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Will History Reward Those who 'Moove' first? Ladi Delano/ EP.39

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:28:00 GMT

Welcome back to IN THE VALLEY Season 3!

Live from Riyadh, this is one of IN THE VALLEY Specials brought to you by #FII9 by the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute.

Join us for an in-depth conversation with the Co-founder, Co-CEO, and Advisory Board Chairman of Moove, a Silverbacks Holdings' Portfolio Company and the world's largest ride-hailing fleet operating 40,000 vehicles across 29 cities across 5 continents. Starting from 7 - 6 cars in Nigeria, Moove's journey has been defined by rapid scaling, strategic diversification, and ground-breaking partnerships — including with Uber and Waymo (Alphabet's autonomous mobility arm and formerly the Google self-driving car project).

Discover how Moove is pioneering the infrastructure for Level 4 autonomous vehicles in global markets like London, Miami, and Phoenix while expanding manned vehicles across Africa, the GCC, Asia, Latin America, and the US. Learn about the vital role of company culture in navigating challenges, maintaining first-mover advantage, and the vision for soon doubling their revenue beyond their current $400M.

This episode explores the future of mobility, AI-powered autonomous transport, and how productivity gains from efficient movement can transform cities and economies worldwide. Hear personal insights, lessons on risk mitigation, and what it takes to build a resilient, innovative global business from an African start-up.

🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from founders and funders shaping the future of tech, sports, entertainment, and fashion from Africa to the rest of the world.

If you want to know more about Ladi Delano, click here:

/ ladidelano

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/fiii...

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Ashley Lewis on DPI VC, African Tech & Limitless Ambition/ EP.38

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Welcome back to IN THE VALLEY Season 3!

We're sitting down in this episode with a true powerhouse, Ashley Lewis, Managing Partner DPI Venture Capital. Ashley's journey is one of abundance and limitlessness, taking her from Goldman Sachs and Vanguard to the heart of African tech with a fascinating detour through the Peace Corps in Togo.

In this must-watch episode, Ashley shares how her competitive sports background with family members in the College Football Hall of Fame and playing professional football in the NFL and CFL fuelled her drive as she moved into finance and ultimately to Africa. You'll hear how her passion led her to co-found the successful Lagos Rebels flag football team and partner with Silverbacks Holdings to invest in the Cape Town Tigers basketball franchise, a true blend of sport and investment across the continent.

Ashley unpacks the bold move by Development Partners International (DPI) from private equity into the venture capital space, creating a rare seed to sale platform for Africa. Learn about the firm's significant activity, including their investment in leading companies like MNT-Halan, Kazyon, and Sylndr (via the Nclude Fund). Ashley reveals the hard numbers behind their strategy: DPI Venture Capital has deployed $25M in the last 12 months, and the Nclude Fund has deployed approximately $50M since its launch.

This conversation is a masterclass in global perspective, purpose-driven investing, and finding home in Africa. Don't miss Ashley's advice for anyone considering a move to the continent and her vision for a diverse, collaborative African tech ecosystem.

Enjoy the episode!

How Sylndr is Redefining Mobility in Egypt with Omar El Defrawy /EP. 37

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Welcome back to IN THE VALLEY. Today's guest is Omar El Defrawy, the visionary Founder & CEO of Sylndr, Egypt's leading automotive e-commerce marketplace for used cars.

In this conversation, Omar shares his journey from finance and tech into the world of automotive innovation, the toughest lessons he's faced scaling a fast-moving startup, and the values that drive Sylndr's culture. From pioneering services to building trust in a market that needed it most, Omar reveals what it takes to disrupt an industry while keeping people at the center of the mission.

Launched in 2021, Sylndr is on a mission to bring transparency, trust, and convenience to one of Egypt's most fragmented industries. Under Omar's leadership, the company has introduced services like Sylndr Swift, Sylndr Plus, and Al-Ajans, making car ownership more accessible than ever.

Recently, Sylndr raised a landmark $15.7 million Series A round, led by Development Partners International (DPI) and Nclude Fund, cementing its role as a key player in Egypt's mobility sector.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just someone passionate about innovation, this conversation gives a rare inside look at the future of mobility in Egypt and beyond.

Special thanks to our sponsor, the Saudi Africa Society (SAS), for the support in amplifying stories of culture, creativity, and innovation.

Enjoy the show and come back for more!

Dina H. Sherif's Story Across Egypt, MIT & the World / EP.36

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:26:00 GMT

Just in time for back to school season, this all-new, compelling episode hosted by Ibrahim Sagna of IN THE VALLEY, will unpack the many facets of Dina H. Sherif, Executive Director of the MIT Kuo-Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, formerly named The Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship.

Dina's career spans over two decades at the intersection of economic inclusion, social entrepreneurship, and impact investing. From her academic roots at the American University in Cairo, Harvard and ‪MIT in Boston, she shares how her journey from the U.S. and Egypt shaped her mission to redefine global development and challenge traditional narratives.

As a pioneer in promoting conscious capitalism, Dina reveals what it truly means in practice, especially within African economies. She reflects on launching Entrepreneurship with Impact Ventures (EwIV), building inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems in Egypt, and supporting over 600 global innovators through MIT.

Under her leadership, the Kuo-Sharper Center, has raised over $40M to advance its mission and, in its first 15 years, provided more than $10M in tuition support for 326 fellows from 57 countries. Collectively, fellows have launched 286 ventures, creating 17,000+ direct jobs, raising $932M+ in capital, and generating over $660M in annual revenue.

In this conversation, Dina delves into the importance of words choices, the edge of impact investing and sustainable business models and explores how innovation and technology can drive inclusive economic growth across Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Soil Spaces and the Saudi Africa Society (SAS), supporting the voices and stories shaping culture and business across the region.

Enjoy the show and come back for more.

35. The Story Behind Azza Fahmy's Global Impact

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:24:00 GMT

Welcome to season 3 of IN THE VALLEY Podcast. We have the great privilege to start the season with a legend. Azza Fahmy is more than a phenomenal jewellery designer and business leader of the fashion industry. She's a global icon writing the blueprint of exporting culture and gems across many oceans. Recognized by Forbes Middle East on the "50 Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands" list, she has spent over five decades preserving heritage through luxury. As the Creative Director & Chairwoman of Azza Fahmy Jewellery, her designs are radiating across spaces in many continents. Few brands bring civilization, art, and tradition to life in such breathtaking, modern forms.

In this episode of IN THE VALLEY, Azza tells all about her journey from breaking into a male-dominated industry in Egypt, to collaborating with global fashion houses like Balmain, Matthew Williamson, and BOKJA, Azza has redefined what it means to tell stories through jewellery and her work has become more than designs; they're a celebration of art.

Today, the brand proudly operates 14 stores across Egypt and 6 internationally; Dubai, Qatar, London, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, while producing over 18,000 pieces this year alone and training 80 artisans over the last decade. Few brands bring civilization, art, and tradition to life in such breathtaking, modern forms.

In this conversation, Azza shares amazing wisdom pieces and divulges how she discovered the designer within, the challenges of balancing artistry with business, and the inspirations that have fuelled her journey for over 55 years. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about culture and design, this episode will give you a rare glimpse into the mind of a visionary who turned passion into timeless pieces and established a legacy that continues to inspire across the globe.

00:00 : 00:59 Trailer

02:00 : 03:45 What inspired Azza's memoir?

03:45 : 06:00 How would Azza define herself?

06:00 : 11:00 How did Azza's childhood and family shape her artistic path?

11:00 : 20:00 What moment led to discovering jewellery as Azza's life's calling?

21:00 : 23:00 What was Azza's favorite partnership?

22:25 : 26:00 What is Azza's favorite thing about her job?

26:16 : 27:27 What is the biggest challenge of being a woman in her industry?

27:57 : 29:03 What are Azza's hopes for Africa's creative industries?

29:05 : 30:34 What are Azza's favorite films or books?

31:00 : 32:07 What legacy does Azza Fahmy want to leave for Egypt?

33. Beats and Billions: How VC is Revolutionizing Africa's Music Scene

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 12:30:00 GMT

In this special episode of IN THE VALLEY, we delve into the intersection of music, technology, and venture capital, spotlighting how these forces shape Africa's cultural exports. Featuring insights from Mavin Records COO and early VC backers, we discuss Rema's global hit "Calm Down" and its implications following Mavin's sale to Universal Music Group. Join industry leaders as they explore the evolving VC landscape and its vital role in promoting African culture.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWBBJsXvTYM

We extend a special thanks to the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP) for enabling these powerful discussions in Atlanta, creating a platform where critical conversations about Africa's investment landscape can thrive.

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from founders and funders shaping the future of sports, tech, entertainment, and fashion across Africa and beyond.

If you want to know more about our guests click here:

Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, CEO of AVCA https://www.linkedin.com/in/abi-mustapha-maduakor-ca-mba-7867532a/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3B09hOBBQ2RSuPfynvN7RwWQ%3D%3D

Linda Oramasionwu-Leverette, Founding Partner of Kupanda Capital

https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-oramasionwu-leverette-6a034217/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3B09hOBBQ2RSuPfynvN7RwWQ%3D%3D

Wale Ayeni, Managing Director at Helios Digital Ventures

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wale-ayeni-53648113/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3B09hOBBQ2RSuPfynvN7RwWQ%3D%3D

Peter Tega Oghenejobo, COO of Mavin Records

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-tega-oghenejobo-680a3044/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3B09hOBBQ2RSuPfynvN7RwWQ%3D%3D

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29. From Woman Athlete to CEO: Lydia Monyepao's Influence in Soccer!

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 11:18:00 GMT

🎙️Welcome back to "IN THE VALLEY" Season 2. This channel brings you special interviews with founders or funders changing the narrative about Africa.

