Africa Tech Summit Podcast

EP40: From Research to Revenue: How CMU Africa is Backing the Next Generation of African Startups 02.06.2026 22min

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Stanley Mukasa, Associate Director of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University Africa. CMU Africa is helping startups bridge the gap between innovative ideas and sustainable businesses through its incubation programmes, mentorship, funding and access to technical talent. In this conversation, Stanley shares how the university supports deep tech founders navigating long development cycles, limited access to capital and the challenge of turning research-driven innovation into market-ready products. The discussion also explores the importance of patient capital, building traction before fundraising, supporting underserved communities, and the emerging opportunities shaping Africa’s startup ecosystem - from fintech to clean energy. Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

EP39: Behind the Rails: Building Reliable Payments Across Africa with pawaPay 22.04.2026 19min

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Jamie Steell, Chief Operating Officer at pawaPay.pawaPay is a key player in Africa’s payments ecosystem, building infrastructure designed to handle the complexity and fragmentation of payment systems across the continent.In this conversation, Jamie breaks down what it really takes to scale payments in Africa -from navigating fragmented mobile money networks to building automated systems that can handle failures in real time.The discussion also explores trust in payment systems, the role of mobile money as Africa’s financial backbone, and why consolidation across providers is likely the next phase of growth.Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media.For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

EP38: Breaking Borders: Building Seamless Cross-Border Payments in Africa with PESA 08.04.2026 23min

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Wale Afolabi, Co-Founder and CTO of PESA.PESA is building infrastructure to simplify cross-border payments—helping individuals and businesses move money instantly across markets including the UK, EU, US, UAE, and Nigeria, with expansion across Africa underway.In this conversation, Wale breaks down the realities behind cross-border payments—from fragmented regulations and liquidity challenges to the importance of local partnerships and reliable payment rails.The discussion also explores how digital payments are enabling African SMEs to trade globally, and what’s coming next, including the rise of stablecoins and instant payments across the continent.Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends MediaFor more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

EP37: The Digital Revolution: Enhancing Cross-Border Payments in Africa 29.12.2025 32min

The Digital Revolution: Enhancing Cross-Border Payments in Africa – Panel at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2025 featuring insights and views from Eric Wainaina – General Manager, Africa at Conduit, Yemi Lawani – Director of Business Development at Circle Iheakachi Nwabueze – Head of Global Marketing and Growth at Grey Dr. Collins Igwe – CFO at Budpay and moderated by Paschal Okeke – Head of Operations & Expansion at CrissCross.Panelists discuss the current state of cross-border payments on the continent, the technological advancements in financial services powered by blockchain and digital currencies and highlight the anticipated growth of the African payment market, projected to reach $40 billion with 70% being digital.The session touches on key challenges in the industry, including high transaction costs, regulatory fragmentation, compliance complexities, inefficient banking infrastructures and differing regulatory frameworks across countries present additional hurdles for cross-border transactions.

EP36: The Truth About Venture Capital; Unveiling Today’s Trend & Reality 15.12.2025 43min

Listen to a live panel on "The Truth About Venture Capital; Unveiling Today’s Trend & Reality" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.With Jason Njoku – Founder at NjokuZillaAndreata Muforo – Partner at TLcom CapitalSelma Farouk – Investment Analyst at DPI VCMaxime Bayen – Operating Partner at Catalyst Fund Eric Osiakwan – Founder and Managing Partner at Chanzo CapitalHighlights include🌍 Diverse Ecosystem: African investment opportunities span various sectors, with fintech and climate technology being front-runners. 📉 Current Trends: A noticeable decline in startup funding was observed, yet there’s optimism about recovery as macroeconomic conditions stabilize. 💰 Local Knowledge: The significance of local investors was emphasized for navigating Africa’s unique market complexities. 🚀 Growth Challenges: Founders need to adopt capital efficiency strategies and focus on sustainable growth amidst economic volatility.

EP35: Africa's FinTech Frontier: Payments & Growth Opportunities 06.11.2025 32min

Listen to a live panel on "Africa's FinTech Frontier: Payments & Growth Opportunities" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.Featuring Didi Uwemakpan - VP at Moniepoint Adesoji Solanke - Head of FinTech & Banks, Investment Banking Origination at Absa Shay Hamilton - CEO at Tola Saruni Maina - Associate VP at Flutterwave and moderated by Nkiru Uwaje - COO at Mansa Finance Highlights from the session include: 🌍 Growth of Fintech: The African fintech industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increased mobile penetration and digital payment adoption.💳 Mobile Money Integration: The rise of mobile money services is transforming payment systems, facilitating real-time transactions and increasing financial inclusion. 🔒 Challenges in Security: The advancement of technology also brings challenges, particularly in fraud protection and identity management for fintech companies.

