Tech Talk Africa

What are your thoughts?Kenya’s tech story is bigger than startups and bigger than mobile money. When digital infrastructure grows, energy demand grows with it and that forces a hard question: can the digital economy scale without going green first?We talk with Belgian Ambassador Peter Mattens about why his team links “digital and green,” and what that looks like on the ground in Nairobi, including a retrofitted net zero embassy with solar power, water recycling, on-site cooking gas, and hydroponic farming. From there, we zoom out to the Kenya Belgium relationship inside the broader European Union ecosystem and what each side genuinely needs from the other: trust, capability, and practical collaboration.A big thread is digital policy and governance. We dig into GDPR, privacy, and what an EU adequacy decision for Kenya could mean for cross-border data flows, SaaS growth, fintech partnerships, and investment confidence. We also unpack the less glamorous but crucial plumbing of deal-making, including double taxation agreements and how markets assign “risk” when deciding where capital should land. The conversation gets candid about old attitudes, shared responsibility, and why adding value locally matters as much as writing new policies.We close with AI governance, “green AI,” the role of public private partnerships, and why education is still the foundation underneath every serious development goal. If you enjoy smart, honest conversations about technology, climate tech, regulation, and investment in Africa, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Guest: Ambassador Philip Thigo - The Special Envoy on Technology for KenyaAI hype is loud, but the real question is quieter: are we building the infrastructure that makes AI work for us, or are we stuck as permanent users of other people’s systems? I’m joined by Ambassador Philip Thigo, the only African tech envoy, to unpack what “AI is infrastructure” means from a Kenyan and African perspective and why that framing changes everything from investment to regulation.We break down the AI stack in plain language: compute, data, talent, use cases, and model innovation, including the hard truth that many African languages are missing from today’s dominant models. Philip argues that talent is the shortest path to sovereignty, particularly for countries that cannot realistically own massive compute or hyperscale datasets. We discuss small language models, local context, and why being a builder matters, with vivid examples such as flood prediction and the type of granular data that global models often overlook.From there, we zoom out to the money and the power. Why do investors keep funding only “the model,” and what returns exist in energy, infrastructure, and applied AI use cases? How do development banks catch up when AI moves faster than traditional timelines? We also tackle data localization versus real data governance, the value of data, and the information battlefield of misinformation and disinformation, including the need to label synthetic content and raise the economic cost of harm.If you care about Kenya’s AI strategy, Africa’s AI future, AI policy, data governance, and tech diplomacy, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s building, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Guest: Serge Blockmans - Independent Advisor | Change ManagementGo live is a moment. Transformation is a behavior change that survives the moment.I sit down with Serge Blockmans, who helped bring SAP and ERP into the East African market, to revisit what digital transformation looked like in Kenya before the term became fashionable. Back then, organizations wanted controls, governance, and trustworthy data, not buzzwords. That foundation still shapes today’s ERP implementation decisions across finance, procurement, logistics, HR, and payroll.From there, we get honest about why so many programs stall after the system launches. Serge makes the case that “best practice” can become a convenient excuse to skip business analysis, process design, and real ownership. We delve into why a PMO is still often treated as optional, why change management is sometimes confused with project management, and how resistance to change can manifest in various settings, from boardrooms to procurement committees to frontline super users.Then we step into AI transformation. Embedded AI in SAP and ERP often resembles an advanced form of robotic process automation: faster tasks, fewer clicks, quicker analytics. However, if your processes and data are disorganized, AI can exacerbate the mess even faster. We also explore agentic AI, native AI apps, and the uncomfortable truth that your organization remains legally accountable even when an “autonomous” workflow makes the call.If you lead technology, transformation, or operations, you’ll leave with clearer definitions of success, sharper questions to ask before buying tools, and a strong reminder to protect the change management budget. Subscribe, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a review with the biggest people challenge you’ve seen in transformation.