Financing Africa’s Future
The Financing Africa’s Future podcast examines the forces shaping Africa’s financial markets and their role in driving sustainable development. Each episode features in-depth conversations with experts and practitioners, exploring both opportunities and constraints in areas such as climate finance, capital markets, early-stage finance, adaptation and resilience and development impact. With new episodes released every week, the series provides policymakers, investors, and development partners with informed perspectives on the evolving financial landscape and its implications for Africa’s future. FSD Africa is a specialist development agency working to build and strengthen financial markets across sub-Saharan Africa.
Episodes
Inside Nigeria’s Drive to Deepen Capital Markets
Nigeria’s capital markets are at a pivotal stage, with market reform, liquidity, new investment products and regulatory innovation shaping the next phase of growth.
In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, Bola Ajomale, Commissioner, Operations at the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria, shares her perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Nigeria’s investment ecosystem. T
Building a Securities Exchange from Scratch: How Ethiopia did it
Ethiopia’s capital markets are entering a new phase, with reforms creating opportunities to mobilise domestic capital, deepen financial intermediation and expand access to long-term finance.
In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, Hana Tehelku, Director General of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), discusses the evolution of Ethiopia’s capital markets, regulatory reform, investor
Ethiopia Stock Exchange Story
In Episode 19 of Financing Africa’s Future, Dr. Tilahun Esmael Kassahun, Founding Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), reflects on building Ethiopia’s capital market from the ground up.
He discusses the ESX’s progress, growing investor participation, new market opportunities and the role of FSD Africa in supporting Ethiopia’s capital market development. Having since
Mobilising Ghana's Institutional capital into SME's
Africa’s institutional capital remains heavily concentrated in low-risk assets, while many high-growth businesses across the continent continue to face limited access to long-term financing.
In the latest episode of Financing Africa’s Future, Hamdiya Ismaila, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Savannah Impact Advisory, sits down with Kaara Wainaina, Senior Manager, Advocacy & Campaigns at
Reinvigorating the Lusaka Stock Exchange
Zambia’s capital markets are showing renewed strength, but what is really driving the momentum and can it be sustained?
In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, Nicholas Kabaso, CEO of the Lusaka Securities Exchange, shares a grounded perspective on the forces shaping the market today. From a strong equity rally and improving macroeconomic conditions to growing investor confidence following
The Missing Middle in Africa’s Capital Markets
Africa is not short of capital; it is often a question of how that capital is deployed.
In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, Chinua Azubike, Chief Executive Officer of InfraCredit, reflects on the practical steps needed to channel domestic institutional capital into infrastructure and other productive sectors.
Drawing on InfraCredit’s experience, the conversation explores how credit guara
How capital markets are unlocking Zambia’s economic potential
Zambia is strengthening its capital markets to support sustainable growth, renewable energy and SME financing.
In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, Philip Chitalu, CEO of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia, discusses the country’s US$200 million green bond programme, the launch of a green finance taxonomy, and efforts to expand investor participation from 3% to 10% of the po
Mobilising Africa’s pension funds to catalyse growth
Africa’s pension funds are playing an increasingly strategic role in capital markets and long-term economic development. With South Africa’s retirement industry managing approximately US$376 billion in assets and APSA now representing 22 African countries, pension reform and supervision are firmly on the agenda.
In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, Kaara Wainaina speaks with Zareena Camro
Leveraging Africa’s Asset Management Industry for Faster Growth
Africa’s capital markets are evolving and asset managers are central to the next phase of growth.
In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, Tapologo Motbushi, Chairman of the Pan-African Fund Managers Association (PAFMA) and Portfolio Manager at Allan Gray Botswana, joins Kaara Wainaina of FSD Africa to discuss the future of African asset management.
They explore domestic capital mobilisatio
Leveraging Capital Markets for Zambia’s Sustainable Growth
Zambia’s capital markets are playing a growing role in driving economic development and sustainable finance.
In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, we speak with Nonde Sichilima, Director of Market Supervision and Development at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia, on building trusted capital markets, expanding MSME financing, and mainstreaming green finance.
