This article is a recap of the lessons learned and dissemination platform for tools developed during the Swichi Project. Swichi is a program that helps Small-Medium Media Houses (SMMH) rethink their business models and create alternative revenue streams in the digital age. — In the past eight months, Sahara Ventures has been working with DW Akademie, Tanzania Media Foundation (TMF), and grassroots media houses to support Small and Medium Media Houses (SMMH) develop a strategy to navigate challenges brought by digital transformation by rethinking their business models. …

For the past ten years of my career, I have been working on mastering time management; I have tested different approaches and followed multiple people and sources. It is a summary of what I have learned. — All great people, entrepreneurs included, have one thing in common: they have mastered the art of time management. I first started to learn about time management when I was in University. At that time, I was doing a Computer Science Degree and a Diploma in Finance and was the President…

A great week in Nairobi — meeting old friends and forming new ones. In a spirit of collaboration, how can we grow together the East African startup scene? — Tunasikia “Mama” anaupiga mwingi sana.., a bolt driver, asked me about my opinion on the current and the previous regime in Tanzania. I asked him about “Baba” and “Hustler” and who is the voting for..; the guy smiled. Enough of politics; Tanzanians and Kenyans have always been “Ndugu”, and we…

Let's look more innovative than our partners. — I don't need to say this. Innovation is a buzzword, and everyone wants to look innovative but looking innovative is very different from being innovative — innovation distinguishes leaders and followers, according to the late Steve Jobs. In the innovation world, we have the three Is; Innovators, Imitators and Idiots…

Sahara Accelerator — has been a busy Q1; we started the year by onboarding seven startups and launching the PesaTech Accelerator, we have partnered with UNCDF Tanzania to Accelerate FinTech startups in the country. — Last quarter of 2021, we decided to restructure how our accelerator program operates and agreed to pay attention to quality rather than quantity. We innovated a new investment facilitation model, whereby we take a commission from the successful introduction of startups to investors instead of equity once the deal is…

I love to write controversial articles because it makes us think. Recently, the amount of startup capital coming to Africa has increased significantly, and African startups' money raised reached $5B in 2021. A few unicorns have also emerged in some of the more matured Startup African startups ecosystems, primarily Nigeria…

Let's Talk Innovation, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and The Future of Africa. — Part Two of Season One of the Afruturist Podcast, The Diary of The Hub Manager — a conversation with movers and shakers of African innovation and technology entrepreneurship with Peter Kisadha (PK), Principal Manager, Research, Future Africa, Nigeria. In this episode of the Afruturist Podcast, I caught up with PK…

This article reflects the Swichi Project implemented by Sahara Ventures in partnership with DW Akademie and Tanzania Media Foundation (TMF). — In the past few years, digital transformation has disrupted all most every sector media sector included. It is almost a year now since I wrote the article, “News is No Longer News, Technology Disrupting Traditional Journalism.” showing how technology is disrupting the media sector and threatening the existence of traditional…

My TEDx talk was on opportunities brought by the digital economy in Africa and how youths are capitalizing on them. This article is the script of the talk. — Sometime in 2013, at the National Football Stadium, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, over 10,000 people showed up. It is usual for the stadium to be packed during football games, but it was for the football match. Instead, it was an interview. Thousands of candidates showed up to interview for 70 Constable…