Building Bytes

Episodi

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  GH Skip navigation Create Avatar image Is Ghana Ready for the AI Economy? | MTN Ghana’s Ibrahim Misto 13.10.2026 41min

  Ghana’s next phase of digital transformation will depend on more than connectivity. It will require the infrastructure, capabilities and strategic decisions needed to compete in an AI-driven global economy.In this episode of Building Bytes, we speak with Ibrahim Misto, Chief Digital Officer at MTN Ghana, about the foundations of Ghana’s AI economy and what it will take to translate technological progress into lasting economic value.From the evolution of telecommunications and the economics of data to AI adoption, digital trust and corporate-startup collaboration, we explore the opportunities and infrastructure gaps that will shape Ghana’s digital future. We also examine lessons from mobile money, the potential for African-built technology to achieve global relevance, and the priorities Ghana must address to build a competitive AI economy by 2030.ABOUT BUILDING BYTESBuilding Bytes is a technology, entrepreneurship and ecosystem-focused media platform by Insights Lab, exploring the people, companies and ideas shaping Ghana’s digital economy.Part of our Ghana Tech Rising series, this episode is brought to you by Insights Lab, with production support from Hubtel, and recorded at Hubtel Academy.Watch on MX24: Thursdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 7 PM.Hosts: Poga Kuofie and Caleb Lamptey.Subscribe for more conversations on technology, innovation and the future of Ghana’s digital economy.
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  From mNotify to AI: Ronald Tagoe’s 14-Year Tech Journey 07.09.2026 1h 20min

  The AI revolution may feel new, but some African builders have been preparing for it for years. 🤖🚀In this episode of Building Bytes, we sit down with Ronald Tagoe, tech entrepreneur, AI advocate, and CEO of mNotify, to explore his journey of building technology in Ghana long before AI became mainstream.From starting his entrepreneurial journey in Ghana’s emerging tech ecosystem to building mNotify, developing chatbot solutions, founding Chatbots Africa, and helping businesses explore practical applications of AI, Ronald has spent more than a decade building at the intersection of technology, business, and customer engagement.He shares the lessons from building products before the market was ready, the evolution of customer engagement technology from SMS to WhatsApp and AI, and what he believes African businesses need to do differently as artificial intelligence transforms the way companies operate.This episode covers:• Ronald’s journey into technology and entrepreneurship• The early days of building mNotify in Ghana• What it was like building chatbot technology before ChatGPT became mainstream• The evolution from SMS and digital communication to AI-powered customer engagement• Why he founded Chatbots Africa and what he saw coming in the AI space• Building technology for African businesses and understanding local problems• The lessons learned from building and scaling a technology company in Ghana• Why many businesses struggle to adopt new technologies• How businesses can move beyond AI hype and identify practical use cases• The role of WhatsApp, chatbots, and automation in customer engagement• Building AI solutions for real-world problems through projects like GEPBot• What more than a decade of entrepreneurship has taught him about timing, markets, and resilience• The importance of building products that solve genuine problems rather than simply following trends• AI’s impact on African businesses, entrepreneurs, and the future of work• What the next generation of African technology builders should be thinking aboutA Building Bytes production by Insights Lab, with production support from Hubtel, and recorded at Hubtel Academy.🎙️ Season Theme: Ghana Tech RisingThis season follows the founders, operators, investors, and ecosystem builders creating the systems, companies, and technologies shaping Ghana’s digital future.Distribution PartnerThis episode is also featured on Tech Labari — Ghana's leading platform for tech news, insights, and innovation stories.📺 Catch Building Bytes on MX24Thursdays at 8 PM | Sundays at 7 PMRonald Tagoe's story is a reminder that building technology isn't just about chasing the next big trend. Sometimes, it's about seeing where the world is going—and starting to build before everyone else arrives.#GhanaTechRising #BuildingBytes #InsightsLab #GhanaTech #AfricanTech #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Chatbots #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #DigitalAfrica #TechEntrepreneur #StartupAfrica
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  Stop Chasing Funding. Build This First. | The Venture Building Playbook 24.07.2026 1h 3min

