Diaspora Talks with annette abena
Diaspora Talks with annette abena
Diaspora Talks
Connecting Africa's fastest-growing businesses to the Diaspora. Through each episode, I am telling the stories of African founders worldwide and exploring themes that are important to us as Africans in the diaspora. You can sign up to The Diaspora Talks Newsletter where I am sharing weekly news bites on the latest in tech, startups and business in Africa - https://mailchi.mp/0a565d01c62b/diaspora-talks-newsletter-subscribers. You can also find me on Instagram and Twitter @annetteabena - let's connect!
Diaspora Angels
In this episode, I'm joined by Gerrad Olisa-Ashar the co-founder of the Diaspora Angel Network (DAN) a UK based business angel network of Angel Investors who live in the diaspora but want to engage in the burgeoning African startup ecosystem. Many of us in the diaspora are keen to invest in Africa. The challenge for us is - How? In Africa. We discuss angel investing in Africa and the role individuals in the diaspora could play as angel investors in Africa's promising tech ecosystem.
Mar 29, 2021
51 min
Building NALA
In this episode, I'm joined by Benjamin Fernandes Founder and CEO of NALA Money a new kind of money transfer for Africans worldwide.  Born in Tanzania, Benji became the first Tanzanian to attend Standford Graduate School of business but in 2017 to the surprise of many, he returned to Tanzania to build NALA. We discuss making the decision to 'return home', rejections and restarts + more. www.iwantnala.com
Mar 22, 2021
42 min
Insure Tech Africa
In this episode I'm joined by Ann-Elise Francis, Head of Growth at Turaco an insure tech startup founded in 2018, providing simple and affordable medical cover to underserved and unserved communities currently in Kenya and Uganda.  Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, Ann-Elise has taken a somewhat untraditional route into tech in Africa with a non-technical, public sector background. We talk about her life and career transition from New York to East Africa, how Turaco is providing micro-insurance to hundreds of Ugandans and Kenyans + more.  
Mar 14, 2021
39 min
Travel Africa
In this episode, I'm joined by Tiffanie Anderson Founder of Away To Africa a destination management company dedicated to providing guided, cultural tours throughout selected countries in Africa. Tiffanie a practising lawyer of Jamaican heritage started Away To Africa to share an alternative experience to travel in Africa beyond the safaris in collaboration with local SMEs. Here, we discuss how she has navigated the tourism industry as a diaspora founder, how the global pandemic has impacted her business + more. www.awaytoafrica.com
Mar 7, 2021
43 min
Motherland Mogul
In this episode, I'm joined by Afua Osei Co-founder of She Leads Africa, a digital lifestyle platform for millennial multicultural women and Partnerships Strategist helping digital entrepreneurs scale. Born in the DMV to Ghanaian parents Afua has lived, worked and built a business in Nigeria. Here she shares her top tips for digital entrepreneurs who want to scale their businesses with corporate clients, individuals in the diaspora on building businesses in Africa and more. www.afuaosei.com @helloafua  
Feb 28, 2021
37 min
The AfCFTA Breakdown
In this episode, I'm exploring the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) alongside Maudo Jallow Associate for the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) and formally International Development Expert for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).  What is the AfCFTA? What does it mean for African economies and people? What are the potential challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter sharing updates on tech, business and development in Africa Connect with Maudo: @MaudoJallow @afcftayouth
Feb 21, 2021
46 min
Africans on China Part 2(2)
China’s relationship with Africa remains misunderstood, often oversimplified or plainly inaccurately reported which makes it difficult for Africans in the diaspora especially to effectively engage. Is it all debt traps and mask diplomacy? And importantly what will this relationship look like post-COVID-19? In this episode, I'm joined by Benedicte King China-Africa scholar and travel blogger and Runako Celina co-Founder of Black Livity China an online platform documenting 360° of Black experiences both in China and in relation to China. Both have lived, worked, studied and experienced China as Africans whilst Runako is still living in Beijing for 6 years and counting. In this 2 part episode, we discuss the treatment of Africans in Gouzoung, the future of China-Africa relations post COVID-19 and finally demystify Africa's loan agreements with the Chinese. Link to suggested resources
Aug 3, 2020
45 min
Africans on China Part 2(1)
China’s relationship with Africa remains misunderstood, often oversimplified or plainly inaccurately reported which makes it difficult for Africans in the diaspora especially to effectively engage. Is it all debt traps and mask diplomacy? And importantly what will this relationship look like post-COVID-19? In this episode, I'm joined by Benedicte King China-Africa scholar and travel blogger and Runako Celina co-Founder of Black Livity China an online platform documenting 360° of Black experiences both in China and in relation to China. Both have lived, worked, studied and experienced China as Africans whilst Runako is still living in Beijing for 6 years and counting. In this 2 part episode, we discuss the treatment of Africans in Gouzoung, the future of China-Africa relations post COVID-19 and finally demystify Africa's loan agreements with the Chinese.  Link to suggested resources
Aug 2, 2020
1 hr 4 min
BLM and Africa
The Black lives Matter Movement has been at the centre of the fight for racial justice and freedom for black people globally. However, this year the movement has seen a surge of support and reach. Today I’m joined by 3 guests all of whom are members of the African diaspora, to discuss the movement’s impact on Africa: its perception, its cultures and its people. We discuss The movement's impact on the push to 'return home', the 'Wakandafication' of African cultures and Black economic empowerment.  Raphael Dapaah: @raphaeldapaah  Nicole Tagoe: @_arado_ Beni Ngwamah: www.wekainvest.com
Jul 12, 2020
1 hr 24 min
Africa's First Neobank
66% of Africans are unbanked. This means that people lack access to the most fundamental financial services. However whilst most Africans are without traditional banking services as we know it 97% have mobile phones. This creates a great opportunity for digital banking services to fill in the gaps. Eversend is a pan-African neobank based in Uganda. It provides multi-currency wallets and currency exchange and plans to offer personal loans, savings, group savings, merchant payments and investments in the future. In this episode, I’m speaking with Co-founder and CEO of Eversend Stone Atwine. We discuss the importance of financial inclusion, Uganda's tech ecosystem and tips for aspiring African fintech entrepreneurs. 
Jul 5, 2020
38 min
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