Africa Archives - Emerging Markets Today

What Tech Innovation Really Looks Like in Emerging Markets

May 26, 2022May 26, 2022 Ana Paula Picasso

This episode is about tech innovation in emerging markets beyond the big headlines! I invited Max Cuvellier, Head of Mobile for Development at GSMA and co-founder of Africa: The Big Deal. We chose 3 tech startups that are solving real life problems with innovative solutions in sectors that don’t get the big headlines like fintech companies do. 1. Twiga Foods (Kenya): simplifying the supply chain between fresh food producers, FMCG manufacturers and retailers through a B2B e-commerce platform. 2. Coliba (Ivory Coast): a web, mobile and SMS platform that connects households and businesses…

What a socially inclusive circular economy means for emerging markets

March 31, 2022April 4, 2022 Ana Paula Picasso

A circular economy is a multifaceted economic growth strategy that helps enterprises, society, and the environment all at the same time. Its purpose is to encourage reduced product waste, recycling, and reuse in addition to making better use of resources. A circular economy is a holistic approach to economic development that benefits enterprises, society, and the environment all at the same time. The objective is to use resources more efficiently and effectively by encouraging product avoidance, recycling, and reuse. Unlike the “take-make-waste” linear model, driven by hyper-consumption, short thinking, resource over-extraction,…

Why the artisan industry needs a decentralized cross-border payment solution

March 3, 2022March 24, 2022 Ana Paula Picasso

The artisan industry is the second largest employment in the developing world, and the worldwide handicrafts market is predicted to reach $984.8 billion by 2023, according to NEST’s State of the Handworker Economy Report. So, why do so many craftspeople throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, live in poverty?

Empowering Artisan Communities with Financial Inclusion

March 3, 2022March 3, 2022 Ana Paula Picasso

I invited Eric Osuorah, the founder of AFOMA, “the goodwill token”. He wanted to empower artisans and small businesses in different African communities, so he started Sellitic – a more financial inclusive eCommerce marketplace using a crypto token called AFOMA.

Unleashing the Power of Data in Emerging Markets

January 13, 2022January 24, 2022 Ana Paula Picasso

I interviewed Joseph Rutakangwa, co-founder of Rwazi, a company using on-ground data from markets across sub-Saharan Africa. Joseph told me why this is so important for emerging markets economic development in the private sector and also in the public sector. So he came up with the idea of starting Rwazi using gig workers – what he calls “mappers” – and they provide the most accurate and localized data for companies and NGOs.

How Trade and Trade Finance can Help Emerging Markets

November 22, 2021November 22, 2021 Ana Paula Picasso

How can trade and trade finance help emerging markets? Here is my chat with Andrea Frosinini, a trade finance advisor and he is also on the advisory board of TOTTA (Trans-Oceanic Trade Tech Alliance) and Blockchain Supply Chain Association. We talked about how the blockchain technology can revolutionize international trade and supply chain, making trade and trade finance more inclusive for businesses in developing countries. Also, we discussed the challenges for changing the mindset of traditional financial institutions and why Andrea thinks that cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, will cause a bigger impact in emerging markets.…

Uganda: How Smartphones Are Helping Malaria Testing

October 21, 2021October 26, 2021 Ana Paula Picasso

Did you know that malaria kills over 400,000 people per year globally? This episode will be about how a project in Uganda is reaching underserved areas where testing for malaria can be challenging and having the diagnosis early can be a matter of life or death.

African Startup Funding: Hype vs. Reality

August 30, 2021September 6, 2021 Ana Paula Picasso

We all read big headlines about African tech startups getting millions of dollars in funding but what seems like good news for the continent, the reality is not as bright as it seems.
To talk about the African startup scene I invited entrepreneur and podcaster Alex Nyamoya Boyi. Alex is originally from Burundi and is the host of the podcast African Tech Roundup.

Ethiopia’s blockchain deal is a watershed moment – for the technology and for Africa

May 21, 2021May 21, 2021 Guest

Cardano, IOHK and Emurgo have been showcasing how Cardano blockchain and its core technology can be used to the benefit of African countries.

Blockchain & the Unbanked in Sub-Saharan Africa

March 24, 2021August 5, 2021 Ana Paula Picasso

I had a chat with Espen Kvelland, CEO and founder of Wakandi, a company bringing payment solutions to the unbanked in Sub-Saharan Africa. This wasn’t a technical conversation, we focused on the social aspects of the technology.