Building Africa’s Global Cultural Influence and Creative Economy Through Film with Stella Nse Okuzu

Episode 203 with Stella Nse Okuzu who is the Director and CEO of the Royal African Society, one of the UK’s oldest and most influential Africa focused institutions, dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and strengthening relationships between Africa and the rest of the world. She also brings extensive experience from her work leading East Africa partnerships at Radio Workshop, where she supported youth led storytelling and media initiatives across the region.In this episode of the Unlocking Africa Podcast, we explore how culture, storytelling, and the creative economy are becoming powerful drivers of Africa’s economic growth, global influence, and soft power. Stella shares how the Royal African Society is strengthening its role as a bridge between Africa and international partners through cultural programming, policy engagement, and global dialogue.A central focus of the conversation is Film Africa 2025, London’s leading African film festival. Stella explains how Film Africa goes beyond cinema to support Africa’s creative economy, amplify African voices, and create new opportunities for collaboration, trade, and investment. We discuss the growing global influence of African cinema and why the Democratic Republic of Congo has been selected as the country spotlight for this year’s festival, highlighting underrepresented stories and expanding Africa’s cultural footprint.What We Discuss With StellaStella Okuzu’s journey from youth led media partnerships in East Africa to leading the Royal African Society as a global bridge between Africa and the world.How Film Africa 2025 is strengthening Africa’s creative economy and positioning African cinema as a driver of trade, investment, and soft power.Using cultural programming and storytelling to reshape global perceptions of Africa and unlock new international partnerships.The strategic importance of spotlighting the Democratic Republic of Congo and amplifying underrepresented African voices on the global stage.The future of African cinema, creative industries, and the role of institutions in unlocking Africa’s long term economic potential.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Radio and Storytelling Are Empowering African Youth and Driving Change? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Stella:LinkedIn - Stella Nse Okuzu and Royal African SocietyThis episode is sponsored by Radio WorkshopThe Radio Workshop podcast tells real stories about young Africans. Forget the Africa you think you know. From Freetown to Cape Town, hear the world’s youngest population, one story at a time.Listen to the Radio Workshop Podcast hereMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

Episode 202 with Melissa Mbugua, East Africa Partnerships Lead at Radio Workshop. Melissa Mbugua leads partnerships across East Africa at Radio Workshop, an award winning organisation that trains young people across the continent to create powerful radio programmes and podcasts. Through storytelling, Radio Workshop equips youth with the skills, tools and confidence to inform their communities, influence public dialogue and shape Africa’s future from the ground up.In this episode, Melissa shares how Radio Workshop is building a new generation of African journalists, storytellers and community leaders by supporting youth led audio storytelling. She reflects on the organisation’s work training over 5,000 youth reporters across 100+ radio stations and reaching millions of listeners across Africa through local broadcasts and a globally recognised podcast.Drawing on her experience across East Africa, Melissa explores how radio remains Africa’s most trusted and accessible medium, particularly in reaching underserved and rural communities. She discusses how youth led storytelling is being used to address critical social and economic issues such as mental health, education inequality, climate change and civic participation, while creating pathways for young people to develop leadership, communication and critical thinking skills.What We Discuss With MelissaMelissa Mbugua’s journey into youth empowerment and partnerships at Radio Workshop and her role in expanding its impact across East Africa.How Radio Workshop trains youth to produce radio programmes and podcasts across Africa.Why radio continues to play a vital role in informing communities and strengthening civic participation.How youth led storytelling addresses major social and development challenges in Africa.The future of youth driven media and storytelling in East Africa and across the continent.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Fighting Misinformation and Advancing Health Literacy and Journalism in Africa? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Melissa:LinkedIn - Melissa Mbugua and Radio WorkshopMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

Episode 201 with Dr Mercy Korir, CEO and Editor in Chief of Willow Health Media. Dr Mercy Korir is a medical doctor, award winning journalist, and business executive who is redefining health journalism in Africa. As CEO and Editor in Chief of Willow Health Media, she leads the first dedicated Health and Science Newsroom in Kenya and the region, with a mission to empower communities through credible, multimedia health and science content.Before founding Willow Health Media, Dr Korir established Kenya’s first ever Multimedia Health and Science Desk at the Standard Group, conceptualising high quality content for TV, radio, and digital platforms, and driving revenue growth through strategic partnerships. During the COVID 19 pandemic, she was recognised with the Presidential Order of Service – Uzalendo Award for her impactful and versatile health reporting.In this episode, Dr Korir shares how she is bridging the gap between health knowledge and action by leveraging digital platforms, data, and innovation to make trustworthy health information accessible to millions. From tackling misinformation to creating sustainable business models for health journalism, she discusses how Willow Health Media is shaping the future of health communication in Africa.What We Discuss With Dr MercyMercy’s journey from medical doctor to award winning journalist and CEO of Willow Health Media.Building Africa’s first Health and Science Newsroom and redefining health communication through digital innovation.Developing sustainable business models for investigative and multimedia health journalism in Africa.Combating misinformation while making trusted health knowledge accessible to a young and rapidly urbanising population.The future of health journalism including the role of artificial intelligence, data, and leadership in shaping healthier and more informed African societies.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Traverze Travel Became Zimbabwe’s Leading Travel Management Company and Expanded Across Africa? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Dr Mercy:LinkedIn - Dr Mercy Korir and Willow Health MediaMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