The conversation c
Maximising the Impact of Institutional Investors' Capital in Kenya
Explore the future of Kenya’s investment landscape in this episode of Financing Africa’s Future. We sit down with Fred Mburu, CEO of the Fund Managers Association (FMA) Kenya, to discuss how the fund management industry is shaping deeper, more resilient financial markets.
With over two decades of experience, Fred shares insights on strengthening regulatory frameworks, promoting professionalism, an
Scaling insurance to close the protection gap in Africa
Only one in ten African households has insurance, but innovation is rapidly changing that reality. In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, we sit down with Elias Omondi, Principal for Innovation for Resilience at FSD Africa, to explore how new models are expanding coverage and strengthening financial resilience across the continent.
From microinsurance and parametric climate products to regu
FSD Africa driving sustainable finance in Africa
How can finance accelerate Africa’s transition to a sustainable, climate-resilient future?
In this episode, Cecilia Bjerborn Murai, Principal for Sustainable & Green Finance at FSD Africa, unpacks how innovative tools like green bonds, blended finance and nature-based investments are helping mobilise capital for impact.
Discover how sustainable finance is driving inclusive growth, supporting c
FSD Africa Investments driving capital in Africa
Africa’s path to prosperity depends not only on attracting investment but on rethinking how finance itself works. In this episode of Financing Africa’s Future, we sit down with Amos Gachuiri, Head of Investments at FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi), to explore how catalytic finance is helping to reshape the continent’s economic future.
FSDAi, the investment arm of FSD Africa, deploys risk-bearing and
Direct Air Carbon Capture in Africa
Can Africa lead the global race to reverse climate change?
In this episode of The Financing Africa’s Future Podcast, we speak with Martin Freimüller, CEO and Co-Founder of Octavia Carbon, Africa’s first Direct Air Carbon Capture (DAC) company, based in Nairobi, Kenya. Octavia Carbon is pioneering technology that removes carbon dioxide directly from the air, using renewable energy and Kenya’s uni
Improving carbon markets in Africa
The global carbon markets are projected to hit US$1.2 trillion by 2029. The key question is Africa ready to tap into this emerging and promising climate finance tool for her greener transition?
In this episode of The Financing Africa’s Future Podcast, Kaara Wainaina, Ag. Director Strategic Communications, FSD Africa speaks with Bianca Gichangi, Regional Lead for Africa at the Voluntary Carbon Ma
Transforming Africa's Financial Markets
In this episode of the Financing Africa’s Future podcast, Joy Kendi, Associate, Programmes, Financial Markets at FSD Africa, joins Kaara Wainaina, Acting Director of Strategic Communications, for an insightful conversation on the future of Africa’s financial markets. Joy highlights how FSD Africa’s programme work is helping to strengthen African capital markets, broaden access to finance, and ensu
Financial markets that meet Africa’s needs
In this episode of the Financing Africa’s Future podcast, we are joined by Jemima Gathumi, Lead, Programmes, Financial Markets at FSD Africa, for an in-depth discussion on the future of African finance. Jemima explores how well-designed programmes and strategic partnerships are strengthening African capital markets, unlocking investment opportunities, and ensuring that financial systems work for b
The Role of Policy Reform in Deepening African Financial Markets
In this episode of the Financing Africa’s Future podcast, we explore the critical role of policy reform in strengthening Africa’s financial markets.
Mary Njuguna, Principal, Capital Markets (Policy & Regulation) at FSD Africa, shares her insights on how effective policy and regulatory frameworks can help deepen markets, attract investment and create systems that are both inclusive and resilien
African Financial Markets | Financing Africa’s Future Podcast
In this episode of the Financing Africa’s Future podcast, Evans Osano, Chief Financial Markets Officer, FSD Africa, offers his perspective on the state of African financial markets and what their evolution means for the continent’s future. The discussion explores:
The progress made in developing capital markets in Africa
The challenges that continue to hold markets back
Opportunities to streng
The State of Carbon Markets in Africa | Financing Africa’s Future Podcast
Episode 1 | Financing Africa’s Future Podcast
In the very first episode of the Financing Africa’s Future podcast, host Kaara Wainaina speaks with Reshma Shah, Lead, Carbon Markets, FSD Africa, about the state of carbon markets in Africa. Their discussion explores the progress made so far, the challenges that continue to limit growth and the role carbon markets can play in mobilising climate fina
