Flywheel Economics Podcast

In this Flywheel Economics Podcast episode, we sit down with Annika Burke to explore how to move beyond the traditional career ladder toward a model of intentional career development. Annika makes the case for "crafting" a career rather than climbing, actively shaping your path through what you say yes to, what you say no to, and the skills and experiences you combine over time. It's a practical,...

The global economy is entering a period of profound re-calibration. In the latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF paints a sobering picture of an era defined by the "shadow of war." In this Flywheel Economics Podcast episode, we move beyond the headlines to unpack the mechanics of this shift. We explore how conflict in the Middle East translates into inflationary pressure at your local gas pump, w...

Economies as ecosystems. Policymakers as gardeners. Yes, but what does it actually mean for the work you do on the ground? In this episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, Richard Ough and Favour Ogbadu pull back the curtain on the core principles of Flywheel Economics. They discuss how these principles are shaping our upcoming Toolkit, a practical, evidence-based roadmap designed to help develo...

What is a Results Mega Buy? Most programmes are full of activity: workshops, reports, pilots, stakeholder meetings, assessments. Everyone is busy. But when the programme ends… what actually remains? In this episode of the Flywheel Economics podcast, Chief Economist Richard Ough introduces the concept of Results Mega Buys (RMBs): a framework built around identifying and protecting the few high-leve...

In international development, there is an obsession with Best Practice. This leads to the adoption of a Public Financial Management reform such as Accrual Accounting under the assumption that transparency follows. However, as Andrew Keith argues, these sophisticated systems often fail because there simply are not enough trained accountants to run them. In this episode, Richard Ough, Favour Ogbadu,...

For decades, Nigeria’s power sector has struggled to meet the need of its population. Despite having the potential to generate 12,500 Megawatts, the daily reality for most families and businesses is a flickering 4,000 Megawatts. This isn't just an infrastructure problem; it’s a systemic one. In this episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we sit down with Patrick O. Okigbo III, Founder of Nexti...

The UK’s aid system is at a crossroads. Budgets have been reduced, priorities reshuffled, and development spending is under sharper political scrutiny than at any point in recent memory. At the same time, the future of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) is under reconsideration. Two former DFID colleagues (yes, this is partly a reunion episode, but with sharper questions than nostalg...

Nauru is often cited as a cautionary tale of the resource curse. It is a nation that reached the pinnacle of global wealth in the 1970s only to face a staggering economic crash. But for Flywheel Economics, the true story of Nauru isn't the collapse; it’s the recovery. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Keith to deconstruct Nauru’s "roller coaster" economy. We trace a path that began with nea...

The international development landscape is at a turning point. As the global economy becomes more fragmented and uncertain, traditional aid models are under increasing strain. UK ODA has been sharply reduced, USAID’s footprint has narrowed, and support for low-income countries continues to decline. In this episode of the Flywheel Economics podcast, Daniel Yeo, founder of Umami Works (https://umami...

As the year comes to a close, we take a step back to make sense of a rapidly shifting global economy. In this episode, the Flywheel Economics team unpacks the key forces reshaping growth across the world, from escalating tariffs and tightening immigration policies to the rise of new technologies transforming how economies function. We ask: • What really happens when major economies impose tariffs...

Why does monitoring in development often feel like an administrative chore instead of a powerful learning tool? The truth is, many aid organisations are stuck in a "compliance culture," treating monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as a bureaucratic exercise that fails to provide the real-time learning and adapting managers need. In this deep-dive episode of our Value for Money and Aid Effectivenes...

What if the pursuit of "good governance" actually increases the risk of civil conflict? On this provocative episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we challenge the entire development playbook. We sit down with an economist, whose career has taken him into many fragile states, to explore the profound tension between global economic ideals and the desperate need for stability in the world's most...

