Unlocking Africa

Terser Adamu
  • 5.0 (11)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Terser Adamu, who is an Africa Business Strategist, International Trade Adviser, and Director at ETK Group, hosts the award-nominated Unlocking Africa Podcast. During each episode he shares his thoughts on how to unlock Africa’s economic potential in the 21st century. This is delivered through engaging and thought-provoking discussions with innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and business leaders who are unlocking Africa’s economic potential. Whether you're a business leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, have a comfortable side hustle, or want to take your business to the next level, each episode is jam-packed with information and insight that will enable you to take immediate action and implement key strategies to successfully launch and grow your business in Africa.

  1. 4D AGO

    How Nithio is Driving Africa’s Energy Transition Through Blended Finance and AI Powered Risk Analytics with Roeland Menger

    Episode 188 with Roeland Menger, CEO of Nithio, a climate fintech platform that invests in clean energy companies and helps others allocate capital to climate solutions that build resilience. Roeland brings deep experience from his work at Google, the World Bank, and Power Africa to this conversation about bridging Africa’s clean energy financing gap. In this episode, he shares how Nithio’s Facility for Adaptation, Inclusion and Resilience (FAIR) is unlocking capital to scale off grid energy investments across the continent. From deploying artificial intelligence powered risk analytics to raising innovative blended finance structures, Roeland explains how Nithio is making clean energy affordable, bankable, and investable. He discusses the challenges of directing global climate finance towards Africa, the critical role of junior capital in de risking investments, and the opportunity to replace diesel generators with scalable clean energy solutions. What We Discuss Roeland The vision behind Nithio’s Facility for Adaptation, Inclusion and Resilience (FAIR) and how it is bridging Africa’s clean energy financing gap.How Nithio’s AI powered Risk Analytics Engine is chaning credit risk assessment and enabling investment into both large and small clean energy companies.Expanding access to clean energy across twenty countries, with a focus on sectors such as solar irrigation, productive use appliances, and e mobility.The impact of replacing diesel generators with scalable renewable energy solutions and the broader climate benefits for the continent.The challenges and opportunities in financing small local energy distributors and making them bankable for larger investors.Verto Corner In this week’s Verto Corner, Alice Williams, Expansion Operations Manager at Verto, shares her insights on what it really takes for businesses to succeed when entering new markets.  She explains the key factors companies must consider at the outset, from understanding payment requirements to navigating regulatory frameworks, and how to avoid the common mistakes that can slow growth.  Alice also highlights the role of effective cross border payment systems in making expansion smoother and more sustainable. Access the Strategy Handbook Did you miss my previous episode where I discus Building Africa’s UFC: How a Nigerian Entrepreneur Is Taking African Combat Sports From the Village to the World? Make sure to check it out! Connect with Terser: LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafrica Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu Connect with Roeland: LinkedIn - Roeland Menger Twitter - @nithiocredit Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

    50 min

  2. AUG 25

    Building Africa’s UFC: How a Nigerian Entrepreneur Is Taking African Combat Sports From the Village to the World with Maxwell Kalu

