The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted systemic weaknesses in the health systems across many African countries, and has triggered a change.  

This podcast episode explores the digital health landscape in Kenya with Dr. Daniella Munene, Head of External Affairs at Africa Health Business. She has extensive experience in the health sector as a practitioner, policy advisor and advocate for Universal Health Coverage. 

We discuss the interplay between the government and private sector, the state of the health workforce and the role that digital health services can play in democratising access to affordable healthcare in Kenya. 

Furthermore, Daniella provides incisive advice to investors and start-ups considering entering this nascent, but important sector.

2023 will see Nigeria, the continent's most populous nation, hold elections alongside eSwatini, the last absolute monarchy on the continent. The two countries could not be more different, but they share something in common - a growing young population. Much has been said about Africa's "demographic dividend" and its potential to change Africa's trajectory. However, there has been little discussion about how that potential can be realised.

In this episode, we focus on creating change through the ballot box and how Africa's demographics have and will continue to shape results at the polls. We talk to Jonathan Moakes, a leading expert in strategy, communications, campaign design and campaign management. He is currently a Director at Sabi Strategy. 

Jonathan shares his thoughts on how election campaigns in Africa have changed over the past two decades and which upcoming elections he’ll be watching closely. He analyses the impact of the demographic dividend on election campaigns, and we look at what the private sector can learn from the changing electoral landscape. 

In 2020, South Africa launched its 2050 Low Emission Development (LED) Strategy, which outlines a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. President Cyril Ramaphosa followed this up in November 2021 with a Political Declaration that established a partnership with the EU, US, France, Germany and UK. All members have committed to work towards creating just transition to a low carbon economy and a climate resilient society in South Africa. 

In this episode, we speak to Rudi Dicks, Head of Project Management Office (PMO) at Presidency. He sheds light on the Presidency’s efforts to ensure South Africa transitions to a low-carbon, socially inclusive, and resilient economy. We discuss the challenges surrounding the financing mechanisms and mechanisms and the country’s long-term ambition to develop the green hydrogen sector. Coal will remain a feature of South Africa’s energy mix until at least 2050; Rudi explains how and why. 

This conversation was recorded on 30 August at the South Africa Sustainable Finance Intensive, hosted by Africonomie, in Cape Town.

On the eve of the 2022 US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, we speak to Dr. Witney Schneidman about the US strategy towards sub-Saharan Africa under the Biden administration. The new strategy was published in August and seeks to deepen the US’ engagement and partnerships in Africa. 

 Witney discusses key aspects of the new strategy, explains areas of commonality with previous strategies under former president Donald Trump and Barak Obama and shares his thoughts about the potential relationship between the US and Africa if the next 100 years is to become the African Century. 

We also delve into US companies’ comparative advantages vis-à-vis Chinese companies, the opportunities presented by Prosper Africa and Power Africa, and the need for a more robust dialogue between the African and American private sector about how to fully unlock African opportunities across multiple sectors.

We're in conversation with Strategic Partnerships Director for the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa Nwabisa Mayema, discussing purpose-led entrepreneurship. We also discuss the impetus behind the centre and how its evolution has mirrored an entrepreneur's journey.

Nwabisa shares the Branson Centre's thinking about the circular economy, tech-for-good and the importance of building a community and partnering with the right people. We also get a preview of how the centre will evolve while continuing to support entrepreneurs.

This episode was recorded at the Branson Centre's Studio 17 - the Branson Centre's  partnership with Workshop 17 in Cape Town. 

In this episode, Emerging Markets Fund Manager at M&G Investments Gregory Smith. We discuss China's evolving role in and engagement with African countries, debt relief, Eurobond issuances and the importance of debt transparency.

Gregory recently published a book "Where Credit is Due" that draws from his analysis of various African economies' transitions over the last 10-15 years. He unpacks the complexity of the African debt and provides forward-thinking solutions that can help preserve African countries' international market access while meeting development goals. 

In our first episode, Chief Commercial Officer of Mixtra Africa Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani looks at the gains and missed opportunities at COP 26 and the COP 27 outlook for African countries. She discusses measures taken by African governments to bolster energy security and the complexities of financing Africa's energy transition.

As a member of the Persistent Energy Advisory board, Rolake also shares what motivated her to join the board and what she hopes to achieve while in the role.