Using the Best of Tech and Human Touch to Solve Human Capital Challenges for Businesses in Africa with Paul Breloff

Episode 127 with Elizabeth Rossiello, who is the CEO and founder of AZA Finance, an established provider of currency trading solutions that accelerate global access to frontier markets through innovative infrastructure. By leveraging cutting-edge technology in its flagship products, TransferZero and BFX, AZA is able to significantly lower the cost and increase the speed of business payments to and from frontier markets.AZA is now a market maker in every major African currency and facilitates payments into G20 currencies directly. Elizabeth expanded the company from Nairobi, Kenya, to operations in 20 markets across Africa and Europe. What We Discuss With ElizabethHow has the payment infrastructure in Africa evolved since AZA Finance's inception in 2013?What role has technology played in lowering costs and increasing the speed of your payments process?Could you elaborate on AZA Finance's role as a market maker in major African currencies and how it impacts the facilitation of business payments to and from these markets?How did you navigate the diverse regulatory landscapes across the African continent to establish AZA's presence in 20 markets?How important has it been to address talent challenges within the payments space, particularly in retaining top talent in order to grow and expand the company?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How the Africa Oxford Initiative is Supporting African Research and Innovation Ecosystems? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Elizabeth  on LinkedIn at Elizabeth Rossiello, and Twitter (X) @e_rossiello Do you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 126 with Dr. Anne Makena, who is Co-Director of the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), a cross-university platform for academic and research collaborations between the University of Oxford and African researchers and institutions.The Initiative aims to support the work of universities and research institutions across Africa and to facilitate the development of equitable and extensive collaborations between Oxford and African institutions.What We Discuss With AnneWhat are the specific mechanisms AfOx utilises to facilitate collaborations between the University of Oxford and African researchers and institutions?What are the challenges faced by African researchers and institutions when cooperating with international initiatives? How does AfOx ensure equitable participation and benefit-sharing in collaborative research projects?What role can private capital play in advancing research and development efforts in Africa?How important are research collaborations in driving economic development in Africa?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Using the Best of Tech and Human Touch to Solve Human Capital Challenges for Businesses in Africa? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Anne  on LinkedIn at Anne Makena, and Twitter (X) @Kesh_AnneDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 125 with Paul Breloff, Founder and CEO of Shortlist, which is building a better way to hire, combining the best of tech, data, and human touch to provide executive search and youth employment programming across Africa, India, and 20+ countries globally. Since its inception in 2016, Shortlist has collaborated with more than 900 companies and connected with over 1.5 million professionals.Shortlist is focused on two core offerings:(1) Shortlist Search: This service focuses on executive search for leading startups and impact organisations in Africa.(2) Shortlist Futures: This initiative is dedicated to developing and implementing youth employment and apprenticeship programmes across Africa in partnership with donors, governments, enterprises, and educational institutions.What We Discuss With PaulThere are several talent and employment platforms available these days. What is Shortlist's value proposition?While tech and data play an important role in how the platform operates, how would you describe the human touch in your work?How important is partnership with regards to the service that you offer?Can you give us examples of the solutions that you are providing to some of the employment challenges that are faced in Africa?Where do you see Africa's staffing and recruiting space in 5 years?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How a Nigerian Entrepreneur Is Cracking the Multi-Billion-Dollar Coconut Industry? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Paul on LinkedIn at Paul Breloff, and Twitter (X) @paulbreloffDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 124 with Ebun Feludu, who is the Founder and CEO of Kokari Coconuts & Company, which is an integrated coconut processing company that serves the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical markets in Nigeria and across Africa.Since they began operations in 2016, they have processed over one million coconuts into a range of premium coconut oils, coconut foods, and coconut beauty topicals.What We Discuss With EbunThe journey from starting Kokari Coconuts in a kitchen to becoming a major player in the coconut processing industry in Nigeria and beyond.Challenges faced as a new entrant trying to break into the multi-billion dollar coconut industry.Being on the brink of bankruptcy due to non-payment by a major customer. What efforts is Kokari Coconuts & Company making to promote local coconut cultivation and reduce the country's dependence on imports?The importance of sustainability in Kokari’s operations and how the company is working towards reducing its environmental footprint.