returns and social impact, embodying their tagline, “true profit with a purpose.”
• The strategic priority of gender-lens investing at Alitheia Capital and the impactful results achieved through this focus.
• Alitheia Capital's commitment to a long-term, patient capital approach and its focus on sustainable growth in a short-term-driven industry.
• The key factors and strategies Alitheia Capital uses to identify high-potential businesses and make investment decisions.
• The specific criteria Alitheia Capital uses to evaluate a company's contribution to social or environmental impact within its community.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Streamlining Payouts, Managing Global Expenses, Automating Finances, and Driving Revenue Growth 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:
LinkedIn - Terser Adamu
Instagram - unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu

Connect with Yewande on LinkedIn at Yewande Adewusi, and Twitter (X) @goli80

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]