#africa #africandevelopment #emergingmarkets #economicgrowth #mobilemoney #africantech #innovationinafrica

Africa is entering a historic turning point. In this inaugural episode of Beating Sisyphus, we sit down with Brian Frantz, former USAID Senior Foreign Service Officer, and Abubakar Idris, African business journalist and Cornell MBA candidate, to explore the forces shaping Africa’s economic future.

We cover:
• How Africa’s economic landscape has transformed over the last 20 years
• The role of technology, mobile money, and startup ecosystems in driving inclusive growth
• Why political stability and governance matter for sustainable development
• Capital markets, FDI vs. local ownership, and where investment is heading
• The demographic boom and what it means for global markets
• How climate change is reshaping African policy and innovation

Whether you’re interested in emerging markets, global development, tech innovation, or Africa’s economic trajectory, this conversation offers deep insights from leaders who have spent decades working on the ground.

(00:00) Intro: Beating Sisyphus

(01:20) The Sisyphus Metaphor

(02:19) Meet the Guests

(02:53) Economic Landscape: Last 20 Years

(03:50) Urbanization & The AfCFTA

(05:20) Headwinds: Debt & Climate

(06:49) The Demographic Dividend

(11:03) Foreign Aid & Instability

(15:30) Case Study: Somalia

(17:52) State vs. Private Sector

(20:00) The Nigeria Telecom Revolution

(24:50) Is the Chinese Model Failing?

(26:32) The Local Ownership Dilemma

(27:02) The Delaware Problem

(30:50) Policy Perspectives on Ownership

(33:34) Developing Capital Markets

(40:21) Beyond Mobile Money

(44:24) Creative Economy & Data

(48:43) Leadership Vision & Stability

(55:56) Future Outlook: 2050

(01:03:56) Closing Remarks

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/innovate
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