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Guest: Justice Mukaro - Founder of Strateji & Zimbabwean entrepreneur What happens when Africa stops importing assumptions and starts exporting standards? We sit down with founder and computer scientist Justice Mukaro to unpack a bold, practical plan for sovereign AI: Amanzi Cloud, a decentralized infrastructure designed to keep data local, cut costs, and connect every country into one living network.Justice’s water metaphor makes complex systems feel simple. Traditional hyperscalers are like dams; Amanzi is a network of boreholes—nodes in data centers, institutions, and smaller machines—linked by secure “pipes” that track flow, prevent leaks, and respect each nation’s laws. That shift unlocks data sovereignty without isolation, enabling cross-border collaboration, fair pricing for builders, and privacy-first compute that aligns with global trends toward decentralization. From a chance intro to a data center tour to a new partnership, we map how relationships move pilots from pitch to reality.We also go deep on the human side of infrastructure: how Afrocentric tech means more than branding; why educating through product beats slide decks; and what it takes to be a diplomatic innovator who can talk policy on Monday and ship code on Tuesday. Justice traces Strategy’s pivots—from WhatsApp-native surveys to dataset curation to hardware-aware cloud design—showing how mission fidelity and flexibility can coexist. The stakes are clear: if Africa doesn’t feed its context into AI, the systems shaping daily life will misread the continent and harden those errors at scale.Walk away with a clear mental model for decentralized cloud, concrete steps for building sovereign data pathways, and founder-grade lessons on partnerships, pricing, and courage. If you care about AI ethics, privacy, and equitable growth—from Nairobi to Harare to Lagos—this conversation is a roadmap and a rallying cry. Subscribe, share with a builder or policymaker in your circle, and leave a review telling us: what’s the first node your community needs?CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa | Season 2 Episode 02: After The HypeGuest: Harry Hare, Chairman & Publisher at CIO AfricaA pandemic rewired our habits, but did it truly change our leadership? We open the door on Kenya’s post-COVID tech reality—how hybrid work became muscle memory, how decision-making evolved, and where old instincts still hold back progress. Then we wade into the storm ahead: elections, uncertainty, and AI stepping onto the political stage. From deepfakes that stress-test public trust to hyper-targeted messages that could raise the quality of civic engagement, we map the risks, the safeguards, and the surprising opportunities for those who prepare.We also challenge a popular narrative: AI isn’t a bubble; the hype is. Real value sits in workflows where data governance, model observability, and human-in-the-loop controls turn experiments into reliable operations. That shift depends on skills and structure—teams that can instrument CRMs, segment audiences responsibly, and build processes that fail safely. Policy enters here, but only if it points to a coherent North Star. Regions that commit to practical bets—chip assembly, logistics, data centers—create ecosystems that attract capital and talent. Clarity compounds.Inclusion is not a side panel; it is a performance edge. We talk candidly about women in tech leadership—why visibility lags, how confidence and nomination pipelines stall, and what it takes to get more women shaping models, data, and product decisions. The recurring theme is scale: Africa doesn’t lack creativity; it lacks the structures to grow pilots into platforms. Strong foundations, smarter governance, and regional market depth can change that. We may have missed the internet wave, but AI offers a second chance—if we align, build guardrails, and scale what works.If this conversation sparked a thought, share it with a friend, subscribe for more Tech Talk Africa, and leave a review with the one shift you think Kenya must make next.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa | Season 2 Episode 01: The AI Infrastructure Reckoning Guest: Michael Michie, Co-founder of EverseTech and Special Advisor on AI to the Kenyan GovernmentAfrica’s digital future isn't just about the code we write; it’s being laid in the cables, servers, and power grids that most people will never see. In this season premiere, we move past the headlines to ask the hard questions: Who owns the compute? Who controls the data? And who pays the energy bill when ambition outpaces reality? We sit down with Michael Michie, a tech founder and a leading voice in Kenya’s AI strategy, to dissect the systems beneath the story. Michael shares his journey from a childhood obsession with hardware to the "perfect pivot" for EverseTech: solving the infrastructure accountability gap in Africa. We explore why the oversimplification of AI scares him and why he believes the hype needs to "die" so the real work can begin.Key Discussion Points:The Cost of Entry: Michael breaks down the staggering reality of building a data center—starting at roughly 5 billion Kenya Shillings ($38M+) just for the facility, before a single GPU is even plugged in.The Power Paradox: We dive into why "energy" is the most critical infrastructure milestone for 2030. Michael explains why many high-end servers purchased by organizations sit idle because they require specialized three-phase power that standard office power grids don't provide.Data Findability vs. Scarcity: Contrary to popular belief, Michael argues Africa doesn't have a "lack of data" but a findability and storage issue. He explores how to unlock "machine-readable" data from healthcare and traditional recorded information.Sovereignty and "Going Local": His advice for CIOs is bold: "Get off the global cloud." Moving AI workloads to local infrastructure can be roughly 30% cheaper and is essential for data sovereignty.Climate & Context: We tackle the "Animals vs. Machines" debate. Michael contextualizes AI's environmental impact, noting that while local water and power issues are real, industries like agriculture currently have a much larger global footprint.Is Africa ready to build the foundations that carry our tech ambitions? Hit play to hear Michael Michie’s blueprint for a sustainable, localized AI future. Subscribe for a season of deepening the conversation.