Africa's Big Switch (ABS)

Bonus: Sit Down with Your Hosts 3.0

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972680/open_sms] On this episode of Africa's Big Switch Podcast, hosts Celine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/celineaju/], Lys [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lysirebe/], Bolaji [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolaji-akinola-alli/] and Hassana [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassana-jafiya-132b78151/] reflect on the 10 episodes released in 2024. They discuss their favourite episodes, progress and give insights into the future direction of the podcast. The conversation takes on a more casual and chat-like tone rather than a formal interview. Special thanks to Atim [https://www.linkedin.com/in/atim-wokorach/] and Adeoti [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeoti-osifeso-868878240/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app] for the marketing, and the hosts would like take the opportunity to wish the listeners a Happy New Year! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/africasbigswitch/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-s-big-switch/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3BIliONf8hR72zpl6yX5c7eg%3D%3D]

E32 Duara Education: Women-Led Schools, Community-Led Change

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972680/open_sms] On this episode of ABS, we sat down with Victoria Peill [https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriapeill/], founder of Duara Education [https://duara.education/], a social enterprise that is empowering female teachers to create community-based micro schools. Victoria's background spans, education, entrepreneurship and strategy, including roles with African leadership, group posting, consulting group and teaching in Peru. Duara Education makes high quality school education accessible for millions of families in Africa, starting in Kenya. They empower female teachers to start their own community-based microschool, leveraging the power of innovations and decentral networks. On this episode, we explore: * Victoria's journey and her role   * The rationale behind Duara Education’s emphasis on women-led schools  * The transformative impact of empowering teachers to lead quality, community-based education in Africa * Challenges faced in building Duara Education and supporting teachers through this journey  Join us as we delve into Victoria's remarkable journey and her impact on Africa's education sector on Africa’s Big Switch. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/africasbigswitch/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-s-big-switch/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3BIliONf8hR72zpl6yX5c7eg%3D%3D]

E31: Angel Investing with Innovate Africa Fund

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972680/open_sms] On this episode of ABS, we sat down with Kristin Wilson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hkristinwilson?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app]. Kristen currently works for the Innovate Africa Fund [https://innovateafricafund.com/] as the Managing Partner and Bold Angel Network, she crafts innovative solutions that combine human operations, data analytics, and software to drive growth for SMEs and start-ups in sub-Saharan Africa. The Innovate Africa Fund is a founder-first catalyst fund dedicated to accelerating the journey to product-market fit for African entrepreneurs. Kristin has over a decade of management consulting experience in technology strategy, product development, and business planning, Kristin specialises in enabling organisations to develop infrastructure and processes to leverage technology and data for business scalability and profitability. Her expertise spans stakeholder engagement, operational enhancement, and digital transformation. As a seasoned digital work expert, writer, speaker, and thought leader, Kristin has built a successful career helping startups and small businesses thrive in emerging markets. Her background in data analytics, operations research and project management has equipped her to drive innovation and growth for ambitious founders. She maintains a robust and active angel investment portfolio, and is also the Chief Strategy Officer at Spurt! Kristin serves as LP Advisor at Oui Capital and Investment Lead for the Rising Tide Africa Angel Network. She is also a Harris Fellow On this episode, we explore: * Kristen's journey and her role   * The drive behind Innovate Africa Fund * Future of  Innovate Africa Fund * How to get involved  Join us as we delve into Kristen's remarkable journey and her impact on Africa's investment sector on Africa’s Big Switch Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/africasbigswitch/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-s-big-switch/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3BIliONf8hR72zpl6yX5c7eg%3D%3D]

E30 Sierra Leone's Path to Digital Learning and Education Reform

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972680/open_sms] On this episode of ABS, we sat down with Modupe Poku [https://www.linkedin.com/in/modupe-poku?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app]. Modupe currently works for the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change [https://institute.global/] as the Education Advisor to the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education focusing specifically on digital learning. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change partners with political leaders to drive meaningful change by offering strategy, policy, and delivery support, with a focus on harnessing technology to improve governance. By working closely with governments, they aim to create more inclusive, open, and prosperous societies through practical solutions and lasting impact. Modupe is an international development professional with a focus on strategy, good governance, gender & women's empowerment and sustainability. She has over 7 years work experience in advisory, program and stakeholder management and strategy development across Anglophone and Francophone West Africa and Switzerland. She is especially passionate about the intersection of the public, private and non profit sector in reaching the SDGs especially through good governance, sustainable businesses and technology. On this episode, we explore: * Modupe's background and her role   * The curriculum transition in the education sector  * Financing and investment in the education sector  * Future of technology in the education sector in West Africa   Join us as we delve into Modupe's remarkable journey and her impact on Africa's education sector on Africa’s Big Switch. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/africasbigswitch/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-s-big-switch/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3BIliONf8hR72zpl6yX5c7eg%3D%3D]

E29 Navigating Corporate Finance and Venture Capital in Emerging Markets

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972680/open_sms] On this episode of ABS, we sat down with Toni Sanni [https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-sanni-875280130/?originalSubdomain=ng], Head Corporate Finance and Venture Capital at the Emerging Africa Group [https://emergingafricagroup.com/].   The Emerging Africa Group is an ESG-focused organization that partners with investors to bridge Africa's financial gap and support sustainable development. With over $1 billion raised, it offers financing and advisory services across sectors like investment banking, fintech, and infrastructure. Toni Sanni is an accomplished financial services expert with experience in Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Investment Banking. At Emerging Africa Group, Toni leads a team of experts and drives Venture Capital and Advisory businesses. She holds degrees from the University of Bristol and the London School of Economics and has worked at Verod Capital and Mediterrania Capital Partners, focusing on major capital transactions in emerging markets. On this episode, we explore: * Toni's background and experience   * Goals and mission of the Emerging Africa Group * What it means to be an ESG focused investment group  * Challenges and solutions of building in the African investment ecosystem  Join us as we delve into Toni's remarkable journey and her impact on Africa's investment sector on Africa’s Big Switch. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/africasbigswitch/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-s-big-switch/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3BIliONf8hR72zpl6yX5c7eg%3D%3D]