African Business Stories

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Akaego Okoye
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African Business Stories is the go-to podcast for insights into the women shaping Africa’s business landscape. Africa is one of the world’s most promising frontiers for growth and innovation—and women are at the heart of this transformation.


Hosted by Akaego Okoye, this podcast spotlights female entrepreneurs who are breaking barriers, scaling businesses, and driving economic development across the continent. Through bold conversations, we explore funding, scaling strategies, digital transformation, and industry innovations—equipping you with insights, practical tools, and inspiration to navigate your own entrepreneurial journey.


When women win, economies thrive. These stories amplify success, challenge narratives, and create a blueprint for the next generation of female leaders in Africa and beyond.


Subscribe now and be part of the movement to champion women in business!

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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics

Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on African Business Stories.

Hosts

Akaego Okoye

Previous Guests

Sarah Dusek
Sarah Dusek is a co-founder and managing partner at Enygma Ventures, a fund dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs across Africa. Her entrepreneurial journey began with studying law in the UK, followed by the successful sale of her glamping company for over $100 million. Sarah has a deep connection to Africa, stemming from her nonprofit work addressing the AIDS crisis in Zimbabwe, which inspired her to focus on business as a means for sustainable change. After experiencing the challenges of fundraising as a female founder, she established Enygma Ventures to prioritize determined female entrepreneurs. Additionally, she is involved with Few and Far, a regenerative travel company focused on developing eco-lodges in South Africa.
Banke Kuku
Banke Kuku is a luxury fashion entrepreneur and the founder and creative director of her eponymous fashion brand. She began her career as a textile designer and honed her skills at prestigious institutions such as Central Saint Martins and Chelsea College of Arts. Banke's journey into fashion was marked by a significant pivot when her vibrant prints, initially intended for home decor, gained popularity as wearable art. Launching her fashion line just before the pandemic, she adeptly transitioned to online sales, which not only saved her business but also led to its expansion from a small team to approximately 45 employees. Her brand emphasizes storytelling through design, drawing inspiration from Nigeria's natural beauty and challenging stereotypes. Additionally, she runs the initiative 'Prints for Purpose,' which supports environmental conservation and community development. Banke's work has garnered international attention, with stockists across multiple continents and collaborations with celebrities like Gabrielle Union.
Chilufya Mutale-Mwila
Chilufya Mutale-Mwila is the co-founder and chief visionary officer of eShandi, a pan-African challenger bank focused on providing financial solutions to underserved communities. Growing up in Zambia, she experienced the transformative power of access to financial services. After interning at a microfinance institution, she dedicated six years to understanding the challenges faced by small business owners in underserved areas. Her leadership roles in expanding fintech operations across Southern Africa highlighted the potential of technology in finance. With eShandi, she aims to combine technology with personalized microfinance approaches to empower customers, particularly market vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs. Under her guidance, eShandi is working to bridge the financing gap in Africa and create pathways to prosperity.
Adesuwa Okunbo Rohdes
Adesuwa Okunbo Rohdes is the Founder and CEO of Aruwa Capital Management, a pioneering female-led growth equity fund in Africa that specializes in gender lens investing. With a background in investment banking at JP Morgan, Adesuwa identified a significant gap in the market for funding businesses led by or serving women in Africa. In 2019, she took a bold step to launch her own fund while pregnant with her first child, focusing on supporting female entrepreneurs. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully mobilized capital from non-traditional sources, primarily women investors. Under her leadership, Aruwa has invested in 13 companies across various sectors, significantly benefiting women and transforming the investment landscape in Africa.

Topics Discussed

entrepreneurship venture capital female entrepreneurs business impact funding scaling sustainable impact eco-lodges sustainability innovation luxury design fashion creative evolution business resilience online sales storytelling environmental conservation community development financial freedom challenger bank financial solutions eShandi financial inclusion Zambia microfinance technology entrepreneurs economic empowerment gender-lens investing Aruwa Capital Management investment banking COVID-19 renewable energy African institutional capital
Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on African Business Stories.

0:00 41:18

Kikelomo Fola-Ogunniya: CO-Founder, Cargoplug Logistics - From Car Trunks to Cargo Hubs: Building Proprietary Tech for Global Trade

Kikelomo Fola-Ogunniya's entrepreneurial journey proves that sometimes the most successful businesses begin by solving your own problems. What started as a simple solution to cross-border shopping frustrations has evolved into Cargo Plug, a tech-enabled logistics company transforming how African businesses connect to global markets.

When Kike and her co-founder Ama couldn't find reliable ways to ship purchases from the UK to Nigeria, they created their own solution. Operating from the trunks of their cars during lunch breaks from their oil industry jobs, they bootstrapped a side hustle that would eventually become a full-fledged international logistics company. Their company, initially called Jand to Gidi, has since evolved into CargoPlug, offering comprehensive shipping solutions from virtually any country to Nigeria and vice versa.

What makes their story remarkable isn't just business growth, but the sustainability of their partnership. In an ecosystem where co-founder relationships often fracture under pressure, Kike and Ama have maintained a thriving partnership for 13 years. Their secret? Clear role definition based on natural strengths, transparent communication, and unwavering trust.

