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Podcast Topic: Africa

In this episode, Chinwe Okpala sits down with Nissi Ekpott for a rich, thought-provoking conversation on how culture shapes the perception of risk across different African contexts. From navigating cross-border business deals in the early 2000s (often involving literal bags of cash) to building purpose-driven enterprises in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, Nissi shares firsthand stories that bring the reality of risk into sharp focus. But beyond the stories, they also explore the real, on-the-ground risks entrepreneurs face in West Africa – from currency volatility to human capital challenges. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about doing business in Africa, this episode will deepen your understanding of how risk is perceived, navigated, and lived across the continent.

In this episode, Redemptive Risk in the Marketplace: Risk Is Not the Enemy, recorded live at Ziwani’s At The Lake, accomplished business leaders share profound insights from their experiences, revealing that risk is not the enemy—it is often where faith is formed and obedience is tested. They remind us that in the marketplace, we are not called to play it safe, but to step into redemptive risk—risk anchored in purpose and surrendered to God.

Ashton Fourie is joined by recruitment specialist Callista Greeff to explore how the people decisions leaders make, shape the real risk profile of a business. Drawing on her experience in helping both big corporates and small businesses build effective teams, Callista shares practical insights into how thoughtful appointments and intentional organisational structures create alignment, trust, and shared success. Along the way, the conversation reflects on the leadership tension between managing risk wisely and trying to control everything yourself. This engaging episode challenges entrepreneurs to think differently about risk – not only in business model and strategy, but in the people they choose to build the future.

In this episode of Ziwani’s RISK series, host Doreen Zaki sits down with Valentine Gitoho – Kenya’s first female chartered accountant and a woman whose extraordinary 45-year career has spanned continents and countless crises. Valentine shares some of the moments that defined her – from refusing to open a company safe at gunpoint, to walking away from a prestigious promotion in pursuit of purpose. Exploring how corruption quietly corrodes not only institutions in the here and now, but families and communities for generations to come, Valentine reminds us that 'doing what is right' doesn’t start with systems or governments. It starts with you and me. Every choice, every transaction, every act of honesty or compromise shapes the world we live in. Their conversation is more than a commentary on risk – it's a call to rediscover the kind of integrity that outlasts fear, outshines profit, and ultimately reshapes the future of leadership in Africa.

In this episode of Ziwani’s RISK series, host Doreen Zaki interviews Elizabeth Ntege, CEO of NFT Consult – a highly regarded HR firm that has grown over the past 20 years to offer specialist recruitment and skills training services across 12 African countries. Elizabeth shares how NFT’s journey has been shaped by taking meaningful risks, from moving across industries to expanding into new markets. How do you build a business rooted in integrity when corruption is widespread? How do you scale operations sustainably across borders while safeguarding culture and values? And how do you turn risk into resilience, ensuring not just jobs, but livelihoods across the continent?   Tune in for practical lessons and fresh inspiration on how wise risk-taking can grow not just a business, but a legacy of sustainable impact.

In this episode, Competition versus Collaboration, recorded live at Ziwani's online At The Lake panel discussion, accomplished business leaders share profound insights into how they navigate the real dynamics of competing and collaborating, while faithfully pursuing God’s calling in the way they build and steward their businesses.

In this episode of Ziwani’s RISK series, host Doreen Zaki interviews entrepreneur Joram Mwinamo, founder of SNDBX – which since 2007 has successfully expanded from Kenya to the US, the UK, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. Joram shares unique insights into scaling up from Africa to the rest of the world. How do you identify the right customer? How do you navigate cultural differences? How do you resist corruption when this causes you to lose out on big deals? How do you build systems that enable rapid responses to new opportunities ánd protect long-term growth? Tune in to hear Joram’s practical lessons on building a business that scales with integrity, resilience, and Kingdom-minded purpose. Let his experience inspire you to rethink risk, embrace bold ideas, and finally take your business beyond borders.