Why bet on a startup when you can get a sure thing from a government bond? On this episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we're diving into the excitement of venture capital and its powerful potential to drive economic growth. We sit down with Nneka Eze from VestedWorld, a firm at the forefront of this space, to explore the real-world challenges and untapped opportunities. We ask why VCs are t...

Can a nation's economic power be a powerful tool for international development? Or is it primarily a strategy for advancing a country's own interests? On this episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we’re navigating this complex world with a former UK High Commissioner to Nigeria. He has seen firsthand how foreign policy and economic strategy intersect on the ground. Join us as we explore the c...

Flywheel Economics is proud to present this episode on Mafita, a programme that transformed lives by equipping some of Northern Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups with skills, dignity, and opportunity. At its heart, Mafita was about practical empowerment rooted in context. We heard stories like the young woman with a disability who could finally pursue catering once small adjustments were made to he...

After a deep dive into one of the most critical challenges of our time, Flywheel Economics proudly presents the final episode of our Affordable Housing Miniseries. This series has been a journey into the heart of building truly resilient and sustainable communities, moving beyond just bricks and mortar to address the very foundations of economic well-being. In this concluding episode, we bring tog...

Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment, ready to redefine its economic future. In this episode, we dive into the heart of the nation's non-oil export sector, a vibrant space brimming with untapped potential. Join us as we uncover the importance of shaping export policy, ensuring it champions growth that reaches every corner of the economy. We also shine a light on the incredible impact of empowering w...

As we hit the midpoint of 2025, it’s time for a "Momentum Check" here at Flywheel Economics! In this special episode, we look back at the groundbreaking conversations from the first half of the year and unpack the crucial lessons for the future of economic development, especially in emerging markets. We revisit all our episodes; from the power of land titling for affordable housing to the art of m...

What happens when the money shrinks, but the challenges don’t? In this podcast episode, we take a deep dive into the messy, political, and deeply human world of international development, with someone who’s spent years inside it. Our guest, Peter J. Evans, (probably not the one you’re thinking), is a seasoned adviser on governance, inclusion, and aid strategy. He joins us for a reflective and nuan...

Imagine launching a modern business where the entire ecosystem needs to be built from scratch – from charging stations to obtaining custom license plates. This is the incredible, real-life story at the heart of our latest episode. Join us as we dive into the journey of an economist (who remarkably doesn't even drive!) who became the visionary founder of an electric vehicle (EV) taxi company in Sen...

Ever wondered why securing affordable housing remains such a complex puzzle in some parts of the world? One key aspect lies beneath our feet – in land titling. In this crucial episode of the Flywheel Economics Affordable Housing miniseries, we dive deep into one of the thorniest, yet most fundamental, issues preventing widespread access to safe and affordable homes. Join us as we explore why secur...

The landscape of international development is currently navigating a period of significant challenge and uncertainty. Recent data from the OECD indicates a notable fall in Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2024, the first decrease in several years. These recent cuts stem from a confluence of factors, including economic pressures in donor countries, shifts in geopolitical priorities, and inc...

In today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Manzoor Ahmad—former Ambassador to the WTO and one of Pakistan’s leading trade policy thinkers—to explore how trade can be used as a powerful lever for economic transformation. Building on our earlier episode on Sialkot’s export flywheel, we ask: what’s stopping Pakistan from scaling that kind of dynamism across its economy? We unpack the enduring anti-expo...

Understanding the affordable housing puzzle requires examining the intricate interplay between government leadership, the effectiveness of its institutions, and the direction of its policies. Join us in this fifth episode of the Affordable Housing miniseries as we dissect these critical elements and their impact on creating affordable homes. Affordable housing is a global concern. The World Bank e...

Affordable housing is a critical issue in emerging markets, where access to traditional financing can be limited. But what if blockchain technology could provide a solution? In Episode 4 of our Affordable Housing miniseries, we're exploring the potential of blockchain to revolutionise affordable housing finance. Join us as we discuss the benefits and challenges of this innovative approach, and how...