Pure Digital Passion with Moses Kemibaro Moses Kemibaro

In this edition of the Pure Digital Passion podcast I had the pleasure of hosting Kamal Budhabhatti, the founder and CEO of Craft Silicon, Little, and BluBeetle. Kamal’s journey from India to Kenya and his impact on the technology landscape in Kenya and Africa is nothing short of mind blowing! Here’s a summary of our insightful conversation.

Early Beginnings & His Journey To Kenya

Kamal shared about his humble beginnings in India and how he ventured into technology. His journey to Kenya started when a friend working in Kenya helped him secure a job. It was a significant event, as over 50 family members saw him off at the airport.

However, upon arrival, he found himself doing basic data entry tasks, which was not what he expected. A neighbor introduced him to a small bank needing a core banking system, and Kamal began moonlighting to assist them. Unfortunately, his employer discovered this and terminated him, sending him back to India the same day.

Determined to succeed, Kamal returned to Kenya with the support of his sister. He faced many challenges but gradually began developing software for the small bank. With the support of his landlord, who allowed him to stay rent-free, Kamal started onboarding more financial service providers, leading to the establishment of Craft Silicon.

Building Craft Silicon — From His Bedroom To 1,000+ Employees In Africa & Asia

Craft Silicon, which began as a one-person business, has grown into a leading financial services technology solutions provider with over 1,000 employees and operations in Africa and Asia.

Kamal’s big break came when he developed a core banking system for Equity Building Society, working closely with the legendary James Mwangi. This project was key as Equity Bank transitioned into one of Kenya’s largest banks.

Craft Silicon’s solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with other financial systems, offering flexibility and affordability. A notable success is the recently launched SC Juza mobile lending app developed for Standard Chartered Bank in Kenya.

Founding Little — From Idea To Launch In 3 Weeks!

Kamal also shared the story behind Little, a ride-hailing service developed in response to the challenges faced by Uber drivers in Kenya. This was done with encouragement from Bitange Ndemo and support from the late Bob Collymore of Safaricom. Kamal and his team built the platform in just three weeks.

Today, Little has a Pan-African footprint, focusing primarily on servicing corporate clients and offering better compensation to driver partners. This approach has made Little particularly popular among women, who find it a safer option for evening rides.

Innovations and Future Plans — Create A US$ 1B Valued Business, Also Known As A Unicorn!

Kamal is also venturing into Generative AI with BluBeetle. Their new offering, BankGPT, is a multimodal chatbot designed to enhance customer experience through AI. This proposition leverages first-party data to deliver superior, customer-centric solutions at scale.

Looking ahead, Kamal aims to raise significant funding to start a massive fintech startup focusing on mobile lending across various markets. His vision is to create a unicorn — a billion-dollar valuation company.

Kamal believes in the potential of fundraising, provided startups have a practical plan for deploying funds toward sustainable business models.

Craft Silicon Foundation — Inspired By Humble Beginnings

Inspired by his own struggles growing up, Kamal established the Craft Silicon Foundation. The foundation operates in every market where Craft Silicon has an office, providing funding and learning opportunities for children from underserved communities.

Closing Thoughts & The Life Lessons For All

Kamal’s journey is nothing short of astounding and demonstrates how resilience, innovation, and the power of technology can transform lives — from being a freelance software developer in Kenya to running mu

In this episode of the Pure Digital Passion podcast I had the privilege of hosting Janice Kemoli, a seasoned Kenyan Marketing and Branding Advisor whose impressive career spans leading businesses such as Coca Cola, Colgate Palmolive, GSK, Barclays Bank (ABSA), East African Breweries (Diageo), Equity Bank, and most recently Prudential Insurance. Janice and I go way back to our days at Africa Online, one of Kenya’s pioneering Internet Service Providers over 20 years ago. Her journey and insights are nothing short of inspiring!

An Educational Marketing Journey From The US To Kenya & Beyond

Janice shared her story of pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a focus on marketing in the US. She described the challenges she faced, including tackling subjects like calculus and accounting, which were essential parts of the program. Despite initial intentions to stay in the US, she returned to Kenya after a thoughtful rejection from a potential employer encouraged her to leverage her skills back home.

