Limitless Africa

"One thing that I really was not as aware of as perhaps I should have been, was the deep and abiding Congolese sense of having a long term relationship with the United States."Ambassador Tamlyn has spent much of her career working across Africa, from Sudan and the Central African Republic to Mozambique, Chad, and now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC has Africa's fourth-largest population at around 112 million. Yet it remains one of its poorest countries and that's despite being the world's biggest producer of cobalt. Vast mineral wealth has in part fuelled a two-decade-long conflict in the east, one the United States has been trying to end. Could this be a breakthrough for a new foreign policy approach known as 'commercial diplomacy'? I spoke to one of Washington's most experienced ambassadors. Plus: Why the US needs to care about Congo

"If we stop mining, we stop our way of life."The Lobito Corridor is more than just a railway; it is a strategic lifeline connecting the Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola to the mineral rich Copperbelt in the DRC and Zambia. In this episode, host Claude Grunitzky sits down with explorer and presenter Dwayne Fields and Sam Williams, Head of Communications at Africell, to discuss the revival of this historic infrastructure. We explore why the U.S. government is mobilizing private capital to secure access to critical minerals like copper and rare earths, which are essential for the global economy. From Dwayne's personal genetic journey back to his ancestral roots in the Copperbelt to Africell's mission to digitize the corridor, this episode examines the intersection of high stakes geopolitics and the human stories of the communities on the ground. Can large scale mining truly benefit ordinary Africans? We look at the risks of exploitation and environmental damage versus the potential for jobs, connectivity, and local prosperity.Plus: why a telecommunications company is making a documentary

"Ambition is often loud and fast"Limitless Africa host Claude Grunitzky is in the hot seat this episode. Claude has founded, built and sold businesses you will have heard of - he founded Trace, a global hip hop magazine. Trace eventually became the TV channel and he then raised $15million in funding from the investment bank Goldman Sachs in 2003. Now he spends his time as an investor and teaching entrepreneurship in his home country of Togo and across the continent. In this episode Claude will be talking about what Africans can learn from the American mindset - and what he learnt from the American mindset, he built Trace in the US after all.Plus: What permissionless ambition means

"Every Clark Kent can become Superman, every Diana Price can become Wonder Woman."The American mindset has produced some of the greatest entrepreneurs the world has ever seen… from Henry Ford to Oprah Winfrey. What can Africans learn from their success? Our host Claude Grunitzky talks to entrepreneurs from all over the continent.Plus: Why Ubuntu is global

“Africa has an opportunity over the next half a generation to really rise as an industrial superpower.”Ben Kincaid spent the first half of his career as a US diplomat. Much of his time was spent in Africa, specializing in national security issues. Today, and that's why we're so keen to speak with him, he's the CEO of ReElement Technologies Africa, One of their missions is to help African nations process their rare minerals on the continent so they don't simply export them. Their project should create more jobs and keep value in Africa. They've just secured a South African investment firm as an anchor investor in their private capital raise worth $150 million dollars. Plus: How the low-chemical, energy-efficient refining technology works

“Processing on the continent: you can do that in Africa.”Africa holds some of the world's most important mineral resources, from cobalt and lithium to platinum and rare earths. Yet for decades, these materials have largely been extracted on the continent, processed elsewhere, and sold back to the global market at far greater value. In this episode of Limitless Africa, hosts Dimpho Lekgeu and Claude Grunitzky examine whether a new model of mining could change that equation. They speak with Ben Kincaid, former US diplomat and CEO of ReElement Africa, and Derrick Roper, co founder of Novare Holdings, one of the company's main financial backers.Plus: Why African investors are backing American technology

"Whenever you have leaders who have vision and can back the vision with execution, amazing things will happen."The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government's Young African Leaders Initiative, also known as YALI . Since 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 6,500 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. These Fellows, are between the ages of 25 and 35, and are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.One of them is Olugbenga Ogunbowale. He completed the YALI West Africa program in 2018, was a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow and an Alumni Ambassador in 2020. Since then, he's set up ventures like Grant Master, helping secure over $30 million in grant funding for clients and students. He also set up Epower, where he consulted with Meta and Google on digital skills, training SMEs and start-ups in Nigeria and Ghana. Dimpho Lekgeu spoke to him about his experience with the YALI program to draw out some valuable lessons for young Africans looking to supercharge their careers.Plus: The hardest thing about living in the USA