⚡ As we gear up for the upcoming #olympics Games Paris 2024, Get ready for an exclusive interview with Lydia Monyepao, a true trailblazer in the world of women's football in Africa. From her days as a Banyana Banyana star to her current role as CEO of SAFA, Lydia's story is one of dedication and impact. Don't miss out on this inspiring look at her journey as an African global female leader in sports!

#olympics #football #women #sports #southafrica #2024 #africa #soccer #safa

🚨 Just a quick reminder, the information shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It's not investment advice. So, keep that in mind.

💬 After watching the episode, share your feedback in the comments - we look forward to hearing from you!

🖱️ If you want to know more about Lydia click on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-monyepao-yele-b9762927/?originalSubdomain=za

Subscribe Now! and keep up with the latest episodes of IN THE VALLEY, where people across sports, tech, entertainment, and the creative economy get it done from #Africa to the rest of the world.

Subscribe to Ibrahim Sagna's newsletter:

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32. Inside Egypt's Investment Landscape - Amal Enan

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Discover the journey of Amal Enan, Chief Investment Officer at the American University in Cairo, and Partner at 500 Global for Egypt, in this riveting episode of IN THE VALLEY.

Amal shares her path to success, shedding light on the investment landscape and offering invaluable advice on overcoming professional challenges. Her rich career not only includes roles not only in leading financial services groups but also in government-related institutions.

From an investor's standpoint, Egypt remains the largest total addressable market across the entire Middle East and this phenomenal country provides the largest talent pool across the tech ecosystem. Amal dives into the realities faced by founders and investors active in Egypt given her leadership position at the renowned global venture capital firm with $2.3B i. She also divulges how the mix of her international and local experience impacts her business approaches.

🔎Key Questions Answered:

00:00 : 00:059 Trailer

03:00 : 14:00 How did Amal's diverse background and experiences lead her to 500 Global?

14:03 : 19:30 What were the key factors that attracted Amal to 500 Global, and how does the organization's culture and values align with her own?

20:33 : 29:06 What programs or initiatives at 500 Global have been most meaningful or impactful for Amal during the recent market conditions?

29:30 : 31:10 Who has been the most influential person in Amal's life, and how has that shaped her outlook and approach?

37:58 : 39:54 What gives Amal hope for the future, both for herself, her family, and for Egypt?

40:00 : 41:12 What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for her?

Tune in to hear her compelling stories and expert insights that will inspire and motivate you.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more transformative content! 🎧

If you want to know more about Amal Enan, click here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amalenan/

Subscribe to IN THE VALLEY's newsletter:

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Watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDKx7WMNGpg

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#podcast #africa #vc #tech #egypt #500Global #silverbacks #inthevalley #enterprenuership #investments #Funders #founders

31. What It Takes To Craft Africa's Largest Tech Merger - Daniel Yu

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 09:00:00 GMT

🎙️ Join us for an enlightening episode of IN THE VALLEY as Ibrahim Sagna sits down with Daniel Yu, the visionary Founder, and CEO of Wasoko, the fastest-growing company in Africa as recognized by the Financial Times in 2022. Daniel's journey is nothing short of extraordinary, and he's here to share it with you in his first-ever live interview since the groundbreaking merger with MaxAB, a move set to redefine the landscape of African B2B e-commerce.

This episode is a must- listen & watch on our YouTube channel for entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of culture, business, and innovation. Daniel Yu's story is not just about building a successful company or forming the largest merger in Africa; it's about the adventures, challenges, and relentless curiosity that have driven him to transform retail on this continent.

Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WcllXrUzJ4

🔎 Key Questions Answered:

00:00 : 00:47 Trailer

1:14 : 16:42 What inspired Daniel to explore the Middle East and eventually launch Wasoko?

16:43 : 23:37 How did Daniel's upbringing and education lead him to entrepreneurship?

23:28 : 43:34 What challenges and lessons were learned from merging Wasoko with Maxab?

51:55 : 54:09 How does Daniel see AI impacting the future of his business and African tech?

🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from founders and funders shaping the future of sports, tech, entertainment, and fashion across Africa and beyond.

If you want to know more about Daniel Yu, click here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcyu526?originalSubdomain=eg

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30. From Passion to Purpose: Empowering Athletes with ProTouch Africa - Rebecca Eliot

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:23:00 GMT

🎙️Welcome back to "IN THE VALLEY" Season 2. This channel brings you special interviews with founders or funders changing the narrative about Africa.

Celebrate with us today a new milestone with dropping our 30th episode and recording two million views in less than two years

⚡Get the inside scoop from Rebecca Eliot Founder of ProTouch Africa and Chief Impact Officer for the Pan African Chamber of Commerce's sports and entertainment division. Discover how she transformed ProTouch Africa from a road cycling team into a leading strategic advisory and digital solutions provider for sports teams, clubs, and federations. Plus, learn about her latest project, Podium Pursuit, aiming to revolutionize African sports through fan engagement and impact investment.

#SportsEntrepreneur #PodiumPursuit #AfricanAthletes #Fanengagement #ProTouch #SouthAfrica #AfricanSports #FanEngagement #PodiumPursuit

🚨 Just a quick reminder, the information shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It's not investment advice. So, keep that in mind.

💬 After watching the episode, share your feedback in the comments - we look forward to hearing from you!

🖱️ If you want to know more about Rebecca and ProTouch Africa click on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-eliot-b6934063

https://www.linkedin.com/company/protouchsports/

Subscribe Now! and keep up with the latest episodes of IN THE VALLEY, where people across sports, tech, entertainment, and the creative economy get it done from #Africa to the rest of the world.

Subscribe to Ibrahim Sagna's newsletter:

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LinkedIn : https://bit.ly/silverbacks-linkedin

28. What it Takes to Unleash Formula E & Timeless Initiatives in Africa

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:03:00 GMT

🎙️Welcome back to "IN THE VALLEY" Season 2. This channel brings you special interviews with founders or funders changing the narrative about Africa.

⚡️In this episode, we sit down with Iain Banner, Co-founder and Chairman of e-Movement, to discuss the fascinating intersection of climate finance and sports business. With over 35 years of experience in successfully launching businesses and charitable ventures worldwide, Iain shares insights from his latest projects including 🏎️Formula E Cape Town and 'Africa's Green Economy Summit' 🍀.

Learn how he is using sports as a tool for social change in the lives of children through the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. #climatefinance #sportsbusiness #socialimpact

🚨 Just a quick reminder, the information shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It's not investment advice. So, keep that in mind.

💬 After watching the episode, share your feedback in the comments - we look forward to hearing from you!

🖱️ If you want to learn about his latest venture then click on www.NERGII.com and to know more about Iain Banner click on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iain-banner-446214177/

Keep up with the latest episodes of IN THE VALLEY, where people across sports, tech, entertainment, and the creative economy get it done from Africa to the rest of the world. Join us every other week for a new episode by subscribing to our channel! - subscribe now!

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27. Breaking Barriers: How Pops Bonsu is Changing the Game for African Athletes

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:07:00 GMT

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🎙️Welcome back to "IN THE VALLEY" Season 2. This channel brings you special interviews with founders or funders changing the narrative about Africa.

Join us in this episode as we sit down for an inspiring interview with one of the most captivating figures of the NBA , Pops Mensah-Bonsu. We discuss his career, leadership, and impact on the world of basketball. From his days on the court to his current role as President of G-League Operations for the New York Knicks, Pops continues to make a difference by shaping the future of basketball talent both in the US and in Africa through Seed Academy Ghana.

💬 After watching the episode, don't forget to leave a comment and let us know what you think. We're excited to hear your thoughts, questions, and recommendations.

We value your feedback!

🖱️ If you want to learn more about Pops Bonsu click on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pops-mensah-bonsu-564a0b106/

Don't miss out on our latest episodes! Subscribe to our channel now so you can stay updated on all things sports, technology, entertainment, media, and more in Africa.

🚨 Just a quick reminder, the information shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It's not investment advice. So, keep that in mind.

🔥Stay tuned for more amazing episodes! We have a lot of exciting content coming your way!

IN THE VALLEY is where people across sports, tech, entertainment, and the creative economy get it done from Africa to the rest of the world. Join us every other week for a new episode.

Subscribe to Ibrahim Sagna's newsletter:

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/in-the-valley-7087065335408828416/

#basketball #podcast #gratitude #interview #inthevalley #africaday #culture #Coversations #education #fashion

26. Championing Africa: Meron Demisse's Dedication to Culture & Conversations

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:14:00 GMT

Welcome back to "IN THE VALLEY" Season 2. This channel brings you special interviews with founders or funders changing the narrative about Africa.

In this episode, we celebrate #AfricaDay and you will meet one of Africa's most dynamic leaders, Meron Demisse. Born in Ethiopia, raised in Kenya, and having spent significant years in the United States, Meron's journey is a testament to the rich, diverse, and interconnected nature of African culture.

She shares heartfelt reflections on her mother's profound influence and the core values instilled in her from a young age; and how she was inspired to create Culture & Conversations on AfricaÒ (C&C Africa), an organization that unites eminent leaders from business, government, and the arts and culture to elevate the African continent's cultural economy.

This unprecedented initiative is dedicated to celebrating African culture, promoting regional and economic integration, and fueling Africa's growth by fostering a robust regional and global ecosystem.

🎁 Would you want to order a gift or any of the amazing products Meron is mentioning in this episode, please visit http://www.africaculturecollection.com/

💬 After watching the episode, don't forget to leave a comment and let us know what you think. We're excited to hear your thoughts, questions, and recommendations.

We value your feedback!

🖱️ If you want to learn more about Meron Demisse click on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meron-demisse-49b8564/?originalSubdomain=z

Don't miss out on our latest episodes! Subscribe to our channel now so you can stay updated on all things sports, technology, entertainment, media, and more in Africa.