In this episode of Ziwani’s RISK series, Kerryne Krause interviews Solomon Abiakalam, Group Director of Compliance, Financial Crime, and Conduct at Equity Bank. With 25 years of financial management experience across West and East Africa, Solomon provides insights on how effective risk management acts not as a constraint, but as an important enabler of growth – the braking system that allows organisations to move at top speed with confidence.   With clarity and warmth, he unpacks his five-step strategy for managing risk – from identifying key exposures, to building in strong controls, and ensuring honest reporting. Speaking candidly about regulatory burdens, people risks, and the challenges of micromanagement, Solomon offers a gospel-shaped vision of risk that is both deeply practical and spiritually grounded. So whether you're building a new business or managing complexity at scale, his hands-on wisdom for navigating uncertainty will sharpen your leadership, strengthen your systems, and expand your vision for what’s possible.

In this fourth episode of Ziwani’s RISK series, Kerryne Krause interviews Musyoki Muindi, a Kenyan entrepreneur in the electric motorbike market. He shares what it takes to pioneer new technology, highlighting how Enzi’s success is built on two priorities: chasing high performance through community-driven R&D, and ensuring their riders can always keep moving, no matter what.   He also offers deeply personal insights on risk and responsibility from his 17-year career at an international mission organisation, working in East Africa, the UK and the US – reflecting that God sometimes takes us on unexpected detours that only make sense in retrospect.   From lessons learned in navigating the complex dynamics of cross-cultural partnerships, to carefully calculating risk without seeing the whole picture, Musyoki’s story invites us to take a more nuanced view of risk, to value relationships, and to trust the unfolding purposes of God.

Why would you leave the promise of career success and return to the slums you came from – on purpose? In this second episode of Ziwani’s new RISK series, Kerryne Krause interviews Emmanuel Trinity, a remarkable Ugandan entrepreneur who went from unwilling gang member to leading a thriving group of social enterprises that have created over 3,000 jobs for youth in some of the toughest communities in Kampala.  He shares the counter-intuitive decisions that have defined his journey so far – like quitting a dream job at Coca-Cola to return to the slums, shifting from primarily US and UK outsourcing clients to focusing on African markets, and launching a microfinance bank to help break the cycle of poverty. Be inspired by his story of radical faith, redemptive entrepreneurship, and the courage to ReFrame risk through a Kingdom lens.

In Episode 9 of the Big Change series, the Rev. Dr Dennis Tongoi joins Jonathan Wilson to shed light on African Traditional Religion, animism, and the experience of demonic powers. Drawing on the Biblical story of a witch doctor paid to curse Israel (Balaam and Balak) they provide a deeply thoughtful perspective on how dark powers can trap us in destructive behaviours (whether we believe in them or not), and how these are ultimately powerless against God's blessing over our lives.

Fellow venture capitalist Mr David Harlley joins host Jonathan Wilson in Episode 7 of the Big Change series. They argue that the current state of capitalism closely resembles the feudal system it rejected centuries ago, and that there is a need in both the global North and global South to re-imagine work and wealth distribution. In response to this systemic challenge they offer a different approach of deploying venture capital, in light of a generative, non-extractive view of capital and capital growth. (We apologise for the sound quality of this episode.)

Medical technology innovator Dineo Lioma joins host Jonathan Wilson in Episode 6 of the Big Change series. They consider different approaches to solving the systemic issue of enabling equal access to quality healthcare, in a country where millions of people have extremely limited options. Their thought-provoking discussion ranges far and wide – from building a start-up, to the historical fight against the slave trade, to South Africa's proposed NHI.

In Episode 4 of the Big Change podcast series, Jonathan Wilson chats to Alison Klein, a seasoned professional in private equity and impact investing in emerging markets. They discuss the underlying assumptions that drive behaviours in investment and charity models in Africa, and explain why "Transforming Our Default Operating Systems" is an essential requirement for bringing about big change.

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