  The startup world loves to celebrate ideas. But ideas alone don't build companies. 🚀In this episode of Building Bytes, we sit down with Daniel Merki, Managing Director of Boxplay Ventures, to explore the infrastructure behind successful startups—and why the most important parts of building a company are often the least visible.From legal structures and accounting systems to operational processes, venture builders are creating repeatable frameworks that help startups move from experimentation to scale. Daniel shares insights from building companies across Ghana and Nigeria, explains the "Corporate Co-Founder" model, and unpacks the lessons he's learned from both successful ventures and costly entrepreneurial mistakes.This episode covers:• What venture building actually means—and how it differs from traditional venture capital• Why legal, financial, and compliance systems are the biggest source of technical debt for many startups• How shared services help startups scale faster and more efficiently• Lessons from building VDL Fulfilment across Accra and Lagos• The operational realities of logistics in African markets• How venture builders think about equity, sweat equity, and founder ownership• Why Boxplay maintains a 20% equity floor for founding teams• The hard lessons learned from running a restaurant business in Osu• Revenue vs profitability, burn rate, and sustainable unit economics• AI, automation, and the technologies creating real value in 2026• The difference between startup hype and scalable business fundamentals• What Ghanaian entrepreneurs need to rethink to build enduring companiesA Building Bytes production by Insights Lab, with production support from Hubtel, and recorded at Hubtel Academy.🎙️ Season Theme: Ghana Tech RisingThis season follows the founders, operators, investors, and ecosystem builders creating the systems and infrastructure that will define Ghana's digital future.Distribution PartnerThis episode is also featured on Tech Labari https://bit.ly/4oCH7CA — Ghana's leading platform for tech news, insights, and innovation stories.📺 Catch Building Bytes on MX24Thursdays at 8 PM | Sundays at 7 PMBehind every successful startup is a stack of systems, processes, and infrastructure. This conversation explores what it takes to build companies that last.
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  From Crypto to Payment Infrastructure: How Moolre Survived Africa’s Fintech Reset 23.07.2026 44min

  Africa’s fintech story is often told through apps, wallets, and transactions. But beneath every successful fintech product is something deeper: infrastructure.In this episode of Building Bytes, we sit down with Yusif Ya-Adzagey, Founder & Managing Director of Moolre Ghana Ltd, to explore what it really takes to build financial systems across Africa—from engineering reliable payment rails to navigating regulation and expanding across borders.From personally building early web and mobile platforms to securing regulatory licensing from the Bank of Ghana as an Enhanced Payment Service Provider, Yusif shares the realities of building fintech infrastructure under African constraints.We discuss:• Building fintech systems from first principles• Why trust matters more than speed in payments• The engineering realities behind moving money reliably• What most startups misunderstand about payment infrastructure• How regulation shapes fintech product design• The realities of licensing with the Bank of Ghana• Expanding fintech products across African markets• Pan-African fintech: operational reality vs startup narrative• Focus, diversification, and building multiple companies• The uncomfortable truths about African fintech• Infrastructure discipline vs innovation hype• The future of financial systems in AfricaWe also explore the Moolre Startup Cup — a four-month buildathon where teams build real products using Moolre’s APIs across Collections, Disbursements, and USSD infrastructure.Featuring:Yusif Ya-Adzagey — Founder & Managing Director, Moolre Ghana LtdHosted by:Caleb LampteyPoga KuofieYayra OforiBuilding Bytes is proudly brought to you by Insights Lab, with production support from Hubtel, and recorded at the studios of Hubtel Academy.Distribution PartnerThis episode is also featured on Tech Labari https://bit.ly/4oCH7CA — Ghana’s leading platform for tech news, insights, and innovation stories.📺 Watch Building Bytes on MX24:Thursdays at 8 PMSundays at 7 PMIf you’re building fintech products, thinking about infrastructure, or curious about the future of African financial systems, this episode is for you.
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  He is building Ghana's biggest AI company 22.07.2026 1h 13min

