African Business Stories
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!
Episodes
65 episodes
Chioma Okotcha-Faloughi: Co-founder and COO Rivy - Hard Stops, Bold Restarts: Rebuilding After Setbacks
Resilience takes on new meaning in my conversation with Chioma Okotcha-Faloughi, Co-founder of Rivi (formerly PayHippo), whose entrepreneurial journey embodies the grit required to build transformative businesses in Africa.Chioma never ...
Kudzayi Hove: Co-Founder & CEO, Amayi Foods - From Private Equity to Purpose in Africa’s Food Ecosystem
Kudzayi Hove's entrepreneurial journey from Zimbabwe to Nigeria represents a masterclass in adapting, pivoting, and building with purpose in Africa's challenging business landscape. As co-founder and CEO of Amayi Foods, meaning "mother" in her ...
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 tec...
Sarah Dusek: Co-Founder & MP, Enygma Ventures - Scaling Visions: From Startups to Venture Capital
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 ...
Banke Kuku: Founder & Creative Director, Banke Kuku - Fashion with Purpose: Sustainability & Innovation in Luxury Design
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...
Chilufya Mutale-Mwila: Co-Founder & CEO, eShandi - Building a Challenger Bank: Scaling Financial Solutions Across Africa
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.
Adesuwa Okunbo Rohdes: Founder & CEO Aruwa Capital Management - From Vision to $60M AUM: How Gender-Lens Investing is Reshaping Africa
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 C...
Africa’s Business Outlook for Female Entrepreneurs and What to Expect in Season 4.
Welcome back to African Business Stories, where powerful narratives meet practical insights about the women reshaping Africa's entrepreneurial landscape. Season 4 arrives at a pivotal moment: Africa stands as a dynamic frontier for growth and i...
Amb. Nimi Akinkugbe: Founder, Bestman Games - Navigating Pivots: From Corporate Success to Diplomatic Impact
Ambassador Nimi Akinkugbe's extraordinary journey from a Pan-African childhood to becoming an influential entrepreneur and diplomat is nothing short of inspiring. Raised amidst diverse cultures across East Africa, her unique upbringing instille...
Jade Oyateru: Co-Founder & COO, Uncover - Beyond Skincare: A movement to Prioritize Melanated Skin
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jade Oyateru, co-founder and COO of Uncover, as she shares her remarkable journey of creating a skincare brand that beautifully blends African botanicals with Korean beauty technology. Discover how Jad...
Anna Ekeledo: Executive Director, Afrilabs - Building Africa's Innovation Ecosystem
Anna Ekeledo's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Born in Russia to Nigerian and Senegalese parents, Anna's path has been shaped by vibrant multicultural experiences in her formative years. From a childhood spent in Nigeria and Senegal, she...
Lucy Msukwa: Founder & Executive Director Uchembere Wabwino Maternity - Beyond Birth: Bridging Gaps in Rural Healthcare
What if you could transform a small healthcare startup into a thriving clinic serving thousands, even amid a global pandemic? Hear from Lucy Msukwa, the inspiring Founder and Executive Director of Uchembere Wabwino Maternity in Malawi, who did ...
Chipo Mabota: Founder & CEO Cooper & Jones Global Logistics - Breaking Barriers and Navigating New Frontiers
What if you could break barriers in a male-dominated industry while balancing the demands of single motherhood? This episode of African Business Stories brings you the compelling journey of Chipo Mabota, the founder and CEO of
Ifeoma Uddoh: Founder & CEO Shecluded - Innovating Finance: The Journey of Africa's First Female-Centric Fintech
What if the key to financial empowerment for women in Nigeria lies in one woman's journey from a police barracks to the boardroom? Join us as we welcome Ifoma Uddoh, the founder and CEO of SheCluded, a pioneering fintech credit company transfor...
May Abdel Asim: Founder & MD HerStory Films - Empowering Women: Transforming Narratives, Inspiring Change
Ever felt like the existing media just doesn’t get you? That’s exactly how May Abdel-Essam felt, and instead of just complaining, she did something about it. Born in Egypt and raised in Germany, May returned to Egypt at 16 and turned her dissat...
Agang Ditlhogo: Co-Founder the Clicking Generation - Training and Mentoring the Innovators of Tomorrow
Have you ever wondered how childhood curiosity can shape a career in tech entrepreneurship? Our latest episode features Ahang Ditoho, co-founder of the Clicking Generation, whose journey from a curious young girl in Botswana to a trailblazing t...
Sandrine Nzeukou: Founder & CEO Playbook - Sports Media, Driving Investment in Emerging Sports Economies
Ever wondered how to bridge the gap between sports and business in emerging markets? Join us as we chat with Sandrine Zoku, the inspiring founder and CEO of Playbook, who brings her unique journey from Cameroon to the United States and beyond t...
Ndia Magadagela: CEO & Co-Founder, Everlectric - Driving the growth of electric vehicles as a service in Africa
Ever wondered how a young girl from a village in Limpopo could co-found a pioneering electric vehicle business in South Africa? Join us as we sit down with Ndia Magadagela, the visionary behind EverElectric, and unravel her inspiring journey fr...
Welcome back to the Africa Business Stories Podcast - Season 3
Welcome to Season 3 of the African Business Stories Podcast, a show dedicated to curating and sharing the stories of women building businesses in Africa. We took a short break but excited to be back with more stories of business success from ac...
Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun: Co-Founder & Chairperson The United Africa Group - The Winning Mindset, Defying the Odds to Build a Multi-Billion Dollar Conglomerate.
On this weeks episode, I chat with Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the United Africa Group, a privately owned multi-billion-dollar business conglomerate in Namibia that has been in operation since 1992.We tal...
Zainab Ashadu: Founder & Creative Director, Zashadu - The Business of Self Care: From Handcrafted Leather Goods to Holistic Wellness
On this weeks episode, I chat Zainab Ashadu, Founder and Creative Director of Zashadu a leading sustainable luxury brand that specializes in handcrafted leather pieces all designed and manufactured in La...
Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe: Founder, Women Leadership Institute - Lessons & Legacy, A Mother's Day Special
On this weeks episode, I chat with Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe, a dynamic politician, distinguished public administrator, educationist, gender and social engineer and activist, writer and diplomat. She is the Founder and Chairperson...
Chigozirim Otefe-Edebi: Co-Founder Gracehill Behavioral Health Services - Seizing Opportunities, The Journey To Enhancing Mental Health Care in Nigeria
On this weeks episode, I chat with management consultant and author Chigozirim Otefe-Edebi, Co-Founder Gracehill Behavioral Health Services providers of comprehensive mental health and wellness solutions in La...
Bunmi Olunloyo: Founder & Creative Director, Bailamos Dance Company - Challenging Perceptions and Empowering Women Through Dance
On this weeks episode, I chat with lawyer, dancer, actress and choreographer, Bunmi Olunloyo the Founder & Creative director Bailamos Dance Company a professional dance training fitness and wellness centre in Lagos Nigeria. She is also the ...
Saray Khumalo: Executive Coach & Founder, Summits With a Purpose - Lessons From the Mountain, First Black African Woman to Summit Mount Everest
On this weeks episode, I chat with award winning Mountaineer, philanthropist and Executive Coach Saray Khumalo. Saray is the Founder of Summits With a Purpose an initiative that has raised funds and built physical and digital libraries in disad...