"Should I happen have a one-on-one business talk with President Donald Trump, definitely would tell him that, look, sir, you have the market, I have the the produce."In this episode of Limitless Africa, we explore the transformative power of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Host Dimpho Lekgeu and Claude Grunitzky speak with alumni from across the continent who are taking their businesses global. From Simone Spencer in Cabo Verde, who transitioned from a San Francisco museum residency to building a pan-African creative network, to Gerald Katabazi in Uganda, who is now employing Americans to sell Ugandan coffee in Ohio and Atlanta. We also hear from Nigeria's Temi Badru on how ethical leadership and the power of mentorship became the bedrock of her PR empire. This is a story of shared prosperity and a new generation of leaders who see the world as their market.Plus: How "Ubuntu" mirrors Western organization

"We're going to hire tons of engineers in Rwanda who are Rwandan to build this technology shoulder to shoulder with our American engineers."American foreign policy is experiencing a profound shift. It's now about trade not aid. But we've been waiting to understand what that means in practice. That's why an announcement by the US Department of State last November was so significant. The U.S. committed up to $150 million dollars to a partnership with Zipline. Zipline is an American company that designs, manufactures, and operates delivery drones. Yes, drones. And it's one of the first real examples of the America First global health strategy in action. So that's why we're excited to speak with Caitlin Burton. Caitlin is the CEO of Zipline Africa. Plus: What she really thinks about aid

"They were tired of losing women in childbirth."Last year, one of the US's top diplomats said that Africa is the world's largest untapped market… and Africa should be among the US's largest trading partners. This time, it's not just about aid. It's about business. And we were wondering what that might mean in practice. In November last year, the US Department of State made an important announcement: the U.S. committed up to $150 million dollars to a partnership with Zipline. Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates delivery drones. These currently fly in Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana. And they're saving lives. Listen to find out more.Plus: How African governments are forward thinking.

"There is a specific type of risk-taking that is always rewarded"Mikael Hajjar runs P1 Ventures. P1 Ventures has raised its first $50 million dollars fund at the beginning of 2025. But what's particularly interesting is that half of the fund will be invested in Francophone Africa. He tells Claude why Francophone Africa is the next investment hotspot.Plus: The biggest start-ups in Francophone Africa

"What is this country with good roads and electricity and water?"Francophone Africa is home to some of the continent's fastest-growing economies, yet it continues to receive a disproportionately small share of global venture capital and startup investment.In this episode of Limitless Africa, hosts Dimpho Lekgeu and Claude Grunitzky speak with Lina Kacyem, Investment Manager at Launch Africa Ventures, about why Francophone African markets remain overlooked by American investors and what is being missed as a result.Drawing on her experience spending nearly two decades in the United States before relocating to Abidjan, Casim explains how historical legacies of colonization, legal systems, language, and business culture continue to shape investor behaviour. She contrasts Anglophone and Francophone market dynamics, from regulatory frameworks and communication styles to diaspora networks and trust-building practices.The conversation also explores infrastructure development in countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, the role of face-to-face relationships in Francophone business environments, and why the CFA franc's peg to the euro offers a degree of currency stability often misunderstood by foreign investors. As global funds search for new growth opportunities, this episode argues that Francophone Africa represents one of the most compelling and underexplored frontiers on the continent.Plus: The appeal of the American mindset

"That's where I think we've missed a trick. And that's really where I have focused my entrepreneurship and energy and time and talent"Bame Pule is the chief executive of private equity firm Africa Lighthouse Capital, based in Botswana. He is a graduate of Pomona College in California and received his MBA degree from Harvard Business School. He worked at Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Citigroup, some of the biggest names in finance. But we wanted to find out why he decided to move back to the African continent, even though he was on a fast track in the United States. (Interview from 2025)Plus: Why risk premium is often mispriced

"Big companies are waking up to this opportunity and are moving in."Today, we're talking about something that shapes everything from jobs to education to healthcare… internet access.And Africa, we have a problem! Only a fifth of our population have access to the internet... compare that to the global average of about 70%. Africa is lagging behind.We wanted to find out why. And what can be done about it.Plus: How laser beams are replacing satellites.

