Podcast
Frontier Matters
Hosted by Tobi and Feyi · EN
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Hannah Ryder on Africa in China
3w ago00:58:24Tap to summarizeThe global conversation obsessively tracks what China is doing in Africa – building ports, extracting minerals, lending infrastructure loans. But almost no one is asking the harder, more strategic question: what does it take for Africa to actually sell into China?In this episode of Frontier Matters, we flip the script. We sit down with Hannah Ryder – one of the leading China-Africa policy experts and CEO of Development Reimagined – to explore where the real opportunities lie for African entrepreneurs looking to access Chinese markets, and how policymakers can direct their efforts for maximum developmental impact.We also discuss:Why trade is still so one-sided, and how to start balancing itWhich African sectors have the best shot at breaking into China right nowWhat Chinese policies (like tariff-free access for LDCs) actually mean on the groundAnd where to focus policy energy to turn rhetoric into revenueHannah Ryder is the founder and CEO of Development Reimagined, a Beijing-based international development consultancy. She has served as a diplomat, economist, and senior advisor on China-Africa relations, including roles at the UN and the Chinese government. Her work focuses on practical, locally driven solutions to rebalance Africa’s economic partnerships.A small note: The episode ends a bit abruptly – our apologies for the audio hiccup. But the conversation itself is packed with insight, and we hope you enjoy it.Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe – it helps other listeners find conversations that matter.
Transcribe →Efosa Ojomo on Markets, Prosperity and Clayton Christensen
4w ago01:15:09Tap to summarizeDespite immense expertise and foreign aid, billions remain in poverty. In this episode of Frontier Matters, Efosa Ojomo - co-author of The Prosperity Paradox - joins us to discuss the wishful thinking surrounding global development.Episode Highlights:The Reality of Poverty Reduction: Exploring why World Bank data shows poverty reduction grinding to a halt, and whether development theories have underestimated the impact of debt and conflict.The Sequencing Debate: Do markets pull institutions and infrastructure into place, or is state capacity a mandatory prerequisite?The AI Challenge: How the labour-light, winner-take-most nature of AI challenges traditional methods of job-heavy market creation.Demand vs. Programs: Analysing the failure of temporary employment initiatives, such as Nigeria's N-Power, versus genuine demand-driven job creation.Remembering Clayton Christensen: Ojomo shares candid, in-the-room insights about his long-time collaborator and mentor.Follow us at @1914reader on X and Instagram
Transcribe →Carl-Henri Prophète on The Reality of Haiti
Apr 1501:18:35Tap to summarizeDescription:Haiti is constantly reduced to superficial headlines of chaos, but the reality is grounded in hard historical and economic facts. In this episode, economist Carl-Henri Prophète provides an unfiltered look at the structural realities driving the nation's current collapse.What we cover:The Ground Reality: Surviving and moving goods in a fragmented state, beyond the abstract label of "instability."The Macro Paradox: What the official economic data hides, and the double-edged sword of remittances.The NGO Illusion: Why international development ideas fail when they hit fragile economies.History’s Bill: Weighing external punishments (embargoes, indemnities) against domestic governance failures.The Post-Revolution Trade-off: Did the institutions that protected freedom and prevented a return to slavery also permanently limit long-term economic growth?Please forgive any glitches or cuts in the sound and video. This episode was recorded across 3 countries with varying degrees of internet connectivity between them.
Transcribe →Don Robotham on Bridging The Atlantic Divide
Mar 1802:11:12Tap to summarizeProfessor Don Robotham is a long-time friend of the house at 1914 Reader — and a formidable authority on the Caribbean, Jamaica in particular, and the economics of development across both the Caribbean and Africa.In this episode, we sit down with him for a wide-ranging conversation covering the historical legacy of slavery, the critical distinction between growth and economic development, and what the future holds for the intellectual relationship between Africa and the Caribbean.We hope you enjoy it.
Transcribe →Dan Wang on China as a Developmental-State
Mar 400:42:57Tap to summarizeWe sat down with Dan Wang, author of the bestselling Breakneck, to talk about China and what an "engineering state" is in the longer developmental-state tradition. We also talked about the Soviet Union and electric vehicles. Hope you enjoy the episode
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Chude Jideonwo on Success and Contentment
Feb 1101:22:18Tap to summarizeWe sat down with Chude Jideonwo to talk media, politics, depression and what it means to be successful and to do it very early in life. It was a wide ranging discussion that synthesised his knowledge from 25 years of working and building in the public eye in Nigeria and across the world. And we ended with him reading a passage from his new book - How Depression Saved My Life (available to buy at the link). We hope you enjoy and this time it’s a video episode. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.1914reader.com/subscribe
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Matters Arising: Detty December, Tax Reforms and The New Global Order
Jan 2801:37:35Tap to summarizeHello! It’s been a minute.In this episode, we discuss the cultural and economic implications of the Detty December phenomenon in Nigeria, exploring how tourism, inflation, and governance intersect. We talk about the challenges posed by inadequate public infrastructure, the complexities of recent tax reforms, and the cultural dynamics that influence Nigeria’s economic landscape. We also explore various themes surrounding Nigeria’s political landscape, the implications of Trump’s policies, the significance of human capital in development, and the evolving nature of immigration. We hope you enjoy the episode This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.1914reader.com/subscribe
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Professor Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò on African Modernity
Jan 701:32:17Tap to summarizeWhat is modernity in the African context and why does Africa need to be modern? We sat down with the philosopher, Professor Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò for a wide ranging discussion on his book, Africa Must Be Modern. We also discussed the nature of knowledge and education and the role it can play in a modern Africa. This was quite a deep conversation that left a deep impression on us. We hope you enjoy it too. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.1914reader.com/subscribe
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Adenrele Sonariwo on This Moment in African Art
Dec 1000:39:53Tap to summarizeThere is no better way to ground this Detty December than with a clear look at the evolution of Nigeria’s art scene. Adenrele Sonariwo sits down with us to map out the past, present, and future of the industry. We discuss the impact of Rele Galler(ies), the Young Contemporaries, and break down exactly what it takes to support talent on the path to global success.We hope you enjoy the episode This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.1914reader.com/subscribe
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The Real China Shock
Nov 1901:05:31Tap to summarizeTobi and I examine what we believe is the real “China Shock”: the redirection of export demand that might otherwise have gone to the United States toward Nigeria and other markets. We trace the economic and geopolitical consequences of that shift and outline practical policy and strategic responses a country like Nigeria could adopt to capture opportunity and manage disruption.Key topics covered* How export displacement works and why Nigeria is a likely beneficiary* Policy responses Nigeria should consider to sustain industrial growth and build resilience* Geopolitical implications for the two competing superpowers and for regional trade dynamicsListen and watch The episode is available in audio and as a video on our YouTube page.Some articles mentioned on the podcast:German steel firm dismantled and sent to China - BBCChina’s global exports continue to grow despite Trump tariffs - NY Times This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.1914reader.com/subscribe
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