Podcast
Power Talks with Ssuna Ronald
Hosted by Ssuna Ronald · EN
Power Talks is your all-access pass to the boardrooms and breakthrough moments shaping Africa's tech landscape. Host Ssuna Ronald goes behind the scenes with the continent's most audacious founders, investors, and ecosystem builders. We bring you the real conversations from the front lines of innovation—from Nairobi to Kigali and beyond—unpacking the big ideas, the billion-dollar opportunities, and the personal journeys behind the next generation of African success stories.
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Episodes
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Betting on Grit: Anil Atmaramani on Why Antler Invests in African Founders at Day Zero
Oct 2300:11:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Power Talks, host Ssuna Ronald sits down with Anil Atmaramani, a Partner at Antler focused on West Africa. Dive into the unique model of this global venture capital firm that invests at "day zero"—backing high-potential individuals even before they have a concrete idea. Anil, a Canadian with two decades of experience on the continent, reveals why he holds an unwavering conviction that "the future is African," and how Antler is structured to accelerate that future.We explore Antler's grueling, highly-selective residency program that sifts through 5,000 applications to find the top 20 founders, the traits they look for beyond a business plan (grit, resilience, and coachability), and what successful alumni like Uncover and Honeycoin are achieving. If you're an aspiring founder who has faced failure, an investor curious about pre-seed opportunities, or believe in Africa's demographic destiny, this conversation is a masterclass in founder-first investing.(00:00:51) - The Antler Model: What it means to be a "day zero" investor and how the residency program works.(00:02:34) - Investing in Founders, Not Ideas: Why Antler backs people first and how they assess character during the program.(00:04:00) - The Founder DNA: The key traits Antler looks for: grit, determination, coachability, and the willpower to face hard truths.(00:05:37) - Beyond the Check: The full suite of benefits for founders, from co-working space and cloud credits to a powerful global network.(00:06:23) - Antler's African Footprint: The impressive growth in Kenya and the upcoming launch in Lagos, Nigeria.(00:07:17) - Success Stories: A look at portfolio companies like the skincare brand Uncover and crypto-trading platform Honeycoin.(00:08:17) - The African Conviction: Anil's powerful personal thesis on why the future is undeniably African.(00:10:30) - A Message to Founders: Why failure is a "badge of honor" and a call to keep building.Power Talks is your front-row seat to the conversations shaping the future of business and technology in Africa. Host Ssuna Ronald brings you face-to-face with the most dynamic founders, investors, and ecosystem builders driving progress across the continent. From deep-dive interviews with startup founders to insights from top VCs and event coverage from hubs like Nairobi and Kigali, we unpack the big ideas, the bigger opportunities, and the game-changing conversations you need to hear.Subscribe to stay updated on Africa's innovation revolution.Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, rate us, and share it with a friend, a founder, or anyone who believes in the power of African innovation.Executive Producer: Ssuna RonaldSound Engineer: Gumisiriza RichardArt Direction: Abdu Latif OkalangPowered By: Latitude 59 Connect via: LinkedIn & InstagramFor Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
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Why Estonia is Betting on Africa: Latitude59's Mission to Connect Continents with Kai Isand
Oct 2300:10:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Power Talks, recorded live at their Nairobi event, host Ssuna Ronald sits down with Kai Isand, a key organizer and Head of Programs for Latitude59. Dive into the story of why this premier European tech conference, born in the "startup nation" of Estonia, is making a strategic home in Africa. Kai reveals the mind-blowing reception they received in Kenya, drawing parallels between the hunger of today's African entrepreneurs and the early days of Estonia's own tech miracle.We explore Latitude59's unique role not as a direct investor, but as a high-quality connector and community builder, facilitating serendipitous moments between African startups, global investors, and policymakers. Kai discusses the success of their first investor day, the vital partnership with Smart Africa, and their ambitious goal to become the biggest and most impactful tech conference on the continent. If you're building a startup, looking to invest, or curious about the bridges being built between Africa and Europe, this conversation provides an essential insider's perspective.(00:00:46) - The Latitude59 Mission: Kai introduces her role and the success of their first investor day in Nairobi.(00:01:17) - The Estonian Story: Why the "startup nation" is looking to Kenya and what the ecosystems have in common.(00:02:49) - Building Bridges, Not Dictating: How Latitude59 fosters inclusive, co-creative communities between Africa and Europe.(00:04:34) - The "Serendipity" Model: Explaining Latitude59's role as a platform and connector, not a direct funder or incubator.