🚨 Just a quick reminder, the information shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It's not investment advice. So, keep that in mind.

🔥Stay tuned for more amazing episodes! We have a lot of exciting content coming your way!

IN THE VALLEY is where people across sports, tech, entertainment, and the creative economy get it done from Africa to the rest of the world. Join us every other week for a new episode.

Subscribe to Ibrahim Sagna's newsletter:

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/in-the-valley-7087065335408828416/

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#inthevalley #africaday #culture #coversation #education #fashion

25. Behind the Scenes: Pepsi Pokane's Evolution Story from Tape to Digital Filmmaking

Thu, 16 May 2024 10:43:00 GMT

Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/BILF__IgrTE

LinkedIn : https://bit.ly/silverbacks-linkedin

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🎙️Welcome back to "IN THE VALLEY" Season 2. This channel is all about bringing you special interviews, in this episode, you will meet a prolific TV producer, creative entrepreneur, and a South African Film and Television Awards winner, Pepsi Pokane.

🎤In celebration of the 2024 editions of #Cannes Festival and the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), this conversation with Pepsi Pokane takes us in his incredible journey in the world of filmmaking and drama: how he founded Bonngoe TV; a successful non-scripted production company, that produced the longest-running live music TV show on South African TV, and how the he co-founded Stained Glass, biggest production company in South Africa by revenue and hours produced. Most notably, record record-breaking South African soap opera, Uzalo, which broke African TV viewership records at 11,4 million viewers per episode as well as The Wife Season 1, 2, and 3 which set a new four-day viewing record on Showmax.

Pepsi is now a a shareholder and Exectutive Director of Film Afrika Entertainment. Film Afrika is the African continent's leading producer of international films and television series, providing world-class production services to the major streamers, Hollywood studios and television networks from across the world.

🖱️ If you want to learn more about Pepsi Pokane click on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pepsi-pokane-3875a648/?originalSubdomain=za

24. Unveiling Ian Mahinmi's Journey: From NBA Champion to Co-Owner?

Thu, 02 May 2024 12:17:00 GMT

🎙️Welcome back "IN THE VALLEY" Season 2.

The YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXkwzgr47QNAfStmAoGwJQ

is all about bringing you special interviews, and in this conversation, we're diving into Ian Mahinmi's business empire. Ian Mahinmi not only won an NBA championship but also became a co-owner in NBAAfrica ! How cool is that?

🎤In this episode, you'll get to see a different side of Ian Mahinmi. It's unfiltered and raw, where he talks about his life before and after winning the NBA championship. Ian also shares how his father and his tribe have influenced his journey and given him wisdom and deep philosophies. It's going to be an exciting and inspiring one!

Chapters:

00:00 : 01:05 Teaser

01:06 : 1:22 Intro

1:30 : 3:55 Having the blood of a warrior and a Jamaican magic

4:04 : 4:56 Michael Jordan posters were not on Ian's walls

5:08 : 10:35 Ian wanted to be a soccer player but basketball picked him

10:41 : 12:17 After Ian's took his first NBA chance, he broke his ankle and went to the ER room

12:19 : 13:34 How Ian's coaches and family pushed him forward and kept him going?

13:41 : 14:49 3 seasons with the Spurs without winning and in Ian's first season with the Mavs he won the championship

14:55 : 22:00 What keeps Ian going after achieving all milestones? How can he be picky about what he accepts and what is rejects in his day-to-day life?

22:34 : 24:41 What are Ian's next steps and plans for sports in Africa?

24:58: 28:14 Africans need to learn how to shut their minds off.

28:16 : 29:56 We need to learn how to use AI to be better but also stay spiritual

29:58 : 37:09 Fasting as a cure to the body and the soul

37:10 : 40:00 Reflecting on the power of the time of the COVID-19 pandemic

40:58: 45:14 Wisdom and enlightenment through quotes

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💬 After Listening the episode, don't forget to leave a comment and let us know what you think. We're eager to hear your thoughts, questions, and recommendations. We value your feedback!

🖱️ If you want to learn more about Ian Mahinmi click on

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-mahinmi-300196224/

Make sure you don't miss out on our latest episodes! Subscribe to our channel now so you can stay updated on all things sports, technology, entertainment, media and more in Africa.

🚨 Just a quick reminder, the information shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It's not investment advice. So, keep that in mind.

🔥Stay tuned for more amazing episodes! We have a lot of exciting content coming your way!

IN THE VALLEY is where people across sports, tech, entertainment, and the creative economy get it done from Africa to the rest of the world. Join us every other week for a new episode.

23. What's in store for NBA Africa's New Chapter with CEO, Clare Akamanzi?

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:43:00 GMT

Welcome "IN THE VALLEY" Season 2. We are happy to be back with an exceptional episode where we dive deep into the world of sports business, focusing on the incredible journey of the new CEO of NBA Africa, Clare Akamanzi, who recently received the 2024 Forbes Africa Investment Catalyst Award.

Join us as we explore how she revolutionized the sports industry in Africa and what to expect in the NBA Africa's upcoming chapter!

🎙️This conversation will take us through Clare's personal and professional journey as a refugee, a student, a lawyer, and a leader of international entities. Clare was the lawyer and one of the key masterminds behind the partnerships with the BAL, Arsenal FC, Paris Saint-Germain FC, FC Bayern Munich. Having an African country-sponsored sports jerseys was never done before that. It was viewed at first as a "scandal". But Clare was never one to shy away in the face of a challenge or to seek permission from closed minds. She is a Harvard-trained forward thinker, a clear market disrupter, and understands the power of media rights like very few. She was also one of the driving forces for many of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) policy reforms and initiatives that led to significant investments and generated massive development of her home country, Rwanda.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:24 - Why it took NBA Africa so long to take a lawyer as a CEO?

6:55 - How did Clare manage to partner with Arsenal, PSG, and Bayern Munich for the Visit Rwanda campaign?

13:25 - How did Rwanda use big funds to improve its economy?

17:23 - Why is it important to involve governments in sports development?

21:26 - Who is Clare? How did she overcome challenges to be a successful woman?

28:30 - Statement AD.

29:26 - What's Clare's plan to push the NBA Africa and sports business forward?

33:36 - What do you need to do to be a winner?

34:36 - What would Clare say to her younger-self?

38:20 - How The Kalahari Conference is proof that the BAL is expanding?

42:24 - What's the nicest thing that someone has ever done to Clare?

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💬Leave us a comment and tell us what you think about this episode. We will wait for your questions and recommendations.

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

IN THE VALLEY is where people across sports, tech, entertainment, and the creative economy get it done from Africa to the rest of the world. Join us every other week for a new episode.

22. VC Leaders from Africa and the Middle East

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:56:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode of Silverbacks Valley is brought to you by IRL, a podcast by Mozilla. Discover amazing conversations with the people who are building artificial intelligence : https://bit.ly/irlpodcast

Today, Ibrahim Sagna welcomes in the valley four VC leaders operating in Africa and the Middle East : Dina el-Shenoufy of Flat6Labs , Dr Mohamed El Sayed Okasha of DisrupTech Ventures , Sara Enan of VentureSouq and Mariam Kamel of LoftyInc Capital. The conversation took place at the Egypt VC Summit and we are grateful for their support.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED AT THE EGYPT VC SUMMIT

1."Do more with less"

Dr Okasha is known to many as the Founder of Fawry, which became Egypt's first unicorn and became the first African fintech to IPO on Africa soil through the Egypt Stock Exchange. Now he is bringing his management experience to the companies that he invests in through Disruptech Ventures, an Egyptian-based fintech-focused VC. In our conversation, he pleads founders to learn to do more with less in the current times and beyond.

2."Do not neglect the rest of Africa"

Silverbacks invested in one of LoftyInc's fund and participated in co-investments as well. They are one of our favorite GPs. What we've enjoyed with their thesis is their relentless search for widening moths beyond the obvious jurisdiction such as the "Big Four". In our conversation, Mariam explains how LoftyInc's thesis started out from its inception as the founding partner, Idris Bello, had invested as an angel outside of his home country : Nigeria. Three funds later, LoftyInc has closed an oversubscribed USD 14 million fund which is currently being deployed in over 40 companies.

3."On the scalability and defensibility of African and Middle Eastern founders."

Flat6Labs is arguably the oldest MENA region focused early stage VC. The firm was founded 12 years ago, has invested over USD 16 million in startups across many countries and contributed to 2,500 direct jobs and 80,000 indirect jobs through its first two funds in Egypt and Tunisia. They are now established in various countries in the GCC. In our conversation, Dina urged founders not to shy away from the structural context that is intrinsic to the African and Middle Eastern markets.

4."We have to capitalise more on the similarities between Africa and the Middle East"

VentureSouq is a GCC-based VC for global early-stage technology businesses. With their global focus, the investment firm is able to draw comparisons between how fintechs operated globally versus how they operate in the GCC, North Africa and SSA regions. Sara Enan spoke on those differences and explained that from a VC standpoint these markets were quite similar.

5."When things look bad from afar, they are actually far from bad."

Ibrahim Sagna's own takeaway from the conversation is that tough times will continue to test our ecosystems but this most often leads to outstanding outcomes. We all need to exert resilience, remain discerning and focus on first principles. This, too, shall pass.

21. Bridging Africa through venture capital

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 17:20:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode of Silverbacks Valley is brought to you by IRL, a podcast by Mozilla. Discover amazing conversations with the people who are building artificial intelligence : https://bit.ly/irlpodcast

Today, Ibrahim Sagna welcomes in the valley Acasia Ventures Managing Partner and General Partner, Aly El-Shalakany and Biola Alabi

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH ALY AND BIOLA IN THE VALLEY

1."As an angel investor, you get to make a vision come to life and roll-up your sleeves"

Aly, Biola and I discussed our first cheques as angel investors. Today, we are leading institutional investment platforms but we all began with wanting to financially support the vision of African founders. At the start of our conversation, Aly and Biola revisited their transition from angel to institutional investors : To Biola, being an angel investor was all about being an ally for entrepreneurs at the very beginning of their journeys. Aly explained how he first got exposed to the tech and VC space while practicing corporate law in London. While observing the space, he saw an opportunity in bringing the concept of risk capital to the Egyptian ecosystem.

