Diaspora Innovators

Episode 8: Conclusion

Andrew reflects on African entrepreneurship and the diaspora's role. By 2050, Africa will house 20% of the global population, with a growing middle class. Andrew highlights returning entrepreneurs leveraging global experiences to drive social businesses despite corruption, regulatory issues, & informal economies.

Episode 7: Pascal Ntsama, Tech, and the Future in Africa Pt. 2

In Part 2 of our talk with Pascal Ntsama, founder of Canza Finance, we explore running a digital currency trading desk in Africa. Pascal discusses managing employees, scaling remotely, and navigating regulatory uncertainties. He highlights Africa's growing crypto adoption, driven by youth and economic instability, with Nigeria as a key market. Pascal shares Canza's efforts to build credibility, expand globally, and address local financial challenges while promoting financial freedom.

Episode 6: Pascal Ntsama, Tech, and the Future in Africa Pt. 1

Pascal Ntsama of Canza Finance discusses his startup's mission to transform African finance. Co-founded with DJ, who grew up in Nigeria and Australia, Canza facilitates cross-border currency transfers using stable tokens and decentralized currencies, cutting high transaction costs. They focus on leapfrogging traditional systems with cryptocurrency, addressing dollar access challenges, and revolutionizing banking in emerging markets.

Episode 5: Creating a school in Tanzania with Shaaban Fundi

Dr. Siobhan Fundi, founder of the Experiential Learning Center in Morogoro, Tanzania, shares his journey. After living in the U.S., he returned home to address local education challenges, starting with a free library using donated books from his Georgia students. Demand led to expanding into a school now serving 160 students. Fundi focuses on experiential learning, aiming to equip students with practical skills & entrepreneurship opportunities.

Episode 4: Samuel, Agriculture, Nest Eggs, & Future Plans

Andrew interviews Samuel Dingba, who moved from Cameroon to the U.S. on an athletic scholarship. Samuel now uses organic farming practices learned in Vermont to transform his 25-acre farm in Cameroon, focusing on fishery, animal husbandry, and knowledge transfer. Despite challenges like crop theft and managing from afar, he remains dedicated to positively impacting his family, community, and the local agriculture sector.

Noah, Nativa, & Ed Tech

In episode 3 of Diaspora Innovators, Andrew Kessel talks with Noah Athanase, a former Coca-Cola employee & founder of Nativa, an edtech startup in Cameroon. Nativa's LMS bridges the tech gap offering tools like grading & communication. Despite just 10–15% internet penetration in Cameroon, it serves 14,000 students & 4,000 parents. Challenges include high costs, slow speeds, and resistance to change, while funding Nativa through Noah's U.S.-based medical transport business

Haig's Story Continued

Andrew's conversation with Haig explores the challenges of starting a business in Cameroon, including a regulation limiting students' ability to sew their own uniforms and its impact on education. Haig discusses training students, addressing corruption, navigating inconsistent regulations, and economic realities like informal businesses and high employee turnover. He emphasizes resilience & adapting to local conditions in driving social change.

Introduction with Haig and the school uniforms in Cameroon Pt. 1

Host Andrew Kessel introduces the podcast by sharing his journey and motivations, leading into interviews with diaspora entrepreneurs like Haig Tientcheu. Originally from Cameroon & now in the US, Haig started a business producing school uniforms to create jobs & empower communities. In the first episode, he discusses opportunities in the uniform market, challenges of operating in Cameroon from Atlanta, & his commitment to sustainable employment despite obstacles.