Ali Talks Tech

Ali Hussein
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  • TECHNOLOGY
  • TWICE MONTHLY
Ali Talks Tech

Ali Talks Tech will follow the Pan African Tech Story from Silicon Savannah to Yabacon Valley, Nigeria’s answer to Silicon Valley, in Lagos' Yaba neighborhood. We will trace the birth of the African Tech Ecosystem from Nairobi’s Ngong Road in the late ‘90s, to the South African cities of Joburg and Cape Town and follow it to how it is shaping up today. Ali will also talk Fintech, his first love - from an entrepreneurial perspective, advisor to Techpreneurs, angel investor and lastly from a Policy & Regulator perspective. linkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim/ Twitter:AliHKassim

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Connecting the Unconnected: Building Internet Access in South African Townships | #Alitalkstech S3 ep 11

    In this episode of #Alitalkstech, host Ali Hussein Kassim speaks with Mzi Holmes, a telecom veteran and technical lead at Illitha Telecommunications. With over 26 years in the sector, Mzi shares the challenges and triumphs of expanding internet connectivity to underserved townships in South Africa. They delve into the historical and socio-economic factors behind limited access, the complexities of deploying infrastructure in cash-driven communities, and the social impact of bridging the digital divide. This conversation sheds light on the balance between social responsibility and business sustainability, the importance of patient capital, and the inspiring stories of lives transformed through connectivity. Tune in for an eye-opening look at how Elita Telecommunications is pioneering change and striving to connect half a million people within five years.

    25 min

  2. 5 NOV

    Transforming Telecom in Africa Imran Abbas on Open Access & Connectivity | #Alitalkstech S3 ep 10

    In this insightful episode of #Alitalkstech, host Ali Hussain Kassim sits down with Imran Abbas, Group CEO of Link Africa, to dive deep into the transformative journey of Africa’s telecom landscape. With over 34 years of experience, Imran shares his journey from the early days of monopolistic telcos in South Africa to leading open access infrastructure initiatives across the continent. Discover how open access is reshaping Africa's connectivity and why competing on infrastructure alone no longer serves the industry or its customers. Listen in as Imran reveals the highs and challenges of advocating for a unified approach to telecom infrastructure and the future vision he’s crafting with Link Africa.

    21 min

  3. 22 OCT

    MTN's Secret to Digital Domination: Mobile Money, AI, and More! | #Alitalkstech S3 ep 9

    In this exciting episode of #Alitalkstech host I sit down with Ashley Bruyns, Senior Manager of Software Engineering at MTN South Africa, to explore the technological evolution shaping Africa. From the rise of mobile money platforms like MTN Momo and their competition with Kenya’s M-Pesa, to the transformative potential of AI, Ashley shares valuable insights from his 20+ years in the tech industry. Tune in to hear how MTN is transitioning from a Telco to a Techco, its role in fostering financial inclusion, and the critical role of software solutions in integrating systems across Africa's diverse markets.

    15 min

  4. 9 OCT

    Unlocking Financial Inclusion: Mobile Money & Sharia in Niger #AliTalksTech S3 Ep8

    In this insightful episode recorded at the Novacom Summit in Stellenbosch, Ali Hussein Kassim welcomes Bra Amadou, Head of Airtel Money in Niger. They dive deep into the challenges and opportunities in Niger’s mobile money ecosystem, highlighting the low penetration of digital financial services in a cash-dependent culture. Bra shares his experience leading projects aimed at financial inclusion, including his role as Vice President of Niger’s National Solidarity Foundation. Together, they discuss the complexities of introducing mobile money to rural areas, the influence of Sharia law on financial services, and the importance of education campaigns to demystify digital payments. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the future of mobile money in Niger and West Africa, emphasizing collaboration between banks, mobile operators, and local agents.

    20 min

  5. 26 AUG

    Iyinoluwa Aboyeji: From Yaba Valley to Building Africa's Tech Giants | #Alitalkstech S3 EP 7

    🌟 In this new episode of #Alitalkstech, I sat down with Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, the founding CEO of Future Africa and co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave. 🌍 Aboyeji shares his journey from growing up in Yaba, often referred to as "Yaba Valley," to becoming a pivotal figure in Africa's tech ecosystem. 🚀 He reflects on the evolution of entrepreneurship in Africa, the challenges of maintaining culture and social infrastructure within tech communities, and how Future Africa is working to rebuild the pipeline for African startups. 💡 Aboyeji also discusses the impact of funding crashes on the ecosystem and the importance of creating sustainable businesses that truly impact lives. 💼 Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned investor, this conversation offers a deep dive into the past, present, and future of African tech. 🌟 👉 Make sure to subscribe for more exclusive content! 🎥🔔

    48 min

  6. 25 AUG

    From Stanford to Turnaround CEO: Danielle Royston's Impact on Telcos | #Alitalkstech S3 Ep 6