    Episode 187 with Maxwell Kalu, Founder and CEO of African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), the leading promoter of indigenous African combat sports. Maxwell Kalu brings a unique blend of cultural stewardship, business strategy, and visionary storytelling to this conversation about taking Africa’s ancient fighting traditions to the global stage.  In this episode, he shares how AWFC is transforming Dambe, a centuries-old Hausa combat sport, into a modern spectacle with international appeal. From his first encounter with Dambe during a trip to Lagos to securing global broadcast deals with platforms like DAZN, Maxwell unpacks the journey of reimagining a deeply rooted tradition without losing its soul.  He discusses the spiritual and cultural elements that make Dambe unlike any other combat sport, the role of digital media in building a fanbase across continents, and the challenges of scaling from sandpit arenas to global streaming. What We Discuss Maxwell The cultural and historical roots of Dambe, and how AWFC is preserving its authenticity while adapting it for modern audiences.The vision behind transforming Dambe from a regional tradition into a global sport.How AWFC’s partnership with DAZN is introducing Dambe to international audiences and positioning African athletes on the global stage.The significance of traditional elements like war drums, spiritual guides, and community storytelling in shaping the experience of a Dambe fight.Challenges and opportunities in scaling a combat sports brand from informal sandpits to a structured global platform with professional production and sponsorship.Verto Corner In this week’s Verto Corner, Natasha Biddell, Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer at Verto, addresses one of the most pressing challenges for banks and businesses today: fraud.  As fraudsters develop ever more sophisticated tactics, from cyber attacks to elaborate scams, protecting financial institutions and companies has never been more important.  Natasha explains the latest threats businesses should be aware of, why some risks are often underestimated, and the practical steps organisations can take to build stronger defences. She also highlights the importance of culture and staff training in shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach. Access the Strategy Handbook Did you miss my previous episode where I discus Connecting Farmers to Consumers: How PricePally Is Making Fresh Food More Affordable and Accessible in Africa? Make sure to check it out! Connect with Terser: LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafrica Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu Connect with Maxwell: LinkedIn - Maxwell Kalu Twitter - @africanwfc Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

    49 min

  3. AUG 18

    Connecting Farmers to Consumers: How PricePally Is Making Fresh Food More Affordable and Accessible in Africa with Luther Lawoyin

    Episode 186 with Luther Lawoyin, Founder and CEO of PricePally, a pioneering e-commerce platform transforming how consumers access fresh food across African cities. Luther Lawoyin brings a powerful blend of entrepreneurial vision, technological innovation, and deep market insight to this conversation on the future of food distribution in Africa.  In this episode, he discusses how PricePally connects consumers directly to farmers and wholesalers, enabling affordable, portioned, or bulk food purchases through a demand-driven model that reduces waste and supports sustainable agriculture.  Luther unpacks how the platform leverages data analytics, AI, and strategic partnerships to streamline supply chains and respond to food security challenges exacerbated by inflation, policy instability, climate change, and why the company is now eyeing food exports to the diaspora. What We Discuss Luther The personal and systemic challenges that inspired Luther Lawoyin to launch PricePally and reimagine food access across urban Africa.How PricePally’s group-buying model and demand-driven approach are reducing food waste, lowering prices, and improving farmer income.The role of data, predictive analytics, and intentional contracting in creating a more efficient and sustainable supply chain.Why PricePally is expanding into food exports and targeting the African diaspora in the US and UK with competitively priced ethnic staples.The urgent need for greater investment and public-private collaboration in agriculture to unlock food security and long-term resilience.Verto Corner In this week’s Verto Corner, Rodrigo Cruz, Product Lead at Verto, looks at how businesses can use payment automation to save time and improve financial health.  He explains why automation is more than just a way to speed up routine transactions, showing how it can strengthen cash management, reduce errors and free up teams to focus on growth.  Rodrigo also highlights the most important features companies should prioritise when considering automation, ensuring they choose solutions that add real value rather than simply digitising existing inefficiencies.  Access the Strategy Handbook Did you miss my previous episode where I discus Using Smart Technology to Make Electricity Cheaper, Cleaner and More Reliable for African Homes? Make sure to check it out! Connect with Terser: LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafrica Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu Connect with Luther: LinkedIn - Luther Lawoyin Twitter - @PricePally Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

    41 min

  4. AUG 11

    Using Smart Technology to Make Electricity Cheaper, Cleaner and More Reliable for African Homes with Kailas Nair and Jon Kornik

