Beyond the Pivot

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Njoki Njoroge , founder and CEO of Mandevu Beardcare . With a background in marketing and IT, Njoki shares how small businesses can leverage data to move from guessing to knowing. From mixing formulations in her kitchen to scaling into over 100 retail stores, she has masterfully bridged digital innovation with physical retail expansion across E...

🚀 In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Mulumba Lwatula, Head of Investments for Mining and Energy at Zambia’s IDC. With a background spanning digital infrastructure, post-conflict tech consulting, and angel investing, Mulumba steers strategic industrial investments while championing local startup ecosystems. Beyond the boardroom, he is a technologist, rancher, and passionate phot...

Can your business outgrow your own psychology? 🚀 In this masterclass on leadership and scale, Kim Otteby (Managing Director of Umoyo Health ) shares how she transformed a bedroom start-up into a manufacturing powerhouse and household name in Zambia. From launching the first local alkaline water to maintaining radical brand integrity for over 15 years, Kim reveals that the ultimate key to success...

🚀 In this episode of Beyond the Pivot , we sit down with Allen Kimbelwa , a Tanzanian entrepreneur who masterfully bridges the gap between the high-stakes boardroom and the untamed bush. As the founder of Adelphos , Allen has advised over 100 organizations on navigating the unique complexities of the Tanzanian market. Simultaneously, he leads Wild Reality Safari , a locally owned operation that b...

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot , we sit down with Gaurav Vijayvargiya , CEO of 260 Brands , one of Zambia’s leading agro-processing and food manufacturing companies scaling across Africa. This conversation explores what it really takes to scale a family business in emerging markets. Gaurav shares how he transitioned from supply chain professional and rally driver to leading a multi-country ma...

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot , we sit down with Brad Magrath — seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and Partner at AHL Venture Partners , one of Africa’s pioneering early-stage venture funds. From co-founding and scaling Zoona into one of Africa’s most impactful fintech companies to becoming a fund builder backing the next generation of founders, Brad has lived the full startup cycle on the con...

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot , we sit down with Nyeji Mhango , Managing Partner at wCAP , to unpack what truly makes businesses investable in African markets — and why most companies fail long before capital ever becomes the problem. Nyeji shares deep, practical insights from building a private credit fund focused on women-led and gender-diverse businesses in Southern Africa. She explains w...

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot , we sit down with Mark Ireland , Team Leader of Enterprise Zambia , to explore what actually works in climate-smart agriculture and rural SME development. With more than 20 years of experience in international development, Mark shares why long-term impact in agriculture comes from supporting viable agribusinesses rather than short-term projects. He explains why...

🎙️ In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Natasha Chiumya to unpack what it really takes to invest in real estate in Africa without regret — especially for diaspora investors. Natasha shares practical, real-world lessons from working with buyers who lost money due to unclear land titles, broken trust chains, informal processes, and missing due diligence. She explains why many proper...

How is mobile technology reshaping Africa’s startup ecosystem and what do the real numbers tell us about where the continent is heading next? In this episode of Beyond the Pivot , we talk with Max Cuvellier Giacomelli , co-founder of Africa: The Big Deal and one of the leading analysts tracking startup funding, mobile innovation, and digital transformation across Africa. Max breaks down the trends...

🚀 In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Biola Alabi , a trailblazer who has shaped Africa’s creative industries and is now building bridges into venture capital. From leading M-Net Africa Magic , bringing shows like Sesame Street and Big Brother Africa to millions of homes, to launching Biola Alabi Media and co-founding Acasia Ventures and Delta 40 , Biola has moved seamlessly bet...

🚀 In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Lulumbi Njelika, founder of Monter Capital, to explore how patient and purpose-driven capital can shape Africa’s future. With a vision to build a $100M private equity fund, Lulumbi shares his journey from global networks to investing in African businesses, and why governance, patience, and local partnerships are the keys to long-term success...

🚀 In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we talk with Afshon Wallace, founder and CEO of AfriDelivery, about his journey from chasing KPIs to building a purpose-driven logistics platform in Zambia. Starting with just two motorbikes, Afshon bootstrapped AfriDelivery into a household name in Zambia, and now he’s focused on expanding across borders with the vision of building the “African DHL.” Afshon...