  Africa’s AI future will not be built by adoption alone. It will be built through infrastructure, research, engineering discipline, and locally relevant innovation.In this episode of Building Bytes, we sit down with Darlington Akogo, Founder & CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, to explore what it really takes to move Africa from consuming AI tools to building world-class AI systems from the ground up.From healthcare diagnostics and medical imaging to agriculture and industrial intelligence, this conversation dives deep into the realities of building deep tech companies in emerging ecosystems like Ghana.We discuss:• Why Africa must move from AI adoption to AI invention• The AI infrastructure stack behind healthcare-grade systems• Data collection, model validation, and clinical deployment• The challenges of building reliable AI in low-resource environments• AI opportunities in healthcare, agriculture, and industry• The realities of scaling deep tech startups in Africa• AI hype vs real value in 2026• What investors misunderstand about AI startups• The future of African AI innovationFeaturing:Darlington Akogo — Founder & CEO, minoHealth AI LabsHosted by:Caleb LampteyPoga KuofieYayra OforiBuilding Bytes is proudly brought to you by Insights Lab, with production support from Hubtel, and recorded at the studios of Hubtel Academy.Distribution PartnerThis episode is also featured on Tech Labari https://bit.ly/4oCH7CA — Ghana's leading platform for tech news, insights, and innovation stories.📺 Watch Building Bytes on MX24:Thursdays at 8 PMSundays at 7 PMIf you’re building, investing in, or simply curious about the future of AI in Africa, this episode is for you.
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  Ghana Tech Is Rising… But Most Startups Won’t Make It — Here’s Why 11.05.2026 48min

  Ghana Tech is rising… but not the way you think. 🇬🇭🚀In this season opener of Building Bytes, we set the stage for “Ghana Tech Rising” by unpacking the real story behind the headlines — from declining funding numbers to the shift toward profitability, infrastructure, and real business models.This isn’t about hype. It’s about what’s actually changing — and what it really takes to build in Ghana today.This episode covers:The drop from $120M+ to ~$56M–$90M — and what it actually signalsWho is really “rising” in Ghana Tech (and who isn’t)The shift toward fintech infrastructure, agritech platforms, and energy innovation. Startups like Zeepay, Complete Farmer, Kofa, and Affinity Africa — and what they reveal about investor confidence. The execution gap: why most startups fail beyond the idea stage. AI in Ghana — hype vs reality.The real constraints founders face (and the hidden advantages Ghana has). What “Ghana Tech Rising” should actually mean going forward. A Building Bytes production by Insights Lab, with production support from Hubtel, and recorded at Hubtel Academy.🎙️ Season Theme: Ghana Tech Rising. This season follows the builders, systems, and companies shaping Ghana’s digital future — beyond the hype.📺 Catch Building Bytes on MX24Thursdays at 8pm | Sundays at 7pm. From bold insights to grounded realities, this episode reframes the conversation around Ghana’s tech ecosystem — and challenges what it really means to rise.#ghanatech #buildingbytes #insightslab #africantech #startupghana #digitalafrica #ghanastartups #africainnovation #ghanatechrising
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  GTTW: This Is How AI Will Change Law in Ghana Forever 14.12.2025 1h 9min

  Ghana’s legal system is shifting fast — and technology is at the center of that transformation. In this episode of Building Bytes, we sit down with Michel Nkansah, Senior Product Manager at a global law firm and Founder of LegalTech Lounge, to explore how law, product thinking, and digital innovation are reshaping the future of justice in Ghana and Africa.A Building Bytes production by Insights Lab, with support from Hubtel, filmed at Hubtel Academy Studios.Catch Building Bytes on MX24 — Thursdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm.Distribution Partner:This episode is also featured on (https://bit.ly/4oCH7CA), Ghana's leading platform for tech news, insights, and innovation stories.🔗 OpportunitiesJoin the GrantPilot Community for more funding & grants:https://chat.whatsapp.com/E9gskNi7wH5IWSRCoejmY5?mode=ems_copy_t#legaltech #ghana, #legal #tech #lounge, #michelnkansah, digital justice, africa legal innovation, #buildingbytes, #insightslab #ghana #aiinnovation
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  GTTW: Ghana’s Model Companies: Startups Worth Copying, Cultures Worth Emulating 17.10.2025 1h 10min