"We haven't provided the market with a clear proposition from a confidence standpoint."Welcome to our extended episode with Hugo Obi - the founder of Maliyo Games. It's a gaming studio based in Lagos, Nigeria. They design, develop, and distribute games to mobile audiences on the continent. And in 2024, they partnered with the US company Disney to launch a mobile game. Nigeria has the largest gaming population on the continent. That's around 46 million people. So, as the founder of one of the leading studios in Nigeria, what Hugo says matters.

"Gaming saved my life."In this episode of Limitless Africa, Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu explore the rise of African e-sports with two of Kenya's most compelling voices. Brian Diang'a, known as Brian The Beast, one of East Africa's first professional e-sports athletes, and Shirley Adema, also known as Dark Willow, a competitive Dota player and co-founder of Tunza E-sports. Through their stories, this episode unpacks how gaming is becoming both a career and a lifeline. From escaping violence in Kibra to creating safe spaces for young women in gaming, the episode uncovers an unexpected source of talent, innovation, and youth empowerment.Plus: The pitfalls of being a woman in gaming

Welcome to our extended episode with G. N. L. Zamba, a Ugandan hip-hop artist who lives between Kampala and Los Angeles. He's the founder and CEO of the independent hip-hop record label Baboon Forest Entertainment. He's been credited with popularizing Lungaflow - a blend of Afrobeats and Luganda, the most widely spoken of Uganda's 40 languages. In this extended episode, he talks to Claude about why American rappers like Nas are such an inspiration.

"I would compare it to a wildebeest migration"Hip-hop is one of America's most influential cultural exports. But what happens when African artists reclaim it through language, ancestry and community? In this episode of Limitless Africa, host Claude Grunitzky speaks with GNL Zamba, a Ugandan hip-hop artist, filmmaker and creative entrepreneur, about how African languages, independent systems and family-led business models are reshaping global hip hop. Zamba reflects on why switching to Luganda transformed his career, how Africa's young population represents untapped creative power, and why financial success without community impact is incomplete. He also shares insights on avoiding exploitative industry contracts and building sustainable creative infrastructure between Africa and America.Plus: What the Beyonce family unit get so right

"Why do we all dream of going to America today? Because we've seen movies our entire life portraying America as the but as the best place in the world. We want to go to Beverly Hills. But we need to create these same stories for ourselves."Déborah Mutund is a rising star in Francophone TV and the host of the reality TV show called Who Wants to Marry My Son? She talks to Claude Grunitzky about reality TV in Africa, why it's key to soft power, and what's holding us back from telling more of our own amazing, compelling, and inspiring stories.Plus: Why you can't get too steamy on African TV.

"Women like this really do exist."The Real Housewives reality TV franchise has become one of America's biggest cultural exports. But what happens when this franchise lands in Africa?In this episode of Limitless Africa, hosts Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu speak with Portia Hlubi, producer of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Lagos, and Eugene Mbugua, executive producer of The Real Housewives of Nairobi. Together, they unpack how the franchise's glamor and drama are being reimagined by African producers. From casting and cultural nuance to conflict style and aesthetics, this episode explores the behind-the-scenes decisions that make the show work across African cities.Plus: The difference between the Real Housewives in Joburg and Lagos.

"There's more change that can be made, more impact, more positive impact in people's lives through this kind of work, and plenty of money to be made."On this episode of Limitless Africa, we speak to Luni Libes, CEO and founder of agriculture investment company Africa Eats. As of December 2024, Africa Eats was listed on the Mauritius Stock exchange. Luni Libes is an intrepid investor and the real deal: the 23 active companies in the Africa Eats portfolio had a combined revenue of $44 million dollars last year - up from only one million when he started investing. Luni has surprising thoughts on what investment model works best for Africa - no VC funds for him.Plus: Why trade barriers on the continent could offer opportunity for growth.