The Cargo Plug journey offers practical wisdom for entrepreneurs everywhere. They diligently tracked financials from day one, which positioned them perfectly when seeking funding opportunities. They've weathered economic fluctuations, a global pandemic, and technological shifts while continuously evolving their services. Most impressively, they've built proprietary technology in-house, including user dashboards and shipping APIs that integrate with global platforms.

Through their 'RICE' core values – Reliable, Intelligent, Customer-focused, and Exciting – they've created a company culture that keeps team members engaged for years, some approaching a decade with the company. Their story stands as powerful evidence that African entrepreneurs can build sustainable, tech-enabled businesses that solve real problems while creating meaningful economic opportunity.

ABS WEBSITE: www.africanbusinessstories.com

ABS INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/afribizstories/

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0:00 46:05

Sarah Dusek: Co-Founder & MP, Enygma Ventures - Scaling Visions: From Startups to Venture Capital

Hosts
Akaego Okoye
Guests
Sarah Dusek
Keywords
entrepreneurship venture capital female entrepreneurs business impact funding scaling sustainable impact eco-lodges

Sarah Dusek's entrepreneurial journey reads like an adventure novel – from studying law in the UK to selling her glamping company for over $100 million and then dedicating herself to funding female entrepreneurs across Africa. Her story proves that business can be the most powerful vehicle for driving meaningful change in the world.

After a heartfelt connection with Zimbabwe during her nonprofit days addressing the AIDS crisis, Sarah experienced a profound sense of belonging that would later draw her back to the continent. When her nonprofit work felt incomplete, she made a pivotal realization: perhaps business, rather than charity, could create more sustainable impact.

This mindset shift led her through several entrepreneurial ventures, including the devastating failure of her first business during the 2008 financial crisis. Rather than surrender to conventional employment, Sarah and her husband relocated to Montana and bootstrapped what would become Under Canvas – luxury safari-inspired accommodations near America's national parks. The business struggled initially until Sarah made the crucial decision to pursue venture capital rather than continue growing slowly.

"I realized I couldn't play small," Sarah explains. "If this business was going to last and build something of value, significance, and impact, we had to go big or go home." This perspective shift catapulted Under Canvas to a successful exit, but the fundraising journey exposed Sarah to the challenges female founders face in accessing capital.

True to a promise she made herself during those difficult fundraising days, Sarah created Enygma Ventures after her exit – a fund exclusively backing female entrepreneurs across Africa. Her investment philosophy prioritizes determined founders who demonstrate exceptional execution abilities above revolutionary ideas.

Today, Sarah continues building with Few and Far, a regenerative travel company developing eco-lodges in South African wilderness areas. Her message to female entrepreneurs remains consistent: think bigger, don't let anyone tell you no, and remember that when women create and distribute wealth, only good things happen.

Subscribe for more conversations with the pioneering entrepreneurs reshaping Africa's business landscape and driving continental transformation through bold, innovative ventures.

ABS WEBSITE: www.africanbusinessstories.com

ABS INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/afribizstories/

LISTEN/FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcast | Spotify |Youtube

0:00 34:43

Banke Kuku: Founder & Creative Director, Banke Kuku - Fashion with Purpose: Sustainability & Innovation in Luxury Design

Hosts
Akaego Okoye
Guests
Banke Kuku
Keywords
sustainability innovation luxury design fashion entrepreneurship creative evolution business resilience online sales storytelling environmental conservation community development

Banke Kuku's extraordinary transformation from textile designer to luxury fashion entrepreneur offers a masterclass in creative evolution and business resilience. After honing her craft at prestigious institutions like Central Saint Martins and Chelsea College of Arts, Banke's journey took an unexpected turn when customers began requesting to wear her vibrant prints rather than just display them as home décor.

What followed was a remarkable story of adaptation and growth. Having launched her fashion line just months before the pandemic, Banke faced what could have been a business-ending disruption. Instead, she quickly pivoted to online sales, discovering that her colorful, joy-filled designs resonated deeply with customers seeking brightness during dark times. This pivot not only saved her business but fueled its expansion from a team of five to approximately 45 people today.

At the heart of Banke's brand is storytelling through design. Her prints draw inspiration from Nigeria's rich natural environment, challenging stereotypes and showcasing the country's beauty. "Not everything in Nigeria is concrete," she notes, explaining how her work educates people to see her homeland differently. This commitment to positive representation extends beyond fashion through her initiative "Prints for Purpose," supporting environmental conservation and community development.

The Banke Kuku brand now enjoys global reach with stockists across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Her collaborations with celebrities like Gabrielle Union highlight how African designers can build international luxury brands while maintaining authentic cultural connections. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Banke offers simple yet powerful advice: be patient and consistent. As she reminds us, "Good work takes time," especially when weaving dreams into reality.

Subscribe to African Business Stories to hear more inspiring conversations with the female entrepreneurs shaping Africa's economic future.