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 10: Law, Code, And The African FutureGuest: Richard Odongo, Senior Associate (IP & Technology) at BowmansWhat happens when Africa’s most dynamic innovators meet laws that are still catching up to AI’s speed? We sit down with Richard Odongo, Senior Associate (IP & Technology) at Bowmans (Law Firm), to map the real terrain: who owns AI-generated work, how data should move across borders, and what “responsible AI” looks like when livelihoods and culture are on the line.We start with the major shifts: regulators across the continent are shifting from reactive penalties to smarter engagement, and countries like Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa are creating conditions where innovators can succeed. Richard explains why dialogue-first oversight is better than quick fines, and how policy teams, ESG experts, and lawyers can work together to lower risk without losing momentum. His advice is practical: educate regulators about the technology, classify data by sensitivity, and use targeted obligations to protect what truly matters.The ownership debate becomes real when AI creates music or drafts inventions. Richard describes how ownership depends on meaningful human input and tight contracts: attribution rules, licensing scopes, revenue sharing, and clear responsibilities among model providers, creators, and platforms. We also explore data sovereignty, from local copies for elections and health data to secure cross-border flows that enable analytics, BPO work, and safe travel systems. Infrastructure is also crucial—energy-efficient data centers, resilient networks, and ESG considerations that help AI stay sustainable long-term.Ethics shifts from a buzzword to a blueprint: fairness, bias reduction, source credit, and transparency that consumers can see. And because context is key, we discuss localizing frameworks for African languages, cultures, and public services. Richard’s final advice for future legal tech leaders is simple but powerful: choose a niche, learn persistently, stay humble, and build with integrity. Ready to think beyond hype to the real rules of the road? Hit play, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a review with the one change you want to see in Africa’s AI future.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 9: A Woman Shaping Africa’s Digital Financial FutureGuest: Diana Gathoni, Digital Commercialisation Senior ManagerIn this inspiring episode of Tech Talk Africa, host Stella sits down with Diana Gathoni, a powerhouse in Africa’s digital transformation space. From her early days as a banking intern to leading digital commercialization at ABSA, Diana’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership.She opens up about navigating fintech, consulting, and banking—building digital ecosystems that empower SMEs, drive financial inclusion, and reshape customer experience across the continent. Diana also reflects on her personal growth as a mother and leader in tech, sharing the highs and hurdles of balancing ambition, agility, and authenticity.Listeners will learn how she’s helping shape Africa’s digital finance future, what it takes to innovate sustainably in regulated industries, and why collaboration between startups, banks, and regulators is key to lasting impact.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 8: Africa’s Higher Education Sector and TechnologyGuest: Dr. Nico Elema, Director of the Centre for Collaboration in Africa at Stellenbosch UniversityIn this episode, host Stella Gichuhi speaks with Dr. Nico Elema, Director of the Center for Collaboration in Africa at Stellenbosch University. Together, they explore how African universities can foster innovation, technology transfer, and equitable partnerships across the continent. Dr. Elema shares insights on contextualizing education, empowering youth, and blending cultural authenticity with digital transformation to shape Africa’s global academic future.Tune in for a fresh perspective on how education is transforming the digital age of today. CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 7: Connecting Africa; Nigeria’s Infrastructure ParadoxGuest: Ahmed Atere, CEO of MEED NetworksIn this episode of Tech Talk Africa, host Stella Gichuhi explores how ambition meets adversity in Nigeria’s digital evolution.Joining her is Ahmed Atere, CEO of MEED Networks, an infrastructure pioneer building the country’s connectivity backbone. From constructing Nigeria’s largest campus fiber network to contributing to a 90,000-kilometer national fiber rollout, Atere reveals how MEED is threading resilience into the nation’s tech fabric. His story shows how innovation thrives even when the foundations are fragile.Beyond infrastructure, Atere champions human capital — having trained and certified over 8,000 engineers across Africa. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: build networks, but also build people. Together, they drive digital transformation in education, government, and beyond.For tech manufacturers and innovators, this episode provides a masterclass in localized design and infrastructure resilience. Tune in to learn how Africa is wiring its own digital future.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 6: Rwanda’s Digital Leap: How Policy, People and Partnerships Are Powering TransformationGuest: Alex Ntale - Rwanda's ICT Chamber CEO.In this episode of Tech Talk Africa, host Stella Gichuhi sits down with Alex Ntale, CEO of the Rwanda ICT Chamber, to explore how Rwanda is redefining what’s possible in digital transformation on the African continent.Once known for its ambitious Vision 2020, Rwanda has emerged as a continental leader in technology policy, innovation, and human capital development — now setting its sights on Vision 2050. Alex unpacks how clear leadership, rapid policy execution, and public-private collaboration have fueled Rwanda’s rise as one of Africa’s most connected nations.From laying nationwide fiber networks to empowering one million coders, Rwanda’s story is a masterclass in strategic planning and agile implementation. The conversation explores data sovereignty, AI preparedness, and smart city innovation, while emphasizing partnerships with global companies like Microsoft, Mastercard, and Zipline.Alex also shares insights on bridging Africa’s digital skills gap and the country’s borderless approach to attracting talent and investment.Whether you’re a policymaker, tech entrepreneur, or digital optimist, this episode offers an inspiring look at how vision, execution, and accountability can transform a nation — and light the path for Africa’s digital future.