"The VC model is just fundamentally the wrong fit for Africa."In this episode of Limitless Africa, Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu speak with American investor Luni Libes, founder of Africa Eats and Fledge, and Tanzanian entrepreneur Haika Mtei, CEO of Golden Pot. Together, they explore how long-term thinking, patient capital, and culturally adapted funding models are reshaping business across the continent. Plus: How one woman is building the go-to cereal brand in Tanzania

We thought we'd give you a taster of what's still to come. We're still talking to the best and brightest Africans and finding out the surprising ways they're working with American business, tech and creative talent to be the best they can be. Because Africa is the future. And Americans - and Africans - know that.So tune in for the rest of Limitless Africa, Season 3. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"We're only now coming around to fully cracking what it takes to reach the African consumer."Jean-Claude Homawoo is the CEO of logistics firm Lori Systems. Founded in 2017, the company has now managed over 20,000 trucks across 12 African countries, moving goods worth more than $10 billion. Jean-Claude is an entrepreneur finding solutions to really practical problems: transport across Africa and across national borders... And that means potholes, border police, and variable road networks. Plus: Why 'Buy Now Pay Later' is key to success in Africa

"Every Clark Kent can become Superman"Owusu Akoto is the Ghanaian entrepreneur tackling one of Africa's most overlooked problems: cold chain logistics. In this episode of Limitless Africa, host Claude Grunitzky speak with Owusu about how his company, Freezelink, is solving food and medicine waste by building Africa's temperature-controlled transport and storage network from the ground up. Owusu shares what African entrepreneurs need to succeed and why Africa's uncultivated land may be its most powerful untapped asset. He also breaks down the mindset shift needed to embrace failure, build legacy, and scale solutions across the continent. Whether you're interested in agribusiness, logistics, entrepreneurship or building the future of food in Africa, this episode offers grounded insights from the frontlines.Plus: Why failure can be the best teacher.

"The NBA's on the continent. NFL was just here in Cairo, and you also have Formula One thinking about coming."Ibrahim Sagna is a Senegalese businessman and chairman of Silverbacks Holdings, the Mauritius-based private investments firm. It focuses on start-ups in tech, sports entertainment and the creative economy. These include businesses we featured on Limitless Africa, businesses like the FinTech payment system Flutterwave and the online marketplace ANKA. Silverbacks has also invested in the African Warriors Fighting Championship, a martial arts entertainment brand.Plus: How Ibrahim secured the Hollywood film producer Sandy Kleiman as an AWFC investor and advisor. Kleiman has worked with the Oscar-winning Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. It's a perfect example of how Africans and Americans can work together for shared prosperity.

"I take your Hulk Hogan and I raise you Coronavirus, one of our best fighters"Imagine a combat sport so ancient its moves were once used in spear and shield warfare. Now imagine it on a global stage. In this episode of Limitless Africa, we interview Maxwell Kalu, founder of African Warriors Fighting Championship. He's on a mission to build Africa's UFC, taking Nigeria's traditional Dambe boxing from dusty marketplaces to packed stadiums and global broadcasts. Discover why fighters like “Coronavirus” are becoming local legends, how American investors from Hollywood are backing African combat sports, and why Maxwell believes Africa's cultural power is its greatest strength.Plus:

"How do we continue to grow the pie for us and for everybody?"Chris Maurice runs Yellow Card, Africa's most funded cryptocurrency exchange. It operates in 20 African countries, working with approximately 30,000 businesses. This year alone, they've traded more than $3 billion dollars worth of crypto so far. He goes into what it takes to build a successful business in Africa and why there's no substitute for being on the ground.Plus: Chris's classified sections for Nigerian men.

"I just became obsessed with this problem"Africa is rewriting the rules of global finance, not with aid, but with code. In this episode of Limitless Africa, we unpack how crypto is changing the way millions move money across borders. From Ghana to Nigeria, people are turning to Bitcoin and stablecoins to bypass high fees, long delays, and complex banking systems. Claude Grunitzky is joined by three voices at the heart of this shift: Chris Maurice, the co-founder of Yellow Card, a crypto exchange operating in over 20 African countries; Peter Peregbakumo, a Nigerian entrepreneur who relies on peer-to-peer platforms to run his business and support his family; and Frank Eleanya, a tech journalist tracking the rise of digital currencies at TechCabal.Plus: How to stay safe using crypto.

