The Mbali Nwoko Podcast

I have the pleasure of speaking with Zoe, the Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) based in Nairobi. Zoe brings a wealth of experience in management consulting across the African continent, particularly in the food systems practice. Our conversation delved into various aspects of sustainable agriculture and the innovative trends shaping the industry. Please rate and revie...

In conversation with Glantine Mashile, MD of Geekay Agribusiness. Glantine shares invaluable insights on the challenges farmers face in securing loans from retail banks, particularly for black and emerging farmers. He emphasises the importance of proper business structuring, compliance, and record-keeping to become bankable. We discuss the types of capital available, including loans from retail ba...

Dr. Penny, an ESG specialist, sheds light on the significance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in today's agricultural landscape. She shares her expertise as an ESG Investment Analyst at SBG Securities, emphasising the importance of incorporating environmental, social, and governance factors into investment strategies for equities, with a primary focus on climate change. Please...

Michelle shares her journey in the agricultural sector, her recent award win, and her work with small-scale farmers through Urban Farmer .  We discuss the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, the importance of information access, and the vision for the future of agriculture in Africa. Please rate and review this podcast episode. Email info@mbalinwoko.com Subscribe to The Mbali Nwoko Podcast to...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Minki, a seasoned business growth consultant and coach at GROW . We explore the crucial role of business coaching in the success of entrepreneurs, delving into the importance of clarity, focus, and intentionality in building a thriving business. We also discuss the difference between business coaches and board members, the significance of setti...

In conversation with Oxolo Mofokeng, the Deputy Director of Siyavuna  Abalimi Development Centre. Siyavuna focuses on empowering rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal through sustainable farming practices. They provide training to both elderly farmers and youth, emphasizing the importance of skills development and enterprise development. Oxolo explains how their training program includes a participat...

In our first episode of 2024, we dive into the transformative world of agricultural technology with our guest, Francois Rossouw, CEO of SAAI . Francois, a returning friend of the podcast, shares exciting developments about SAAI's latest innovation, AI Farmer, powered by AELA. AI Farmer, formerly known as Hi Saai, is a groundbreaking technology providing personalized, real-time advice to farme...

Ukhanyo Farmer Development (NPO) is a pioneering initiative dedicated to empowering and uplifting farmers in South Africa, in the Eastern Cape province. Focused on rural agricultural development, the organization aims to unlock the full potential of farmers by providing essential resources, training, and support.  Through strategic guidance and community collaboration, Ukhanyo Farmer Development s...

Over the past couple of months, the poultry industry in South Africa has faced unprecedented challenges, especially with the emergence of the bird flu virus. This outbreak has had a profound impact, particularly on the availability of poultry products, with eggs being a notable example, on many retail shelves.  Thabile Nkunjana joins us once again; he's an economist from the National Agricult...

Agrikool , is a startup focused on making food and agricultural products accessible to everyone.  Palesa Motaung, COO of Agrikool discusses the challenges of agri-entrepreneurship in South Africa and how Agrikool has had to adapt its business model to meet the needs of its target market. The episode also highlights Agrikool's strong retail partnerships in the sector and their commitment to re...

Stephanie van der Walt, the Regional Manager of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) discusses the purpose of industry body associations and the work they do, as well as the benefits of being a member. Stephanie shares her thoughts on the Women's Fresh Perspective breakfast hosted by IFPA and their recent conference in Southern Africa.  Please rate and review this podcast episod...

Speaking to  Zaheer Dindar and Fazlur Pandor both Co-Founders of Pumpkn.io Pumpkn is a web-based platform that helps agribusinesses manage their finances and raise funding. It provides businesses with a comprehensive financial compliance checklist and real-time updates on their financial standing. It also offers tailor-made financing and funding opportunities specific to each business. Learn more...

Tendai Chitapi and Oliver Windram, co-founders of Kuronga . Kuronga is a platform that utilizes machine vision and deep learning to help farmers accurately grade their produce and target the right customers. The founders recognized that farmers were missing out on market opportunities due to a lack of tools and expertise in grading fresh produce. They discuss the challenges faced by farmers in ter...

