In this episode I sit down with creative entrepreneur Malik Shafi, founder of the Kigali based agency 63 Inc, for a conversation that does not fit into neat career boxes. Malik shares how growing up in Nyamirambo shaped his identity and drive, how he got an unexpected break at Nike Foundation’s Girl Effect despite an unconventional résumé, and how he has moved from nonprofit brand work to tech and business operations by staying curious, agile and ready to learn.

We talk about what it means to bet on yourself, how to balance purpose with financial growth, why it matters to expose yourself and your children to wide possibilities, and how we can keep cultural authenticity alive even as cities modernize. It is an honest and energizing reflection on building a fulfilling and self defined career while staying rooted in where we come from.

In this conversation, I sit down with Thomas Njeru, co-founder and CEO of Pula Advisors, to unpack his inspiring journey from growing up on a farm in rural Kenya to becoming an actuary, rising to director at Deloitte, and ultimately walking away from the corporate world to build for impact.

We discuss his journey of co-founding Pula, a company with a mission of providing agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers to protect them against increasing climate shocks. Pula has successfully to 18 countries ranging from Kenya, Mexico, and Pakistan and they have reached over 20 million farmers. Thomas shares lessons on building a resilient global teams, navigating expansion across continents.

We also discuss the recent experience of raising a $20 million Series B round in a tough fundraising climate. Thomas pursued actuarial science at the University of Nairobi and later earned an MBA from Strathmore Business School. Before founding Pula, he held senior roles at UAP-Old Mutual and Deloitte South Africa, where he honed his expertise in risk and insurance. In 2023, he was first runner-up in the Africa's Business Heroes competition, and in 2024, he was featured on the TIME100 Next list.

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and visionary leader Fred Swaniker. He takes us through his remarkable journey from growing up in Botswana to founding eight institutions that operate at both continental and global scale. We explore the experiences that shaped his path, what he has learned from building mission-driven organizations, how to build meaningful relationships, and why your reputation is one of your greatest assets. Fred also shares honest, practical advice to African entrepreneurs and reflects on what it takes to build ventures that last on the continent. Fred Swaniker is the Founder and CEO of Sand Technologies, a company helping businesses and governments solve complex problems using AI and data solutions. He also founded the Africa Leadership Group, which includes Africa Leadership Academy, Africa Leadership University, and ALX, organizations working to transform the continent by developing 3 million ethical and entrepreneurial leaders. Fred has been recognized globally: from being named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” to receiving the TIME100 Impact Award. He has also been a TED Fellow, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and an Aspen Institute Fellow. He holds honorary doctorates from Macalester College, Middlebury College, and Nelson Mandela University, and sits on the boards of the Rhodes Trust and the University of Waterloo’s International Advisory Board. Fred began his career at McKinsey & Company and holds an MBA from Stanford.

In this episode, I sit down with Tesh Mbaabu, a serial technology entrepreneur dedicated to blending commerce and technology. We discuss the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial journey, the highs and lows of building businesses, navigating failure, and finding the resilience to start again.

Tesh is the Co-founder and CEO of Chpter, an AI-powered conversational commerce platform that helps businesses sell more on social platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram by automating conversations, marketing, and payments.

Before Chpter, he co-founded and led MarketForce, a B2B commerce marketplace that enabled informal merchants in Africa to source, order, and pay for inventory while accessing financing. Under his leadership, MarketForce expanded across five Sub-Saharan African markets, serving over 270,000 merchants and 100 consumer brands.

Beyond his founder roles, Tesh is a Partner at Mesozi, an early-stage investor focused on Africa’s next generation of high-growth technology entrepreneurs.

His work has earned him recognition as a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree, a Choiseul 100 Africa Laureate, and a Business Daily Top 40 Under 40 Men Kenya. He has also been named among CIO Africa's Top 45 Most Influential Men in Digital Transformation and the Top 10 Africa Business Heroes. Additionally, he is a Harambean, as well as a fellow of Schmidt Futures, Westerwelle, Alibaba, and the UN.

Tesh holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi.

In the next episode, I sit down with Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of NBA Africa and former CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Clare’s leadership is an inspiration to many and her impact is felt across across Rwanda and the continent.

During her six and a half years at RDB, she spearheaded Rwanda's economic transformation by driving private sector growth and implementing significant business reforms. Under her leadership, Rwanda secured strategic partnerships with global brands like Arsenal FC, Paris Saint-Germain FC, FC Bayern Munich, and TIME Magazine.

Now, as CEO of NBA Africa, Clare leads the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts across the continent, focusing on grassroots basketball, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility programs that uplift African youth and communities.

Clare holds an honorary LLD from Concordia University and a master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where she earned three prestigious academic and community leadership awards. She also serves on several boards, including the WHO Foundation and ECOBANK Rwanda, and was named one of Forbes Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.

In this conversation, I sit down with Lydia K.M., a wellness and lifestyle content creator, award-winning podcaster, entrepreneur, and dedicated mental health advocate. With a background in law and extensive experience as a content creator, she combines practical insights with genuine empathy to guide audiences on their journey to well-being. Her content spans mindful living tips, mental health discussions, and lifestyle hacks, offering a curated space for fostering a balanced and joyful life.

Driven by a mission to make wellness a lifestyle accessible to all, Lydia founded Kagi Wellness, a company that provides products and services promoting mindfulness and holistic living. Her inspiring tagline, "We feel, we deal, we heal, we move," embodies her philosophy of transformation and personal growth.

In this episode, I sit down with creator extraordinaire Julia Gaitho, a podcaster, producer, digital content creator, and marketing professional. During her career in corporate Kenya, Julia discovered a passion for storytelling, which led to the creation of an award-winning YouTube channel that opened numerous doors for her.

Julia is the producer behind two well-known podcasts in the region, So This Is Love and It's Related, I Promise. She is also the founder of Over25, a popular Kenyan YouTube channel and brand that featured four women engaging in candid conversations on topics such as relationships, careers, and personal growth. The channel garnered a significant following for its relatable content and authenticity.

In addition to her creative ventures, Julia dedicates her talents to addressing social issues affecting girls and women. She describes her work as an evolutionary process of storytelling that deepens curiosity about and understanding of the human condition.

Hello everyone,

We are back!

I am excited to introduce my next guest, Huguette Umutoni, a skilled partnership facilitator with experience at prestigious institutions such as the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.

As Champion Lead for the Global Partnership for Education, Huguette advises Heads of State and celebrities on advocating for education policy and securing financing, with a particular focus on ensuring equitable access to education for girls. She also co-founded a consulting firm specializing in high-level government relations, social impact initiatives, and connecting Africa’s creative industries to the global stage.

In addition to her work in education, Huguette is a passionate advocate for women’s health, supporting projects aimed at ending Period Poverty and empowering young women in STEAMED fields. She is also deeply involved in promoting African fashion, collaborating with designers and serving on boards that support the industry.

With a master's in International Negotiations and a bachelor’s in International Relations, Huguette is committed to driving meaningful change on both local and global levels.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Huguette’s upbringing in Rwanda, Burundi, and Switzerland, and how it shapes her perspective today.
• Her experience working with global organizations like the World Economic Forum, Gavi, the Global Alliance, and the World Bank.
• Her passion for advocating education for women and girls.
• The mindset she brings to every room she enters.
• Her advice for me as I work to level up my life and much more.

You can follow Huguette’s work here:

Instagram: @huguitoni
LinkedIn: Huguette Umutoni Bitega