Tech Talk Africa – Episode 7: Connecting Africa; Nigeria’s Infrastructure Paradox

Guest: Ahmed Atere, CEO of MEED Networks

In 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.

Credits
Host:

• Stella Gichuhi

Producer:

• James Njoroge

Executive Producers:

• Harry Hare
• Agutu Dan

Tech Talk Africa – Episode 6: Rwanda’s Digital Leap: How Policy, People and Partnerships Are Powering Transformation

Guest: 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.

Credits
Host:

• Stella Gichuhi

Producer:

• James Njoroge

Executive Producers:

• Harry Hare
• Agutu Dan

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.

Credits
Host:

• Stella Gichuhi

Producer:

• James Njoroge

Executive Producers:

• Harry Hare
• Agutu Dan

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.

Credits
Host:

• Stella Gichuhi

Producer:

• James Njoroge

Executive Producers:

• Harry Hare
• Agutu Dan

Credits
Host:

• Stella Gichuhi

Producer:

• James Njoroge

Executive Producers:

• Harry Hare
• Agutu Dan

Tech Talk Africa – Episode 3: Technology and the African Customer Experience

Guest: Mr. Nyasha Mutsekwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa’s leading Customer Experience (CX) platform - Ajua

In 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.

Credits
Host:

• Stella Gichuhi

Producer:

• James Njoroge

Executive Producers:

• Harry Hare
• Agutu Dan

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.

Credits
Host:

• Stella Gichuhi

Producer:

• James Njoroge

Executive Producers:

• Harry Hare
• Agutu Dan

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.

Credits
Host:

• Stella Gichuhi

Producer:

• James Njoroge

Executive Producers:

• Harry Hare
• Agutu Dan