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 5: Africa's Internet Part 2: What comes next?Guest: Ben Roberts - Non-Regional AFRINIC Board Member. Ben Roberts, AfriNIC’s new non-regional independent board member, reflects on Africa’s internet governance and infrastructure. AfriNIC, which allocates IP addresses and system numbers, recently overcame legal disputes and board gaps through fresh elections. Roberts emphasizes multi-stakeholder governance, competition, and investment, citing M-Pesa as proof of local innovation. He warns of digital dependency resulting from uneven access and reliance on global platforms, urging the development of sovereign infrastructure and the adoption of inclusive policies. AfriNIC’s anti-shutdown proposal failed due to state resistance, yet Roberts calls for enterprise involvement, strong leadership, restored efficiency, and deeper engagement to strengthen Africa’s digital sovereignty and governance. Tune in to Tech Talk Africa E05 and join the conversation about Africa’s evolving internet landscape. CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 4: The Great Firewall of Africa (Cybersecurity and The Skills Gap)Guest: Mr. Joseph Mathenge, the Chief Operations Officer at Serianu Limited, an award-winning Pan-African cybersecurity and business consulting firm.In Episode 4 of Tech Talk Africa, host Stella Gichuhu and guest Joseph Mathenge, COO at Serianu, discuss cybersecurity's link to the human element amid rising cybercrimes in Africa. Mathenge notes reported incidents are partly due to better reporting and law enforcement. They explore how the digital age creates new "attack vectors" with extensive digital footprints, highlighting the need for greater "situational awareness".Mathenge concludes by advocating collaboration over competition among businesses and within organizations to fight cyber threats. The episode is a call for a mindset shift toward building capacity in technology, conflict management, and valuing people.Tune in to Tech Talk Africa E04 and join the conversation that’s dissecting the security of businesses' data across the continent.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 3: Technology and the African Customer ExperienceGuest: Mr. Nyasha Mutsekwa, the Chief Executive Officer of  Africa’s leading Customer Experience (CX) platform - AjuaIn this episode of Tech Talk Africa, we explore the customer experience transformation across the continent. African consumers no longer accept "That's just how it is." The discussion highlights higher stakes for local businesses due to the relational nature of African consumers and why many "survival entrepreneurs" fail to deliver experience despite good products.This discussion highlights Africa’s customer-centric future, addressing challenges like customer service, data dissemination, and bureaucracy. It examines the role of technology, including AI, in improving customer understanding and whether it genuinely serves customers or is just for show. Nyasha shares his vision for Ajua as an African solution to global problems, emphasizing that "African Intelligence" is what truly matters.Whether you’re a business leader, CIO, or an everyday consumer, this episode shines a light on the high-stakes challenges—and opportunities—shaping Africa’s digital future. Tune in to Tech Talk Africa E03 and join the conversation that’s defining the future of business across the continent.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 2: Who Owns The African Story?Guest: Dr Joel Ongoto, Ag.Deputy Secretary General of Research and Resource Mobilization and Programme Director, Social and Human Sciences at KENYA NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO (KNATCOM)In this critical episode of Tech Talk Africa, host Stella Gichuhi dives into the powerful intersection of culture, communication, and information in the digital era.Dr. Ongoto emphasizes that although African culture gains global prominence, its creators frequently miss out on advantages because digital platforms are dominated by external entities. He stresses the importance of African youth taking the reins in the technology sector and implementing policy measures to protect cultural heritage. This discussion is a powerful call to action for policymakers, business leaders, and everyday internet users to ensure Africa's digital future is defined by its own people.Tune in to Tech Talk Africa E02 and join the conversation that’s defining the future of digital ownership across the continent.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan

What are your thoughts?Tech Talk Africa – Episode 1: Who Owns Our Internet?Guest: Fiona Asonga, the Chief Executive Officer of a non-governmental, not-for-profit Technology Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK)In this debut episode of Tech Talk Africa, host Stella Gichuhi and guest Fiona dive deep into the unfolding AFRINIC situation and explore its ripple effects across businesses, research institutions, and society at large. From questions of governance and accountability to the broader issue of digital sovereignty, this discussion unpacks why the ownership and control of Africa’s internet infrastructure matters now more than ever.Whether you’re a policymaker, business leader, or everyday internet user, this episode shines a light on the high-stakes challenges—and opportunities—shaping Africa’s digital future.Tune in to Tech Talk Africa E01 and join the conversation that’s defining the future of connectivity across the continent.CreditsHost: Stella GichuhiProducer: James NjorogeExecutive Producers:Harry HareAgutu Dan