Afro-Catalyst
Botho Emerging Markets Group
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Top 10 Afro-Catalyst Episodes
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04/28/21 • 23 min
The pandemic has hit Africa’s fashion industry hard as disruption in global supply chains has slowed production and stores struggle to keep their doors open. In the face of lockdowns, consumers have turned to e-commerce more than ever before, but the shift towards digital doesn't come without its own complications. In this episode, we meet Adebayo Oke-Lawal, CEO of Orange Culture Nigeria. As the brains behind one of Africa’s most-talked-about fashion brands, Lawal has built an increasingly global and socially conscious customer base that has embraced his gender fluid designs with open arms. In this conversation, the finance graduate turned designer reflects on the logistics of scaling an African business — from the woes of navigating payment platforms to the highs of his entrepreneurial journey — as well as standing up for his own values at all cost.
04/28/21 • 23 min
04/14/21 • 29 min
While Covid-19 has offered a devastating blow to the world economy, it’s also accelerated digital transformation across a slew of industries. This has created exciting new opportunities for innovation in tech, which is often criticized for a lack of diversity in Silicon Valley and beyond. But while many firms have stepped up their inclusion efforts, some still argue the sector has a long way to go before it reflects society at large. Nigerian-raised June Angelides is trying to change this. A former banker turned early-stage investor, she is working hard to help entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds gain easier access to venture capital. It’s a mission that certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Financial Times has named her among the most influential minority leaders in UK tech and she’s even been honored by Queen Elizabeth II. In this episode, June shares her journey innovating in spaces that many overlook and how she is creating opportunities for entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds to do the same.
04/14/21 • 29 min
Simon Allison on the Future of African Media
Afro-Catalyst
02/26/21 • 29 min
Rapid changes in technology are fundamentally changing how media is consumed across the world. Nowhere is that more true than Africa. In 2010, only 10% of Africans used the internet regularly--a figure that has quadrupled over the last decade. The rise of the mobile-first generation has contributed to a growth in digital media, especially in the region's booming megacities. But is all access good access? The popularity of platforms like WhatsApp may mean that news spreads like wildfire, but with it often comes the proliferation of false and hateful content. In South Africa, journalist Simon Allison is reclaiming the platform for good through The Continent, Africa's first WhatsApp-based newspaper produced in partnership with preeminent paper The Mail & Guardian. By using the same viral networks exploited by disseminators of disinformation, The Continent aims to counter the fake news on people’s phones with real news. In this episode, he discusses how the publication is pioneering a platform by Africans for Africans and how journalists on the ground are navigating a changing industry amidst COVID-19.
Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr., Founder and Principal, Botho Emerging Markets Group
02/26/21 • 29 min
Dr. Frannie Léautier on How Responsible Investment Could Fuel Africa's Post-Pandemic Growth
Afro-Catalyst
01/27/21 • 31 min
Many companies highlight their value and the way they support their customers and other stakeholders. COVID-19 has been the ultimate test of that commitment. In the new normal, corporate social responsibility has moved from the realm of philanthropy to a strategic consideration. With all systems put to the test, "winners take all" is giving way to stakeholder capitalism. Development finance expert Dr. Frannie Léautier, Senior Partner and CEO of Southbridge Investments has spent decades deploying capital to address the world's most challenging health, economic, and social circumstances. She discusses how she's putting that knowledge to use to pioneer a new framework of responsible investments to grow the next generation of African champions for the post-pandemic era.
Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr., Founder and Principal, Botho Emerging Markets Group
01/27/21 • 31 min
The Black Star of Africa Takes Off
Afro-Catalyst
11/27/20 • 19 min
As the first Sub-Saharan nation to gain its independence from colonial powers, Ghana has long been a beacon of leadership in Africa. While political and economic instability sidelined its ambitions in the 80s and 90s, today this powerhouse now finds itself on the rise. In recent years, Ghana has become a hub of entrepreneurship, a cultural capital, and an attractive business environment for global companies — leading tech giants are now scrambling to set up shop on its shores. And for the black diaspora, Ghana is a symbolic home: its recent "Year of Return" drew hundreds of thousands of tourists hoping to find their roots. Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah has witnessed the evolution of his country's story first hand. He reflects on Ghana's incredible journey so far, diplomacy in the age of Covid-19 and strengthening ties with the global community.
Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr., Founder and Principal, Botho Emerging Markets Group
11/27/20 • 19 min
11/02/20 • 25 min
Storytelling on Africa is often distorted — an incomplete image of war, poverty and corruption that fails to recognize its evolving political, economic and socio-cultural fabric and the success stories on the rise. The gap between reality and fiction has real-world consequences for everyday life from public health to trade and investment. In this special two-part episode of Afro-Catalyst, we unpack the downsides of the single story and how the African narrative is set to change as regional integration gives the continent a stronger collective voice on the world stage.
Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr., Founder and Principal, Botho Emerging Markets Group
Guests:
Carlos Lopes, Professor at Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance
Catherine Duggan, Dean at University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business
11/02/20 • 25 min
10/13/20 • 29 min
If 1960 was the “Year of Africa,” we now find ourselves in the “African Century.” While the promise of the post-colonial era fell flat in the ensuing decades, many African economies have matured in recent years. From Ghana to Kenya, the numbers now speak for themselves, but the growth remains uneven across the region. For all the innovation of “Yabacon Valley” and Kigali Innovation City, some African countries and cities risk being left behind. What lessons can be learned from the continent’s success stories and how can these be replicated on a larger scale? Join us for a fascinating conversation about the continent’s journey from the 1960s to its aspiration to become the next economic powerhouse with the policymakers and business leaders charting its success and training the architects of its future.
Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr, Founder & Principal of Botho Emerging Markets Group
Guests:
Catherine Duggan, Dean at University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business
Carlos Lopes, Professor at Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance
"Afro-Catalyst'' is a co-production between Botho Emerging Markets Group and World1Media.
10/13/20 • 29 min
08/25/20 • 34 min
With Afrobeats taking off internationally, music from the continent can now be heard in all corners of the world partly thanks to homegrown artists such as Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, and even Beyoncé who featured leading African artists such as Shatta Wale on her latest album. But away from the global success stories lies an industry that has not necessarily attracted the infrastructure or investment required to drive growth in the sector and support job creation throughout the continent. Experts believe the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) could emerge as a key driver of inclusive growth, while also setting the stage for exciting collaboration across borders. Regardless of what the future holds, it's clear that technology will play an even larger role in shaping the creative industry and may also serve as a powerful tool for exporting the biggest success stories across the Global South.
Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr, Founder & Principal of Botho Emerging Markets Group
Guests:
Ninel Musson - Co-founder & COO, The Vth Season
Derrick “DNA” Ashong - Founder & CEO, Amp.it
Jude “M.I.” Abaga - Founder, TASCK Agency
"Afro-Catalyst" is a co-production between Botho Emerging Markets Group and World1Media.
08/25/20 • 34 min
07/29/21 • 26 min
Constraint breeds innovation. Africa's development challenges have catapulted the region to become the global leader in financial technology. Now those constraints are leading the continent to become a pioneer in the future of education. Over the last 15 years, Ghanaian-born education entrepreneur has launched the African Leadership Group (ALG), a formidable set of institutions from the renowned African Leadership Academy (ALA) to the African Leadership University (ALU). But when the pandemic halted ALG's momentum, Swaniker was forced to pivot and re-imagine the organizational structure entirely. Within months, his team unveiled a bold new business model to better support its mission of creating the next generation of African leaders. In this episode, the former McKinsey executive, who has been listed among Time’s Most Influential People, opens up about ALG's unique approach to education. Not only has it helped graduates to land jobs with some of the world’s top companies, but it’s also attracted global attention for its practical approach to learning and leadership that turns traditional education on its head. Swaniker also shares personal lessons in navigating risk and why Africa must “think global” in order not to get left behind.
07/29/21 • 26 min
06/09/21 • 34 min
Named among Forbes Africa’s Most Powerful Women, Clare Akamanzi spent her formative years outside of Rwanda, which shaped her identity in unexpected ways. It also sparked a strong interest in nation-building, which eventually saw Akamanzi represent her country globally. This included serving as Rwanda’s top commercial diplomat in London and overseeing its trade negotiations with the WTO. It was not long before her work, which helped turn the country into an economic powerhouse, was noticed inside the corridors of power. In 2017, Akamanzi was appointed as CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, where she now serves directly under President Paul Kagame. In this capacity, she oversees major investment into the East African nation, which has spent years learning from other countries that have embarked on similar transformations. In this rare interview, Clare discusses how Rwanda quickly adapted during Covid-19, its role as a proof-of-concept country and the power of unity against all odds.
06/09/21 • 34 min
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FAQ
How many episodes does Afro-Catalyst have?
Afro-Catalyst currently has 24 episodes available.
What topics does Afro-Catalyst cover?
The podcast is about Podcasts and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Afro-Catalyst?
The episode title 'Adebayo Oke-Lawal on redefining masculinity through fashion' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Afro-Catalyst?
The average episode length on Afro-Catalyst is 25 minutes.
How often are episodes of Afro-Catalyst released?
Episodes of Afro-Catalyst are typically released every 34 days, 1 hour.
When was the first episode of Afro-Catalyst?
The first episode of Afro-Catalyst was released on Aug 25, 2020.
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