(00:06:12) - The African Ambition: Latitude59's goal to become the biggest and highest-quality tech conference in Africa.(00:07:47) - Government & Policy: The crucial role of partnerships with entities like Smart Africa in shaping a thriving startup ecosystem.(00:08:54) - Advice for Startups: How founders should use events like Latitude59 to build relationships and secure funding.Power Talks is your front-row seat to the conversations shaping the future of business and technology in Africa. Host Ssuna Ronald brings you face-to-face with the most dynamic founders, investors, and ecosystem builders driving progress across the continent. From deep-dive interviews with startup founders to insights from top VCs and event coverage from hubs like Nairobi and Kigali, we unpack the big ideas, the bigger opportunities, and the game-changing conversations you need to hear.Subscribe to stay updated on Africa's innovation revolution.Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, rate us, and share it with a friend, a founder, or anyone who believes in the power of African innovation.Executive Producer: Ssuna RonaldSound Engineer: Gumisiriza RichardArt Direction: Abdu Latif OkalangPowered By: Latitude 59 Connect via: LinkedIn & InstagramFor Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
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Beyond Netflix: How Yakwetu is Building the "Netflix for Africa" and Fighting a $803M Piracy Problem
Oct 2300:13:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Power Talks, recorded live at Latitude59 in Nairobi, host Ssuna Ronald sits down with Mike Strano, Co-founder and COO of Yakwetu Online Limited. Dive into the ambitious mission to create a premier on-demand platform dedicated entirely to African storytelling. Mike reveals the shocking scale of the piracy crisis robbing African creatives of $803 million a year and how his company's proprietary technology is not just streaming content, but actively creating a legal, profitable ecosystem for filmmakers.We explore Yakwetu's unique four-product strategy, from the pay-per-view model of "My Movies Africa" to their groundbreaking encrypted screening tool that's being used by churches and events. Mike also shares his philosophy as a bootstrapped founder with a proven track record, why he believes his venture is a safe bet for investors, and his plan to legitimize 54,000 illegal movie shops across Kenya. If you're curious about the future of African media, entertainment tech, and resilient entrepreneurship, this conversation is a must-listen.(00:00:43) - The Big Idea: Mike introduces Yakwetu and its mission to empower African creatives.(00:01:10) - The Product Suite: A breakdown of Yakwetu's four key products, including "My Movies Africa."(00:02:16) - The $803M Piracy Problem: Mike reveals the staggering financial loss and their encrypted solution for screenings.(00:04:18) - Legitimizing an Illegal Market: The innovative plan to partner with 54,000 "movie shops" and split revenue three ways.(00:06:08) - Quality vs. Relatability: How Yakwetu curates content and the power of a good story.(00:07:48) - The Bootstrapped Journey: Mike discusses bootstrapping since 2014 and the current search for a $1M pre-seed round.(00:09:42) - The Future Vision: Yakwetu's next step as a marketplace for media, similar to Amazon's model.(00:11:53) - Global Ambitions: Patenting their anti-piracy tech for markets in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and beyond.Power Talks is your front-row seat to the conversations shaping the future of business and technology in Africa. Host Ssuna Ronald brings you face-to-face with the most dynamic founders, investors, and ecosystem builders driving progress across the continent. From deep-dive interviews with startup founders to insights from top VCs and event coverage from hubs like Nairobi and Kigali, we unpack the big ideas, the bigger opportunities, and the game-changing conversations you need to hear.Subscribe to stay updated on Africa's innovation revolution.Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, rate us, and share it with a friend, a founder, or anyone who believes in the power of African innovation.Executive Producer: Ssuna RonaldSound Engineer: Gumisiriza RichardArt Direction: Abdu Latif OkalangPowered By: Latitude 59 Connect via: LinkedIn & InstagramFor Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
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Rebuilding Africa: How SiteSeer is Solving a $45 Billion Construction Crisis with AI
Oct 2300:10:15Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of Power Talks, recorded live at Latitude59 in Nairobi, host Ssuna Ronald sits down with Shawn Maraya, the visionary CEO of SiteSeer. Discover how this trained architect is tackling one of Africa's most persistent problems: chronic construction delays that cost the continent a staggering $45 billion annually.Shawn reveals how his company uses a simple hard hat-mounted camera to create a "digital twin" of construction sites, bringing much-needed transparency and data-driven decision-making to an industry ripe for disruption. We dive into his journey from architect to tech founder, the challenges of introducing innovation to "old money" sectors, and his bootstrapped path to managing over a million square meters of data.Whether you're in construction, tech, investing, or just fascinated by African innovation, this conversation is a masterclass in identifying a massive problem and building a clever, human-centric solution.