"The financial impact of African creativity is not just realized on the continent, but it's also felt in the diaspora."Molly Jensen is the CEO of Afripods, a Kenya-based podcasting platform that focuses on the African market and has more than 3,000 podcasts on its platform. She's the expert on podcasting in Africa. She tells us why media is key to the continent's development.Plus: Molly's favourite African true crime podcasts

"The beauty of podcasting in Africa is that it has enabled people to take ownership of narratives."From Lagos to Los Angeles, creators are building ecosystems and stories that reflect a fuller picture of Africa, one rooted in culture, innovation, and optimism. Podcasts aren't just changing how we listen, they're changing how we see Africa. In this episode of Limitless Africa, Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu explore how podcasters across the continent are taking control of the narrative, amplifying underrepresented voices, and collaborating with global platforms to shape the future of audio media. Guests include Rutendo Nyamuda, founder of The Podcast Sessions, and Terser Adamu of the Unlocking Africa podcast, alongside insights from Justin Norman of The Flip. Together, they show how collaboration between African talent and American platforms like Spotify and Apple is turning podcasting into a tool for shared prosperity.Plus: The best podcasts in Africa at the moment

"The researchers in Africa constantly think of low power AI. They're becoming the world's experts in how to build AI models that are tiny."From Benin City to Silicon Valley, Alexander Tsado is designing your future. He's known as an AI architect. He's worked for the world's biggest tech companies. He's advised governments. And now he's going to tell us how Africa can power ahead in the AI race.Plus: How you can root AI in ubuntu

"Whoever controls AI controls the world."In this episode of Limitless Africa, we explore how Africa is adapting to and innovating with artificial intelligence, from flood-resistant crops to life-saving medical imaging tools. Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu speak to AI leaders on the continent who are not just training models, but training people. We meet innovators like Darlington Akogo, who is using AI to double food yields and improve health diagnostics in Ghana. We hear from Tholang Mathopa, who has already trained 4,000+ women in AI across ten African countries. And Adewale Yusuf breaks down why it's not just about skills, it's about power, representation, and survival.Plus:

"The content is fire."Taiye Selasi, the brilliant mind behind the best-selling novel Ghana Must Go, represents the future of African storytelling. She's now bringing African narratives to the screen as part of her TV and film production studio Cocoa Content. In this episode, she discusses why African culture is now attracting global attention and why Hollywood producers are starting to catch on.

"We are talking about explosively popular content, explosively sellable, bankable product."Afrobeats is topping global charts. Nollywood is Nigeria's second largest employer. African fashion is inspiring runways from Paris to New York. But who really benefits when African creativity goes global? In this episode of Limitless Africa, hosts Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu speak to Taiye Selasi, writer and producer, and Liz Lenjo, one of East Africa's leading entertainment lawyers. They explore how protecting intellectual property (IP) can unlock wealth for African creators, why many artists still fear fighting for their rights, and how the diaspora plays a powerful role in bringing African art, music and stories to global audiences.Plus: The steps to take if someone steals your idea

“Vision without execution is hallucination.”In this episode of Limitless Africa, Claude Grunitzky speaks with Adam Grant, bestselling author and organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, about why character skills like discipline and initiative matter more than we think. They unpack surprising research from West Africa showing that entrepreneurs who develop personal initiative outperformed those with traditional training. The episode also explores the importance of failure, second chances, and how African societies can balance cultural tradition with critical thinking.Plus: How you can keep the old guard happy.