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Cassandra Mtine, CEO of AgriPredict, a Zambian agri-tech company helping farmers make informed decisions through real-time weather alerts, pest detection tools, and market insights. Cassandra shares how AgriPredict evolved from a hackathon idea into a platform that supports thousands of farmers across Zambia and beyond. We discuss the challenge...

🚀 In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we speak with Nankhonde Kasonde van den Broek, founder of Zanga African Metrics, a Zambian leadership consultancy on a bold mission: to challenge global frameworks and redefine how success is measured in Africa. Through locally rooted data and culturally contextual tools, Zanga is creating an African-born performance index that better reflects the values, be...

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Owen Harmon, co-founder of Gemini Capital Partners in Liberia. As an early-stage investor focused on local entrepreneurs, Owen shares what makes Liberia’s startup ecosystem unique and what it truly takes to back founders in one of Africa’s most underserved markets. We explore how Gemini Capital Partners is addressing the funding gap for Liberia...

🚀 In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Chisepo Chirwa , CEO and co-founder of BOSSO , a Zambian construction-tech startup that’s reinventing how building materials are sourced and delivered. Launched in 2022, Bosso is building a digital platform that connects hardware suppliers, contractors, and homebuilders, making construction more affordable, transparent, and efficient. Chisep...

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we speak with Francis Stevens George , a leading voice in Sierra Leone’s entrepreneurial development. As a founder, educator, and ecosystem builder, Francis has spent years empowering young people and pushing for a more practical, mindset-driven approach to business in Sierra Leone . He shares honest reflections on the gaps in donor-driven programs, the importa...

🚀 In this powerful episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Vwanganji Bowa, the inspiring founder and CEO of Mighty Finance, a Zambian fintech company making credit accessible to underserved communities. Vwanganji shares her remarkable journey from losing her home after a failed first venture to building a thriving digital lending business that now supports thousands of SMEs in Zambia and is...

🚀 In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we explore how Rwanda is becoming a powerhouse for African startups with the support of Norrsken East Africa. Our guest, Elie Habimana , Managing Director of Norrsken East Africa , shares insights into how Rwanda’s startup ecosystem is evolving, how entrepreneurs can access funding, and why regional integration is key for business growth in Africa. 💡 What Y...

🚀 In this milestone 10th episode of Beyond the Pivot, we sit down with Petra Rees, a Czech entrepreneur-turned-VC based in South Africa. From launching startups to exiting businesses in South Africa, Petra shares her incredible journey of adaptation, entrepreneurship, and venture capital in Africa. 🔍 With experience in 3D printing, manufacturing, and impact investing, Petra explains why Africa p...

In this exciting episode of Beyond the Pivot , we sit down with Haïle Amegashie , an investor at Breega , a $75 million venture capital fund focused on early-stage startups in Africa. With experience as an entrepreneur-turned-VC, Haïle shares his journey from building startups to investing in the next generation of African founders. Breega is not just a funding partner—their Scaling Squad provides...

Tomi "TD" Davies is self-describer gastro-terorrist and well known angel investor that has decades long of experience successfully building angel investment networks across the continent, forming and presiding over African Business Angel Network, forming Catalytic Fund and influential programs such as Mentor Pitch in Nigeria and in Zambia. TD is also author of 4 books that are a guidance...

Discover how Mwansa Chalo, co-founder and CEO of Duniya Healthcare, is transforming medicine logistics in Zambia and beyond. In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we explore Mwansa’s journey into healthcare, how Duniya went from MVP to scaling, and their mission to save thousands of lives through timely medicine delivery. We also discuss their partnership with The Churches Health Association of Zam...

In this episode of Beyond the Pivot, we look back on 2024 and step forward into 2025 with a focus on the dynamic world of African startup investments. Together with Kabwela Mulapande, we unpack 5 major news stories from November and December that shaped the ecosystem, highlighting the incredible growth and innovation seen across the continent this year. We also spotlight 3 unmissable events in 202...