(00:01:05) - The Big Idea: What is SiteSeer? The vision to revolutionize construction's three pillars.(00:01:51) - The Simple Analogy: How SiteSeer works, explained using a "food delivery" model.(00:02:19) - The Tech on Site: From hard hats to "Digital Twins" - how the magic happens.(00:02:59) - The $45 Billion Problem: The shocking scale of delays and losses in African construction.(00:05:10) - The Founder's Story: Why a young, geeky architect took on this giant industry.(00:07:08) - Traction & The Future: Bootstrapping, a $1.2M fundraise, and expansion plans across Africa.(00:08:45) - Parting Wisdom: Shawn's powerful advice for every entrepreneur: "Bet on yourself."Power Talks is your front-row seat to the conversations shaping the future of business and technology in Africa. Host Ssuna Ronald brings you face-to-face with the most dynamic founders, investors, and ecosystem builders driving progress across the continent. From deep-dive interviews with startup founders to insights from top VCs and event coverage from hubs like Nairobi and Kigali, we unpack the big ideas, the bigger opportunities, and the game-changing conversations you need to hear.Subscribe to stay updated on Africa's innovation revolution.Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, rate us, and share it with a friend, a founder, or anyone who believes in the power of African innovation.Executive Producer: Ssuna RonaldSound Engineer: Gumisiriza RichardArt Direction: Abdu Latif OkalangPowered By: Latitude 59 Connect via: LinkedIn & InstagramFor Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
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Trailer: The Latitude 59 Nairobi Series
Oct 2300:03:34Tap to summarizeDive into the heart of African innovation at Latitude 59 Nairobi.In this special series of the Power Talks Podcast, your host Ssuna Ronald brings you the most pivotal conversations from the event, sitting down with the founders, investors, and ecosystem builders who are shaping the continent's future.You'll hear directly from:A Latitude 59 Organizer, Kai Isand on the mission to connect Africa and Europe.Mike Strano, Co-founder of Yokwetu, building the "Netflix for Africa."Shawn Maraya, Founder of Sightseer, revolutionizing the construction industry.And Anil Atmarmani, a Partner at Antler, on betting on founders from day zero.Get an insider's look at the dynamic ecosystem of African startups and the visionaries driving progress.Whether you're a founder, an investor, or just passionate about where tech is headed, these are the game-changing conversations you need to hear.Subscribe to Power Talks wherever you get your podcasts.Executive Producer: Ssuna RonaldSound Engineer: Gumisiriza RichardArt Direction: Abdu Latif OkalangPowered By: Latitude 59 Connect via: LinkedIn & InstagramFor Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
Transcribe →Securing Startup Success: Paul Kirungi’s Story with Zofi Cash
Jul 5, 202400:57:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Power Talks Podcast with Ssuna Ronald, we dive into the remarkable journey of Paul Kirungi, the visionary behind Zofi Cash, a groundbreaking fintech startup in Uganda. Recorded remotely, this conversation brings you insights from Paul, who shares his experiences in securing $1 million in funding, building a startup, and empowering local investors through innovative financial solutions. Paul discusses how Zofi Cash is transforming the financial landscape in Uganda by providing access to credit and enabling local investments through their new product, Zof Tech. Join us to learn from Paul's story, understand the challenges and triumphs of building a startup in Uganda, and get inspired by his dedication to fostering financial inclusion. Timestamps and Key Moments 00:00:00 - Introduction by Ssuna Ronald, highlighting the value built by Zofi Cash, estimated between $6 million to $10 million USD. 00:00:36 - Ssuna Ronald introduces the podcast and the episode's guest, Paul Kirungi, discussing the importance of digital and media business conversations. 00:01:45 - Paul Kirungi shares the inspiration behind founding Zofi Cash and the company's mission to provide access to credit and investment opportunities in Uganda. 00:10:00 - Discussion on Zofi Cash's recent $1 million funding acquisition and its impact on the company’s growth and development. 00:20:00 - Paul explains the concept of Zof Tech, a product designed to enable local investments and combat inflation. 00:30:00 - Insights into the challenges and successes of building a startup in Uganda, particularly in the fintech sector. 00:40:00 - Advice from Paul Kirungi on attracting investors and building a sustainable, impactful business. Production Credits Executive Producer: Ssuna Ronald Sound Engineer: Gumisiriza Richard Script Writer: Chinwendu Opara Art Direction: Abdu Latif Okalang Powered By: Paul Atwine with Norrsken House Kigali Connect via: LinkedIn & Instagram For Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
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From Mdundo to Meta: The African Digital Journey of Dennis Wyre