"You're a poster child for personal initiative."In this episode of Limitless Africa, Claude Grunitzky speaks with Adam Grant, bestselling author and organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, about why character skills like discipline and initiative matter more than we think. They unpack surprising research from West Africa showing that entrepreneurs who develop personal initiative outperformed those with traditional training. The episode also explores the importance of failure, second chances, and how African societies can balance cultural tradition with critical thinking.Plus: What's on Adam Grant's to-don't list

"You cannot do it in the US. You cannot do it in Europe. It's too saturated, but you can still do it in Africa."Olivier Madiba is the founder of Kiro'o Games, the first video game studio in Cameroon and the first Africa-based studio to release a game on Xbox. He tells Claude why Africans have different ideas of success and what that means for video games; how low revenue doesn't necessarily translate to low profits; and what Africa can teach the modern world about the pricelessness of imperfection.Plus: Why being an imperfect human is a superpower.

"One of the greatest challenges we face as African gamers has always been the right representation."The video game industry in the United States is bigger than Hollywood and the music industry combined. But Africa? Africa is the fastest-growing gaming market in the world, six times the global average. In this episode of Limitless Africa, hosts Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu meet with African gaming leaders and American investors who are betting big on the continent's youth, talent, and mobile-first habits. From Grammy-winning rapper Nas to Silicon Valley giants like Google and Andreessen Horowitz, US backers are helping African studios like Carry1st scale. But it's not just about growth. It's also about representation. With insights from Dom Eromosele of Carry1st and Jay Shapiro of Pan Africa Gaming Group, we explore how collaboration between Africa and America could create a powerful and secure future for global gaming.Plus: The old school hip hop legend investing in African gaming.

"It's a sin that basketball is a multi-billion dollar business across the globe... everywhere except where the largest talent base exists."Michael Finley is senior director and country operations lead for the NBA in Kenya. He's part of the team behind the Basketball Africa League (BAL) a professional league based on the continent. The league's fifth season featured 156 players from a record 28 countries. Claude talks to him about how something so uniquely American has made such a strong impact in Africa.Plus: Walk around New York today with BAL merch and people will come up to you.

"Africa is the largest talent pool on this planet for basketball."Africa is rising as a new powerhouse for global basketball — not just for talent, but for business. In this episode of Limitless Africa, hosts Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu explore how the NBA and African investors are building an entire sports economy from the ground up. From the success of the Basketball Africa League to the long-term investments from NBA Africa, this is more than entertainment. It is infrastructure, opportunity, and future growth. You'll hear from Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League; Michael Finley of NBA Kenya; and Ndeye Diarra, founder of Africa Scores, a sports investment consultancy. They discuss how American capital is merging with African vision to build new leagues, open offices, and create jobs on the continent. This episode dives deep into the economics of basketball, the global influence of African athletes, and why patient capital is key to unlocking Africa's sports industry.

"Either leave Africa alone or come with a sustainable business model in mind."Maya Horgan Famodu is the founder and CEO of Ingressive Capital, a venture capital fund focused on Africa. She raised over $10 million dollars for her first fund in 2020 and has since gone on to raise over $50 million for Fund 2. Maya wrote an article earlier this year called "The Hidden Benefits of Trump's Aid Policy for Africa" for the website TechCabal. Claude talks to her about how foreign aid encourages corruption, dependence, weak governance. And they discuss a different paradigm for Africa, one where investment fuels innovation, employment, self-reliance and some of the most successful start-ups the world will ever see.Plus: Why start-up founders would never join Boko Haram.

