<description>Meet Marie Lora-Mungai, expert advisor in African creative industries and sports business and founder of Restless Global - whose 20-year journey from CNN journalist to production company founder to industry advisor gives her a unique vantage point on Africa's creative economy.

In thought-provoking conversation with Andile Masuku, Lora-Mungai makes a compelling case for African filmmakers to stop seeking funding for traditional productions and instead leverage AI tools to create content independently.
Episode overview:

The discussion stems from Lora-Mungai's viral Linkedin post warning African filmmakers about AI disruption. She points to a jarring disconnect: while some creators are still trying to raise millions for conventional productions, others are creating professional-quality content using AI tools on a laptop. The conversation explores how this technological shift is redefining what it means to be a filmmaker in 2025 and beyond.

Key topics:
    - The widening gap between traditional film projects and AI-enabled production
    - How AI tools are eliminating conventional barriers to content creation
    - The shift from specialised roles to comprehensive creative vision
    - Why traditional fundraising may be obsolete for many productions
    - The changing landscape for talent, especially voice actors and performers
    - Emerging regulatory needs for protecting creative identity in an AI world

Notable points:

    1. Many Nollywood filmmakers are not yet leveraging AI, though the first AI-themed movie releases this month in Nigeria
    2. Independent filmmakers Hussain Sambal are creating professional-quality content using AI with minimal resources
    3. Lora-Mungai advises creators to "build in public" rather than spending time seeking traditional funding
    4. AI tools are making traditional film specialisations like editing and visual effects increasingly obsolete
    5. Blockchain and Web3 technologies may become essential for tracking and monetising creative assets in an AI-dominated landscape

Be sure to listen out for a particularly candid moment when Masuku reveals he recently turned down offers from companies wanting to replicate his voice using AI, and Lora-Mungai's forthright response about the inevitability of this transformation.

Here's a link to Marie Lora-Mungai's inciting Linkedin post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marieloramungai_african-filmmakers-we-need-to-talk-about-activity-7312399340570918912-uVie?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAGwgRYBG52bgfG6IE0hzny7wKy24y4L_74)

Image credit: Restless Global</description>

Meet Marie Lora-Mungai, expert advisor in African…

Meet Marie Lora-Mungai, expert advisor in African creative industries and sports business and founder of Restless Global - whose 20-year journey from CNN journalist to production company founder to industry advisor gives her a unique vantage point on Africa's creative economy.

In thought-provoking conversation with Andile Masuku, Lora-Mungai makes a compelling case for African filmmakers to stop seeking funding for traditional productions and instead leverage AI tools to create content independently.
Episode overview:

The discussion stems from Lora-Mungai's viral Linkedin post warning African filmmakers about AI disruption. She points to a jarring disconnect: while some creators are still trying to raise millions for conventional productions, others are creating professional-quality content using AI tools on a laptop. The conversation explores how this technological shift is redefining what it means to be a filmmaker in 2025 and beyond.

Key topics:
    - The widening gap between traditional film projects and AI-enabled production
    - How AI tools are eliminating conventional barriers to content creation
    - The shift from specialised roles to comprehensive creative vision
    - Why traditional fundraising may be obsolete for many productions
    - The changing landscape for talent, especially voice actors and performers
    - Emerging regulatory needs for protecting creative identity in an AI world

Notable points:

    1. Many Nollywood filmmakers are not yet leveraging AI, though the first AI-themed movie releases this month in Nigeria
    2. Independent filmmakers Hussain Sambal are creating professional-quality content using AI with minimal resources
    3. Lora-Mungai advises creators to "build in public" rather than spending time seeking traditional funding
    4. AI tools are making traditional film specialisations like editing and visual effects increasingly obsolete
    5. Blockchain and Web3 technologies may become essential for tracking and monetising creative assets in an AI-dominated landscape

Be sure to listen out for a particularly candid moment when Masuku reveals he recently turned down offers from companies wanting to replicate his voice using AI, and Lora-Mungai's forthright response about the inevitability of this transformation.

Here's a link to Marie Lora-Mungai's inciting Linkedin post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marieloramungai_african-filmmakers-we-need-to-talk-about-activity-7312399340570918912-uVie?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGwgRYBG52bgfG6IE0hzny7wKy24y4L_74)

Image credit: Restless Global

Adapt or Be Left Behind: Marie Lora-Mungai on AI and the Future of African Filmmaking

<description>Episode overview: 
In this conversation, Fatu Ogwuche shares insights into her transition from working at Meta and consulting for Nigeria's Electoral Commission to launching her own media platform, Big Tech This Week. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach to storytelling, and the unique position independent creators hold in today's media landscape.

