EP #39 (S02) Carmen Mateia: From a WhatsApp Group to Tackling Angola's 'Undermployment' Crisis
NOV 12, 202549 MIN
EP #39 (S02) Carmen Mateia: From a WhatsApp Group to Tackling Angola's 'Undermployment' Crisis
NOV 12, 202549 MIN
Description
<p>What’s the real challenge for Angola’s youth: unemployment or <em>undermployment</em>?</p><p>Social entrepreneur Carmen Mateia shares her incredible journey from starting a simple WhatsApp group to building an ecosystem that’s connecting thousands of Angolans to real opportunities.</p><p>Carmen is a dynamic social activist, community leader, and founder of “Na Fila do Pão” (At the bread’s queue). Her work in tackling youth challenges has led to a historic nomination as the first Angolan and first Portuguese-speaking representative for the EMY Africa Awards 2025 in the “Youth Change Maker” category.</p><p>In this episode, we discuss:</p><p>* <strong>The “Na Fila do Pão” Story:</strong> How a low-tech WhatsApp group grew into a powerful company for social change.</p><p>* <strong>The Real Problem:</strong> Why “undermployment” is a more critical crisis than unemployment in Angola.</p><p>* <strong>Building the Ecosystem:</strong> Carmen’s work with “Fábrica de Sabão” (Soap Factory) to create the physical infrastructure and hubs needed for startups to grow.</p><p>* <strong>Art as Activism:</strong> Using cultural projects like the Mau Mau Movement to agitate for social and political change.</p><p><strong>SUPPORT CARMEN & CONNECT</strong></p><p>* <strong>VOTE for Carmen:</strong> Support her for the EMY Africa Award (Youth Change Maker of the Year)</p><p>* Website: <a target="_blank" href="https://emyafrica.com/emy25-youth-change-maker">emyafrica.com/emy25-youth-change-maker</a></p><p>* Instagram: [Instagram link]</p><p>* <strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenmateia/en">https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenmateia/en</a></p><p>* <strong>Instagram:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/bycarmenmateia/">https://www.instagram.com/bycarmenmateia/</a></p><p><strong>STAY CONNECTED WITH AFRICATECHTALKS.COM</strong></p><p>* <strong>Website:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.africatechtalks.com">www.africatechtalks.com</a></p><p>* <strong>Newsletter:</strong> </p><p>* <strong>X (Twitter):</strong> /afri_techtalks</p><p>* <strong>LinkedIn:</strong> /africa-tech-talks</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://africatechtalks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">africatechtalks.substack.com</a>
![<description><p>What’s the real challenge for Angola’s youth: unemployment or <em>undermployment</em>?</p><p>Social entrepreneur Carmen Mateia shares her incredible journey from starting a simple WhatsApp group to building an ecosystem that’s connecting thousands of Angolans to real opportunities.</p><p>Carmen is a dynamic social activist, community leader, and founder of “Na Fila do Pão” (At the bread’s queue). Her work in tackling youth challenges has led to a historic nomination as the first Angolan and first Portuguese-speaking representative for the EMY Africa Awards 2025 in the “Youth Change Maker” category.</p><p>In this episode, we discuss:</p><p>* <strong>The “Na Fila do Pão” Story:</strong> How a low-tech WhatsApp group grew into a powerful company for social change.</p><p>* <strong>The Real Problem:</strong> Why “undermployment” is a more critical crisis than unemployment in Angola.</p><p>* <strong>Building the Ecosystem:</strong> Carmen’s work with “Fábrica de Sabão” (Soap Factory) to create the physical infrastructure and hubs needed for startups to grow.</p><p>* <strong>Art as Activism:</strong> Using cultural projects like the Mau Mau Movement to agitate for social and political change.</p><p><strong>SUPPORT CARMEN & CONNECT</strong></p><p>* <strong>VOTE for Carmen:</strong> Support her for the EMY Africa Award (Youth Change Maker of the Year)</p><p>* Website: <a target="_blank" href="https://emyafrica.com/emy25-youth-change-maker">emyafrica.com/emy25-youth-change-maker</a></p><p>* Instagram: [Instagram link]</p><p>* <strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenmateia/en">https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenmateia/en</a></p><p>* <strong>Instagram:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/bycarmenmateia/">https://www.instagram.com/bycarmenmateia/</a></p><p><strong>STAY CONNECTED WITH AFRICATECHTALKS.COM</strong></p><p>* <strong>Website:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.africatechtalks.com">www.africatechtalks.com</a></p><p>* <strong>Newsletter:</strong> </p><p>* <strong>X (Twitter):</strong> /afri_techtalks</p><p>* <strong>LinkedIn:</strong> /africa-tech-talks</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://africatechtalks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">africatechtalks.substack.com</a></description>](https://us-central1-podcastguru-217d6.cloudfunctions.net/gcf_get_image?image_url=https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/51/a1/53/51a153b7-5e56-2a50-8911-fc4d98712813/mza_3713020665471483490.jpg/600x600bb.jpg&width=300&height=300&api_key=xqFmUFX5BHLBTA)