The first episode of Limitless Africa Season 3 dives into the U.S. State Department's new commercial strategy for Africa and what it means for industries such as sports, film, music, logistics, and technology. The conversation uncovers why Africa is now seen as the world's largest untapped market, how collaboration can spark innovation, and what it takes to turn goodwill into lasting economic impact. If you want to understand how trade, creativity, and bold thinking are shaping Africa's future on the global stage, this is the episode to start with. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're so excited to bring you Limitless Africa, Season 3! Rest assured, we'll still be exploring the limitless potential of the continent but we'll be focusing on our changing relationship with the U.S. during this season. Queue interviews with the high-profile entrepreneurs, investors, creatives and changemakers deepening the relationship between Africa and America. If you want to hear the first episode as soon as it drops on Monday 8 September, please follow or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maya Horgan Famodu is the founder of Ingressive Capital, the venture capital fund investing in early-stage African start-ups. She has advised American tech companies like Facebook, X and the iconic accelerator Y Combinator. Maya is one of a new generation of African Americans who see their mixed background as a superpower and expertly straddle what it means to be both American and Nigerian.[0.00] Intro [4.02] What it means to be a third-culture kid [7.09] Ageist and sexist attitudes in Nigeria [10.13] Hanging out with Drake [16.31] How Andela's success inspired her [19.05] Why success is never an overnight thing [20.40] Years spent convincing the most influential corporations and venture capital funds to go to Africa [22.20] How to sell Africa [30.10] How to find an alternative to the anchor investor [36.29] How to identify great entrepreneurs and start-ups on the continent [39.30] How the village mentality fosters the African start-up ecosystem [43.05] Stereotypes hindering investment [47.02] Healthcare start-ups and opportunities for investment [51.11] A decade in Lagos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Africa has the youngest population in the world, 70% are under the age of 30. For this episode of Limitless Africa, we're talking to Generation Z - that's young people born between 1997 and 2012 - and we're asking them what they want for Africa.Elisa Jamal is 25 and from Mozambique. She campaigns against violence against women. Hadidjatou Nene Sandou Yaya is a 25-year-old climate activist from Togo.23-year-old Jeremiah Thoronka from Sierra Leone founded a clean energy startup. They are all Young African Leaders in the Mandela Washington Fellowship program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victor Ochen grew up in a refugee camp in Northern Uganda in the 1980s and 1990s at the height of the Ugandan civil war, one of Africa's longest conflicts. He talks about the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and how Africa's example can help resolve these issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, we asked three African foodies about the dish that reminds them of home.Chef Binta is the founder of Fulani Kitchen Foundation. She is the winner of the Basque Culinary World Prize.Chef Helt Araujo runs the Flor Do Duke restaurant in Luanda, Angola. He's part of the research project Ovina Yetu which catalogues Angolan ingredients.Food entrepreneur Yasmine Fofana is a culinary food blogger (Afrofoodie) and founded Abidjan Restaurant Week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're re-releasing this interview with the Zimbabwean author Novuyo Rosa Tschuma as part of the launch of Limitless Conversations. In these Limitless Conversations, we discuss on social media the things that matter to you. We'll be hosting a Twitter Space discussion on African literature this Sunday, December 15th, at 7 PM CAT / 5 PM GMT. Book enthusiasts and literary advocates please come and join in. Tell us about your favourite books of the year!And please listen to this interview with Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, an award-winning Zimbabwean novelist we first released on Limitless Africa at the beginning of this year. Tschuma's debut novel House of Stone is set during the Gukahurundi massacres that took place immediately after Zimbabwean independence and remain shrouded in secrecy. Her second novel Digging Stars also received glowing reviews. It deals with an equally uncomfortable history. She charts the similarities between the reserves allocated to native Americans in the US and those allocated to indigenous people in South Africa and Zimbabwe.This is a must listen for anyone interested in African fiction, interested in reading it of course but also interested in how it is produced. Novuyo gives us a peek behind the scenes of some of the most prestigious writing institutions in the US, telling us what it's like to be a young African woman professor there. She talks about the situation in Zimbabwe and what it's like to come back home with your partner when you are queer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maya Horgan Famodu is a American-Nigerian venture capitalist. She talks about being a third-culture kid, what it takes to raise a $50-million fund, and what she looks for when she invests in African start-ups. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across Africa, young entrepreneurs are making their dreams happen in challenging circumstances. Here three very different young Africans explain how they made their first million.Maya Horgan Famodu is an American-Nigerian venture capitalist, originally from Minnesota in the US. She has a VC firm called Ingressive Capital. Her latest fund is worth $50m. She's invested in some of the biggest startups in Africa.Moulaye Tabouré is the Malian CEO and founder of ANKA, an online sales platform for African fashion and crafts based in Cote d'Ivoire. The company has raised $6.2 million in its series A funding although it has since announced it is closing its marketplace. Mountaga Keita is a Guinean-born inventor and successful businessman. He studied at Harvard University and worked in America. He came back to Guinea to launch his portable ultrasound machine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.