Andile Masuku describes Ogwuche as "low-key the industry's head of intelligence" - a title earned through her knack for asking the right questions, journalistic research methods, and ability to get people comfortable enough to share meaningful insights about the African tech ecosystem.

Key topics:
- Transitioning from corporate roles to independent media ownership
- The power of personality-driven content creation
- Building authentic connections with interview subjects
- Research as a foundation for compelling storytelling
- The growth and evolution of Africa's tech media landscape
- The balance between reporting ecosystem challenges and celebrating wins

Notable points:
1. Ogwuche started Big Tech This Week as a hobby while working at Meta during the pandemic, seeking creative expression outside her corporate role
2. Her experience representing Nigeria's Electoral Commission on television at age 24-25 shaped her understanding of effective communication
3. The African tech and media ecosystems are both relatively young—many major startups and publications are only 10-16 years old
4. Independent creators are increasingly collaborating across borders to tell stories in fresh, compelling ways
5. Thorough research and genuine curiosity are central to Fatu's interview approach, allowing for deeper conversations with tech leaders

Projects mentioned:
- The Crossover Show 2024 - Ogwuche's year-end review featuring conversations with ecosystem leaders about significant trends and looking ahead to 2024 | Link: https://youtu.be/s31x58-EnJU?si=dvGqM9PDDnHFkSJP

- "If Weekend Go Sweet" - A collaborative op-ed between Ogwuche and Masuku examining African tech's 2024 "Wednesday signals" | Link: https://www.africantechroundup.com/op-ed-if-weekend-go-sweet-fatu-ogwuches-reading-of-african-techs-2024-wednesday-signs-2/

- Backstories with Fatu - Ogwuche's interview series featuring tech entrepreneurs who don't typically do many interviews | Link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFlwhyjoaXiZl0M34txzp8ACjqAQt8wC&amp;si=v3XWNApO8Hik1rWo

Fatu approaches her work with an authenticity that makes interview subjects comfortable sharing insights they might not reveal elsewhere. As both she and Andile note, what sets her apart is her combination of strategic intelligence, legal background, natural curiosity, and creative spark—along with a commitment to presenting information in ways that engage and inform.
As the African tech ecosystem continues to develop alongside its media landscape, voices like Fatu's provide not just reporting but vital context and nuance, helping audiences understand both challenges and opportunities in a balanced way.</description>

Episode overview: 
In this conversation, Fatu Ogw…

Episode overview: 
In this conversation, Fatu Ogwuche shares insights into her transition from working at Meta and consulting for Nigeria's Electoral Commission to launching her own media platform, Big Tech This Week. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach to storytelling, and the unique position independent creators hold in today's media landscape.

Andile Masuku describes Ogwuche as "low-key the industry's head of intelligence" - a title earned through her knack for asking the right questions, journalistic research methods, and ability to get people comfortable enough to share meaningful insights about the African tech ecosystem.

Key topics:
- Transitioning from corporate roles to independent media ownership
- The power of personality-driven content creation
- Building authentic connections with interview subjects
- Research as a foundation for compelling storytelling
- The growth and evolution of Africa's tech media landscape
- The balance between reporting ecosystem challenges and celebrating wins

Notable points:
1. Ogwuche started Big Tech This Week as a hobby while working at Meta during the pandemic, seeking creative expression outside her corporate role
2. Her experience representing Nigeria's Electoral Commission on television at age 24-25 shaped her understanding of effective communication
3. The African tech and media ecosystems are both relatively young—many major startups and publications are only 10-16 years old
4. Independent creators are increasingly collaborating across borders to tell stories in fresh, compelling ways
5. Thorough research and genuine curiosity are central to Fatu's interview approach, allowing for deeper conversations with tech leaders

Projects mentioned:
- The Crossover Show 2024 - Ogwuche's year-end review featuring conversations with ecosystem leaders about significant trends and looking ahead to 2024 | Link: https://youtu.be/s31x58-EnJU?si=dvGqM9PDDnHFkSJP

- "If Weekend Go Sweet" - A collaborative op-ed between Ogwuche and Masuku examining African tech's 2024 "Wednesday signals" | Link: https://www.africantechroundup.com/op-ed-if-weekend-go-sweet-fatu-ogwuches-reading-of-african-techs-2024-wednesday-signs-2/

- Backstories with Fatu - Ogwuche's interview series featuring tech entrepreneurs who don't typically do many interviews | Link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFlwhyjoaXiZl0M34txzp8ACjqAQt8wC&si=v3XWNApO8Hik1rWo

Fatu approaches her work with an authenticity that makes interview subjects comfortable sharing insights they might not reveal elsewhere. As both she and Andile note, what sets her apart is her combination of strategic intelligence, legal background, natural curiosity, and creative spark—along with a commitment to presenting information in ways that engage and inform.
As the African tech ecosystem continues to develop alongside its media landscape, voices like Fatu's provide not just reporting but vital context and nuance, helping audiences understand both challenges and opportunities in a balanced way.