Linda Siboto is the Co-founder of Cheeba Cannabis Academy and he unpacks the cannabis industry from obtaining licenses, cultivation practices, the costs associated with cannabis farming, and the various courses the academy offers to individuals that seek to learn or pursue a career in the cannabis industry. Linda also shares his personal journey and what inspired him to co-found Cheeba . Tune in t...

Christian Giesel, the Head of Marketing at Syngenta South Africa is the guest on this exciting podcast episode. Syngenta is a global agribusiness company that plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of agriculture through innovative marketing strategies. Christian's passion for sustainable agriculture and his deep understanding of the marketing landscape has been instrumental in driving Sy...

SA Harvest , based in the heart of South Africa, is a pioneering company with a mission to alleviate hunger while combating food waste. They've identified a critical issue in our society—tons of perfectly edible food goes to waste every day, while millions of people struggle with hunger. SA Harvest was founded with the belief that this disparity can be addressed by connecting these two proble...

Brastorne is an innovative technology startup based in Botswana, dedicated to bridging the digital divide and empowering the rural poor in Africa. With a deep-rooted commitment to addressing the needs of rural communities, especially those engaged in agriculture (representing 80% of the population), Brastorne leverages the transformative power of the internet. By providing access to online platfor...

Thabile Nkunjana is an experienced economist in agri-food systems, international trade, and rural development industry, and is currently employed by the NAMC  as an Economist in Agri-Food Chains. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of food price inflation and its  far-reaching consequences. We discuss how shifts in supply and demand, government policies, and global factors can cau...

Food Forward SA works with a network of food donors, volunteers, and beneficiary organizations to collect surplus food from retailers, farmers, and manufacturers, and distribute it to vulnerable communities across the country. Their mission is to ensure that no one goes hungry, while also promoting sustainable food systems and reducing the environmental impact of food waste. In this episode, we wi...

In this episode, we take a closer look at the incredible career of Ndidi Nwuneli, an entrepreneur, author, and advocate for sustainable development in Nigeria's agri sector. Ndidi is the founder of AACE Foods, an agribusiness company that works with smallholder farmers to produce high-quality food products for local and international markets. Ndidi is also a co-founder of Sahel Consulting, an...

Speaking to Mishkaat who is the newly appointed GM for Culdevco.  Culdevco’s main objective is to identify, market and commercialise profitable Agricultural Research Council (ARC) bred varieties for the South African deciduous fruit producers and Culdevco licensees abroad.   Since 2006, Culdevco and the ARC have had an exclusive deciduous fruit license agreement to market and commercialise most of...

Avenews is a fast-growing Israeli-Kenyan fintech company building the first financial super app for the agriculture industry in Africa. Despite their economic contribution, agri-SMBs receive only 3-5% of total bank credit. An estimated 2.5M agri-SMBs are in need of financing solutions in SSA alone, resulting in an $80 billion finance gap in the sector. Avenews is closing the gap through an ML-powe...

Nono is a commercial farmer and business women who has built a remarkable career in the agricultural sector focusing on primary agriculture, particularly in empowering youth, women and new entrants in the agriculture sector. We discuss her role within the African Leadership Academy where she has successfully managed to establish and run the AL for Agribusiness Network Program, which aims to suppor...

In conversation with Maluta Netshaulu - Senior Manager: Agriculture (Client Value Proposition). He is a thought leader in the sector and we highlight the wins and losses experienced across the agri sector over the past  6 months and what the future looks like for 2023 and beyond.  Please rate and review this podcast episode. Please rate and review this podcast episode. Email info@mbalinwoko.com Su...

Chatting to Chirene Jelbert , Owner and MD of C- FRUIT . She is an entrepreneur and commercial agriculture professional that has been in the industry for over 15 years. Let's hear how her business helps growers and clients see fruit differently through unique, practical, and sustainable go-to-market strategies from farm to table. Please subscribe to the podcast, like, and review the episode. ...