Episode 200 with Zodwa Mkandla, Founder and Managing Director of Traverze Travel, one of Zimbabwe’s most successful travel management companies and a leading player in Africa’s tourism and aviation industries. Since 2003, Traverze Travel has redefined corporate and leisure travel in Zimbabwe through exceptional service, innovative travel solutions and strong regional expansion into South Africa and Zambia.In this episode, Zodwa shares the remarkable journey behind building Traverze Travel into a trusted brand that serves multinational companies, government institutions and leisure travellers across Africa. She explains how strategic airline partnerships, customer experience innovation and rigorous operational standards helped Traverze stand out in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving sector. From establishing The Lounge at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to steering the business through economic volatility, Zodwa offers powerful insights into what it takes to build a resilient travel and tourism enterprise in Zimbabwe and beyond.We discuss the economic importance of Africa’s travel sector, the opportunities emerging from increased intra African mobility, and the leadership mindsets required to scale service based businesses across the continent. Zodwa also reflects on empowering women entrepreneurs, adopting technology in travel management and shaping the future of Africa’s aviation and tourism ecosystem.What We Discuss With ZodwaHow Zodwa built Traverze Travel into one of Zimbabwe’s leading travel management companies with regional operations in Southern Africa.Strategies for navigating economic volatility, currency challenges and market disruption in the African travel and tourism sector.Innovating travel services through airport lounges, technology adoption and strategic airline partnerships that enhance the customer journey.Strengthening Africa’s travel ecosystem through operational excellence, regional integration and high quality client service.Unlocking economic opportunities through intra African travel, cross border connectivity and the empowerment of women in business.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Building a Fintech for Africa’s Street Vendors, Informal Traders and Low Income Workers? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Zodwa:LinkedIn - Zodwa Mkandla and traverzetravelMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

Episode 199 with Kosta Scholiadis, Founder and CEO of Street Wallet, a South African fintech company empowering informal traders and street vendors to access the digital economy.Kosta brings a wealth of entrepreneurial insight and purpose driven innovation to this conversation about financial inclusion and the digital transformation of Africa’s informal economy. Founded in Cape Town, Street Wallet emerged from the recognition that South Africa’s one million street vendors have been largely excluded from the rapidly expanding cashless ecosystem.Kosta shares how Street Wallet’s simple yet powerful technology allows vendors to accept digital payments without needing a bank account or smartphone. He explains how the company’s interoperable platform, QR based payment system, and strategic partnerships with leading NGOs are improving financial access, increasing incomes, and building economic resilience among underserved communities.Fresh from securing R6.2 million in funding and acquiring Digitip, a platform that enables informal workers to receive digital tips, Kosta discusses how these developments are accelerating Street Wallet’s mission to create an inclusive and accessible digital economy.What We Discuss With KostaKosta’s journey to founding Street Wallet and the inspiration behind creating a fintech platform for South Africa’s one million informal traders.How Street Wallet’s low tech, high trust digital payment system is helping unbanked street vendors join the digital economy.The impact of Street Wallet’s R6.2 million funding round, the acquisition of Digitip.How partnerships with NGOs, retailers, and service providers like Plush Car Wash are scaling financial access and resilience for informal workers.Street Wallet’s vision for expanding across Africa and shaping the future of cashless payments and financial inclusion in the informal economy.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Climate-Resilient Greenhouses and Digital Tools Are Transforming African Farming? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Kosta:LinkedIn - Kosta Scholiadis and Street WalletMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

Episode 198 with Anaporka Adazabra, Founder and CEO of Farmio Limited, an agritech company redefining agriculture through smart, accessible technology that empowers farmers to build profitable and climate resilient agribusinesses across Africa.Anaporka is a Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Awardee and a driving force behind the transformation of Africa’s agricultural sector. Through Farmio, she is combining engineering, data, and agricultural science to equip farmers with the tools, knowledge, and market access they need to thrive in a changing climate. From building durable smart greenhouses to launching a digital SuperApp that gives farmers real time control over their crops, Farmio is turning farming from guesswork into growth.In this episode, Anaporka shares how technology and innovation are reshaping food security, livelihoods, and sustainability across the continent. She discusses the importance of building climate smart farming systems, the role of digital infrastructure in unlocking farmer productivity, and how empowering women in agritech can accelerate Africa’s economic transformation.What We Discuss With AnaporkaAnaporka’s journey from aspiring entrepreneur to founder of Farmio Limited, and how her vision is redefining agriculture in Ghana and across Africa.Harnessing technology, data, and smart greenhouse systems to make farming more efficient, profitable, and climate resilient.Empowering smallholder farmers through the Farmio SuperApp, which provides real-time agronomic insights, financing options, and access to markets.The role of women in driving agricultural innovation, and Anaporka’s experience as a Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Awardee.Building sustainable partnerships that connect farmers, offtakers, and investors to strengthen Africa’s agricultural value chain.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Using Solar Drying Innovation to Tackle Food Insecurity in Sudan: The Solar Foods Story? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Omar:LinkedIn - Anaporka Adazabra and Farm.IO LimitedMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