    Episode 185 with Kailas Nair, Chief Growth Officer and Co-founder, and Jon Kornik, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Plentify, an award winning clean tech AI company transforming home energy management in Africa and beyond. Kailas Nair and Jon Kornik bring a wealth of experience from global leaders such as McKinsey, Google, Tesla, and Vitality to this conversation on how artificial intelligence and innovative hardware can make electricity more affordable, reliable, and clean for African households. In this episode, they share how Plentify’s solutions, including the HotBot and SolarBot, help households shift energy consumption to cheaper and cleaner times, stabilise strained grids, and maximise the value of solar energy. They discuss how a demand side focus, combined with user-centric design, is unlocking new opportunities for African utilities, communities, and consumers. From securing multi-million dollar deals and international funding to being recognised in the Bloomberg 50 Startups to Watch and shortlisted for the Earthshot Prize, Kailas and Jon reflect on the challenges and opportunities of scaling a climate tech business from South Africa to global markets. What We Discuss With Kailas and Jon The personal and professional journeys that led them from global careers at Google, McKinsey, and Vitality back to South Africa to tackle the energy crisis.How Plentify’s AI-powered HotBot and SolarBot help households shift energy use to cheaper, cleaner times while stabilising strained electricity grids.Why focusing on the demand side of the energy equation can unlock new solutions for Africa’s affordability, reliability, and sustainability challenges.Lessons learned from scaling a South African climate tech startup into global markets and tailoring solutions for diverse African energy contexts.Strategies for building credibility and securing investment in Africa’s clean energy sector.Verto Corner In this week’s Verto Corner, Cornelius Coetzee, Verto’s Country Director for South Africa, shares his perspective on how smarter cross border payment strategies can give importers and exporters a real advantage.  He outlines the hidden “icebergs” in international trade such as changing regulations, levies and tariffs that can quickly erode profitability if not managed well.  Cornelius explains how improving payment processes is not only about reducing costs but also about building resilience, improving cash flow and strengthening competitiveness in fast changing markets.  Discover how our Verto's solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale effortlessly.  Visit Verto to get started. Did you miss my previous episode where I discus Building a Borderless Economy: How Itana is Creating Africa’s First Digital Special Economic Zone? Make sure to check it out! Connect with Terser: LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafrica Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu Connect with Kailas and Jon: LinkedIn - Kailas Nair and Jon Kornik Twitter - @plentifyHQ Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

    55 min

  5. AUG 4

    Building a Borderless Economy: How Itana is Creating Africa’s First Digital Special Economic Zone with Nkechi Oguchi

    Episode 184 with Nkechi Oguchi, Chief Marketing and Community Officer at Itana, Africa’s First Digital Special Economic Zone. As Chief Marketing and Community Officer, Nkechi is at the forefront of positioning Itana as the digital jurisdiction of choice for technology and service-based businesses operating in Africa. In this episode, Nkechi unpacks Itana’s bold vision: a one-stop digital platform that allows startups and scale-ups to incorporate, access banking, secure business visas, and operate tax-efficiently within a regulatory environment designed for the digital economy. She discusses how Itana’s partnership with the Nigerian government and initiatives like the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) are creating new pathways for accessing talent, unlocking digital trade, and building community at scale. Nkechi shares how Itana is redefining the role of free zones in the age of remote-first operations and pan-African scale, and why a future-forward, community-driven approach is essential for stimulating Africa’s digital transformation. What We Discuss With Nkechi The evolution from Talent City to Itana, and how this shift reflects a broader ambition to build Africa’s first fully digital, business-friendly jurisdiction.How Itana enables global startups and digital service providers to incorporate remotely, access African markets, and scale operations with ease.The strategic role of community in Itana’s model and how ecosystem-building, talent pipelines, and mentorship drive value for both founders and investors.The significance of the recent MOU with Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and how it supports job creation and digital trade through NATEP.The importance of policy stability, regulatory innovation, and international partnerships in attracting foreign direct investment to Nigeria’s digital economy.Verto Corner This week in Verto Corner, Austin Okpagu, Country Manager for Nigeria at Verto, explains why more businesses are shifting away from traditional international payment methods and choosing to pay locally instead.  With legacy systems like SWIFT often slow, expensive, and routed through multiple intermediaries, Austin highlights how local payment rails offer faster, more cost-effective solutions for companies working with partners in markets like Nigeria and Kenya.  He shares insights on how local payouts improve cash flow, reduce transaction costs, and create stronger relationships with suppliers and customers. Discover how our Verto's solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale effortlessly.  Visit Verto to get started. Did you miss my previous episode where I discus From Soil Sensors to Farm Analytics: Using Technology to Improve Soil Health and Food Security in Africa? Make sure to check it out! Connect with Terser: LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafrica Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu Connect with Nkechi: LinkedIn - Nkechi (Oti) Oguchi Twitter - @heynkechi Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