From Policy to Independent Media: Fatu Ogwuche on Creative Storytelling in Tech

<description>This episode features an engaging conversation with Rob Bergman, Chief Investment Officer at Unicorn Factory, exploring the nuanced intersection of digital infrastructure investment and internet connectivity ecosystem development across Africa.

Episode overview:
Andile Masuku engages with Bergman to unpack his 12-year journey in African investment, examining how Unicorn Factory's distinctive two-pillar approach combines operational expertise with strategic advisory and deal brokering services to accelerate digital infrastructure development across the continent.

Bergman reflects on his transition from traditional M&amp;A in Europe to impact-driven infrastructure investment in Africa through Unicorn Factory, a family office and permanent capital vehicle focused on long-term investments across four main business segments, including digital infrastructure and communication technologies. He advocates passionately for his firm's vision for a highly-collaborative and mutually-beneficial carrier neutral setting for digital transformation in African markets.

Key topics:
- Carrier-neutral infrastructure development
- Ecosystem-driven investment strategies
- Digital infrastructure value chain dynamics
- Market liberalisation and regulatory frameworks
- Infrastructure financing models
- Sustainable profitability versus charitable approaches

Notable points:
1. The strategic importance of carrier-neutral infrastructure in African markets
2. Unicorn Factory's two-pillar business model combining operations and advisory
3. The catalytic role of WorkOnline as an IP transit provider
4. Current advisory mandates approaching $900 million for continental infrastructure
5. South Africa as a case study for successful market liberalisation

Image credit: Unicorn Factory</description>

This episode features an engaging conversation wi…

This episode features an engaging conversation with Rob Bergman, Chief Investment Officer at Unicorn Factory, exploring the nuanced intersection of digital infrastructure investment and internet connectivity ecosystem development across Africa.

Episode overview:
Andile Masuku engages with Bergman to unpack his 12-year journey in African investment, examining how Unicorn Factory's distinctive two-pillar approach combines operational expertise with strategic advisory and deal brokering services to accelerate digital infrastructure development across the continent.

Bergman reflects on his transition from traditional M&A in Europe to impact-driven infrastructure investment in Africa through Unicorn Factory, a family office and permanent capital vehicle focused on long-term investments across four main business segments, including digital infrastructure and communication technologies. He advocates passionately for his firm's vision for a highly-collaborative and mutually-beneficial carrier neutral setting for digital transformation in African markets.

Key topics:
- Carrier-neutral infrastructure development
- Ecosystem-driven investment strategies
- Digital infrastructure value chain dynamics
- Market liberalisation and regulatory frameworks
- Infrastructure financing models
- Sustainable profitability versus charitable approaches

Notable points:
1. The strategic importance of carrier-neutral infrastructure in African markets
2. Unicorn Factory's two-pillar business model combining operations and advisory
3. The catalytic role of WorkOnline as an IP transit provider
4. Current advisory mandates approaching $900 million for continental infrastructure
5. South Africa as a case study for successful market liberalisation

Image credit: Unicorn Factory

Carrier Neutral: How Unicorn Factory Aims to Open Up Africa’s Internet Infrastructure

<description>Episode Overview: 
This episode features a relaxed, peer-to-peer conversation between two media entrepreneurs—African Tech Roundup co-founder and executive producer Andile Masuku, and Money &amp; Moves founder and writer Tinashe Mukogo. 

They explore how Mukogo draws on his background in consulting (Deloitte), corporate venture capital (Next47), and organisational finance (Siemens), along with his CA and INSEAD MBA credentials, to deliver sophisticated yet accessible analysis of African businesses.

What starts as an origin story and a look into his approach to business journalism expands into a deep dive on turning media assets into sustainable businesses. Mukogo and Masuku explore strategic considerations, revenue model challenges, and innovation opportunities in building independent media ventures that balance public interest with commercial viability.