EP34: Building Web3 Across The Continent 31.10.2025 33min

Listen to a live panel on "Building Web3 Across The Continent " recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com. Featuring Chris Duffus - CEO at FonbnkStephen Browne - Co-Founder at Sorted WalletMouloukou Sanoh - Co-Founder & CEO at Mansa Financeand moderated by Jessica Hope - CEO at WimbartHighlights from the session include: 🌍 Web3 as a Catalyst for Change: The panel emphasized that Web3 technologies could significantly reshape financial infrastructure in Africa, offering new methods for transactions and financial services. 📉 Financial Inclusion Challenges: A staggering 75% of adults in Southern Africa lack access to formal financial services, highlighting the pressing need for innovative solutions.💰 Stablecoins’ Role: Stablecoins are viewed as a potential game-changer for financial transactions, providing stability and ease of use in volatile economies.

EP33: Stablecoins in Africa: Stability & Innovation Powering Digital Payments 23.10.2025 28min

Listen to a live panel on "Stablecoins in Africa: Stability & Innovation Powering Digital Payments" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.Victoria Calmon - Head of Marketing and Communications at Mento Labs Daniel Kimotho - Ecosystem and Strategic Partnerships at Celo Foundation Sebastien Piolat - Business Development Director for Web3 at Operaand moderated by Duncan Muchangi - Head of Business Development at Fonbnk. The panelists explore challenges and opportunities in the adoption of stablecoins across the continent, financial literacy, accessibility, and the current reliance on mobile money systems. Sharing insights into prevalent use cases for stablecoins — like savings, payments, and remittances— and highlight the role of emerging technologies in bridging gaps within traditional financial systems. The discussion covers the importance of partnerships and the ecosystem required for stablecoin growth, as well as exciting projections for the future where traditional banking systems may evolve into a more decentralized financial landscape.

EP32: Insights From The Frontline 05.02.2025 52min

Listen to a live panel on "Insights From The Frontline" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit London. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.Featuring:Chika Nwobi – Founder & CEO at DecagonMike Quinn – Co-Founder & CEO at BoostUzoma Dozie – Chief Sparkler at SparkleModerated by Jessica Hope – Founder & CEO at WimbartThe session digs in to the founders stories, sharing their challenges and strategies for startups in the African tech ecosystem amidst macroeconomic difficulties. Panelists discussed the importance of building businesses with solid fundamentals, focusing on profitability, and managing risks such as currency devaluation and inflation. They also emphasized the need for startups to stay lean, adapt quickly, and maintain strong relationships with investors to secure funding during tough economic times.

EP31: Gen AI Hype or Reality? How are African Startups Building with Generative AI 22.01.2025 54min

Listen to a live panel on "Gen AI Hype or Reality? How are African Startups Building with Generative AI" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit London. Featuring:Honey Ogundeyi – Founder & CEO at EdukoyaDave Evans – CTPO at pawaPayStefan Kruger – Vice President Of Engineering at PaystackEd Fricker – Director of Platform Engineering at Smile IDand moderated by Kartik Renjen – Head of Startup/VC Biz Dev at Amazon Web ServicesThe session emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into both current operations and future visions, highlighting the value of building in-house AI expertise to stay competitive. Panellists stressed the need for early-stage start-ups to experiment with AI tools and avoid over-committing to specific technologies due to the rapid pace of innovation. Underscoring the potential for smaller, efficient teams to leverage AI for significant impact and encouraged innovative business models in the AI-driven market.Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.

EP30: The State Of African Fintech Trends & Opportunities 29.12.2024 56min

The State Of African Fintech Trends & Opportunities recorded live at Africa Tech Summit London 2024 at he London Stock Exchange on June 7th, 2024.Featuring Chinenye Agwu - VP Sales & Sector Head for PSPs at Flutterwave Lewam Kefela - Principal at Partech Africa Frank Atube - COO at Seamfix Stephen Oluwatobi - Head of Operations at Kora Technologies Babs Ogundeyi - Group CEO & Founder at Kuda Technologies Moderated by Nkiru Uwaje - COO at Mansa FinanceThe session focused on the current funding landscape for African fintechs and the challenges faced by the ecosystem over the past 12 months including the significant decrease in funding in 2023 due to global economic downturns, the necessity of educating regulators to bridge generational gaps and foster better understanding of fintech innovations, and the impact of regulatory and compliance challenges on business growth. Despite the setbacks, there's optimism about the future, highlighting the increasing number of funds earmarked for Africa and the potential for a resurgence in the fintech sector.Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com/

EP29: Africa Tech Funding, Growth and Expansion 10.12.2024 39min

Africa Tech Summit panel session on Africa Tech Funding, Growth and Expansion featuring insights.Laurien Field – Global Head, Startup Catalyst at IFC Tingting Peng – Chief Capital, Strategy, and Impact Officer at Moove Victor Alade – CEO and Co-founder at Raenest Nina Triantis – Global Head of TMT at Standard Bank Frannie Tyner- Director of Corporate Development at Onafriq Moderated by Adewale Yusuf – Co-Founder & CEO at TalentQLSubscribe for updates and join our live Summits in Nairobi, Ghana and London! More details on www.africatechsummit.comThe session highlights the shift in funding criteria, with higher expectations for company quality amidst the market’s volatility and macroeconomic shocks over the past 12 months. Despite this, there is pressure on VCs and growth equity funds to deploy capital, which is expected to lead to a reopening of capital flows over the next 12-18 months. Regulatory instability in major African markets, such as Nigeria and Egypt, and the challenges of currency conversion are significant hurdles. However, there is optimism that increased funding and strategic exits could rejuvenate interest and investment in African startups, particularly if positive stories and stability are promoted. Additionally, while traditional private equity and debt financing continue to play roles, innovative funding structures and thematic investments are emerging as critical tools for supporting growth in this complex environment.