  In this episode of Building Bytes, we explore which Ghanaian companies are setting the standard — the ones proving that world-class innovation can be built and scaled right here at home.From electric mobility to agritech, logistics, and fintech, this conversation uncovers the business models, company cultures, and strategic plays that make Ghanaian startups worth learning from — and why they deserve to be seen as our own case studies, not just footnotes to Silicon Valley stories.We spotlight companies like Kofa, Farmerline, Jetstream, and Hubtel, digging into how they’ve built resilient systems, scaled impact, and redefined what it means to succeed long-term in Ghana’s digital economy.Powered by the Building Bytes PodcastProduced by Insights Lab with support from HubtelShot in the studios of Hubtel Academy📺 Catch Building Bytes on MX24 — Thursdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 7 PM.
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  GTTW: Forget Silicon Valley, Ghana’s EdTech Innovators are doing It differently | Ghana Tech to the World 29.09.2025 1h 4min

  Ghanaian edtech leaders Daniel Botchway & Senyo Mawuli Jiagge are quietly building the future of how Ghanaian students learn. In this episode of Ghana Tech to the World, they share how they’re using AI, gamification, and local context to solve the real problems behind digital learning, access, engagement, and adoption.From building products schools actually use to navigating parents, policy, and funding, this conversation reveals what it takes to innovate in EdTech from Ghana to the globe.
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  GTTW: From Stanford to Ghana’s Delivery Revolution: How Kwame Agyei Owusu Built Zippy Courier 19.09.2025 1h 10min

  What does it take to build a logistics company in Ghana that can scale across Africa?In this episode, we sit down with Kwame Agyei Owusu, founder of Zippy Courier, to unpack his founder journey — from studying at Stanford and working in China to building one of Ghana’s most innovative delivery companies powered by electric bikes and solar charging.Kwame shares:Why he left a global engineering career to start in GhanaThe hard lessons from piloting Zippy (HR breakdowns, software rebuilds, market readiness)How to raise early funding when institutional investors won’t back youBreaking into big deals like MelcomHis continental vision for African logisticsIf you’re interested in startups, logistics, or scaling African innovation — this one is for you.
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  GTTW: Building & Backing - Leading Paystack & Investing in Ghana with Kwadwo Owusu Agyemang 12.09.2025 1h 9min

  Kwadwo launched Paystack in Ghana and is now focused on backing Africa’s next wave of tech giants. In this episode of Building Bytes, he shares hard-won lessons on building in Ghana, the role of trust in scaling, and where he believes the next billion-dollar companies will come from. A must-listen for founders, investors, and anyone passionate about African innovation.
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  GTTW: Ghana Digital Product Awards (GDPA) is Here 🚀 05.09.2025 28min

  Behind every seamless app, every transfer, every digital service in Ghana — there’s a builder. In this episode of Building Bytes, we announce the Ghana Digital Product Awards (GDPA), a groundbreaking initiative to recognize product excellence and innovation in Ghana’s tech ecosystem.We break down why this matters, unveil award categories, share how to nominate, and hear insights from Code & Cocktails on the Ghana tech ecosystem survey and their iconic tech party.This isn’t just an award — it’s a movement.
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  GTTW: From Village Fields to Your Chocolate Bar: Inside Ghana’s Tech powered Multi-Million Dollar Crop Trade 08.08.2025 55min