Breaking Into Marketing & Branding

Upon returning to Kenya, finding a job proved challenging. Janice recounted how her mother didn’t initially understand what a career in marketing entailed, thinking it was the same as sales. However, with support from her father and determination, she landed her first role as a at Colgate Palmolive that led to her becoming a Brand Manager. This position allowed her to hone skills beyond traditional marketing, including financial projections, supplier collaboration, and packaging — emphasizing that all these tasks are integral to marketing when aligned with the 4Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion).

Advanced Marketing At Global Brands

Janice’s time at Coca Cola in South Africa was particularly enlightening. She shared anecdotes about the high-quality marketing and branding training provided at tertiary schools there, which often produces some of the best marketing professionals in Africa. Her experiences highlighted the structured and advanced approaches to marketing that she learned and implemented at Coca Cola and other global brands.

Creating A Unique Branding Framework

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Janice networked with senior marketing professionals globally and clarified her thoughts on the gaps in branding and marketing for indigenous Kenyan and African businesses. This led to the creation of a unique branding framework, which she currently deploys with leading businesses like Sarit Centre and Prudential Insurance, aligning with global standards she learned at top global brands.

The Importance of The 4Ps In Marketing & Branding

Janice provided a quick summary of why the 4Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) matter:


Promotion: The role of communication is to create desire.
Product: The role of the product is to define the offer and benefits for the customer or consumer.
Place: The role of distribution is to make the product available or place the product at the convenience of the customer or consumer.
Price: The role of pricing is to define the value of your offer to the customer or consumer and bank the cheque.

Getting Mentorship & High-Quality Local Brands

Janice emphasized the importance of mentorship for aspiring and existing marketing professionals to enhance their capabilities. She also discussed the creation of high-quality local brands to international standards, citing the Social House Hotel in Nairobi as an example of a world-class, afrocentric experience that reflects the social personalities of its founders.

Conclusion

I am delighted that Janice shared her incredible journey in branding and marketing from both global and localised perspectives as well as the insights that come with decades of working experiences at leading organisations. Her dedication to advancing marketing and branding in Kenya and beyond is truly inspiring. To our audience, I hope this episode offers valuable insights into the power of strategic marketing and branding for

In this episode of the Pure Digital Passion podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Maurice Matheka, one of Kenya’s and Africa’s only male professional relationship and sex therapists. Maurice is someone I know from my teenage years so its quite interesting I got to have him on my podcast. The truth be said, this podcast’s subject matter was completely uncharted territory for me as it had nothing in common with matters technology!

Maurice’s journey from growing up in Mombasa, studying and working in the UK, to becoming a full-time therapist in Kenya is nothing short of unconventional. During our candid and sometimes controversial conversation, we delved into the complexities of relationships, sexual satisfaction, and the societal factors impacting them. Buckle up!

The Importance of Honesty in Relationships

Maurice emphasized that many relationships fail due to a lack of honesty between partners. Whether it’s about the state of the relationship or individual needs, open communication is crucial. He pointed out that love alone does not guarantee the success of a relationship. Instead, an authentic friendship between partners is more important. Maurice believes that being honest from the onset can prevent many issues later on.

The Role of Religion and Societal Expectations

Our discussion touched on how religion often pressures individuals to stay in unhappy relationships. Maurice observed that this can lead to extramarital affairs as a form of escape. Additionally, he noted that young Kenyans often approach relationships transactionally, with money and resources being key drivers. This lack of a strong foundation can lead to unstable relationships.

The Struggles of Kenyan Men

Maurice shared that many Kenyan men feel unappreciated in relationships, seen only as providers rather than holistic beings who also need love and appreciation. This lack of emotional support can have severe consequences, including a rise in male suicide rates. Furthermore, he noted that many men are not being “masculine” enough, resulting in women finding them less appealing, even if they are married, leading to cheating and breakups.

The Importance of Sexual Satisfaction

A part of out conversation focused on sexual satisfaction. Maurice stated that unsatisfying sex is a major factor leading to infidelity among both men and women. He stressed the importance of getting the sexual aspect of a relationship right to ensure its overall success. Couples need to be honest about their sexual preferences and work together to maintain a satisfying sexual connection.