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Building and Investing in Africa’s Web3 Infrastructure to Tackle Real Life Problems? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Ebun on LinkedIn at Ebun Feludu Do you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 123 with Vincent Li, who is a product manager, seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and mentor. He has more than 15 years’ experience in tech product management and VC investment in China, Africa, and the Middle East.Vincent is also a founding partner of Adaverse, which is the Cardano Ecosystem Accelerator that aggregates entrepreneurs, strategists, and mentors to build its most robust foundation in Africa. Adaverse supports blockchain founders with funding, mentorship, and tech. What We Discuss With VincentWhat benefits can this ecosystem bring to the African economy in terms of addressing financial inclusion and payment infrastructure challenges?Compared to other regions you've worked in, how have you seen blockchain startups evolve in Africa?What unique challenges and opportunities have you encountered while building companies in Africa, particularly in the Web3 space?How do you assess the readiness of African markets to adopt web3 technologies?Does Adaverse's strategy for supporting entrepreneurs in Africa differ from its approaches in other regions?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Positioning Africa as a Key Player in the Global Semiconductor Supply Chain? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Vincent on LinkedIn at Vincent Li, and Twitter (X) @Adaverse_AccDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 122 with Ola Fadiran, who is Co-Founder and CEO at Chiplab, a company that emerged from a critical need—bridging the talent gap in the semiconductor industry and unlocking Africa’s youthful potential. Inspired by conversations with industry leaders seeking to diversify their workforce, including the inclusion of more women and diverse talent, Chiplab was born.ChipLab's mission is to nurture talent across Africa to create state-of-the art intelligent systems. Chiplab has curated an environment that equips African nations to meet global technology needs. This allows its clients to offshore parts of their development and boost their ESG performance.What We Discuss With OlaHow do you plan to address the talent gap in the semiconductor industry, particularly in Africa?How does ChipLab plan to leverage African talent to meet global technology needs and reshape the semiconductor industry?Does Africa have the required talents to build a thriving microchip ecosystem? What challenges have you faced so far in establishing a fully functioning microchip manufacturing facility in Africa? How does ChipLab approach the critical issue of building trust in African-made microchips?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Trade, Tech, and Transformation: Creating a Lean and Trusted Ecosystem for Trade in Africa? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Ola on LinkedIn at Ola FadiranDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 121 with Geoffrey de Mowbray, who is creating a lean and trusted ecosystem for trade through his two business ventures. He is the Chief Executive Officer at Via.Trade, which enables trade by digitising several aspects of the supply chain and bringing customers and suppliers together, all supported by a financial solution and world-leading logistics.He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Dints International, a company that leverages industry expertise and cutting-edge technology to provide supply chain solutions to the mining, construction, and heavy equipment industries, enabling them to connect with new customers and enter new markets.What We Discuss With GeoffreyCan you tell us about your entrepreneurial journey and what inspired you to launch ViaTrade and Dints International?Dints International and ViaTrade are heavily focused on Africa. Why do you think these solutions are needed on the continent?What are some of the particular challenges that African SMEs face when accessing credit for expansion, and how does ViaTrade solve them?How does ViaTrade use technology to digitise various areas of the supply chain, and what effect does this have on efficiency and transparency?Could you tell us more about the intersection of finance and technology in trade, and how ViaTrade navigates this landscape?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Pulse Sports Journey and the Rise of African Sports Media? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn at Geoffrey de Mowbray, and Twitter (X) @geoffdemowbrayDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 120 with James Torvaney, the visionary Managing Director behind Pulse Sports, a thriving online sports news platform with a staggering 2 million monthly users. James's journey is one of amazing growth, having guided Pulse Sports from its inception to become the leader in the field in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda.Pulse Sports is part of the renowned Ringier Sports Media Group, which includes well-known businesses such as Livescore.com and other top sports media websites throughout Europe. James' strategic vision has solidified Pulse Sports' position as an industry leader, setting new benchmarks for online sports news in Africa.What We Discuss With JamesWhat key strategies did you use to rapidly grow Pulse Sports to over 2 million monthly users within six months?What does this growth say about the appetite and potential of Africa's sports fanbase?Is there an opportunity for African sports brands to leverage the growth of African sports media to promote their brands globally?Could you highlight some of the important milestones you've witnessed during the recent rise of Africa-focused sports media?What are the most important insights you've gained while working in the African sports space?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Advancing Women’s Economic Power in Africa Through Financial Access and Digital Technologies? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with James on LinkedIn at James Torvaney, and Twitter (X) @jamestorvaneyDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 119 with Rachel Toku-Appiah, who is the Director of Program Advocacy and Communications for Africa at the Gates Foundation, and is at the forefront of advocating for gender equality across the African continent. Her extensive expertise and leadership within the foundation's advocacy efforts position her at the forefront of this critical movement.Before joining the foundation in 2021, she spent more than two decades in key global health and development roles, most recently as director for food security and nutrition at Global Citizen. Earlier, she worked for the Graça Machel Trust, launching the organisation and later working to build up its nutrition programme across the African continent and beyond. As country director in Lesotho for the Clinton Foundation, she oversaw programmes that strengthened all aspects of the country’s health system, from human resources and infrastructure to laboratory services and supply chain management.What We Discuss With RachelHow would you describe the current state of financial access for women entrepreneurs in Africa?What role do you see digital financial services playing in bridging the finance gap for women entrepreneurs in Africa? What are the key challenges you encounter in promoting financial inclusion for women in Africa?How does the foundation navigate the cultural and societal barriers that limit women's access to finances in Africa?Are there any current positive trends or activities in Africa aimed at enhancing women's economic empowerment through improved financial access?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss The Incredible Story of Happy Coffee's Impact on Nigeria's Coffee Culture and Value Chain? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Rachel on LinkedIn at Rachel Toku-Appiah, and Twitter (X) @GatesAfrica Do you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]

Episode 118 with Princess Adeyinka Tekenah, CEO of Happy Coffee, an indigenous Nigerian coffee brand and coffee solution company that has been actively dedicated to creating awareness about the Nigerian coffee value chain and improving the production and consumption of locally sourced Nigerian coffee since its establishment in 2015. Despite facing challenges common to startups in Nigeria, such as limited funding opportunities, Happy Coffee has thrived through bootstrapping and reinvesting profits. They have actively designed innovative solutions to withstand shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic. Happy Coffee offers a range of coffee products sourced from the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba, in addition to providing services such as mobile café service, coffee catering for indoor and outdoor events, barista training, café setup programmes, and consultancy services.What We Discuss With Princess AdeyinkaWhat specific challenges did you face as a startup in Nigeria's coffee industry?What innovative solutions has Happy Coffee developed to address challenges within the Nigerian coffee value chain?How have you gone about forming relationships with farmers and investing in farms to strengthen the coffee value chain?How does Happy Coffee actively contribute to promoting the consumption of locally sourced Nigerian coffee?What are your thoughts on the belief that Nigerians or Africans in general don’t consume coffee or that there isn’t a coffee culture in Nigeria?Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Discovering, Developing, and Signing Emerging World-Class Football Players From Africa? Make sure to check it out!Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps!Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at Terser Adamu, and Twitter (X) @TerserAdamuConnect with Princess Adeyinka on LinkedIn at Princess Adeyinka, and Twitter (X) @YinkaahDo you want to do business in Africa? Explore the vast business opportunities in African markets and increase your success with ETK Group. Connect with us at www.etkgroup.co.uk or reach out via email at [email protected]