2."A common thread was how we both viewed investing as a vehicle of positive impact and change"

Aly is a trained corporate lawyer from Egypt. Biola is a media executive and business woman from Nigeria. They excelled at their respective crafts overseas before making the decision to return home to serve their local markets. It is because of the uniqueness of their profiles and their combination that I felt compelled to share their story with you. I must disclose that we are also joining their list of LPs. They are the epitome of fixing the divide between Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa.

3."I'm energized by two-three time founders. There is a virtuous cycle that did not exist when we started."

Prior to launching Acasia Ventures, Aly founded the Cairo Angels Network, one of Africa's first angel investment networks. In our conversation, we explore what was venture capital then and what it has become. Aly believes that our ecosystems are showing signs of maturity, whether through repeat founders or through founders with strong startup experience. Such an evolution in our ecosystem has required a lot of patience from early investors such as Aly and Biola, but their resilience is proof that the continent can bring the sizable returns that have occurred in other geographies.

4."Media and technology are actually cousin industries"

The very fact that we launched the podcast, Silverbacks Valley, alongside the investment platform, Silverbacks Holdings, tells you how much we value the media as an industry and within the investment landscape. Biola is one of the few media entrepreneurs that I know to have made that connection too : in the episode, she explains how people do not seem to grasp how interconnected media and technology are as industries. She even postulates that the media industry's financing model has inspired venture capitalists.

5."People believe that lawyers are focused on the downside"

Aly speaks on the misconception that people have about lawyers turned investors. As a lawyer, Aly focused his career on value creation and M&A transactions which have made him better equipped to work as a fund manager. He recognizes that his career as a lawyer has also given him the discipline to think of controlling downside risks without missing out on opportunities.

20. Thinking globally about venture capital

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 19:57:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode of Silverbacks Valley is brought to you by IRL, a podcast by Mozilla. Discover amazing conversations with the people who are building artificial intelligence : https://bit.ly/irlpodcast

Today, Ibrahim Sagna welcomes in the valley Harvard Business School's Professor Paul Gompers, one of venture capital's prominent academic scholars.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH PAUL GOMPERS IN THE VALLEY

1.I had not foreseen globalization as such an important factor for the growth of venture capital and private equity

Paul Gompers' academic career in venture capital spans over 25 years. Naturally, we began discussing how the venture capital landscape had evolved. The globalization of this segment of alternative investments has become something of particular interest for his research. In our conversation, we also explored how these ecosystems and their wellbeing have a direct impact on the overall economic well being of countries. His work does also a phenomenal job contrasting cycles in venture capital. Private equity and public markets. Two great books of his I strongly recommend are "The Venture Capital Cycle" and Advanced Introduction to Private Equity.

2. As a venture capital investor, our role is to gain access to teams that accept your capital and bring value regardless of the changing times

I asked Paul if they were some sectors that were more prone to yield consistent results in spite of the changing economic trends. He drew from his experience at Surge Capital to answer : there are often different trends happening in different geographies at the same time. As such, there are consistent opportunities to find opportunities to make returns. To Paul, the responsibility of a capital allocator is to find the venture capitalists who will be able to identify the right teams to create value.

3. I remember being on a call and telling Peter Thiel that investing in SpaceX (rockets!) was nuts

Perhaps the greatest lesson imparted by Paul in our conversation is about having the humility to recognize our own mistakes or preconceived notions. He told me about a particular time when - in relation to the previous point - him and his co-founders were commenting on Peter Thiel's decision to sign the first cheque of Founders' Fund II to Space X. At the time, the trends were more favorable to social media or internet-powered companies, not rockets. And yet, eighteen years later Space X is valued at USD 137 billion.

4. I'm excited by the optimism of young people

I had the chance to discuss with Paul about the upcoming trends he could see in the venture capital space. Beyond globalization, Paul spoke at length about the importance of diversity and inclusion and the role that younger generations had to play in correcting the precedent paradigm. To him, the access to the internet leads to inspiration that young people can be drawn from success stories beyond their own jurisdiction.

5. Cash can be a curse

Towards the end of our conversation, I had Paul comment on the notion that "Cash is always king". Paul gave a nuanced answer to this notion : to him, the past few years in developed markets have seen an outpour of cash which has diluted the importance of discipline for investors and entrepreneurs alike. He mentioned that economic downturns have actually led to the foundation of great enterprises : without too much cash, entrepreneurs can learn to focus on the development of their product, the recruitment of the right talent and generating internal cash flow..

19. Taking the NBA to the next level with Nigeria and its diaspora

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 19:49:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode of Silverbacks Valley is brought to you by IRL, a podcast by Mozilla. Discover amazing conversations with the people who are building artificial intelligence : https://bit.ly/irlpodcast

Today, Ibrahim Sagna welcomes in the valley the face of the NBA in Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu, who has been nominated as a part of Sports Illustrated 100 Black Women in Sports.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH GBEMISOLA ABUDU

1."Mark Tatum's appreciation of the rich heritage of Nigerian culture led to the NBA All-Star game Halftime show"

Gbemisola shares the story behind how Burna Boy, Tems and Rema became headliners of the Halftime Show of the All-Star Game 2023. With her team, she launched the "NBA Meets Art" concept, an event showcasing Nigerian culture and arts through the lens of the NBA. The COO and Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, Mark Tatum, was invited to Lagos to attend the first NBA Meets Art in 2022 and he was inspired by what he witnessed. He was the one who brought forward the idea of making the next All-Star halftime show an Afrobeats-powered one and Gbemisola delivered.

2."Even though I planned to study law, I very early on got bit by the marketing bug"

During our conversation, Gbemisola looks back to her career and how she started. She explains how she first had dreams of becoming a lawyer before she took a life-changing marketing class : she later applied for a role at Disney in market research which encouraged her to further explore this field of study. Listen to the episode to learn more about how she used her marketing expertise to end up at LVMH and ultimately at the helm of the NBA in Nigeria !

3."About half of the NBA players of African descent are from Nigeria, that tells you the talent bed that we represent, it's our responsibility to build opportunities around that talent"

Gbemisola gets into the details of why the NBA recognizes Nigeria as an important hub. Nigeria represents an important bed of talent for the league. In this upcoming season alone, half of the players of African descent are of Nigerian origin. Nigeria's dominance in NBA basketball is not a new fit: the first international player to win the MVP trophy was Nigeria's very own Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994.

4."Nigeria re-classified sports as an industry and that shows that we are headed in the right direction"

During our conversation, Gbemisola speaks on the way forward to ensure that the Nigerian talent in basketball and in sports gets matched with the right opportunities. To her, countries like Rwanda and Saudi Arabia are paving the way forward in utilizing sports as a lever for economic growth. (Check out our episode with Michaella Rugwizangoga of Rwanda Development Board). Gbemisola is optimistic that Nigeria will be able to do the same and cited the recent reclassification of sports as an industry (and not a recreational activity). The decision has led to incentives being set up for investors in the sports industry.

5."I was inspired by Kobe's vision and clarity from such a young age."

Gbemisola spoke to me of her inspirations. Her late father inspired her move back to Nigeria :Nigeria: he was also the one who taught her to have a clear vision and to never shy away from her own ambitions. She also quoted the late Kobe Bryant :Bryant: Gbemisola told me that she was always inspired by Kobe and his Mamba Mentality, from the early days of his NBA career to his transition as a businessman.

18. Creating movie sensations for India and Nigeria

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:32:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by Statement.

Today, Ibrahim Sagna welcomes in the valley Hamisha Daryani Ahuja whose movie Namaste Wahala reach Netflix Top 10 after being released on Valentine's Day 2021.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH HAMISHA DARYANI AJUHA

1. "I went for my second calling, which was hospitality and it benefited me eventually"

In this episode, Hamisha spells out how her business education and first venture in the hospitality business were fundamental for her success in the film industry. She explains that although she's always wanted to work in film, her entourage convinced her to pick a steadier path at first. She opened several successful restaurants in Lagos (Bistrot7) and was acquired by the music label Chocolate City : in doing that, she earned her financial freedom to pursue her life long dream and invaluable business and financial lessons for her next venture.

2. "I noticed that my Nigerian friends loved Bollywood and some of its actors. I knew there was something there."

Hamisha illustrates the perfect example of what happens when a business mindset meets a creative spirit. In the episode, she explains what led her to look into the connection between Bollywood and Nollywood. Many of us growing on the African continent witnessed the popularity of Bollywood films first hand : Hamisha saw this as an opportunity to do business and bring something that the Indian and Nigerian audiences had never seen. The popularity of her film, which became a Top10 Netflix sensation after its release on Valentine's Day in 2020, confirmed her hunch.

3. "I was conducting a workshop on the pursuit of happiness and took my own advice."

Hamisha began hosting workshops to encourage people to find their path to happiness in the back of her Bistrot 7 restaurant. A few years later, her workshop has grown into a sensational experience : some of you may have caught her recently on TV on Big Brother Nigeria. She was inspired to follow the advice of her own workshop by Nigerian rapper and Chocolate City's former CEO, M.I. and as she says in the episode she has not looked back since.

4."The process of being a film producer and a film director was difficult"

She further explains the dichotomy between being a film director (the person behind the camera) and being a film producer (the person in charge of the budget). She was able to find a balance between the two sides of the coin but never compromised on the quality of the images shot. In doing so she proved how valuable it can be for creative entrepreneurs to have a business background.