Episode 197 with Omar Lababidi, CEO of Wafroex and Founder of Goldswarm, a premium West African honey brand that is redefining sustainable luxury while empowering thousands of smallholder farmers across Nigeria. With over twenty years of experience investing in, leading and scaling companies, Omar combines deep business expertise with a passion for innovation, sustainability and community development.In this episode, he shares how a single taste of honey in Benin in 2015 inspired a vision to elevate West African honey to the global stage, and how that vision has grown into Goldswarm the first Nigerian agricultural brand to export to the United States. From introducing advanced technologies such as honey DNA tracking to forging partnerships that protect biodiversity and support local beekeepers, Omar explains how Goldswarm is creating a blueprint for sustainable agribusiness in Africa.What We Discuss With OmarOmar’s journey from a life-changing taste of honey in Benin to founding Goldswarm, a premium West African honey brand.Building Nigeria’s first agricultural brand to export to the United States and redefining sustainable luxury.How Goldswarm’s honey DNA tracking and innovation are transforming transparency, traceability, and trust in African exports.Empowering local farmers, protecting biodiversity, and promoting climate-smart agriculture across West Africa.Navigating export challenges and positioning Nigeria as a global hub for organic and sustainable agricultural products.Omar’s vision for Africa’s future in global trade and the rise of purpose-driven entrepreneurship across the continentVerto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Sankha Jinasena, Sales Manager for South Africa at Verto, discusses how South Africa’s removal from the FATF grey list is creating new opportunities for businesses operating across borders. He explains how improved investor confidence and regulatory stability are opening doors for B2B payment providers, driving stronger partnerships and renewed commercial momentum. Sankha also shares what this shift means for companies looking to trade with South Africa, and how Verto is repositioning its value proposition to meet rising demand with greater speed, transparency and trust.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss Using Solar Drying Innovation to Tackle Food Insecurity in Sudan: The Solar Foods Story? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Omar:LinkedIn - Omar LababidMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

Episode 196 with Dr Alaa Salih Hamadto, Founder and CEO of Solar Foods, a pioneering Sudanese enterprise transforming food preservation, agriculture, and sustainability across Africa and the Middle East.Dr Hamadto is an award-winning scientist and social entrepreneur whose company merges traditional solar drying techniques with modern IoT and clean technology to build climate-resilient, community-centred food systems. Through Solar Foods, she has partnered with more than 5000 farmers and supported over 7000 during Sudan’s conflict, empowering local producers while cutting food waste and promoting fair trade agriculture.A Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award recipient, Alaa shares her journey from scientist to social innovator, explaining how sustainable agri-tech, indigenous knowledge, and human-centred design can reshape Africa’s food future.What We Discuss With AlaaAlaa’s journey from scientist to founder of Solar Foods and her mission to merge ancient solar drying traditions with modern clean technology.How Solar Foods’ IoT-enabled solar dryers are revolutionising food preservation, reducing waste, and empowering smallholder farmers across Sudan.Building community resilience and supporting over 7000 farmers during Sudan’s conflict through sustainable, fair trade agricultural practices.The impact of the Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award and how it helped scale Solar Foods’ innovation and visibility across Africa and beyond.The intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership in shaping Africa’s food security and climate resilience.Verto CornerIn this week’s Verto Corner, Tomasz Bilakiewicz, Product Director at Verto, shares how the product team is tackling some of the toughest challenges in cross border payments such as speed, reliability, transparency and foreign exchange management.He explains how these pain points can be solved creatively, not just for today’s fintech companies, but in ways that can scale as the industry evolves. Tomasz also discusses how Verto’s product roadmap adapts to new markets, currencies and regulations, and how emerging technologies are shaping the next generation of solutions.Access the Strategy HandbookDid you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Africa Can Unlock $500 Billion in Economic Value Through Smarter Infrastructure Investment? Make sure to check it out!Connect with Terser:LinkedIn - Terser AdamuInstagram - unlockingafricaTwitter (X) - @TerserAdamuConnect with Alaa:LinkedIn - Alaa Salih hamadto and Solar FoodsMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

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)Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]

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 - @hkisemboMany of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: [email protected]