    Join Ali Hussein Kassim in a compelling conversation with Danielle Royston, also known as D-R, on Ali Talks Tech. Discover Danielle's remarkable journey from studying computer science at Stanford to becoming a turnaround CEO. Originally from Texas, Danielle's career path has been defined by her strong work ethic and diverse experiences in enterprise software sales. As a turnaround CEO, Danielle specializes in revitalizing distressed companies through operational optimization, blending technical expertise with empathetic leadership skills honed during her tenure in human resources. Her insights into managing organizational transitions provide valuable lessons for leaders across industries. The conversation spans technology, telecommunications, and AI, with a particular focus on Africa's telco sector. Explore Danielle's views on integrating AI and cloud computing into existing networks to propel technological advancement, alongside discussions on Elon Musk's Starlink and its potential impact on connectivity in remote areas. Don't miss out on this insightful dialogue highlighting Danielle Royston's resilience, business acumen, and commitment to transforming telcos worldwide. Subscribe to Ali Talks Tech for more exclusive interviews and industry insights!

    56 min

  7. 24 AUG

    Ethio Telecom's 5G Rollout: Tegene Tesfaye Speaks! | #Alitalkstech S3 ep 5

    In this episode of #Alitalkstech, 📡 we bring you insights from the Novacom Summit. I had a chat with Tegene Tesfaye from Ethio Telecom, one of Africa's oldest and largest telecom companies with 127+ years in service and 74 million mobile customers 📱. Tegan shares Ethio Telecom's journey into mobile, internet, and fintech with their digital currency service, Telebirr. With 30 million active users, Telebirr is transforming digital payments in Ethiopia 🇪🇹. They discuss Ethio Telecom’s competition with Safaricom and their positive outlook despite the challenges. The conversation covers the rollout of 4G and 5G networks, affordability, and partnerships with banks to enhance the financial ecosystem through Telebirr 💳. Wrapping up, Tegene talks about Ethio Telecom's vision of digitalizing Ethiopia, including projects with hospitals and schools 🏥🏫. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on Ethiopia's telecom and digital transformation future, only on #Alitalkstech! 🎧

    17 min

  8. 23 AUG

    Unveiling Nigeria's Tech Future Mahey Rasheed at Novacom Summit | #AliTalksTech S3 ep4

    Join us for an insightful conversation on #Alitalkstech with Ali Hussein Kassim, recorded live from the Novacom Summit. In this episode, Ali sits down with Mahey Rasheed, the influential Chairman of BCN Nigeria, to explore his remarkable journey and the groundbreaking strides BCN is making in the tech landscape of Nigeria. 🌍🚀 Mahey Rashied shares his transition from public service, where he served as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, to his pivotal role in establishing Nigeria's Sovereign Wealth Fund. 💼🇳🇬 Dive into the conceptualization and impact of this fund, designed to bolster investments and drive economic growth through strategic initiatives. 💰📈 Discover how BCN Nigeria, under Mahey's leadership, is leading the charge in digital transformation by providing extensive internet and fiber connectivity across Northern Nigeria, covering more than 500 kilometers. 🌐🔗 Mahey elaborates on BCN's ambitious plans to expand into cloud services and develop inter-country networks, including a significant project connecting Nigeria to Chad. ☁️🇳🇬➡️🇹🇩 Ali and Mahey also delve into the critical role of technology in Africa's development, highlighting the surge of young tech entrepreneurs and successful startups like Flutterwave and OPay. 💡📱 This episode emphasizes the importance of local funding in fostering homegrown tech innovation and the dynamic future of Nigeria’s tech industry. 🌟🌍 Tune in to hear about the future of internet connectivity, the significance of local and international investments, and Mahey Rasheed’s visionary plans for BCN Nigeria and beyond. 🎙️🔮 Key Highlights: Mahey Rasheed's career shift from public service to tech leadership. 🔄👔 The foundation and objectives of Nigeria's Sovereign Wealth Fund. 🏦💡 BCN Nigeria's role in enhancing digital infrastructure in Northern Nigeria. 🛠️🌐 Future expansion plans, including cloud services and international connectivity projects. 🚀☁️ The burgeoning tech ecosystem in Nigeria and the rise of youth-led startups. 👩‍💻👨‍💻 The importance of local investment in Africa’s tech innovation. 💵🌍 Don’t miss this episode packed with insights on the digital transformation of Africa and the inspiring leadership of Mahey Rasheed. Subscribe to our Spotify to listen! 🎧✨

    16 min
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Trailer

About

Ali Talks Tech will follow the Pan African Tech Story from Silicon Savannah to Yabacon Valley, Nigeria’s answer to Silicon Valley, in Lagos' Yaba neighborhood. We will trace the birth of the African Tech Ecosystem from Nairobi’s Ngong Road in the late ‘90s, to the South African cities of Joburg and Cape Town and follow it to how it is shaping up today. Ali will also talk Fintech, his first love - from an entrepreneurial perspective, advisor to Techpreneurs, angel investor and lastly from a Policy & Regulator perspective. linkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim/ Twitter:AliHKassim

Information

  • Creator
    Ali Hussein
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ali Hussein
  • Show Website
    Ali Talks Tech

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