5.The next step is bringing Nollywood to India"

In the episode, Hamisha reveals her next big plans including a TV series that will see some of Nollywood's most famous actors get in the action in Mumbai. This time, she explains that her next project Postcards focuses much more on the plot and the blend of the two cultures in the background. She also reveals that she is currently working on a reality show. By tailoring her content to the Indian and Nigerian audiences, Hamisha has found a very large niche market to serve and we, at Silverbacks Holdings, are proud fans of hers !

17. More than an influencer from the diaspora - Danjuma in the valley

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 18:31:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by Statement.

Today the valley welcomes Ernest "Danjuma" Enebi, a modern day storyteller, creator and influencer who has collaborated with top international brands and organizations through his agendy Denda.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH DANJUMA IN THE VALLEY.

1."I've always thought like an engineer"

Danjuma grew up in Kaduna State, Nigeria. As a child, he showed prowess in his school work and convinced his parents to let him go study in the United States. In the episode, he explains how he transformed his aspirations to become an actor or comedian into studying mechanical engineering and joining the corporate world in a construction company.

2."I've taken it upon myself to be the person that makes noise to bring attention to substance"

Our guest is a vibrant creative : if you've had the chance to meet him, you know that there is no escaping his high-pitched infectious laugh. In the episode, he explains where the boisterous personality comes from and how he uses it to bring attention to more "substantial" matters in his work, or others' work. His ability to blend fluff with substance is what has allowed him to bring his unique take to content and collaborate with world organizations such as UNDP, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and brands like AT&T, Google.

3."Had I known the truth about Zaria (where I'm from) and where I aspired to go (the United States) it would not have been such an easy and obvious choice."

In the episode, Danjuma gives several examples from his own personal experiences that have shaped his creative process. He emphasizes on his strong attachment to nuance why narratives need to get as close to the truth as possible. He talks about the responsibility that comes with having a platform and being able to portray people's lives and environment through his lens and his work.

4."I am fascinated by the human condition"

Danjuma summarizes his multifaceted work (arts, content creation, public policy) as a bundle of life experiences. To him, the thread that cuts through all of these experiences is humanity and the ability to recount these moments of human life and condition.

5."Masai Ujiri has inspired me to think and dream big."

In the last moments of the episode, our guest discusses his inspirations including his father and the President of Basketball Operations of the Toronto Raptors. As the first black man and Nigerian to hold such a high-level role in a North American sports organizations, Masai Ujiri is quoted by many as a role model from those who do not hesitate to raise the bar and shatter glass ceilings.

16. Compounding tech & diaspora to create a new nation : Eche Emole in the valley

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 00:09:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by Statement.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH ECHE EMOLE IN THE VALLEY

• « No modern African nation state has been created through reflection and choice »

• « Society as a Service - the idea is, as Afropolitans, we will get it done for you »

• « We want to combine the concept of an Embassy with Chinatown »

• « If we were from any other place in the world going around fundraising for a country, people would ask us what is so wrong with your country - but most Africans can point to basic viability issues with their countries »

• « I want to invest in my long-term people »

15. Positioning a country around sports and beyond

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 01:43:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by Afroballers.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH MICHAELLA RUGWIZANGOGA IN THE VALLEY.

1."As a chemical engineering student, I had a fascination for nation branding."

Michaella studied in Germany, a country that had to experiment in nation branding after the Second World War. She explains how inspired she was by the German model and thought about nation branding as a concept. To her, her current role is another sign that the dots always end up connecting at some point - as Steve Jobs once said.

2."It has to start from the foundation, for us it's the vision of our President H.E. Paul Kagame"

Michaella dives into what has made Rwanda's strategy successful. She explains how having a common vision, upheld by a leader is instrumental for the execution of a nation branding strategy. The President of Rwanda has been recognized for his bold initiatives to promote Rwanda : Building the Kigali Arena in six months, and see the returns through basketball tournaments, concerts, and global meetings (including FIFA World Congress) the soon to be completed 45,000 seats football Stadium (Amahoro Stadium) and Rwanda hosting the World Cycling Championship in 2025.

3."Sports have a unifier effect"

Michaella explains why sports has become an instrumental element of Rwanda's strategy to stimulate tourism. The BAL Finals are one of the few periodic rendez-vous that have made Kigali the place to be. Rwanda has been hosting the BAL Finals for three years in a row and has just signed a new five year agreement. Visit Rwanda sports partnerships have been instrumental for the tourism recovery post-covid, just in 2022, the country attracted more than 1 million visitors generating beyond 240 Millions dollars in revenues .

4."Revenues from the gorillas trekkings are reinvested in the community."

Rwanda's tourism has largely been driven by gorilla trekking activities. Our very own company, the Silverbacks, was inspired by my face to face encounter with arguably one of earth's most edifying creatures, one endowed with as much calm as sheer dominance. Michaella reveals that the popularity of these treks have allowed the country to nurture the gorilla community to the point that their natural habitat will now have to be expanded. Earlier this year, the country held its 19th "Kwita Izina" baby gorilla naming ceremony attended by several celebrities including Idris Elba, Joakim Noah and Winston Duke and Danai Gurira of the Black Panther cast. As a testament to Rwanda's effort to develop sustainable tourism, UNESCO has now recognised the Nyungwe Park as a World Heritage Site.

5."It is happening in Rwanda but we are doing it for Africa."

From 1st to 3rd November 2023, Rwanda will host the World Travel & Tourism Council's Global Summit. This will be the first time that this Summit is hosted in Africa and a great testament to the tourism achievements of the country. Michaella speaks on how Rwanda's efforts are contributing to putting Africa on the spotlight. She believes that each African country has a unique offering and that every country can develop its unique position to attract tourists.

Rwanda is visa-free for all citizens from the African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie area; other countries get visas on arrival. Whatever you do, make sure to … #VisitRwanda!

14. Shaping Africa's Sports industry

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 23:50:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by the Global Sports Summit. During the summit, our host, Ibrahim Sagna, welcomed on stage ;

Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League
Paxton Baker, Minority Owner of the Washington National
Osi Umenyiora, former NY Giants, founder of the Uprise Academy

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH AMADOU GALLO FALL, OSI UMENYIORA & PAXTON BAKER

1. "We are following the path of the NBA"

Osi Umenyiora explained in our previous episode that he saw the works of Amadou Gallo Fall and the NBA Africa as the blueprint for what the NFL Africa aims to accomplish. Both speak on the importance of collaboration within the sports industry in Africa and how exchanging best practices across disciplines can yield positive results and impact for young people.

2."There is a clear appetite for African-American investors to look at sports as an asset class in Africa."

Paxton Baker has seen the Basketball Africa League (BAL) grow from an idea to a full-fledged competition. He explains how the NBA's expertise has led the BAL to become such a high-level experience everyone involved in such a short amount of time. After the announcement that he had joined the Cape Town Tigers' investors group, he received solicitation from several high-profile figures of the entertainment industry (in this episode, he announces that Verdine White is joining him as an investor in the Cape Town Tigers). Amadou Gallo Fall also speaks to the attention the BAL has received from investors in the US notably at the All-Star Game.

3. "The number one resource Africa has is its human capital"

Amadou Gallo Falls talks about replicating the student-athlete model that first emerged in the US in order to establish pathways of opportunities for young African athletes. His organization, SEED, has created opportunities for young people : the latest NBA finals saw two SEED alumni from Senegal, Remy Ndiaye and Dethie Fall, compete as members of the coaching staff of the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets respectively. Osi Umenyiora explains how the SEED model has inspired his own Uprise initiative which has already led twelve young men to find their way to the NFL or football scholarships.

4."It's important for us to export our products and push it in front of the diaspora eyeballs"

Osi Umenyiora notes that it has now become "cool" to be African. Amadou discusses the importance of bringing the BAL products outside of Africa : this summer the BAL participated in Globl Jam in Canada and Quai54 in France. To him, the lifestyle element of a sports brand is a key component that allows the product to reach an audience beyond sports fans. Paxton Baker talks about his tourism experiences in Rwanda which he enjoyed on the sidelines of the basketball competition - he talks about the importance of having such experiences and being able to share them on social media to encourage more African-Americans to travel to Africa.

5."When a tree falls in Africa, people in the United States now hear about it."

The media industry's innovation has made it possible for sports competition to be broadcasted around the world. Amadou mentions that the BAL counts media partners such as ESPN, Canal+, BeinSports, Tencent). Paxton Baker recognizes that the media plays a key role in allowing African talent to be detected early, he believes that Joel Embiid winning the 2023 NBA MVP will lead to more interest for African talent.

13. Growing the NFL in Africa | Osi Umenyiora in the valley

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 13:50:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by Afroballers and the Global Sports Summit.

In this episode, Ibrahim Sagna welcomes Osi Umenyiora, a 2 time Super Bowl Champion and former defensive end for the New York Giants, founder of The Uprise Academy and Commissioner of the Uprise Flag Football League in Nigeria.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH OSI UMENYIORA IN THE VALLEY

1. "I started playing football as a teenager because I wanted to make friends. I got good at it and then I got lucky"

Osi Umenyiora believes that part of his success can be attributed to luck : he found himself at the right place at the right time in several instances at the beginning of his career. When opportunities came knocking, he rose to the challenge : he did so when the New York Giants drafted in in the second round of the 2003 draft and throughout his career as an NFL Pro which led him to a two-time SuperBowl champion and a First Team All-Pro. Today he is doing by developing pathways to college football scholarships and to the NFL for young African athletes.

2. "We're going to take kids from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and bring them to the NFL."

Osi's vision to develop the game internationally is deeply rooted in his multicultural background. He was born in London, moved to Nigeria as a kid then later found himself in the United States in high school. As a Pro, he witnessed the international potential of the NFL when he played with the Giants in the London game in 2007. Seven years later as he retired, he joined the league and began bringing his insights on ways to develop the game in Africa.

