The TechAfrica News Podcast

Can Africa’s digital future be built country by country, or does it require a continental mindset? In this TechAfrica News podcast episode, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Ghana's Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, sat down with Akim Benamara, Chief Editor and Founder of TechAfrica News, on the sidelines of MWC 2026 in Barcelona to discuss the policy, infrastructure,...

What will it take to connect Africa at scale, sustainably and intelligently? In this TechAfrica News podcast, Omar Diab, Regional VP of Sales for the Middle East and Africa at ST Engineering iDirect, spoke with Akim Benamara, Chief Editor and Founder of TechAfrica News, on the shifts reshaping connectivity in Africa. The conversation explored satellite evolution, multi-orbit strategy, 5G expansion...

Fresh from the stage at the Digital Africa Summit in Cape Town, Anthony Mveyange, Director of Programs – Synergy at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), sat down with TechAfrica News Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara, to explore a defining challenge for Africa: how evidence moves from research into policy and real-world outcomes. The conversation spanned research, polic...

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, host, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara speaks with Philip Besiimire , CEO of Vodacom Tanzania , about the company’s 25-year journey, digital transformation, financial inclusion, technology innovation, and future opportunities in AI, cloud, fiber, and 5G. About Our Guest: Philip Besiimire is Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania and a member of...

What does it take to turn farming from subsistence into a growth engine for Africa? In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder Akim Benamara sits down with Aliou Maïga , IFC’s Regional Director for the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) in Africa, to discuss how AgTech is reshaping agriculture. From boosting yields and incomes for smallholder farmers to de-risking len...

What does it take to move from being a telecom operator to a purpose-led technology company? In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder Akim Benamara sits down with Dr. Peter Ndegwa (CBS), CEO of Safaricom Group PLC , to explore the company’s 25-year journey, the evolution of M-Pesa, and its bold expansion into Ethiopia. From tackling Africa’s device gap to harnessing...

What if Africa’s telecom future isn’t about bigger networks—but smarter, sharper services that actually understand their users?   In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder Akim Benamara sits down with Roman Khalenkov , Chief Commercial Officer at PortaOne , for a wide-ranging look at Africa’s evolving telecom space. With over two decades of experience across product...

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara , sits down with Nitesh Marcel Singh , Managing Director for Communications, Media, and Technology at Accenture , for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of digital transformation across the continent. With over 20 years in telecom and technology, Singh brings sharp insights into AI adoption, data readiness...

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara sits down with Jean Philbert Nsengimana , Chief Digital Advisor at Africa CDC , for an eye-opening conversation on health tech’s role in shaping Africa’s digital future. With deep roots in both medicine and technology, Nsengimana offers a timely perspective on how innovation can—and must—scale to meet the needs...

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara sits down with Lyle Horsley , Head of Fintech at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) , to unpack South Africa’s leadership in the G20 TechSprint 2025—and what it means for digital finance across the continent. As co-host with the Bank for International Settlements, SARB is spotlighting trust and integrity in...

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara , sits down with Angela Wamola , Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA , for an insightful conversation on where Africa is, where it's headed, and what it will take to unlock its full digital potential. Africa stands at a pivotal point in its digital journey. With a young population, a growing tech scene,...

In this episode, Ralph Mupita , President and CEO of MTN Group , joins TechAfrica News ’ Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara for a candid conversation on the evolving role of telecoms in shaping Africa’s digital economy. Africa’s digital growth goes beyond connectivity—it's a complex journey marked by economic challenges, fragmented regulations, and limitless innovation. Telecoms are no l...

In this episode, Jorge Mendes, CEO of Cell C , speaks with Akim Benamara, Chief Editor and Founder of TechAfrica News , about the company’s ambitious turnaround plan. In an industry marked by rapid technological change and fierce competition, South Africa’s telecom sector faces complex challenges—from constrained cash flows to the persistent digital divide across the continent. For Cell C, a key p...

In this episode, Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa , joins Akim Benamara , Chief Editor and Founder of TechAfrica News , for a candid conversation exploring bold strategies, mindset shifts, and the collaborative efforts driving Africa’s digital transformation. Africa’s digital future holds immense promise but faces challenges. Fragmented policies, outdated mindsets, and uneven access threaten to st...

In this episode Solly Malatsi , South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, joins Akim Benamara , our Chief Editor and Founder, to unpack the country’s digital strategy, recent policy shifts, and his vision for a truly connected South Africa. Recorded early in Malatsi’s tenure, the conversation reveals the clarity of his vision and the commitment to action that has since fo...