Pass the Calabash

Ep. 8: Can Africa’s Healthcare Sector be Saved and by Whom? with Dr. Sangu Delle

In this conversation, I am joined by Dr. Sangu Delle who discusses the multifaceted challenges facing Africa's healthcare system, emphasizing the need for systemic reform and the role of both public and private sectors in driving change. He highlights the stark disparities in healthcare access and quality across the continent, the impact of foreign aid, and the importance of accountability in governance.

Ep. 7: Empowering Africa’s Youth through Education and Energy Innovation with Warren La Fleur

In this conversation, Warren La Fleur and I discuss the pressing issues of youth unemployment in Africa, the role of education in addressing this challenge, and the innovative approaches being taken to enhance employability through entrepreneurship. They explore the potential of nuclear energy as a solution to Africa's energy crisis, emphasizing the importance of small-scale, modular reactors that can meet both household and industrial energy needs. The discussion highlights the unique opportunities presented by Africa's demographic transition and the need for robust institutional frameworks to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

Ep. 6: Harnessing Catalytic Capital for Greater Developmental Impact in Africa with Frank Aswani

“The world of impact isn’t short of money, we’re short of (high) risk capital” I’m so grateful to have had this enlightening conversation with Frank Aswani, Chief Executive Officer of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) on how philanthropy fits into the for-profit picture and where it gets off the bus. We also discussed, among other topics, why Africa should be the testing ground for global start-ups, why we need to be comfortable making profit while we serve our people, and Frank’s take on a business idea that could be game changing!

Ep. 5: Em Ekong on Going from Capacity Building to Real Growth with SGB's

"How can we compete with the likes of China when we don't have grid?" Join me on this episode as I discuss the work of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) with the Regional Head of its West Africa Chapter, Em Ekong. She shares the thinking behind the tools ANDE employs to help Small and Growing Businesses (SGB's) thrive. We dig into the roadblocks to Africa's industrialization and, more importantly, what can and is being done about them.

Femi Longe on Social Capital Innovation and Bitcoin for Africa

I've had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Femi Longe, co-founder and former non-executive board member of Co-Creation Hub (CcHub). On this episode we dive deep into the evolution of CcHub, a pioneering force in Africa's tech innovation landscape. Femi shares his insights on making tech developments such as bitcoin work for Africa and the challenges of being labeled the "Silicon Valley of Africa".