Reducing Corruption in Africa by Lola Adekanye

Wael Amin became an entrepreneur at an early age founding his first company while still in college. After graduating at the age of 18, Wael Co-Founded ITWorx, and led its growth over a period of 20 years from start-up to one of the largest and most influential IT companies in the Middle East. Through its history, ITWorx has created more than 5000 jobs, expanded to 12 countries across 4 continents and won countless industry accolades. During his tenure at ITWorx, the company acquired Egyptian startup Otlob.com incubating it to become the largest e-commerce property in the Middle East before eventually selling it, it has also successfully incubated and spun off a number of successful startups, in Laserstorm, NetCelera, and ITWorx Education. Having produced more than 200 entrepreneurs responsible for 100+ Egyptian technology start-ups, ITWorx is generally considered the most impactful company in the Egypt IT ecosystem. Wael holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science (1993) and an MBA (2004) from the American University in Cairo (“AUC”). He is a frequent lecturer on the transformational impact of technology and a guest lecturer at the AUC MBA program. He is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. In this episode, you'll discover: -Wael's entrepreneurial journey...00:45 -Lessons to share with anyone wanting to invest in Africa...02:20 -Wael's highest and lowest ticket items...05:15 -The impact of technology on commerce observed during Wael's travels...06:10 -What we've forgotten when it comes to fundraising...13:00 -What Wael likes and doesn't like when it comes to investing in Africa...14:15 -Books and podcasts Wael recommends....16:30 -And much more...

 In this episode, our guest is Maxime Bayen. Maxime is the head of venture building and lead venture partner, catalyst Fund. He's also co-founder Africa, the Big Deal.  In this episode, you'll discover: -Maxim's experience doing business in Africa...00:45 -Big lessons learned to share with anyone interested in investing in Africa...03:00 -What is the highest and lowest ticket items Maxime invests in?...06:30 -Travel lessons, and impact from technology on investing...10:10 -Top three dealbreakers and impact makers on making a decision to invest...12:45 -The one thing Maxime wants to share with our listeners...17:10 -And much more...

Marcus Watson Marcus is a partner and investment director at Kawi Safi Ventures. In this episode, you'll discover: -Marcus' career journey from lawyer to African entrepreneur...04:00 -Advice for anyone wanting to invest in Africa...03:30 -The process for accessing funds from Kawi Safi...08:30 -Lessons learned traveling the continent of Africa and beyond...14:30 -The top 3 factors, positive and negative, that make or break a deal...20:00 -Investment insights shared from our guest...25:00 -Resources recommended by Marcus...27:00 -And much more...

Kamsy has several years of experience in Africa's financial services industry, and works for one of Africa's largest banks, Access Bank. Please note the views expressed in this podcast are those of our guest, not necessarily those of the bank. In this episode, you'll discover: -Kamsy's experience and changing views regarding investing in Africa...01:00 -What can be done differently to access funds outside of going straight to the banks...05:00 -Lessons learned in Kamsy's experience, and the impact of technology on his work...08:30 -Why do people fail to get funding from banks?...11:30 -Kamsy's thoughts on the ASFTA...16:00 -The book Kamsy recommends to all his associates and colleagues...20:15 -And much more...

Judith Li is the Director of Programs at the Westwell Foundation, based in Berlin, Germany. In this episode, Judith shares hard lessons learned operating a startup servicing the African community, the need for return on investment vs. return on impact, how the lack of infrastructure inhibits entrepreneurial growth, and sound advice for anyone interested in investing time and resources in the African economy. In this episode, you'll discover: -Judith's entrepreneurial journey and the quest to impact one million people...00:45 -About the Westwell Foundation....04:10 -Lessons learned regarding startups in Africa...07:20 -Be the one being chased, not the one doing the chasing...09:30 -Travel experiences, and the impact of technology on the modern business world...12:00 -Advice for those interested in investing in Africa...14:15 -Judith's thoughts on grant funding...20:20 -Network recommendations for African entrepreneurs...22:45 -And much more...

Hio Sola-Usidame, founder and CEO of One Port 365, shares how his company massively improves the efficiency of sending cargo throughout Africa, tips on how to go about fundraising on a large scale, the benefits (and challenges) of operating a continental-sized business and much more! Here's what you'll discover in today's episode: -Hio Sola's personal background...00:55 -What is Hio Sola's business, and what problem is he solving with it?...04:30 -Hio's fundraising efforts: wins and challenges...11:30 -Traveling throughout Africa opens the mind!...17:30 -Movement of talent vs. movement of mere people...20:15 -How scalable is this business?...23:00 -A book Hio would like to recommend to our listeners...27:00 -And much more

In this episode Kevin Nolan shares insights on the value of due dilligence, legal support and understanding the value of legal entities when investing in Africa.         Kevin Nolan is a Partner at DLA Piper LLP a Global law firm located in more than 40 countries.      Book recommendation: Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a team by Patrick Lencioni It starts with clients by Andrew Sobel     Podcast recommendations: The new york times daily podcast 

In this episode Marc Msipa, shares insights on Venture Capital and Investing, in real estate in Zimbabwe and other parts of the continent, based on his knowledge and experience.             Marc Msipa is the Co founder at Tigere Housing, a company that is digitizing real estate financing in Africa. He has been involved in Venture capital and investment banking.        Book recommendations:   Africa's Greatest Entrepreneurs by Moky Makura    

In this episode Venture Capital and Angel Investor Lavanya Anand, shares insights based on her experince in Kenya and other East and West African markets.           Lavanya Anand has been involved in the Venture Capital space operating in Kenya since 2018, she is a curious and forward- thinking investment professional, who seeks to faciltate social and econimic change in frontier and emerging markets.       Podcast recommendations:   Masters of Scale by Reid Hoffman  The Flip Africa by Justin Norman The Consumer VC by Mike Gelb The Twenty Minute VC by Harry Stebbings How I Built This by Guy Raz

In this episode Mr Allan Majuru CEO Zimtrade and Ambassador of IATF 2023 shares insights on Zimtrade's initiatives and efforts to grow exports for Zimbabwean businesses and sme's.        Mr Allan Majuru is the CEO at Zimtrade, he is also Board Chairperson of Agricultural Marketing Authority of Zimbabwe and Ambassador of Intra Africa Trade Fair (IATF 2023). IATF is an initiative of Afreximbank, in Collaboration with the African Union and the AFCFTA Secretariat, hosted by African governments.     Book recommendations: The Monk who sold his ferrari by Robin Sharma The 5am club by Robin Sharma   Podcast recommendations: The Smallstarter by John-Paul Iwuoha     website link   www.shopatzim.co.zw