Jul 5, 202401:03:15Tap to summarizeThis episode of Power Talks with Suna Ronald features Dennis Wyre, a Strategic Partner Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta. Dennis discusses his career journey, from working in social media for a music startup to his current role at Meta. He shares his insights on working in the tech industry, how to get a job at a big tech company, and the future of social media in Africa. Here are the timestamps for the episode: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:39 - Dennis Wairé's introduction and career background 00:03:01 - Discussion about Dennis's love for music and his connection to the artist Wairé 00:04:10 - Clarification on Dennis's current role and Meta 00:06:19 - Challenges and benefits of working remotely for a global company 00:09:25 - Advice on how to get a job at a big tech company like Meta 0:11:50 - The importance of a strong skill set and experience for landing a job in tech 0:12:27 - Working in different company environments and gaining diverse experience 0:13:51 - Disclaimer about Dennis's opinions not representing Meta 0:14:25 - Reasons behind Dennis's role switch after a year at his previous company 0:15:39 - Short break reminding listeners to follow the podcast on social media 0:16:27 - Details about Dennis's role as a Strategic Account Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa 0:18:00 - Structure of the team and collaboration with other departments 0:19:17 - Milestones and achievements in Dennis's career 0:21:33 - Discussion about the "Creators of Tomorrow" campaign by Meta 0:22:57 - What Dennis enjoys most about his role as a Strategic Account Manager 0:23:14 - Conclusion Production Credits Executive Producer: Ssuna Ronald Sound Engineer: Gumisiriza Richard Script Writer: Chinwendu Opara Art Direction: Abdu Latif Okalang Powered By: (No Sponsor/Self funded) Connect via: LinkedIn & Instagram For Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
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From Uganda to Global: A Growth Marketer's Journey with AI | Samuel Kamugisha Interview
Jul 5, 202400:54:38Tap to summarizeThis episode of Power Talks dives into the world of AI and personalization with Samuel Kamugisha, a brand and growth marketing strategist with extensive experience working for global agencies. Samuel discusses his role at Team X, a specialized agency created by Omnicom to manage Mercedes-Benz's digital ecosystem across multiple markets. He explains how website and Media Personalisation is used to tailor customer experiences and improve overall customer engagement. The conversation explores the impact of AI on project management and workflows. Samuel shares the specific AI tools he uses for research and content generation, while also acknowledging the limitations of AI use within large corporations. He offers insights on navigating the challenges faced by minorities in the tech industry and shares his career path that led him to his current role. Introduction (00:00 - 01:59)Speaker 00 introduces himself as Samuel Kamugisha, Senior Project Manager at Team X.Ssuna Ronald, the host, welcomes Samuel and acknowledges his past help.Samuel mentions his current work overseeing personalization projects for the Mercedes-Benz website across multiple regions.Speaker Introduction (01:59 - 04:17)Ssuna formally introduces Samuel and his role at Team X, an Omnicom Group agency focused on Mercedes-Benz's digital ecosystem.Samuel explains his daily tasks include managing projects and collaborating with international teams.Personalization and AI (04:17 - 09:57)Ssuna asks about personalization on the Mercedes-Benz website.Samuel explains how the website personalizes content based on user behavior (e.g., viewing a C-Class page) to provide a more relevant experience.The discussion moves to AI and its impact on marketing.Samuel believes AI can save time for those who know how to use it and disrupt industries over time.Samuel's AI Tools (09:57 - 11:58)Ssuna asks about AI tools used in Samuel's workflow.Samuel clarifies he doesn't use unauthorized AI tools for work purposes.He shares his personal favorites for research (Perplexity), image generation (Copilot), and text generation (Gemini).Comparison of AI Tools (11:58 - 14:09)Ssuna compares Gemini and ChatGPT, noting his preference for ChatGPT.Samuel highlights Gemini's advantages:The Future of Google and AI (14:09 - 17:42)Ssuna questions Google's future dominance in AI due to the rise of other players.Samuel suggests Google may struggle to compete due to:Layoffs and Company Strategy (17:42 - 23:31)Ssuna pivots to the topic of layoffs in tech companies.Samuel attributes layoffs to overhiring and product maturity.He emphasizes the importance of efficient processes and lean teams to avoid layoffs.Samuel suggests agency models experience fewer layoffs compared to tech companies.Samuel's Career Background (23:31 - 24:04)Briefly discusses his past experience at two other agencies in Malaysia before joining Team X Production Credits Executive Producer: Ssuna RonaldSound Engineer: Gumisiriza RichardScript Writer: Chinwendu OparaArt Direction: Abdu Latif OkalangPowered By: (No Sponsor/Self funded) Connect via: LinkedIn & InstagramFor Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this interview are their own and do not represent the official position or policies of their employer, companies, customers, or other entities. The guest is speaking in a personal capacity.