Key topics:
- Leveraging corporate experience for credible financial analysis
- Strategic approaches to finding and maintaining "blue ocean" market positions
- The geography advantage: How distance can aid editorial independence
- Business model innovation in African media markets
- Building personal brands alongside institutional credibility
- The role of independent media in developing investment ecosystems

Notable points:
1. How geographic distance from Zimbabwe enables more objective coverage of major corporations
2. The limitations of traditional advertising models when covering potential advertisers
3. The strategic value of building long-term credibility before monetisation
4. Why individual voices often carry more trust than institutional media
5. The "billionaire model" and its implications for editorial independence

Listen in for an unfiltered discussion between two media entrepreneurs on the practical challenges and strategic opportunities in building independent financial media properties in African markets.</description>

Episode Overview: 
This episode features a relaxe…

Episode Overview: 
This episode features a relaxed, peer-to-peer conversation between two media entrepreneurs—African Tech Roundup co-founder and executive producer Andile Masuku, and Money & Moves founder and writer Tinashe Mukogo. 

They explore how Mukogo draws on his background in consulting (Deloitte), corporate venture capital (Next47), and organisational finance (Siemens), along with his CA and INSEAD MBA credentials, to deliver sophisticated yet accessible analysis of African businesses.

What starts as an origin story and a look into his approach to business journalism expands into a deep dive on turning media assets into sustainable businesses. Mukogo and Masuku explore strategic considerations, revenue model challenges, and innovation opportunities in building independent media ventures that balance public interest with commercial viability.

Key topics:
- Leveraging corporate experience for credible financial analysis
- Strategic approaches to finding and maintaining "blue ocean" market positions
- The geography advantage: How distance can aid editorial independence
- Business model innovation in African media markets
- Building personal brands alongside institutional credibility
- The role of independent media in developing investment ecosystems

Notable points:
1. How geographic distance from Zimbabwe enables more objective coverage of major corporations
2. The limitations of traditional advertising models when covering potential advertisers
3. The strategic value of building long-term credibility before monetisation
4. Why individual voices often carry more trust than institutional media
5. The "billionaire model" and its implications for editorial independence

Listen in for an unfiltered discussion between two media entrepreneurs on the practical challenges and strategic opportunities in building independent financial media properties in African markets.

Inside Money & Moves: Tinashe Mukogo On Merging Corporate Expertise With Independent Media

<description>Episode Overview: 
This episode features a deep conversation with Joshua Bicknell, co-founder of Balloon Ventures, exploring how the organisation evolved from a non-profit connecting young people with informal entrepreneurs to becoming a financial institution that's deployed over $14 million in loans to SMEs across Kenya and Uganda, while openly sharing portfolio data to prove the viability of SME lending as an asset class.

Key topics:
- The false gospel of universal entrepreneurship
- Defining and creating "good jobs"
- Blended finance and return expectations
- The power of boring businesses
- Data transparency in impact investing
- Cash-based economies and digitalisation

Notable points:
1. Their portfolio businesses represent 8% of Eastern Uganda's GDP—approximately 0.5% of the country's total GDP
2. The institution provides loans of $10,000-$200,000 bundled with 6 months of business support
3. They're helping validate that SME lending can be viable with the right approach to data and risk
4. Their model challenges the "have your cake and eat it" narrative in impact investing
5. They're open-sourcing portfolio data to encourage other institutions to enter the space

Listen in for practical insights into how traditional brick-and-mortar businesses can drive meaningful economic development and job creation in East Africa's emerging markets.

Image credit: Balloon Ventures</description>

Episode Overview: 
This episode features a deep c…

Episode Overview: 
This episode features a deep conversation with Joshua Bicknell, co-founder of Balloon Ventures, exploring how the organisation evolved from a non-profit connecting young people with informal entrepreneurs to becoming a financial institution that's deployed over $14 million in loans to SMEs across Kenya and Uganda, while openly sharing portfolio data to prove the viability of SME lending as an asset class.

Key topics:
- The false gospel of universal entrepreneurship
- Defining and creating "good jobs"
- Blended finance and return expectations
- The power of boring businesses
- Data transparency in impact investing
- Cash-based economies and digitalisation

Notable points:
1. Their portfolio businesses represent 8% of Eastern Uganda's GDP—approximately 0.5% of the country's total GDP
2. The institution provides loans of $10,000-$200,000 bundled with 6 months of business support
3. They're helping validate that SME lending can be viable with the right approach to data and risk
4. Their model challenges the "have your cake and eat it" narrative in impact investing
5. They're open-sourcing portfolio data to encourage other institutions to enter the space

Listen in for practical insights into how traditional brick-and-mortar businesses can drive meaningful economic development and job creation in East Africa's emerging markets.

Image credit: Balloon Ventures

Joshua Bicknell On How Balloon Ventures' 'Boring Business' Portfolio Drives 0.5% Of Uganda's GDP

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