3. "We're creating an opportunity for NFL Africa players to own teams in Africa."

In our conversation, Osi observed how the African players in the NFL still lack the local notoriety that could help grow the game across the continent. The Uprise Flag Football league which was launched earlier this year seeks to remedy this. Each of the four teams from the league are owned by current NFL football players, including three players of African descent (Cleveland Browns' David Njoku, Detroit Lions' Romeo Okwara, Miami Dolphins' Emmanuel Ogbah). The Uprise is the NFL Flag's first league in Africa.

4. "Shout out to the NBA"

Osi recognizes the impact and the influence that the NBA has had in Africa. He shares the inspiration that came with observing African sports leaders like Amadou Gallo Fall and Masai Ujiri and the work they have done to grow the game of basketball across the continent. He believes that there are tremendous synergies to be built between the NBA and the NFL activities at the grassroots level and beyond.

5. "I don't see a scenario where the NFL isn't number 2 in Africa"

In his parting words, Osi presents his ambition for growing American football in Africa. He believes that the league's current momentum through its official events in Ghana, Kenya and soon South Africa will help develop its fanbase. He shares how he intends to forge his own blueprint to grow the amount of African players in team rosters and hopes to see an NFL regular season game played in Africa within the next decade.

12. Building an African luxury brand in a Western Market | Armando Cabral in the valley

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 07:06:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

Today in the valley with Ibrahim Sagna is a model turned shoemaker who was first spotted in the streets of London where he was first spotted for his slender figure. He walked to the podiums of top brands he has walked before making New York his home as the first African footwear luxury brand owner to have his shop at the Rockefeller in New York. His designs have been worn to the likes of Giannis Antetokoumpo, Adekunle Gold and Burna Boy, Today, the valley welcomes Armando Cabral.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH ARMANDO CABRAL IN THE VALLEY

« Do not take no for an answer »

Armando Cabral's modelilng career started with a series of rejections. He took it upon himself to create a book that would reflect his creative vision and appeal to modelling agencies. His resilience proved to bring the desired result as he later went on to become one of the world's most coveted models, walking the catwalk for the likes of Dior, Calvin Klein, Gucci, etc …

"As a model, I enjoyed being exposed to the business of fashion"

Armando speaks about the doors that he was able to open for himself as a model. Once he knew where his heart was, he kept his mind engaged. He leveraged his presence and exposure to big brands to not only develop a rich network within the industry but also learn how business was conducted. His inclination to always learn was a useful tool for him as he navigated his model career and used the opportunities he received to improve his business acumen about the industry.

"I wanted to bridge a gap"

Armed with a clear passion and growth mindset, Armando eventually actions a plan around the market opportunity that he identified. His shoe brand was first started to address the gap that existed between the mass market and luxury fashion houses' shoe lines. His understanding of this gap and the customers that he was targeting allowed him to fill an empty room - he designed his first shoe line and sold out his first collection in no time. The rest is history.

"It goes beyond making great shoes"

To Armando, entrepreneurs are problem solvers that work towards society's advancement. He speaks to how his mission translates into his products and his way of doing business. He discusses the crucial importance for companies and brands to be aligned with their values; consumers are increasingly becoming very sensitive to this.

"I thought this could be a celebration of not just me but [a celebration] of the collective energy of Africa and the diaspora."

Once he opened his shop at the Rockefeller Center, Armando made it a point to shine the light on other creatives of African descent. To him, it's important that designers learn to collaborate and not compete with each other. He is a perfect illustration of the Ubuntu philosophy - "I am because we are."

11. What the business of fashion means for Africa | Lulu Shabell, Meron Demisse & Safi Seck in the valley

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:05:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

In this episode, Ibrahim Sagna welcomes three champions of African fashion to discuss the potential of the business of fashion in Africa :

- Lulu Shabell is the Founder and Chief Creativity Champion of LuluBell Group

- Meron Demisse is the Founder and CEO of Culture & Conversations on Africa

- Safi Seck is the Founder and Director of the Senegalese fashion label Sarayaa

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH LULU SHABELL, MERON DEMISSE & SAFI SECK

1.) "Fashion has not until now been looked as relevant for economic development"

Lulu Shabell discusses the untapped potential that fashion and the creative industries at large can represent for Africa's youth. She makes a compelling call for policies, structures, and governance to be put in place to teach young creatives about value chains and how they operate.

2.) "We cannot value brands from countries we've not been exposed to"

Meron Demisse speaks to the intersection between tourism and fashion. She explains how Culture & Conversations in Africa was started as a platform to bridge the knowledge gap that we as Africans have about one another. She strongly believes that Intra-African tourism is a powerful tool to leverage to increase the value and recognition of African fashion brands.

3.) "I am an economist who became a fashion designer"

Safi Seck explains how her journey led her from being an economist to starting her own fashion label. She shares why her understanding of macroeconomics trends actually influenced how she structured her business.

4.) "Tech can help us find balance between growing our African fashion industry and sustainability goals"

Lulu highlights the risks and opportunities as our cultural and natural heritage are helping produce major fashion businesses. She advocates for tech to not be separated from decisions made around the structuring of Africa's fashion industry : to her, innovation will be pivotal in developing an industry that is sustainable.

5.) "We want Africa's creative capital to be recognized."

Meron reflects on the definition of African identities. She notes that being African has often been defined from an external perspective : today she calls for Africans to be more in tune with their identities for themselves and recognize the rich cultural heritage that comes alongside such identity.

10. How to grow Africa's creative economy ? | Victor Williams, Laureen Kouassi-Olsson & Lethabo Sithole in the valley

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 06:48:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH LEADING INVESTORS IN THE AFRICAN CREATIVE ECONOMY: VICTOR WILLIAMS, LAUREEN KOUASSI-OLSSON & LETHABO SITHOLE

1. "Africa is one of the richest regions in the world in terms of craftsmanship"

Laureen Kouassi-Olsson explains that she founded the investment company Birimian Ventures to support the value creation emanating from the talent and "know-how" within Africa's fashion and luxury industries. She spells out her reasoning behind what financial instruments can be put in place to generate economic returns from local craftsmanship.

2. "Sport has historically on the African continent been under indexed from an economic contribution perspective"

Victor Williams dives into NBA Africa's ambition to build a strong commercial proposition for sports across the continent. This proposition is an all-encompassing canva that looks into fan and community-level engagement as well as economic value creation through a bespoke professional basketball league (Basketball Arica League).

3. "There's a need for market access and ease of trading on the continent"

Lethabo Sithole makes a strong call for the necessity to streamline the regulations to facilitate the move of goods and products across different countries and regions. She also highlights the value of intellectual property for creatives and how stronger intellectual property regulations would allow creatives to increase the cost of their products.

4. "We are still lacking a certain level of infrastructure for our live / entertainment industries to thrive."

Victor Williams calls on governments and the private sector's collaboration for the development of more arenas for live events and sports competitions to take place. The development of more arenas would allow for more countries to become host to these events and rip economic returns through sponsorship or through tourism.

5. "Luxury brands need a lot of capital to remain sustainable to upscale which is in direct opposition with the private equity model."

Laureen speaks to the level of capital that has to be leveraged for brands such as Dior, Chanel and Louis Vuitton to have remained relevant throughout the fashion ages. She notes that this level of investment into one structure is in direct opposition with the private equity model of distributing capital across several assets to mitigate risk. To her, the classical private equity model needs to be adapted to the luxury, fashion and creative industries.

9. Claude Grunitzky in the valley

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 06:21:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

Visit us at https://silverbacksvalley.com

Find us on Youtube : https://bit.ly/3PIwbVg

A question? Write to us at contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

Today in the valley with Ibrahim Sagna is a champion of black voices and ventures. At age 25, he founded Trace Magazine, featuring iconic figures of hip hop and rn'b including Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Diddy. He then launched his own content marketing agency, TRUE servicing top tier companies out of London and New York. In 2015, he returned to the media business with TRUE Africa a digital media championing young African voices. Going from founder to investor, he launched The Equity Alliance alongside key business partners such as Richard Parsons and Ronald Lauder an investment fund dedicated to providing capital and education to venture capital firms and new enterprises founded or managed by women and people of colour. They've already closed over 20 transactions including one in the fintech Esusu. Today the valley welcomes Claude Grunitzky.

Disclaimer : Silverbacks Valley's host and the guests of this program may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH CLAUDE GRUNITZKY

"Flipping the script for founders that are female and/or people of color"

Claude opens up about the mission he's embarked on two years ago alongside partners Richard Parsons (ex-Warner Group) and Ronald Lauder: to support founders and assets managers from diverse groups to get a larger share of the USD 82 Trillion asset management market. He dives into one of the 26 investments by the Equity Alliance, a fintech called eSusu.

"My media businesses have been about controlling the narrative around Africa"

Claude first had his big business break as the founder of urban cultures magazine TRACE. Eight years ago, he launched TRUE Africa and more recently Limitless Africa, respectively a digital media and a podcast dedicated to championing young African voices. He explains his thesis behind building media brands that are curating content around the greater Black Diaspora.

"Most francophones don't have that entrepreneurial mindset"

As a Togolese-born, Claude understands the struggle that young people in francophone Africa may face in terms of pursuing business ambitions. He shares his insights on the type of cultural reset that is necessary within francophone culture's system of beliefs to move forward and encourage risk-taking.

"People think I am transactional"

In 2012, Harvard Business School released a business case on Claude, focused on his ability to build networks. He believes the case have led a lot of people to have misconceptions about him as a transactional person. He explains why he believes that relationships have to be build on how we can support one another.

"Speak your mind and don't be as polite"

In parting words, Claude has a candid conversation with his younger self. He creates a parallel between his experience of being raised in an African household where freedom of expression from children was often frowned upon and his willingness to create media platforms intended for championing young African voices.