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The Backdoor to Your Dream Job: Moses Maurice Mugerwa's Networking Strategies Beyond Applications
Jul 5, 202400:54:33Tap to summarizeThis episode of Power Talks with Suna Ronald features Maurice Mugerwa, a public speaker, growth operations expert, and entrepreneur. Maurice discusses his career journey, including his transitions from Bolt to Chipper Cash and his experience being laid off from Chipper Cash. He also shares his thoughts on faith, trusting the universe, and building a support system. Timestamps to help you navigate the episode: 00:00 - 01:30: Introduction and introductions 01:30 - 03:20: Maurice's background, experience at Bolt, and transition to Chipper Cash 03:20 - 05:33: Similarities and differences between working at Bolt and Chipper Cash 05:33 - 07:17: Maurice's transparency and motivations for sharing his experiences 07:17 - 09:26: Getting laid off from Chipper Cash and the application process 09:26 - 12:00: Maurice's advice on networking and job applications 12:00 - 14:11: Power Talks social media and finding talent through pitches 14:11 - 16:32: Signs of a layoff and Maurice's experience being laid off from Chipper Cash 16:32 - 21:09: Maurice's faith, trusting the universe, and support systems 21:09 - 23:37: The importance of the spiritual side of life 23:37 - 24:00: Closing remarks Production Credits Executive Producer: Ssuna Ronald Sound Engineer: Gumisiriza Richard Script Writer: Chinwendu Opara Art Direction: Abdu Latif Okalang Powered By: (No Sponsor/Self funded) Connect via: LinkedIn & Instagram For Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
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Beyond the Crypto Hype: Educating Africa with MitroPlus Labs' Festo Ivaibi
Jul 5, 202401:12:29Tap to summarizeThis podcast episode features Festo Ivaibi, a Ugandan entrepreneur and founder of MetroPlus Labs. Festo discusses his journey into the world of cryptocurrency, starting from his early days as a young man meeting government officials to his current work as a professional cryptocurrency trader. The episode also explores the challenges and biases surrounding cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in Africa. Festo talks about the inspiration behind MetroPlus Labs, an educational platform that aims to create mass awareness and adoption of these technologies through free education and entertainment. Here's a breakdown of the conversation by timestamps: (00:00) Introduction of Festo Iwambi and MetroPlus Labs (02:03) Festo's early interest in cryptocurrency and his first investment in Bitcoin (09:16) Festo's diverse business ventures including real estate, farming, and forex trading (15:15) Balancing work and family life as a cryptocurrency trader (18:45) The importance of self-awareness and maintaining a low profile in the cryptocurrency space (19:20) The inspiration behind the name "MetroPlus" and Festo's admiration for tech giants (22:18) The challenges faced by African cryptocurrency traders and the mission of MetroPlus Labs (24:01) Explanation of MetroPlus Labs' goals and its approach to education (27:17) The negative stigma surrounding cryptocurrency and efforts to change the narrative (29:28) The motivation behind starting MetroPlus Labs in Uganda (32:12) MetroPlus Labs' free educational resources and its focus on blockchain literacy Production Credits Executive Producer: Ssuna Ronald Sound Engineer: Gumisiriza Richard Script Writer: Chinwendu Opara Art Direction: Abdu Latif Okalang Powered By: (No Sponsor/Self funded) Connect via: LinkedIn & Instagram For Inquiries: emailpowertalks@gmail.com
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