EP28: Exploring Recycling Of Plastic Waste into Low-Carbon Building Materials 02.05.2024 42min

The Climate, Tech & Sustainability Series -The Climate, Tech & Sustainability podcast series from Africa Tech Summit, supported by Mercy Corps Ventures and in partnership with the SixthD.With insights from Kubik Inc. a company turning plastic waste into affordable and durable low-carbon buildings in Kenya and Ethiopia.Featuring:Kidus Asfaw, CEO and Co-Founder, Kubik IncBoko Inyundo, Founder The SixthDSubscribe for updates and join our live Summits us in Nairobi and London! More details on www.Africatechsummit.com

EP27: Exploring the Nexus Between Energy, Fintech, & Development 16.04.2024 50min

The Climate, Tech & Sustainability Series -The Climate, Tech & Sustainability podcast series from Africa Tech Summit, supported by Mercy Corps Ventures and in partnership with the SixthD.With insights from Easy Solar a company distributing and financing solar solutions in Sierra Leone and Liberia.Featuring:Nthabiseng Mosia, Co-founder & CCO, Easy SolarBoko Inyundo, Founder The SixthDSubscribe for updates and join our live Summits us in Nairobi and London! More details on www.Africatechsummit.com

EP26: Future of Web3 in Africa with Founder of Fonbnk, Christian Duffus 10.02.2024 54min

Insights from Chistian Duffus, founder of Fonbnk on Web3, payments and the future across the African continent for micro-payments.Subscribe for updates and join our live Summits in Nairobi and London! More details on www.africatechsummit.com

EP25: Exploring Bitcoin Mining in Africa 17.01.2024 49min

The Climate, Tech & Sustainability Series -The Climate, Tech & Sustainability podcast series from Africa Tech Summit, supported by Mercy Corps Ventures and Peercarbon, in partnership with the SixthD.With insights from Gridless, a sustainable bitcoin mining company leveraging hydro-powered micro grids in Kenya and MalawiFeaturing:Erik Hersman, CEO of GridlessBoko Inyundo, Founder The SixthDSubscribe for updates and join our live Summits us in Nairobi and London! More details on www.Africatechsummit.com

EP24: The Future of Digital Financial Services 14.01.2024 55min

The Future of Digital Financial Services was recorded live at the Africa Money & DeFi Summit - West Africa 2023, an Africa Tech Summit event.Panel session featuring insights and views from:Mumbi Annstella, Acting General Manager at TalaAdoma Owusu, General Manager: Fintech Business Development and Expansion at MTNKwame Aduansere, Head Digital Innovation at Fidelity Bank GhanaFara Ashiru, Founder and CEO at OkraLeona Abban, Country Manager at Turaco Ghanaand moderated by Francis Tay, Investment Manager at Founders Factory Africa,Subscribe for updates and join our live Summits us in, Nairobi and London! More details on www.africatechsummit.com

EP23: Exploring Affordable Clean Cooking Fuel in Africa 09.01.2024 55min

The Climate, Tech & Sustainability Series -The Climate, Tech & Sustainability podcast series from Africa Tech Summit, supported by Mercy Corps Ventures and Peercarbon, in partnership with the SixthD.With insights from Koko Networks, a company delivering affordable, clean bioethanol cooking fuel across KenyaFeaturing:Greg Murray, CEO & Co-Founder, Koko NetworksBoko Inyundo, Founder The SixthDSubscribe for updates and join our live Summits us in Nairobi and London! More details on www.Africatechsummit.com

EP22: Exploring Direct Air Carbon Capture in Africa 26.12.2023 39min

The Climate, Tech & Sustainability Series -The Climate, Tech & Sustainability podcast series from Africa Tech Summit, supported by Mercy Corps Ventures and Peercarbon, in partnership with the SixthD.With insights from Octavia Carbon who are building and deploying Direct Air Carbon Capture (DACC) machines in KenyaFeaturing:Martin Freimüller, Founder & CEO, Octavia CarbonBoko Inyundo, Founder The SixthDSubscribe for updates and join our live Summits us in Nairobi and London! More details on www.Africatechsummit.com

EP21: Building The Future of Web3 In Africa 19.12.2023 42min

Building The Future of Web3 In Africa, was recorded live at the Africa Money & DeFi Summit - West Africa 2023, an Africa Tech Summit event.Panel session featuring: Vicentia Asilevi – IT Project Manager - Ejara Munachimso Ogueke, CEO - OneLiquidity Sarah Idahosa, Founder - Women in Defi Emmanuel Ebanehita, CMO - Fuse Moderated by Elisha Owusu Akyaw (aka GhCryptoGuy)Subscribe for updates and join our live Summits us in, Nairobi and London! More details on www.africatechsummit.com