ABS WEBSITE: www.africanbusinessstories.com

ABS INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/afribizstories/

LISTEN/FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcast | Spotify |Youtube

0:00 38:03

Chilufya Mutale-Mwila: Co-Founder & CEO, eShandi - Building a Challenger Bank: Scaling Financial Solutions Across Africa

Hosts
Akaego Okoye
Guests
Chilufya Mutale-Mwila
Keywords
financial freedom challenger bank financial solutions eShandi financial inclusion Zambia microfinance technology entrepreneurs economic empowerment

The path to financial freedom shouldn't be a privilege reserved for the few, but a right accessible to all. Chilufya Mutale-Mwila, co-founder and chief visionary officer of eShandi, is on a mission to make this vision a reality across Africa.

Growing up in Zambia, Chilu witnessed firsthand how access to financial services could transform families and communities. After joining a microfinance institution as an intern, she spent six years immersed in understanding the challenges faced by small business owners in underserved communities. This experience, followed by leadership roles expanding fintech operations across Southern Africa, revealed both the power of technology and the limitations of existing financial models.

The breakthrough came when Chilu realized that combining the efficiency of technology with the personalized approach of microfinance could create something revolutionary. eShandi (meaning "mine" in local language) was born as a pan-African challenger bank putting financial power directly into customers' hands. The company serves those often overlooked by traditional banks – market vendors, cross-border traders, and small-scale entrepreneurs who operate primarily in cash economies without formal financial records.

What makes eShandi's approach unique is their deep understanding of customer needs. Rather than forcing digital-only solutions on communities accustomed to cash, they've created accessible pathways to financial inclusion. Their impact is measured in tangible success stories – women expanding from one market stand to three, entrepreneurs purchasing their first delivery vehicle, or families buying their first refrigerator.

With operations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, Chilu has ambitious plans to expand eShandi's reach and services. The vision of "banking without borders" aims to connect African entrepreneurs across national boundaries, allowing seamless transactions and expanding opportunities. By adding insurance products, remittances, and new market entries, they're building a comprehensive ecosystem for financial empowerment.

Ready to discover how innovative financial solutions are transforming Africa's economic landscape? Listen now to learn how eShandi is bridging the $330 billion financing gap and creating pathways to prosperity for underserved communities across the continent.

ABS WEBSITE: www.africanbusinessstories.com

ABS INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/afribizstories/

LISTEN/FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcast | Spotify |Youtube

0:00 41:25

Adesuwa Okunbo Rohdes: Founder & CEO Aruwa Capital Management - From Vision to $60M AUM: How Gender-Lens Investing is Reshaping Africa

Hosts
Akaego Okoye
Guests
Adesuwa Okunbo Rohdes
Keywords
gender-lens investing female entrepreneurs Aruwa Capital Management investment banking COVID-19 financial inclusion renewable energy African institutional capital

Imagine raising $60 million to back female entrepreneurs in Africa when less than 2% of venture capital flows to women across the continent. That's exactly what Adesuwa Okunbo Rohdes accomplished with Aruwa Capital Management, one of Africa's few female-led growth equity funds specializing in gender lens investing.

From boarding school in the UK at age 11 to investment banking at JP Morgan, Adesuwa's path took a pivotal turn when she identified a crucial gap in the market: the severe underfunding of businesses led by or serving women across Africa. In 2019, pregnant with her first child, she took a leap that many called crazy – leaving the security of traditional finance to launch her own fund focused on backing women.

The timing couldn't have been more challenging. After securing their first investment, COVID hit, forcing a complete strategy pivot. "We had to tweak our fund structure, reduce our minimum ticket size, and prove ourselves over and over," she reveals. Through persistence and creativity, Aruwa mobilized capital from non-traditional sources, primarily women investors willing to trust a first-time fund manager over Zoom during a global pandemic.

Today, Aruwa's portfolio spans 13 companies across health, essential consumer goods, financial inclusion, and renewable energy – all either female-founded, female-led, or significantly benefiting women in their value chain. One standout success, Koolboks, provides solar-powered refrigeration for market women in off-grid areas. Since Aruwa's investment as their first institutional backer, they've grown revenue five-fold and expanded from Nigeria to 25 countries worldwide.

Beyond financial returns that exceed global benchmarks, Adesuwa's vision extends to transforming Africa's investment landscape. She advocates powerfully for mobilizing African institutional capital to fund African fund managers, arguing that Western investment models often fail to address the continent's unique realities. "Until we have more African pools of capital driving this discussion, there is no skin in the game to go beyond just ticking boxes," she explains.

Listen now to discover how persistence, purpose, and a deep commitment to gender equity can transform not just businesses, but entire economic systems. As Adesuwa puts it: "We don't need seats at the table. We need to create our own tables."

ABS WEBSITE: www.africanbusinessstories.com

ABS INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/afribizstories/

LISTEN/FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcast | Spotify |Youtube

Ratings
Global:
5.0 rating 32 reviews
USA
5.0 ratings 22 reviews
UK
5.0 ratings 7 reviews
Canada
5.0 ratings 2 reviews
South Africa
5.0 ratings 1 reviews
Ireland
0.0 ratings 0 reviews
Australia
0.0 ratings 0 reviews
New Zealand
0.0 ratings 0 reviews
Singapore
0.0 ratings 0 reviews