"It is important to present DRC and Angola in the way it should be presented."

On Limitless Africa, we look at the ways in which Africans can fulfill their limitless potential. And we also look at how partnerships with allies like the United States can help that happen. That's why we're talking to Ziad Dalloul, the founder, president and CEO of AfriCell, the only U.S.-owned mobile network operator in Africa.

AFRICEL's main hubs are Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the DRC, the Gambia, and Sierra Leone. They have four thousand full time staff and have been going for over a quarter of a century. They have almost 20 million users across those four countries and generate $400million in revenue. It's worth reminding you AFRICEL is also responsible for the documentary Lobito Bound. It’s about the train line that connects Angola's Atlantic port of Lobito to the mineral-rich regions of the DRC and Zambia.

And that's the key word: connects... connectivity is Africell's business. And when Africans connect among themselves and with the world, they will be able to fulfill their limitless potential.

Plus: How American and Chinese telecommunications businesses differ.

🌟 IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 — Africa + America: a new growth story

00:24 — The only U.S.-owned mobile network in Africa

02:13 — “Africa needs me”

04:32 — Taking on telecom giants

07:30 — The real risk of doing business in Africa

10:27 — Why mobile money is still just getting started

13:06 — Crypto, Binance and Africa’s digital future

21:53 — The markets investors keep missing

💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

“People should start paying closer attention to the extraordinary potential of markets like Angola, DRC, Sierra Leone and Gambia.”

“We wanted to have something different — a more human touch, a more boutique kind of approach.”

“It’s hard to predict exactly what innovations will come, but Africans always give things a local twist.”

“There are a lot of opportunities in these countries — the growth and the dynamism are all there.”

🌍 ABOUT LIMITLESS AFRICA

The podcast that asks how Africans and Americans can work together for shared prosperity

Every Monday: 15-minute episodes that dive into an issue that matters to Africans

Every Thursday: extended interview with someone unlocking Africa's limitless potential

➕ WANT MORE?

How the Lobito Corridor could open up connectivity in central Africa https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/the-railway-opening-up-mining-opportunity-in-africa/

"How do you merge technology with human potential?" - the tech platform helping independent retailers https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/how-do-you-merge-technology-with-human-potential/

“African AI solutions are not being talked about” - Alex Tsado, the AI architect https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/african-homegrown-ai-solutions-are-not-being-talked-about/

💗 LOVE LIMITLESS AFRICA?

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts

Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps get the word out

Share with someone passionate about innovation in Africa

🚀 FOLLOW LIMITLESS AFRICA

Instagram: @_trueafrica

Website: https://trueafrica.co/

Substack: https://limitlessafrica.substack.com/

🤝 FRIENDS OF LIMITLESS AFRICA

Limitless Africa is sponsored by the US Department of State and the Seenfire Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"A thriving Africa is better for the world than the Africa that we have today"

Season 3 comes to a close, and this time, the hosts are in the hot seat. In this finale episode of Limitless Africa, Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu reflect on the conversations that defined the season, from Tomiwa Aladekomo on Africa's next chapter to Jean-Claude Homawoo on building Africa's own Silicon Valley, from Molly Jensen on podcasting across borders to GNL Zamba on peace and moral authority. They revisit standout moments, connect the dots across episodes, and finally answer the question they asked every guest: what should we be talking about that we're not talking about enough?

Plus: Why an Apple producer is in Kenya

🌟 IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Africa’s limitless future starts here

00:56 Why Africa must take control of its own destiny

02:01 The secret behind Africa’s next tech boom: diversity

04:25 How African creativity is making billions worldwide

06:35 Why African art could change global power dynamics

11:11 Can Africa’s stability shape the world’s future?

14:12 The confidence revolution of young Africans

💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

"The financial impact of African creativity is not just realized on the continent, but it's also felt in the diaspora. "

"It's important to recognize the greatness in our African societies."

"We all come from the same birthplace, which is Africa. So all of us have a lot in common and we are different"

🌍 ABOUT LIMITLESS AFRICA

The podcast that asks how Africans and Americans can work together for shared prosperity

Every Monday: 15 minute episodes that dive into an issue that matters to Africans

Every Thursday: extended interviews with people unlocking Africa’s limitless potential

➕ WANT MORE?

Why would an African-founded luxury brand choose to build its headquarters in the United States? https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/why-an-african-luxury-shoe-brand-is-headquartered-in-the-u-s/

Claude talks about what Africans can learn from the American mindset https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/the-most-successful-people-have-had-their-own-failures/

Who really benefits when African creativity goes global? https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/how-can-african-creatives-make-money-from-their-art/

💗 LOVE LIMITLESS AFRICA?

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts

Leave a 5⭐ review. It helps more people find the show

Share with someone interested in sport in Africa

🚀 FOLLOW LIMITLESS AFRICA

Instagram: @_trueafrica

Website: https://trueafrica.co/

Substack: https://limitlessafrica.substack.com/

🤝 FRIENDS OF LIMITLESS AFRICA

Limitless Africa is sponsored by the US Department of State and the Seenfire Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Ghana, South Africa… they just went there to complete the numbers."

Join the banter - The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost here, and for the first time ever, 48 teams will compete across the US, Mexico, and Canada. Nine African nations have qualified, and the stakes have never been higher. In this extended episode of Limitless Africa, host Esther Appiah-Fei brings together three voices from across the African football world. They tell us what they really think: UltimateKombo (Obi Kevin Nduka), Nigeria's biggest football content creator; Gabriel Ajala, founder of Africa Sports Unified; and Ndeye Diara, founder of Africa Scores.

Plus: Why the weather could play in Africa's favour

🌟 IN THIS EPISODE:

3:0 Ultimate Kombo's life choices

5:50 Why France V Senegal is one to remember

11:28 The US sports calendar

16:40 How Nigeria missed an opportunity

20:17 What it means to come to the US

38:32 Looking forward to half time

44:28 The fixtures to look out for

47:36 Ambassadors for Africa

💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

"For the first time ever, 48 teams will compete… and nine African countries have qualified."

"On the African front, every African should be supporting Morocco and Senegal." – Ultimate Kombo

"The World Cup is where the world comes together to see the best of players, cultures and food." – Gabriel Ajala

"This is an opportunity for African players to showcase themselves on the biggest stage." – Gabriel Ajala

🌍 ABOUT LIMITLESS AFRICA

The podcast that asks how Africans and Americans can work together for shared prosperity

Every Monday: 15-minute episodes that dive into an issue that matters to Africans

Every Thursday: extended interview with someone unlocking Africa's limitless potential

➕ WANT MORE?

Why young Africans could be the champions in e-sports https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/why-young-africans-could-be-the-champions-in-e-sports/

Why Hollywood moguls are investing in African wrestling https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/how-hollywood-moguls-are-investing-in-african-wrestling/

How Africa is transforming video gaming https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/how-is-africa-transforming-the-future-of-video-gaming/

💗 LOVE LIMITLESS AFRICA?

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts

Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps get the word out

Share with someone passionate about tech in Africa

🚀 FOLLOW LIMITLESS AFRICA

Instagram: @_trueafrica

Website: https://trueafrica.co/

Substack: https://limitlessafrica.substack.com/

🤝 FRIENDS OF LIMITLESS AFRICA

Limitless Africa is sponsored by the US Department of State and the Seenfire Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.