    41 min

  6. JUL 28

    From Soil Sensors to Farm Analytics: Using Technology to Improve Soil Health and Food Security in Africa with Brian Bosire

    Episode 183 with Brian Bosire, CEO and Co-Founder of UjuziKilimo, a leading agri-tech company empowering Africa’s smallholder farmers through data science, IoT, and predictive analytics. Brian Bosire is on a mission to digitise Africa’s agricultural value chains by putting powerful, real-time insights in the hands of smallholder farmers. In this episode, he shares the story behind UjuziKilimo, which is Swahili for “knowledge farming,” and how the company is using cutting-edge technologies like the SoilPal IoT sensor and the FarmSuite analytics platform to transform decision-making on millions of farms across the continent. Brian unpacks the innovation behind UjuziKilimo’s tools, which deliver field-specific data on soil health, fertiliser recommendations, and crop suitability within minutes. He explains how data-driven agronomy can increase yields, unlock financing and insurance, and build resilience in the face of climate change. What We Discuss With Brian The personal journey from growing up in a small farming village in Kisii, Kenya, to founding a company that empowers thousands of smallholder farmers through technology.How UjuziKilimo is replacing guesswork with data-driven decision-making through innovations like the SoilPal IoT device and FarmSuite analytics platform.The real-world impact of providing instant, field-specific agronomic recommendations on crop performance, soil health, and input usage.The business model and scaling challenges of reaching over 26,000 farmers, and the ambition to impact millions more.The role of machine learning and predictive analytics in enabling smarter, faster, and more localized farming practices.Verto Corner In this week’s Verto Corner, Conor O’Kane, Compliance Operations Manager at Verto, tackles one of the most important challenges for businesses operating across African markets: getting compliance right without slowing growth.  As cross-border trade increases, so do regulatory expectations, and companies that don’t keep up risk delays, penalties, or missed opportunities.  Conor explains the key compliance hurdles businesses face when transacting in and out of emerging markets and offers clear, actionable advice on how to stay compliant while still moving quickly. Discover how Verto's solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale effortlessly.  Visit Verto to get started. Did you miss my previous episode where I discus A Billion-Tonne Vision: The Company Using Rocks to Remove Carbon and Boost African Agriculture? Make sure to check it out! Connect with Terser: LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafrica Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu Connect with Brian: LinkedIn - Brian Bosire Twitter - @BosireOnyi Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

    37 min

  7. JUL 21

    A Billion-Tonne Vision: The Company Using Rocks to Remove Carbon and Boost African Agriculture with Sam Davies

    Episode 182 with Sam Davies, CEO and Co-Founder of Flux, a pioneering climate-tech company based in Nairobi that’s scaling Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) to remove carbon from the atmosphere and restore Africa’s soils. A former British Army reconnaissance officer, Sam transitioned from military leadership to climate entrepreneurship, driven by a personal vision to contribute meaningfully during the climate crisis. After discovering carbon removal while producing the documentary Legion 44 in Kenya, Sam founded Flux to unlock Africa’s immense potential for ERW, a natural process that sequesters CO₂ while improving crop yields and regenerating farmland. Under his leadership, Flux has formed key partnerships with governments like Nigeria’s, launched pilot projects across multiple countries, and committed to removing one billion tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere. In this episode, Sam explores the science behind ERW, the social impact of regenerative agriculture on smallholder farmers, and how Flux is building one of the most promising carbon removal platforms on the continent. He also unpacks the urgent need for credible carbon credits and policy innovation and why Africa is the next frontier for scalable climate solutions. What We Discuss With Sam Why Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is one of the most promising, and underutilised pathways for permanent CO₂ removal at scale.How Flux’s ERW model not only captures carbon but also regenerates depleted soils, improves crop yields, and enhances farmer livelihoods across AfricaFlux’s strategic partnerships with governments, including Nigeria’s, and the role of policy and public-sector collaboration in unlocking climate solutions.The structure behind Flux’s carbon credits, including measurement protocols and global certification standards for permanence and integrity.The long-term vision to capture one billion tonnes of CO₂Verto Corner In this week’s Verto Corner, George Antoniades, Product Manager at Verto, explores the future of cross-border payments through the lens of stablecoins.  Are they just another fintech fad or a transformative tool for global commerce? George breaks down what stablecoins are, how businesses are already using them to streamline transactions, and why they could play a pivotal role in bridging traditional finance with decentralised innovation.  George also shares practical guidance for companies curious about adopting stablecoins while flagging the regulatory considerations that come with this emerging technology. Also, access Verto’s comprehensive compliance guide for businesses navigating African markets. Access the Comprehensive Guide Did you miss my previous episode where I discus From Concept to Capital: Designing Smarter and Simpler Blended Finance Funds for Africa? Make sure to check it out! Connect with Terser: LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafrica Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu Connect with Sam: LinkedIn - Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

