Africa Tech Summit Podcast

by Africa Tech Summit

EP45: Unlocking Africa's Agritech and Climate Innovation: Insights from Novastar Ventures

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2026, this episode features Mukami Wairaina, Associate Investment Director at Novastar Ventures. Novastar Ventures is a venture capital firm backing planet-positive, people-centered businesses solving mass-market problems across Africa's agriculture and climate sectors. In this conversation, Mukami unpacks the continent's vast untapped agricultural potential - including the 60% of arable land still uncultivated - and the challenges smallholder farmers face, from costly inputs to steep post-harvest losses. The discussion also covers how integrated digital platforms, climate risk insurance, and circular-economy innovations like biodigesters are building more resilient agritech businesses, plus why local currency debt, diverse funding, and stronger exit markets are key to sustaining the sector's growth. Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media. For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

E45

Sep 3, 2026

23:22

EP44: Borderless by Design: Building Seamless Cross-Border Payments Across Africa with Fincra

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Emmanuel Babalola, Chief Commercial Officer at Fincra. Fincra is one of Africa's leading fintechs, building payment infrastructure that helps businesses collect, convert, and settle money across the continent's fragmented currency landscape. In this conversation, Babs explores how Fincra is building borderless payment rails that cut reliance on the US dollar, enabling direct currency settlement between African markets through local bank accounts and real-time treasury tools. The discussion also covers Fincra's partnership-first approach to banks and regulators, its expansion plans across 10+ markets, and the rising role of stablecoins in Africa's fintech future. Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

E44

Jul 28, 2026

19:47

EP43: Driving Blockchain Adoption in Africa with the Cardano Foundation

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Andreas Pletscher, Chief Operating Officer of the Cardano Foundation. The Cardano Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on advancing blockchain adoption through education, ecosystem development and real-world applications of decentralized technology. In this conversation, Andreas explores how blockchain is being applied across Africa, from digital identity programmes and startup incubation to asset tokenisation and regulatory engagement. The discussion also covers the importance of education, building trusted digital infrastructure, and why Africa's growing developer ecosystem presents a unique opportunity for blockchain innovation and adoption. For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

E43

Jun 22, 2026

19:04

EP42: The Future of Crypto in Africa: Regulation, Stablecoins and Borderless Finance with VALR

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Farzam Ehsani, Co-Founder and CEO of VALR. As one of Africa's leading cryptocurrency exchanges, VALR is building the infrastructure for faster, more accessible and borderless financial services across the continent. In this conversation, Farzam explores the evolution of Africa's crypto ecosystem, Kenya's emerging regulatory landscape, and how blockchain technology is enabling low-cost cross-border transactions at scale. The discussion also covers stablecoins, security, regulatory engagement, and why the next phase of financial innovation in Africa could be powered by what Farzam calls "money over IP". Hosted by Peter Nalika at TechTrends Media For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

E42

Jun 8, 2026

19:44

EP41: AI, Talent and the Future of Software Development with Andela

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Carrol Chang, CEO of Andela. Founded on the belief that brilliance exists everywhere but opportunity does not, Andela has evolved into a global talent marketplace connecting skilled technologists with opportunities around the world. In this conversation, Carrol explores how artificial intelligence is transforming software development, the changing role of engineers in an AI-powered world, and why continuous reskilling is becoming essential for technology professionals. The discussion also covers Andela's ambition to train 15,000 AI-fluent developers by 2026, the rise of "forward deployed engineers", and the challenges businesses face when scaling AI from pilot projects to enterprise-wide adoption. Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

E41

Jun 4, 2026

18:25

EP40: From Research to Revenue: How CMU Africa is Backing the Next Generation of African Startups

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Stanley Mukasa, Associate Director of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University Africa. CMU Africa is helping startups bridge the gap between innovative ideas and sustainable businesses through its incubation programmes, mentorship, funding and access to technical talent. In this conversation, Stanley shares how the university supports deep tech founders navigating long development cycles, limited access to capital and the challenge of turning research-driven innovation into market-ready products. The discussion also explores the importance of patient capital, building traction before fundraising, supporting underserved communities, and the emerging opportunities shaping Africa’s startup ecosystem - from fintech to clean energy. Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

E40

Jun 2, 2026

22:47

EP39: Behind the Rails: Building Reliable Payments Across Africa with pawaPay

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Jamie Steell, Chief Operating Officer at pawaPay. pawaPay is a key player in Africa’s payments ecosystem, building infrastructure designed to handle the complexity and fragmentation of payment systems across the continent. In this conversation, Jamie breaks down what it really takes to scale payments in Africa -from navigating fragmented mobile money networks to building automated systems that can handle failures in real time. The discussion also explores trust in payment systems, the role of mobile money as Africa’s financial backbone, and why consolidation across providers is likely the next phase of growth. Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media. For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

E39

Apr 22, 2026

19:15

EP38: Breaking Borders: Building Seamless Cross-Border Payments in Africa with PESA

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Wale Afolabi, Co-Founder and CTO of PESA. PESA is building infrastructure to simplify cross-border payments—helping individuals and businesses move money instantly across markets including the UK, EU, US, UAE, and Nigeria, with expansion across Africa underway. In this conversation, Wale breaks down the realities behind cross-border payments—from fragmented regulations and liquidity challenges to the importance of local partnerships and reliable payment rails. The discussion also explores how digital payments are enabling African SMEs to trade globally, and what’s coming next, including the rise of stablecoins and instant payments across the continent. Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

E38

Apr 8, 2026

23:30

EP37: The Digital Revolution: Enhancing Cross-Border Payments in Africa

The Digital Revolution: Enhancing Cross-Border Payments in Africa – Panel at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2025 featuring insights and views from Eric Wainaina – General Manager, Africa at Conduit, Yemi Lawani – Director of Business Development at Circle Iheakachi Nwabueze – Head of Global Marketing and Growth at Grey Dr. Collins Igwe – CFO at Budpay and moderated by Paschal Okeke – Head of Operations & Expansion at CrissCross. Panelists discuss the current state of cross-border payments on the continent, the technological advancements in financial services powered by blockchain and digital currencies and highlight the anticipated growth of the African payment market, projected to reach $40 billion with 70% being digital. The session touches on key challenges in the industry, including high transaction costs, regulatory fragmentation, compliance complexities, inefficient banking infrastructures and differing regulatory frameworks across countries present additional hurdles for cross-border transactions.

E37

Dec 29, 2025

32:42

EP36: The Truth About Venture Capital; Unveiling Today’s Trend & Reality

Listen to a live panel on "The Truth About Venture Capital; Unveiling Today’s Trend & Reality" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com. With Jason Njoku – Founder at NjokuZilla Andreata Muforo – Partner at TLcom Capital Selma Farouk – Investment Analyst at DPI VC Maxime Bayen – Operating Partner at Catalyst Fund Eric Osiakwan – Founder and Managing Partner at Chanzo Capital Highlights include 🌍 Diverse Ecosystem: African investment opportunities span various sectors, with fintech and climate technology being front-runners. 📉 Current Trends: A noticeable decline in startup funding was observed, yet there’s optimism about recovery as macroeconomic conditions stabilize. 💰 Local Knowledge: The significance of local investors was emphasized for navigating Africa’s unique market complexities. 🚀 Growth Challenges: Founders need to adopt capital efficiency strategies and focus on sustainable growth amidst economic volatility.

E36

Dec 15, 2025

43:07

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