The Future of Relationships

Maurice’s outlook on the future of relationships in Kenya is somewhat pessimistic, given the current trends. However, he believes that both men and women can turn things around by having honest and candid conversations about their expectations and needs from the beginning. This proactive approach can prevent many issues that arise from unmet expectations and societal pressures.

Final Thoughts

Hosting Maurice Matheka on the Pure Digital Passion podcast was an eye-opening and even an uncomfortable experience at times!. His insights into the dynamics of relationships and sexual satisfaction are clearly invaluable even if they clearly challenge what may be many preconceived notions. By addressing these issues openly, couples can work towards healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Have a watch, or a listen, and keep an open mind!


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In this edition of the Pure Digital Passion podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Martin Nielsen, the Founder and CEO of Mdundo, a mobile and ad-supported music service that has become one of Africa’s leading digital music platforms.

Although I have known Martin for a good number of years, our conversation was a truly eye-opening conversation about his incredible journey from starting Mdundo, building it over time and scaling it to where it is today.

Martin Nielsen’s Journey.

Martin’s journey to Kenya began in an unconventional way. He first traveled to Uganda as a university student for volunteer work, invited by a friend from Denmark. This experience marked the beginning of his deep connection with Africa. Later, in 2012, he moved to Kenya as an Entrepreneur in Residence for 88mph, an African investment fund focusing on early-stage tech startups. This role not only solidified his bond with the continent but also laid the groundwork for what would become Nairobi Garage.

The Birth of Mdundo

Inspired by his experiences and the vibrant technology startup ecosystem in Nairobi, Martin co-founded Mdundo. The company has since grown to become a clear leader in the African music industry, boasting millions of monthly active users primarily from Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria. Mdundo works with thousands of musicians across Africa and has secured licensing deals with major music groups like the Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.

A Unique Business Model

Mdundo’s business model is unique and highly localized for the market in Africa. The service targets underserved consumer segments who cannot generally afford traditional subscription-based music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.

Mdundo offers affordable subscriptions through partnerships with mobile networks like Safaricom in Kenya and MTN in Nigeria. Users can pay for subscriptions using airtime and mobile money, making it accessible even to those with basic feature phones.

Additionally, Mdundo provides ad-supported music content, enabling free music downloads. This approach has attracted top-tier brands across the continent, making Mdundo’s offering both sustainable and appealing to a broad audience.

Growth and Achievements

Over the past decade, Mdundo has grown significantly, reaching tens of millions monthly active users in Africa, including 4 million in Kenya alone. The service has an annual reach of 205 million consumers across the continent and pays out approximately US$ 1.5 million in music royalties each year. A significant part of Mdundo’s success lies in its ability to be frugal in how it operates, focusing on bootstrapping even after raising US$ 7 million through its Nasdaq listing in Denmark. The funds raised were partly used to repay early investors and to recapitalize the business.

Supporting African Musicians

Mdundo plays a crucial role in supporting African musicians by expanding their reach and providing monetization opportunities. By creating a platform tailored to the unique needs and nuances of the African market, Mdundo has lowered the barriers to adoption for consumers and ensured that even those with limited resources can enjoy and share their music.

Key Lessons and Insights

During our podcast session, Martin shared valuable lessons and insights from his journey, offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in Kenya and beyond. His story is an empowering one in terms of how he used innovation, resilience, and a deep understanding of the local markets in Africa to create something that truly resonated with consumers at scale across the continent. Mdundo is undoubtedly for Africa, by Africa, which has ultimately underpinned its success to-date.


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In this edition of the Pure Digital Passion podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Cynthia Kahumbura, Co-Executive Director, and Jay Patel, Director of Technology at Jacaranda Health. Our conversation delved into the impactful work of Jacaranda Health in Kenya, the technological advancements they've made, the real-world impacts of their innovations, and their vision for the future. Here’s a breakdown of our enlightening discussion.

Origins and Evolution of Jacaranda Health.

Cynthia shared Jacaranda Health’s mission to ensure all mothers experience safe and respectful pregnancy and childbirth, and all newborns get a safe start in life. The organization partners with governments to deploy scalable solutions in public health systems. The COVID-19 pandemic was a significant turning point, catalyzing a digital transformation that has continued to shape their operations.

Technological Foundations and Scaling Up.