    41 min

  8. JUL 14

    From Concept to Capital: Designing Smarter and Simpler Blended Finance Funds for Africa with Aly-Khan Jamal

    Episode 181 with Aly-Khan Jamal, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Lagos, and co-author of the landmark report Scaling Blended Finance: Practical Tools for Blended Finance Fund Design. Aly-Khan Jamal brings deep expertise in development finance, capital mobilisation, and impact investing to this conversation on how blended finance can be a game-changer for Africa’s sustainable development and climate resilience. In this episode, he breaks down the practical tools outlined in the new joint report by BCG and British International Investment (BII), including a typology of five fund archetypes and a scorecard for fund design. Aly-Khan shares why scaling blended finance is not just a technical exercise but a systemic challenge, and opportunity. He explains how smart fund structuring can unlock commercial capital for high-impact sectors like clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, and infrastructure, particularly in emerging and underserved African markets. What We Discuss With Aly-Khan Why blended finance is a critical tool for unlocking private capital to meet Africa’s development and climate goals, and why it remains underutilised.The systemic challenges that prevent blended finance from scaling and how to overcome them through more strategic fund design.How the new BII–BCG toolkit provides a shared language for fund managers, investors, and donors through five archetypes and a structured scorecard.How to design blended finance funds that are simpler, more replicable, and better aligned with investor expectations.Real-world examples from Africa and beyond that show how blended finance can mobilise billions for development when deployed effectively.New Segment - Verto Corner In this episode’s Verto Corner, Jack Stanton, a trader at Verto, unpacks the rising volatility in global FX markets and its implications for African businesses engaged in cross-border trade. With central banks diverging on policy and geopolitical uncertainty heightening exchange rate swings, Jack explains why managing foreign exchange risk is more critical than ever.  He offers actionable insights on how businesses in markets like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa can hedge against FX exposure, protect their margins, and make smarter currency decisions.  Don’t miss his top advice and access to Verto’s FX Strategy Handbook for businesses navigating global payments in a turbulent economic climate.  Access the Strategy Handbook Did you miss my previous episode where I discus Bridging Finance and Sustainability: How International Finance Can Support Sustainable Infrastructure in Africa? Make sure to check it out! Connect with Terser: LinkedIn - Terser Adamu Instagram - unlockingafrica Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu Connect with Aly-Khan: LinkedIn - Aly-Khan Jamal Twitter - @BCG Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here

    41 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Terser Adamu, who is an Africa Business Strategist, International Trade Adviser, and Director at ETK Group, hosts the award-nominated Unlocking Africa Podcast. During each episode he shares his thoughts on how to unlock Africa’s economic potential in the 21st century. This is delivered through engaging and thought-provoking discussions with innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and business leaders who are unlocking Africa’s economic potential. Whether you're a business leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, have a comfortable side hustle, or want to take your business to the next level, each episode is jam-packed with information and insight that will enable you to take immediate action and implement key strategies to successfully launch and grow your business in Africa.

Information

  • Creator
    Terser Adamu
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    189
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Unlocking Africa
  • Show Website
    Unlocking Africa

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