How Africa Can Unlock $500 Billion in Economic Value Through Smarter Infrastructure Investment with Thomas Kingombe

Episode 195 with Thomas Kingombe, Managing Director and Partner at BCG South Africa and co-author of Bridging Africa’s Infrastructure Execution GapAfrica is on the verge of an infrastructure transformation that could redefine its economic future. With more than 130 cross-border projects across energy, transport, digital and water sectors, the continent has the potential to unlock 500 billion dollars in additional economic value and create 74 million new jobs. The opportunity is immense, but realising it will require a shift from ambition to execution.In this episode of the Unlocking Africa Podcast, Thomas Joseph Kingombe from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) joins us to explore the findings from the groundbreaking report Bridging Africa’s Infrastructure Execution Gap. Thomas shares how Africa can accelerate progress through strategic coordination, innovative financing, and stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors. He also discusses how the continent can tap into its four trillion dollars of domestic capital to fund sustainable, homegrown development.What We Discuss With ThomasAfrica’s 500 billion dollar infrastructure opportunity and how coordinated execution can unlock long-term growth across the continentMobilising domestic capital and reducing reliance on external financing through innovative investment structuresInsights from the Lobito Corridor as a model for infrastructure success through public and private collaborationThe vision for an African Union Coordination Hub to fast-track 130 high-impact regional projectsBuilding Africa’s infrastructure workforce with five million new professionals to meet growing development demandsVerto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Chris Morris, Global Partnerships Manager at Verto, talks about how strategic partnerships are driving growth and innovation in cross border payments. He explains how Verto works with trusted partners to unlock value for clients, create new opportunities in emerging markets, and strengthen its position as a leader in global payments. Chris shares real examples, including how Verto’s collaboration with East African travel platform Tripoli helped solve major challenges around multi currency payments and cross border transactions.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Unlocking Affordable and Patient Capital for MSMEs in Africa? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Thomas:LinkedIn - Thomas Kingombe  and Boston Consulting Group (BCG)Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 194 with Dr Henry Clarke Kisembo, Group Global Lead and Executive Chairman of Development Associates Link International (DALI), an organisation driving inclusive finance, digital transformation, and sustainable business development across Africa and beyond.Dr Kisembo is a respected financial economist, development finance specialist, and digital economy advocate with over twenty five years of experience spanning fintech innovation, agrifinance, investment strategy, and private sector growth. He has collaborated with global institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, USAID, and UN Capital Development Fund to design inclusive financing systems that empower entrepreneurs and strengthen local economies.In this episode, Dr Kisembo explores how MSMEs can access affordable finance and what it will take to create a truly enabling environment for entrepreneurship in Africa. He breaks down the key impediments to MSME financing, from high interest rates and collateral requirements to policy and institutional bottlenecks, and shares practical solutions for building patient, inclusive, and sustainable capital systems.What We Discuss With Dr KisemboUnderstanding the realities of Africa’s MSME financing landscape and the structural barriers limiting access to affordable capital.Exploring the concept of patient capital and how long term investment can drive sustainable MSME growth and resilience.How fintech innovation, digital identity, and data-driven credit scoring are transforming financial inclusion across Africa.Strengthening MSME investment readiness and the role of private sector partnerships in unlocking new financing opportunities.The future of MSME finance in Africa, from blended and green finance to the rise of digital currencies and impact driven investment.Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Erike Buys, Regulatory Exchange Control Manager at Verto, explains the vital role of exchange control in keeping cross border payments both compliant and efficient. She shares how Verto’s exchange control framework supports seamless trade across Africa while staying aligned with regulatory bodies in South Africa and other markets. Erike also discusses the latest developments shaping the region’s regulatory environment and what they mean for businesses trading internationally.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discus Raising ₦100 Billion to Fund Africa’s Digital Economy Through Verified Data and Local Infrastructure? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Dr Kisembo:LinkedIn - Dr Henry Clarke KisemboTwitter - @hkisemboDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 193 with Samuel Efosa-Austin, founder of ECO Africa, Tech for Good Africa, and the ECO Fund. Samuel is leading a bold mission to raise ₦100 billion in local currency to finance Africa’s data infrastructure, proving that the continent can build and fund its own digital future.Samuel shares how verified data, technology, and local capital can drive inclusive growth across Africa. Through ECO Africa’s integrated ecosystem, he is redefining economic measurement beyond GDP, investing in green data centres, AI-powered civic tools, and sustainability-driven platforms that connect communities, governments, and investors.He explains why verified data should be viewed as critical infrastructure, how to make data systems bankable for local investors, and what it will take to build trust and ownership within Africa’s digital economy. Samuel also discusses how blended finance models can balance social impact and financial returns while unlocking a new asset class for African investors.What We Discuss With SamuelSamuel’s journey from civic technology innovator to founder of ECO Africa and the ECO Fund.Why Africa must treat verified data as infrastructure, not a technology product.Mobilising ₦100 billion in local currency to fund Africa’s digital future.Blending catalytic impact capital with commercial investment to build resilient data systems.Training Africa’s next generation of technology leaders through the African Technology Leadership Academy.Reimagining Africa’s economic future through data ownership, trust and local value creation.Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Megan Doherty, Director of Operations at Verto, explains why reducing payment friction is central to customer success and long term retention. She discusses how issues such as failed transactions, payout delays and foreign exchange errors do not just create costs but also damage trust. Megan shares how strong operational processes and the right technology can prevent these problems, ensuring reliability and transparency across every cross border payment. She also gives examples of how solving payment challenges has helped clients strengthen loyalty with their own customers.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discus Why Africa Holds the Key to Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Supply Chains? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Samuel:LinkedIn - Samuel Efosa-AustinTwitter - @ECOevangelistsDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 192 with Lindokuhle Shongwe, Project Leader at BCG and co-author of Africa Unleashed: Harnessing Africa’s Critical Mineral Opportunity.Africa sits at the centre of the global energy transition. With vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, copper, platinum group metals and rare earths, the continent holds the minerals powering electric vehicles, clean energy, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.In this episode, Lindokuhle Shongwe of BCG explains how Africa can turn its geological advantage into sovereign, sustainable and scalable growth. He unpacks the findings from the landmark BCG report Africa Unleashed, outlining why critical minerals matter, the continent’s leverage in the global mineral race, and the bold choices African leaders must make in this decisive decade.What We Discuss With LindokuhleWhat critical minerals are and why they are central to the 21st century global economyAfrica’s unique geological advantage in the global energy and industrial transitionHow the continent can move beyond raw mineral exports to industrial transformation and value chain developmentThree strategic levers to unlock Africa’s potential including investment, regional collaboration and global alliancesCase studies from Namibia, Morocco, Rwanda, the DRC and Zambia showcasing best practices in policy, ESG and innovationThe socio economic opportunity including jobs, skills, infrastructure and inclusive growth if Africa captures more value locallyVerto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, James Booth, Head of Revenue at Verto, explores Africa’s fast growing digital economy and the payment challenges holding it back. He explains how businesses such as marketplaces, SaaS platforms and exporters are losing margins to foreign exchange pressures and slow settlements, and why tackling these bottlenecks could unlock the next wave of growth. James also looks at how scalable models can be built in volatile markets and why reducing payout fragmentation is central to driving revenues across the continent.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss The Roads We Never Build: Rethinking Access to Infrastructure Finance in Africa? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Lindokuhle:LinkedIn -  Lindokuhle Shongwe and Boston Consulting Group (BCG)Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 191 with Joseph Kihara, Africa Practice Lead at Africa International Advisors and author of The Roads We Never Build: Rethinking Access to Infrastructure Finance in Africa.Joseph Kihara is reshaping the way we think about Africa’s infrastructure challenge. Rather than focusing on a shortage of capital, he reframes the issue around access — the ability to design, structure, and deliver finance systems that fit the realities of African economies.In this episode, Joseph explains why so many infrastructure projects never reach financial close despite available funding, and how the legacy of extraction-driven infrastructure still shapes priorities today. He shares lessons from Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, which was financed through innovative domestic mechanisms, and highlights how citizens, diasporas, and digital platforms could become Africa’s untapped financing engine.We also dive into practical strategies for improving project readiness, creating aggregation platforms to attract big capital, and using blended finance with discipline.What We Discuss With JosephWhy Africa’s infrastructure challenge is less about capital and more about access.The legacy of extraction-driven infrastructure and how it still shapes today’s priorities.Lessons from Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam on financing large-scale projects differently.Unlocking citizens, diasporas, and digital platforms as Africa’s untapped financing engine.Practical solutions: improving project readiness, aggregation platforms, and blended finance.Building credibility, governance, and trust to attract long-term investment at scale.Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Robert Hallam, Director of Account Management at Verto, explains why client retention is the real engine of business growth. He shares how account management goes beyond reliable payments and transparent pricing to building long term partnerships rooted in trust and understanding. Robert discusses the risks businesses face if they overlook retention, and gives examples of how addressing complex client challenges can directly strengthen relationships. He also reflects on whether clients in African and other emerging markets have unique needs compared to global enterprises.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss AI in African Healthcare: Using AI to give Africans control of their health and Faster Health Diagnosis? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Joseph:LinkedIn - Joseph Kihara or Africa International AdvisorsDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 190 with Darlington Akogo, Founder and CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, a pioneering company using artificial intelligence to transform healthcare access and quality across Africa. Darlington Akogo represents a new generation of African innovators translating global ambitions for sustainable development into tangible local solutions. In this episode, he shares how minoHealth is tackling systemic gaps in healthcare, from the acute shortage of radiologists to the urgent need for affordable diagnostic services.Darlington takes us inside his journey from AI enthusiast to founder of minoHealth AI Labs, and how his vision grew into a movement for AI-driven healthcare in Africa. He explains how AI diagnostics are transforming access and affordability, with breakthroughs in tackling chest conditions, breast cancer and malaria in under a minute. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges of building trust around new technologies, the importance of combining innovation with ethical responsibility, and training a new generation of African AI talent through the Runmila AI Institute.What We Discuss With DarlingtonDarlington’s journey from AI enthusiast to founder of minoHealth AI Labs.How AI diagnostics are transforming healthcare access and affordability in Africa.Breakthrough innovations tackling chest conditions, breast cancer and malaria.Training a new generation of African AI talent through the Runmila AI Institute.Shaping national and continental AI strategies with the African Union.Reflections on 30 years of youth engagement in Africa and the future of youth-led AI.Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Tawanda Mudimbu, Enterprise Partnerships Director at Verto, discusses how faster settlements and greater transparency in foreign exchange are reshaping business in African markets. He explains why speed and clarity in payments are no longer optional, but essential for winning and retaining clients. Tawanda shares the frustrations he hears most often from businesses dealing with slow settlements and hidden FX costs, and highlights what finally convinces many to move away from traditional banking solutions. He also introduces the new Atlas for Fintechs and Platforms, launched this month, which offers companies a powerful resource to navigate these challenges.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discus Driving Sustainable Growth in Africa through Infrastructure Investment in Hospitals and Schools? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Darlington:LinkedIn - Darlington AkogoTwitter - @darlingtinhoDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 189 with Rashad Sinokrot, CEO of Alliad, a global integrated services leader delivering over 300 million dollars’ worth of impact-driven infrastructure projects across Africa and other emerging markets.Rashad shares how Alliad has transformed from a catering firm into a global partner for governments, companies, and aid organisations, while driving inclusive development in challenging environments. From building 90 maternity hospitals and 10 schools in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda to achieving a 98 percent local employment rate and injecting 38 million dollars into local supplier ecosystems, Rashad explains how infrastructure can unlock long-term growth.What We Discuss With RashadThe transformation of Alliad into a global infrastructure and services leader.How infrastructure investment drives inclusive growth and social development in Africa.Insights from Alliad’s projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda, including hospitals, schools, and supplier partnerships.Embedding sustainability and ESG practices in emerging markets.Lessons from Alliad’s global experience, from peacekeeping missions in the DRC to energy projects in Uganda.Rashad’s vision for Africa’s infrastructure landscape over the next decade, shaped by technology, policy, and investment.This is a powerful conversation about the future of Africa’s infrastructure, sustainable growth, and the role of private sector investment in driving inclusive development. Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Saeed Soheily, Senior Product Manager at Verto, looks at the growing role of data in shaping smarter payment decisions for businesses trading across borders. He explains how access to the right data can help companies forecast demand, manage cash flow more effectively and reduce the risks linked with currency fluctuations. Saeed also shares practical ways businesses can use data insights to streamline operations and strengthen their competitive position in fast moving markets.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discus How Nithio is Driving Africa’s Energy Transition Through Blended Finance and AI Powered Risk Analytics? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Rashad:LinkedIn - Rashad Sinokrot and AlliadDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 188 with Roeland Menger, CEO of Nithio, a climate fintech platform that invests in clean energy companies and helps others allocate capital to climate solutions that build resilience. Roeland brings deep experience from his work at Google, the World Bank, and Power Africa to this conversation about bridging Africa’s clean energy financing gap.In this episode, he shares how Nithio’s Facility for Adaptation, Inclusion and Resilience (FAIR) is unlocking capital to scale off grid energy investments across the continent. From deploying artificial intelligence powered risk analytics to raising innovative blended finance structures, Roeland explains how Nithio is making clean energy affordable, bankable, and investable.He discusses the challenges of directing global climate finance towards Africa, the critical role of junior capital in de risking investments, and the opportunity to replace diesel generators with scalable clean energy solutions.What We Discuss With RoelandThe vision behind Nithio’s Facility for Adaptation, Inclusion and Resilience (FAIR) and how it is bridging Africa’s clean energy financing gap.How Nithio’s AI powered Risk Analytics Engine is chaning credit risk assessment and enabling investment into both large and small clean energy companies.Expanding access to clean energy across twenty countries, with a focus on sectors such as solar irrigation, productive use appliances, and e mobility.The impact of replacing diesel generators with scalable renewable energy solutions and the broader climate benefits for the continent.The challenges and opportunities in financing small local energy distributors and making them bankable for larger investors.Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Alice Williams, Expansion Operations Manager at Verto, shares her insights on what it really takes for businesses to succeed when entering new markets. She explains the key factors companies must consider at the outset, from understanding payment requirements to navigating regulatory frameworks, and how to avoid the common mistakes that can slow growth. Alice also highlights the role of effective cross border payment systems in making expansion smoother and more sustainable.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discus Building Africa’s UFC: How a Nigerian Entrepreneur Is Taking African Combat Sports From the Village to the World? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Roeland:LinkedIn - Roeland MengerTwitter - @nithiocreditDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 187 with Maxwell Kalu, Founder and CEO of African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), the leading promoter of indigenous African combat sports. Maxwell Kalu brings a unique blend of cultural stewardship, business strategy, and visionary storytelling to this conversation about taking Africa’s ancient fighting traditions to the global stage. In this episode, he shares how AWFC is transforming Dambe, a centuries-old Hausa combat sport, into a modern spectacle with international appeal. From his first encounter with Dambe during a trip to Lagos to securing global broadcast deals with platforms like DAZN, Maxwell unpacks the journey of reimagining a deeply rooted tradition without losing its soul. He discusses the spiritual and cultural elements that make Dambe unlike any other combat sport, the role of digital media in building a fanbase across continents, and the challenges of scaling from sandpit arenas to global streaming.What We Discuss With MaxwellThe cultural and historical roots of Dambe, and how AWFC is preserving its authenticity while adapting it for modern audiences.The vision behind transforming Dambe from a regional tradition into a global sport.How AWFC’s partnership with DAZN is introducing Dambe to international audiences and positioning African athletes on the global stage.The significance of traditional elements like war drums, spiritual guides, and community storytelling in shaping the experience of a Dambe fight.Challenges and opportunities in scaling a combat sports brand from informal sandpits to a structured global platform with professional production and sponsorship.Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Natasha Biddell, Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer at Verto, addresses one of the most pressing challenges for banks and businesses today: fraud. As fraudsters develop ever more sophisticated tactics, from cyber attacks to elaborate scams, protecting financial institutions and companies has never been more important. Natasha explains the latest threats businesses should be aware of, why some risks are often underestimated, and the practical steps organisations can take to build stronger defences. She also highlights the importance of culture and staff training in shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discus Connecting Farmers to Consumers: How PricePally Is Making Fresh Food More Affordable and Accessible in Africa? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Maxwell:LinkedIn - Maxwell KaluTwitter - @africanwfcDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

Episode 186 with Luther Lawoyin, Founder and CEO of PricePally, a pioneering e-commerce platform transforming how consumers access fresh food across African cities. Luther Lawoyin brings a powerful blend of entrepreneurial vision, technological innovation, and deep market insight to this conversation on the future of food distribution in Africa. In this episode, he discusses how PricePally connects consumers directly to farmers and wholesalers, enabling affordable, portioned, or bulk food purchases through a demand-driven model that reduces waste and supports sustainable agriculture. Luther unpacks how the platform leverages data analytics, AI, and strategic partnerships to streamline supply chains and respond to food security challenges exacerbated by inflation, policy instability, climate change, and why the company is now eyeing food exports to the diaspora.What We Discuss Wit LutherThe personal and systemic challenges that inspired Luther Lawoyin to launch PricePally and reimagine food access across urban Africa.How PricePally’s group-buying model and demand-driven approach are reducing food waste, lowering prices, and improving farmer income.The role of data, predictive analytics, and intentional contracting in creating a more efficient and sustainable supply chain.Why PricePally is expanding into food exports and targeting the African diaspora in the US and UK with competitively priced ethnic staples.The urgent need for greater investment and public-private collaboration in agriculture to unlock food security and long-term resilience.Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Rodrigo Cruz, Product Lead at Verto, looks at how businesses can use payment automation to save time and improve financial health. He explains why automation is more than just a way to speed up routine transactions, showing how it can strengthen cash management, reduce errors and free up teams to focus on growth. Rodrigo also highlights the most important features companies should prioritise when considering automation, ensuring they choose solutions that add real value rather than simply digitising existing inefficiencies. Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discus Using Smart Technology to Make Electricity Cheaper, Cleaner and More Reliable for African Homes? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Luther:LinkedIn - Luther LawoyinTwitter - @PricePallyDiscover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here