Jay discussed the evolution of Jacaranda Health’s technology stack. Initially relying on a basic messaging system, they have since integrated advanced AI solutions to support their operations. The journey of incorporating AI into their workflows taught them valuable lessons about scalability, flexibility, and the importance of real-world testing.

PROMPTS – Generative AI-Enabled Healthcare.

Jay explained how PROMPTS, their Generative AI-based platform, supports new and expecting mothers through a two-way SMS system. PROMPTS provides gestation stage-specific information and a Generative AI-powered clinical help desk to answer questions and trigger referrals for high-risk cases. Cynthia highlighted the positive reception of PROMPTS among healthcare providers and communities, with nearly 3 million mothers having used the platform since its inception and 600,000 active users annually.

Challenges and Opportunities.

Cynthia and Jay also discussed the significant challenges faced while scaling their technological solutions. Cynthia emphasized the importance of adaptability and collaboration, especially during the rapid expansion necessitated by the pandemic. Jay shared insights into using open-source LLMs like Llama 2 and 3, as well as Google Gemini 1.5 and the development of a Swahili-based LLM to ensure accessibility on entry-level mobile devices.

Real-World Impact and Case Studies.

Jay shared success stories that showcased the real-world impact of Jacaranda Health’s initiatives. For instance, the transition from handling around 100 service queries a day to over 5,000 daily queries was made possible through their generative AI capabilities, significantly improving efficiency and support for mothers. Jay also shared that PROMPTS is now being tested and deployed in other African countries like Eswatini and Ghana showing the broader potential for the Generative AI enabled platform beyond Kenya.

Vision for the Future.

Looking ahead, Cynthia and Jay discussed their vision for the next 2 to 5 years. They see technology and Generative AI becoming increasingly essential to their operations, with a focus on scaling their technology to new geographies and ensuring it remains accessible to all. Jay’s team is working on maintaining responsible, transparent, and ethical AI while continuing to innovate.

Personal Insights and Leadership.

Balancing innovation with practical challenges is a constant endeavour. Cynthia and Jay shared what motivates them: the impact of their work on mothers and babies, the continuous learning, and the collaborative spirit within Jacaranda Health. Their commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in resource-constrained environments is truly inspiring.

Conclusion.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Cynthia and Jay offered advice to other organizations looking to implement similar technological solutions in the health sector or any other sectors for that matter as the key principles apply broadly. They emphasized the importance of real-world testing, building simple and scalable systems

I had the pleasure of moderating a panel discussion titled “Revolutionizing Insurance with AI and ML: Practical Pathways for Product and Operational Excellence.” on the 9th May 2024 at the joint Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) and Caava VantagePoint AI/ML Insurance Seminar that was held at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi. 

The panel featured industry experts from leading companies who shared their insights and experiences on how AI and ML are transforming the insurance landscape. Our panel featured Hillary Murefu from Safaricom, Bente Krogmann from MTek Services, Harrison Muiru from Smart Application, and Martin Kiarie from SolvIT.

Key Discussion Points. 


Innovative Approaches to Customer Experience: We explored specific technologies implemented to enhance direct customer interactions. For instance, Hillary Murefu highlighted Safaricom’s use of AI-driven customer service and data analytics to improve customer satisfaction and engagement.
Enhancing Policy Personalisation: Bente Krogmann discussed the role of data analytics in creating tailored insurance products at MTek Services. We also addressed the delicate balance between personalisation and privacy concerns.
Streamlining Operations with AI/ML: Harrison Muiru shared how Smart Application has transformed operational processes, particularly in claims processing and risk assessment, leading to significant cost reductions and increased service efficiency.
Navigating Risks and Ethical Considerations: Martin Kiarie outlined strategies SolvIT uses to maintain data security and privacy in their AI/ML deployments. We also delved into maintaining transparency and ethical standards in automated systems.

Conclusion

The discussion highlighted how AI and ML are not just buzzwords but practical tools driving significant improvements in Kenya’s and East Africa’s insurance sector. From enhancing customer experiences to operational efficiencies, the potential of these technologies is immense. However, as we continue to innovate, it is crucial to address the associated challenges and ethical considerations to ensure sustainable and responsible use of AI/ML in insurance locally , regionally, and globally. 




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