  Your chocolate bar’s journey starts in a Ghanaian village. In this episode, Kelvin Tyron, COO of Saving Grains, reveals the operational grind behind connecting rural farmers to global buyers — and building a multi-million dollar crop trade. From overcoming infrastructure gaps to implementing tech in the field, this is the real behind-the-scenes of Africa’s farm-to-world journey.
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  GTTW: How Complete Farmer Built a $Million AgriTech Sales Machine 04.08.2025 53min

  Complete Farmer didn’t just build a platform—they built a sales engine that’s powering multi-million dollar agri-export deals from Ghana to the world.In this episode, Teddy Appah-Dankyi (Chief Commercial Officer) breaks down:The 4-step B2B sales strategy fueling their growthWhy data, structure, and trust matter more than cold callsHow AgriTech can scale commercially—without shortcutsThe team, systems, and mindsets behind $millions in revenueWhether you’re a founder, sales lead, or ecosystem builder, this episode will reset how you think about selling in Africa.Tune in now and subscribe for more Ghana-made startup insights.
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  GTTW: Thriving in Global Teams as a Ghanaian Talent 18.07.2025 1h 6min

  Global tech teams are discovering Ghanaian talent — and loving it. But what does it take to break in and thrive?In this flagship Ghana Tech to the World episode, Joel Anaman (Senior PM at Axmed) and Derek Chom (Product Designer at Yellow Card) share their journeys, strategies, and soft skills for remote success. From async teamwork to six-figure salary negotiations, they offer a masterclass in global competitiveness — all while uplifting others along the way.
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  GTTW: The State of Software Development in Ghana: Hard Truths, AI & Building With Empathy 11.07.2025 1h 18min

  In this episode of Building Bytes, we dissect Ghana’s dev ecosystem with Emile Bondzie-Arthur and Stefan Froelich. From glorified CRUD apps to the AI revolution, we discuss the skills, mindset, and mentorship needed to build software that truly matters. A must-listen for Ghanaian developers, founders, and tech leaders.
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  GTTW: Demo Fridays - How Ghana’s Most Wanted Tech Event Was Born 27.06.2025 46min

  nnnnIn just one year, Demo Fridays became a cultural phenomenon in Ghana’s tech space. From its scrappy beginnings to packed-out rooms and investor-ready startups, the Building Bytes team shares the real story—unfiltered.They almost cancelled the first one. Now people line up to pitch.This is a masterclass in community-led growth, product-market fit, and building bold.🎧 A special Ghana Tech to the World episode.
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  GTTW: QA at the Core - Ghana's Testing Leaders on Bugs, Growth & the Future of Quality 21.06.2025 1h 12min

  In this eye-opening episode, two leaders from Ghana’s QA ecosystem—Korkor Mensah (Ecobank) and Ikenna Sylvestre Okafor (Fido)—discuss the evolution of software testing in Ghana, from manual testing and DevOps to community growth and global relevance. They share real-life bug horror stories, mentorship insights, and practical steps for anyone trying to enter the QA field. Whether you're a founder, dev, or aspiring tester, this is your ultimate guide to quality assurance in Ghana’s tech space.
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  GTTW: How ADPList Scaled From a Google Sheet to Global Movement – with James 13.06.2025 1h 20min

  In this Demo Fridays Masterclass, James—co-founder of ADPList—shares how a pandemic-era Google Sheet turned into one of the world’s largest mentorship platforms. From design-led growth and global scale to painful lessons on partnerships, traction, and community, this is a masterclass for builders everywhere.
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  GTTW: “You Won’t Always Feel Ready” - Nura Abdul-Rahman on Rejection, Resilience & Rising in Tech (Builders' Peak) 11.06.2025 15min

  In this inspiring Builder's Peak International Women’s Day talk, Nura Abdul-Rahman shares how rejection shaped her rise to becoming Product Director at Complete Farmer. She opens up about imposter syndrome, building confidence, juggling motherhood, and leading with purpose. A must-listen for anyone navigating growth in tech.