Chinwe Opala speaks with Olatunde Akintola, founder of EnergiHub in Nigeria, about the risks that have shaped his career across finance, oil and gas, entrepreneurship and major energy projects.He shares how tightening financial controls around a drilling operation helped save millions of dollars, why he was willing to stand alone when challenging questionable invoices, and what it meant to leave a stable career to build a business from the ground up.Olatunde also reflects on the realities of doing business in West Africa, from currency and policy fluctuations to the importance of building processes suited to the environment in which you operate. Along the way, he offers a practical perspective on risk, preparation and conviction, and on what it means to pursue what you believe you are called to do.
Chinwe Okpala interviews Iphie Chuks-Adizue, whose career has spanned Procter & Gamble, Cadbury (Mondelez), Dulux Paints and now Global Citizen, an international advocacy organisation focused on ending extreme poverty. Along the way, she has established herself as an accomplished marketing and commercial leader – more than doubling the revenue of a multi-billion-naira business, tripling profits and creating over 300 new jobs – while raising a family and mentoring thousands of women through her Uncommon Woman Movement.Drawing on more than 20 years of executive leadership, Iphie shares practical insights on building high-performing teams, navigating major career transitions, making bold decisions under uncertainty, and integrating faith into everyday leadership. Far from replacing sound judgement, she explains how faith sharpens discernment, strengthens decision-making, and provides the courage to pursue opportunities others might avoid.Whether you're leading an organisation, navigating your next career move, or seeking to align professional success with a deeper sense of purpose, this conversation offers a compelling perspective on what it means to lead with both excellence and conviction.
Chinwe Okpala sits down with Nigerian HR executive and leadership advisor Yemi Faseun to explore what risk really means in the context of careers, leadership and personal growth. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience across banking, consulting, telecommunications and entrepreneurship, Yemi shares why he repeatedly left prestigious organisations for unknown opportunities, why he believes "life itself is a risk," and how embracing change has shaped his journey.The conversation moves beyond traditional ideas of risk to examine readiness, change and the future of work. From managing your career like a business and recognising the signals of change before they become crises, to building talent, developing leaders and navigating multi-generational workplaces, Yemi offers practical wisdom for professionals, founders and leaders alike.If you've ever wondered whether to stay where you're comfortable or step into something new, this episode provides a thoughtful framework for taking risks with purpose, preparation and faith.***** He refers to three books during the interview: First, Break All The Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson Our Iceberg Is Melting by by John Kotter and Holger Rathberger The quote "His love, in time past, Forbids me to think. He'll leave me at last. In trouble to sink." comes from the classic Christian hymn Begone, unbelief
Ashton Fourie interviews logistics and leadership executive Jeff Phiri about what it means to lead wisely in uncertain environments. Drawing on more than 30 years' experience at DHL across global markets, Jeff shares practical insights on navigating geopolitical instability, supply chain disruption, corruption risk, and personal integrity under pressure.At the centre of the conversation is an unexpected leadership model: Nehemiah. Jeff explains how Nehemiah’s example of prayer, planning, courageous action, and a refusal to be distracted from his mission, has shaped his approach to risk, leadership and decision-making across more than 50 countries.From crisis management during Middle East conflict, to the realities of doing business in Africa, to the personal disciplines required to sustain leadership over decades, this episode explores why faith and planning are not opposites – but essential partners in responsible leadership.
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.
Ashton Fourie is joined by social entrepreneur and business leader Shawn Theunissen to explore how risk is shaped by perceptions – long before any decisions are made.Drawing on Shawn’s journey from a gang-ridden township in Johannesburg to leading enterprise development initiatives across South Africa, the conversation unpacks how bias and background influence who is seen as “risky” – and who is not.Shawn then explains how using his Three R’s framework (Risk, Reputation and Relationship) has tangibly reshaped risk profiles, unlocked market access, and enabled measurable growth for the entrepreneurs he has worked with.This compelling episode challenges faith-driven investors and decision-makers to reconsider how they assess risk, to examine their own biases, and to intentionally use their influence to unlock opportunities for others to create long-term value.
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, 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 third episode of Ziwani’s RISK series, Kerryne Krause and Lerato Thekiso reflect on the importance of prudently counting the cost of risk as business leaders. From taking that first step as an entrepreneur to confronting corruption – they agree that good intentions must be matched with wisdom, governance and grit. As an example, Kerryne shares a sobering story of a well-intentioned but hasty decision to comply with new legislation – one that cost her company millions and nearly shut it down.So whether you're navigating regulatory complexity, ethical grey areas, or high-pressure leadership moments, this episode will challenge you to see risk not as something to avoid, but as something to ReFrame – through courage and a Kingdom lens.
In this first episode of Ziwani’s new RISK series, Kerryne Krause and Rorisang Tshabalala dive into the high-stakes world of business decision-making. A blend of personal reflection, leadership principles, and business strategy – their candid conversation offers fresh insights on how to navigate those life-changing moments when opportunity, fear, risk and ambition collide.As they unpack the rewarding yet often uncomfortable journey of playing to win when the outcome is uncertain, find out how to: (1) Identify the right risks worth taking (2) Shift from fear-based to opportunity-based leadership (3) Take Gospel-inspired action that leads to the breakthroughs you’ve been waiting for.Tune in, and let’s explore what it means to ReFrame RISK through a Kingdom lens.
In this bonus episode of the Big Change series, Jonathan Wilson and Andy Crouch reflect on 'the power of power' to drastically change the world in a short period of time. Offering penetrating insights on the power of charisma, the power of money, the power of position and authority, and the power of technology – they unmask some of the underlying forces that drive our world, and explain how to use the power we have, wisely.
Acclaimed author and speaker Andy Crouch (whose writing explores faith and culture in the domains of technology, power, leadership, and the arts) joins host Jonathan Wilson in Episode 5. Pointing out that an ethical approach to business works well within a functioning system, they argue that in an exploitative environment, simply being ethical isn't enough to achieve sustainable change.
Valentine Gitoho's incredible stories of personal courage practically shows how corruption starts (and stops) with you and me.
Patrick argues that only leaders whose own identities have been transformed by God, can lead the positive transformation of the African continent.
JD, a Community Transformation Strategist, elaborates on the five types of leaders that bring positive transformation to communities over the long term.
JD, a Community Transformation Strategist, looks at the undeniable link between leadership and a specific place. He argues that leadership can't be effective without a strong commitment to a specific area.
This audio recording of Dr Tongoi's third and final article in this short series on Business as Mission dives deeper into the attributes of the ‘righteous rich’ as evidenced in the Bible.
This audio recording of Dr Tongoi's article highlights a few inspiring examples of how Christians have lived out their mission in the marketplace over the course of history - showing how business can truly be a redemptive force in society.
Read the full article here.
This audio recording of Dr Tongoi's article provides a thoughtful starting point for those embarking on 'business as mission' - as a powerful expression of God’s activities in and through the marketplace.