Claude recommends :

His podcast, Limitless Africa
"Thinking fast & slow" by Daniel Kahnemann

8. First Circle Capital - "Fintech is where the biggest market opportunity is"

Wed, 31 May 2023 11:24:00 GMT

This episode is powered by the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

Today in the valley with Ibrahim Sagna are two accomplished women from Europe with a focused track record in the fintech and global financial services industry. As pure "outliers" for capital allocators, selma Ribica and Agnes Kisuule run the only fintech focused venture capital platform exclusively targeting Africa : First Circle Capital. Their fund was recently selected among only 20 funds globally to join a prestigious group of emerging fund managers, Bridge Funding Global. For First Circle, the biggest investment potential out there resides in the African continent and it requires a highly differentiated approach.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH SELMA & AGNES

"From Europe to Africa"

Agnes and Selma dive in first on their origin stories. Find out how these two women respectively from Bosnia and from Austria first began working in Africa's tech and innovation space. They discuss their journey from entrepreneurship to investment as well as working for landmark companies such as M-PESA.

"The importance of serving the low-purchasing power masses"

Agnes and Selma explain the rationale behind the sectorial focus of their fund First Circle Capital. At M-PESA, Selma was able to test out the potential of building financial services for the masses. To Agnes, fintech is where the biggest market opportunity exists based on Africa's demographics, the needs of such the population and the potentiality of the type of services that can be developed to address such needs.

"Channeling the knowledge and experience will make our portfolio companies win"

Agnes and Selma describe their investment approach beyond cash and explain why they are so intentional about providing their portfolio companies access to the network of experts. The First Circle Capital's approach is virtuous : they bring to the table investors with significant experience in the fintech space that can advise the founders throughout their growth journey.

"We are bullish about B2B fintech models"

Agnes and Selma dive into their portfolio construction. They recognise payments as strategic assets but remain aware of how difficult it is to drive these businesses to profitability. They prefer that credit-led models are preferable for the African market. As far as the future is concerned, they are interested in identifying models that reinvent financial services models for the African context. They are particularly interested in the development of solutions for B2B needs as well as insurtech.

"You have to be ABC… always be convincing"

As parting thoughts, Agnes and Selma reflect on their journeys as women in the fintech space. They share their perspective on what is required to make it as a woman in tech in Africa, the set of skills -and superpowers- that are needed to succeed.

7. Paxton Baker in the valley - "A winning sports organisation is about more than what's on the floor."

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 11:56:00 GMT

This episode is powered by Afroballers.

Today in the valley with Ibrahim Sagna is an African American business man whose been mentored by the likes of the late Harry Belafonte, as well as the Black Godfather, Clarence Avant. He began his career organising events bringing together black cultures from across the globe, producing shows and events with the likes of Stevie Wonder, the Fugees and Herbie Hancock. He then joined BET as the President of Event Productions, overseeing the production of multiple festivals and award shows. After the sale of BET to Viacom, he followed the path of Bob Johnson and venture in the world of sports ownsership. He is now part of the ownership groups of several sports franchises including the MLB Washington Nationals, the World Team Tennis League's Washington Kastles, National Women's Soccer League's Washington Spirits and the Cape Town Tigers of the BAL.

.5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH PAXTON BAKER

"I really found out what stock options were"

Paxton recounts his first steps into entrepreneurship and how he first turned down a deal by Bob Johnson, founder of BET. He explains how the transaction between BET and his own business PKB Entertainment was finalised and how the acquisition of BETBy Viacom later exposed him to the value of business ownership.

"The core of any successful transactions is relationships"

Paxton discusses the great mentors in his life including the late Harry Belafonte, Clarence Avant and other key pillars of black entrepreneurship and entertainment. He shares some of the key lessons he has learned from them, including the role that good relationships play in the foundation of any business and transactions. To illustrate, he spells out how good relationships have been at the inception of every sports business transactions he has been a part of including the Washington Nationals, the Washington Castles, the Washington Spirits and more recently the Cape Town Tigers of the Basketball Africa League.

"A winning organisation is not just what's on the floor "

As he elaborates on his championship winning streak, Paxton reveals a bit more about the process of observing a sports organisation building a winning culture. He emphasises that what is on the court or on the pitch is necessarily a direct reflection of the front office and ownership group. He explains the key ingredients he looks for when deciding to buy in a team, such as the team's opportunity for growth, the team's location and the culture behind the scenes. He also draws an important parallel between sports ownership and memorabilia : it is a business of passion before anything else.

. 4. "Seeing the world has opened a lot of opportunities"

Prior to his sports ownership days, Paxton led the execution of several international music festivals and awards shows connecting the black diaspora around the world, from the Caribbean to Africa. He shares how valuable his worldly experience has been and invites the younger segment of the audience to dare to see the world and embrace the opportunities that can come along with traveling.

"By giving to charity, you convince yourself that you've got enough to share"

Paxton shares how important voluntarism and giving back has been in his life and for his business. He explains the mindset that comes with the idea of giving some of what one owns and how it is a powerful mindset to develop at the youngest stages of one's career.

6. Sandrine Nzeukou in the valley "Sports ownership, as an asset class, needs diversity."

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 16:31:00 GMT

Silverbacks Valley welcomes Sandrine Nzeukou, founder of Tessa Sports.

This episode is powered by Afroballers.Got a question ?

In this episode, your host Ibrahim Sagna welcomes a founder who dominated on the basketball courts for the university of Nevada Las Vegas and her home country Cameroon before switching her jersey for a suit and paving her way in the corporate world. She served as Executive Director for Invest Africa, an organisation working towards the stimulation of investment towards African economic growth. Now, she is forging her own path as the founder of Tessa an Africa-first, sports business platform directed at enabling Africans to maintain ownership over an increasingly attractive sports industry. Today, the valley welcomes Sandrine Nzeukou.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH SANDRINE NZEUKOU

1.) "Sports has made me a better person"

Sandrine shares the origins of her passion for sports: her father was the captain of the national basketball team of Cameroon and he ensured that her and her siblings tried out different sports from a young age. She explains why sports makes you more grounded and how you can become more aligned with the best version of yourself through sports.

2.) "We should learn from the West's mistakes in not including women in business"

Sandrine speaks openly about the challenges that one is expected to face as a woman working in the sports industry: She commands the efforts made by organizations such as NBA Africa, the Basketball Africa League and Giants of Africa to educate young boys and men about the relevance of gender equity. She calls on African organizations, private and public, to consider the benefits of inclusivity at all levels.

3.) "Tessa was born out of my realization that my Cameroon national teammates had less opportunity than me"

Sandrine details the process in the creation of her company Tessa: her experience as a professional basketball player for the Cameroon national team exposed her to the stark differences in opportunities that African-based players had to face. She envisioned Tessa as a platform that could service the growing sports African industry with a clear mission to keep its ownership African.

4.) "We want to promote the type of access that sports ownership can grant to a person"Sandrine discusses the bridge that can be created between sports ownership and African development. She considers sports' economic opportunities not only can the industry generate revenues and create jobs, it can offer access that can be used as a lever to advance key economic projects for African countries.

5.) "A lot of what I've learned as a pro athlete is helping me in business today"Sandrine explains why transitioning from the basketball courts to the boardroom has been seamless : there are many elements of sports (the practice, the physical presence, the challenges and hurdles) that you build an appetite for and that same appetite can come in handy in the business world. Athletes are naturally groomed to become entrepreneurs.

5. Amadou Gallo Fall in the valley : "My passion for Africa has been consistent"

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 10:50:00 GMT

Silverbacks Valley welcomes the Godfather of African Basketball, Amadou Gallo Fall. This episode is powered by Afroballers.

In this episode, your host Ibrahim Sagna dives into the journey of the man whose name has become eponymous of African basketball : from how he first became accustomed to the game to how he joined the NBA and led one of the world's most recognizable sports brands to identify the potential of Africa's sports industry.

5 IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH AMADOU GALLO FALL IN THE VALLEY

1.) "I first wanted to be a doctor before I realised the impact that I could have in sports" Amadou Gallo Fall is known around the continent as the godfather of African basketball, the man who essentially brought the NBA to our continent. But did you know that when he first got a scholarship to play basketball and study in the US, he planned on practicing medicine ? Amadou Gallo Fall shares with us the parallel he was able to draw between the organisation Doctors without Borders and the sports industry - which led him to pick the latter.

2.) "The key to pioneering is self-confidence, even when the path isn't necessarily clear"

When he first launched the NBA Africa office in 2010, Amadou Gallo Fall admits he wasn't sure what to expect. A decade later, he has become the President of the Basketball Africa League, a joint venture between NBA and FIBA, the first international spin-off league of the NBA. He shares some advice on how to venture into the unknown and why self-confidence is relevant.

3.) "I want to be a chef someday"

Amadou Gallo Fall first began working on the Sports for Education and Economic Development project in 1998 while still a student in college. Over 20 years later, the organization has enabled kids from the African continent to gain sports scholarships to study abroad : some became investment bankers, others such as Gorgui Dieng became NBA players. He explains the values that SEED is aiming to share with its students and how they encourage students (and parents) to follow their passion.

4.) "To avoid that our sports infrastructures become white elephants you need content"

In the second part of the episode, Amadou Gallo Fall explains the vision of the Basketball Africa League : to create one of the best sports leagues in the world tailored for African audiences. This grand ambition requires work and investments, he concedes, but it can yield significant returns especially in job creation. He emphasises on the fact that while creating sports arenas is key, there needs to be a similar level of attention to enabling young people to forge their career path in the sports industry.

5.) "If African culture can transcend border, we need the local environment to enable it to flourish" Amadou Gallo Fall speaks to how the sports and creative industries can work together to enable more trends to come out of African countries. He foresees the Basketball Africa League as a catalyst in the development of world-class arenas that can then become the stage for African and international acts to perform in and to boost the tourism industry for these countries.

