Quote: "Don't approach entrepreneurship from a position of desperation; instead, build and have leverage."
The Afropolitan Podcast highlights Afropolitans who embrace the unknown and walk with purpose. Through this podcast, we aim to empower Africans in the Diaspora to maximize their potential and contribute to the development of a vibrant and progressive black community.
In this episode, we chat with Obinna Ukwuani, Chief Digital Officer at the Bank of Kigali Plc, where he drives digital product development to achieve digital financial services objectives. Obinna, born in America with Nigerian roots, studied Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He founded and directed the Makers Robotics Academy Rwanda and NESA by Makers, and now serves as the Founder and Director of Bruk Oil Mills in Enugu. Obinna previously worked at Paystack and shares his entrepreneurship insights in this episode.
Obinna is passionate about education, entrepreneurship, and the transformative power of Web3/Blockchain technologies for people worldwide. Join us as Obinna discusses his journey to the Bank of Kigali and the importance of digital technology and services in solving Africa's challenges.
Obinna's Reading List:
Show Notes:
1:22 Introduction to the Afropolitan Podcast
1:42 Obinna's background and journey to MIT, earning a BSc in Economics
7:28 Obinna's decision to return to Nigeria and his role in nation-building and creating opportunities
12:09 Obinna's work with the Makers Robotics Academy Rwanda and its impact on the local community
14:14 Obinna shares his first significant encounter with failure and the lessons learned
20:46 Obinna discusses insights from working with Paystack and Bank of Kigali on technology's potential for Africans
24:19 Obinna talks about his experience raising funds for startups and offers advice for first-time founders navigating the fundraising process
28:35 The importance of managing desperation and balance when dealing with investors
31:20 Sam Altman's New Yorker profile and the need for Africa to leapfrog - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/10/sam-altmans-manifest-destiny
38:12 Obinna shares his thoughts on Web3 and Blockchain, addressing skepticism and guiding principles
42:53 Books that have profoundly impacted Obinna's life
50:27 Hypothetical title of a book about Obinna's life
51:35 Obinna's perspective on what it means to be Afropolitan
The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of Afropolitan. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Connect with Afropolitan:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan
Website - https://www.afropolitan.io/
Learn the strategies behind tech and crypto within the African diaspora. We demystify the pathways to limitless value creation within these emerging technologies and the communities around them.