4. Courtney Powell in the valley : From founder to investor.

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:15:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast bridging the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle in Africa.

A question ? Write to us contact@silverbacksvalley.com

For our second #WomeninVC special, the Valley welcomes a founder who became an investor at one of the world's top VC funds : As COO and Managing Partner of 500Global, Courtney Powell uplifts people and economies across over 80 countries in the world through entrepreneurship. 500Global's 2.9 billion assets under management include over a 100 African companies.

1.) "I went from doing nanny college jobs to finding my first internship at a startup on Craigslist"

Courtney Powell recounts her journey in entrepreneurship. She started out as a marketing intern for a startup company focused on developing promotional campaigns solutions. She then launched her own startup in marketing before turning to real estate. One of her startups was part of a 500Global cohort, she since has joined 500Global as COO and Managing Partner.

2.) "We want to contribute to shaping the global VC ecosystem"

Courtney recognizes the bias and lack of inclusivity which still exist within venture capital and how founders in emerging markets sometimes do not receive the most favorable conditions. She explains how 500Global is equipped to address these challenges through multi-stage venture capital, founders and VC trainings as well as government-focused policy programs.

3.) "Cash is definitely reality"

As a founder turned investor, Courtney speaks to how the perspectives of each side may differ when it comes to looking at an opportunity to invest. She refers to the alpha that VCs must look for and the type of educated bets that VCs must take in order to get to these super returns.

4.) "You have to be interested in things beyond business or finance to be a well-rounded person"

Courtney shares a comprehensive list of recommendations of shows, books and podcasts she listens to and does not shy away from sharing things that are beyond the realm of business. She also speaks on her experience as a young mother and what that role in her life has taught her in her career.

5.)"Founders should start early and fall in love with customers, not products."

In her parting words, Courtney recommends to founders to start early, fail fast and learn the hard lessons as soon as they can. She also advises founders to learn to master the process of iteration and to focus on the customers' experience and feedback as they should and must remain a company's first stream of revenue.

Courtney recommends :

Podcasts & Shows

Capital Allocators by Ted Seides
Oprah's SuperSoulSunday

Books

How To Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid
How to Get Rich (without being lucky) by Naval Ravikant
The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James and Russell Friedman
The Founders: Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and the Company that Made the Modern Internet by Jimmy Sonni

3. Fope Adelowo & Lexi Novitske In The Valley : How women make it in VC in Africa.

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 05:20:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast bridging the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle in Africa.

A question ? Write to us contact@silverbacksvalley.com

For our first #WomeninVC special, the Valley welcomes two women trailblazing their way into Africa's venture capital ecosystem. Fope Adelowo is a Principal at Helios Investments Partners, the largest Africa-focused private equity fund. Lexi Novitske is a General Partner at Norrsken22 an early growth fund focused on bridging the funding gap for startups at the Series A and Series B level. Together, Fope and Lexi discuss the ramifications of making it as women in Africa's venture capital space.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH FOPE & LEXI

1.) "I invested my own money into what I believed in"

Lexi Novitske recounts how she first arrived in Nigeria and the potential of the startup ecosystem she discovered. She describes the risks she took at the start of her journey and how it led her to collaborate with unicorn founders and fellow VCs to launch Norrsken22 - a venture capital fund that addresses the Series A, Series B funding gap in Africa.

2.) "I witnessed the creation of things that did not exist"

Fope Adelowo looks back on her career and how her interest in tech remained prevalent. As a trained engineer turned investment banker, she entered the world of private equity with a willingness to support founders to build their ideas to transform Africa.

3.) "There remains a barrier for women to come into the top of finance"

Showcasing more confidence that one actually has within her, developing a comfort with risk and a sense of the value of one's own insights, having an ecosystem of supporters and mentors, calling out certain behaviours.. Fope and Lexi explain what they believe has helped them in their careers and call on other women in finance to look out for the younger generation.

4.) "I enjoy breaking barriers"

What drives women to the top of the venture capital ecosystem in Africa ? Fope and Lexi recount what has fueled their ambition as individuals as well as members of an exciting ecosystem working towards solving Africa's pressing development challenges with innovation.

5.) "In finance, there needs to be room for people to be their true selves"

Talking to their younger selves, Fope and Lexi share intimate advice on what they would have done differently in their personal lives and careers. They look at how the industry has evolved and why the next generation can contribute to shaping new trends for women to break into venture capital more so than before.

Fope and Lexi recommend:

Invest Like the Best - By Patrick O'Shaughnessy Colossus

Freakonomics - By Stephen J. Dubner

All-In Podcast - By Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks & David Friedberg

Where should we begin podcast - By Esther Perel

2. The Cape Town Tigers In The Valley : A legacy beyond basketball

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 06:00:00 GMT

"It's more than basketball, it's about legacy"

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast bridging the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle in Africa. Listen to the full episode at https://silverbacksvalley.com

A question ? Write to us contact@silverbacksvalley.com

Established in 2020, the Cape Town Tigers are South Africa's basketball champions. They qualified for the first season of the Basketball Africa League, and made it up to the first round of the playoffs in the second season in 2022. In 2023, the team welcomed the afrobeats music mogul Mr Eazi as an investor, former LA Lakers assistant coach Rasheed Hazzard as head coach and NBA G-League guard Zaire Wade in its roster. The Tigers are set to compete for the third Season of the BAL, Silverbacks Valley brings you their origin story with co-founders Chante Butler, Dia Martin, William "BJ" McFarlan and Raphael Alexander Edwards.

5 IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH THE CAPE TOWN TIGERS IN THE VALLEY

1. Why not present an opportunity for us all to do something big"

The Cape Town Tigers co-founders look back on the friendship and former high school rivalry that led to the unexpected pairing of two African-American women with two former basketball players.

2. "From a PowerPoint to a championship"

Bringing a new team to a championship title is not an easy task : the Cape Town Tigers did it twice. The co-founders dwell on what made their team successful, and why building the organization from the ground up was a key element of that recipe. They reveal their vision of sports business and why education as well as social responsibility are as relevant to them as other elements of the business such as fan engagement or merchandising.

3. "As a black woman, owning a team wasn't on my map"

In Africa's sports landscape, the Cape Town Tigers are an outlier : the organization is co-owned and co-managed by two women. Chante Butler and Dia Martin recount how they seized the opportunity when it presented itself. They also reflect on building a legacy for women in sports and how they hope to inspire other women to take risks and testing their limits.

4. "We are uniquely positioned to become a global brand"

The Cape Town Tigers dream big, and they dream beyond basketball. The co-founders reflect upon their unique position as a team playing in the Basketball Africa League that has the ability to play on different geographies. They also speak on the role that culture plays in building the Tigers as Africa's basketball powerhouse and why the franchise can be used as a vessel to connect the greater black diaspora and community.

5. "It's about creating a legacy"

The Cape Town Tigers share their inspirations and how their respective families as well as the family they became through entrepreneurship fuels their motivation. They also reveal their aspirations for the blueprint they are establishing for sports business as well as for the next generation of black and African entrepreneurs.

1. Mr Eazi in the Valley : On finding someone to pass you the ball

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 09:06:00 GMT

For its first episode, Silverbacks Valley welcomes Mr Eazi, a music superstar who has surpassed a billion streams and collaborated with the likes of Beyoncé, J Balvin and Major Lazer. Mr Eazi is also a VC investor and CEO of emPawa, a music talent incubator representing over 100 artists. He's a board member in our parent company, Silverbacks Holdings and joined our portfolio company, the Cape Town Tigers basketball team, as an investor.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH MR. EAZI

1.) "I never really left technology"

Most of you will know Mr. Eazi for his ability to produce certified dancefloor hits. But how did it all start ? Mr Eazi tells all about starting out his journey in entrepreneurship in a now defunct incubator 440NG and getting his first funding. At the time, music was a hobby but he realized it had good potential. He's always considered creative industries and the world of tech and startups to be similar : how did he leverage his training then as a tech entrepreneur to break through the music industry ? how does he leverage his music platform today to pursue his own aspirations in the tech industry and how he got involved in Chika Nwobi's Decagon.

2.) "I love investing in talent"

How does Mr Eazi leverage his instinct for picking good talent ? Beyond music and tech, Mr Eazi is also heavily involved in the sports industry. His betting sports company betPawa has invested in the Ghanaian Premier League. In Cameroon, he backs a foundation which trains over thirty people - men and women and has invested in the talent of the boxer Stephane Fondjo, a top 300 in his weight category. Most recently, he has invested in the two times national basketball champion of South Africa - the Capetown Tigers - a team newly created to compete in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) of the NBA.

3.) "I turned down a major deal from one of the biggest music company in the world"

What is Mr Eazi's favorite transaction story ? Why did he turn down a six million dollar deal from a music company and how did he get his company to now be worth four times that amount ? Mr. Eazi underscores the importance of creative and economic freedom for the artists that his company emPawa collaborates with. Why is intellectual property crucial to him ?

4.) "I'd tell my younger self to pitch more"

What would Mr. Eazi tell his younger self? How did Mr Eazi's upbringing foster his curiosity and knack for experimentation ? Mr Eazi advises on how to identify the right spaces where you can share your ideas and the type of support, beyond investment, that one needs to make impossible ideas become possible.

5.) "I am driven by creative and economic freedom"

What motivates Mr. Eazi ? Why does he run away from things that are too structured ? Mr Eazi speaks on the importance of the orange economy and why it appeals to him.

Teaser - Welcome To Silverbacks Valley

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 15:11:00 GMT

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley ! A podcast bridging the worlds of VC, tech, media, sports & lifestyle in Africa, hosted by Ibrahim Sagna. Coming to you soon.