Change Africa Podcast

In this episode of the Change Africa Podcast, host Isaac Aboah sits down with Peace Hyde, award-winning creator, executive producer, and one of the leading voices in African media, for a powerful conversation on creative risk, storytelling, and the future of African cinema.

Peace traces her inspiring journey from being a high school science teacher in the UK to launching Young, Famous & African, the first-ever African reality show on Netflix. Through this journey, she unpacks how storytelling has become her tool for reshaping the world’s view of Africa, championing authenticity, and building platforms that elevate African talent.

The episode delves into the behind-the-scenes aspects of Africa’s creative economy, from the production challenges of large-scale shows to the lack of funding, infrastructure, and distribution that hinder African filmmakers. Peace also reflects the mindset required to navigate failure and fame, emphasizing purpose, faith, and resilience as essential ingredients for sustainable success.

Whether you’re a young creative, a media founder, or a believer in Africa’s global potential, this episode offers invaluable insight into how to build something bigger than yourself and redefine the narrative of a continent.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Change Africa Podcast
01:56 – Peace Hyde: A Journey Through Media and Storytelling
08:52 – The Concept of Risk and Purpose in Career
15:00 – Authenticity in Storytelling and Production
20:57 – Challenges in African Film Production
30:06 – Bridging Gaps in African Film Talent
32:23 – Investing in African Talent and Infrastructure
34:13 – The Importance of Distribution in African Cinema
35:39 – Global Viewership and African Narratives
39:03 – Redefining Africa's Image Through Storytelling
43:14 – Navigating Success and Failure in Media
46:30 – Faith and Decision-Making in Creative Ventures
50:34 – Mindset and Resilience for the Next Generation
56:22 – Vision for the Future of African Cinema

Further Reading and Resources
Watch Young, Famous & African on Netflix
Learn more about Peace Hyde's work via peacehyde.com
Follow Peace on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter): @PeaceHyde

This podcast is a production of Nexa Media.
Do you have a question for our hosts? Email us at changeafricapod@gmail.com
Follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Change Africa Podcast, host Isaac Aboah sits down with Paakow Essandoh, founder of the celebrated fashion brand Mizizi, to explore the power of fashion as a tool for cultural identity, diaspora connection, and creative entrepreneurship.

Paakow shares how Mizizi was born out of his quest to reconnect with African heritage after feeling culturally disconnected growing up in the diaspora. What started as a passion project quickly became a global brand celebrating African pride through bold designs, cultural storytelling, and authentic community engagement.

The conversation explores the challenges of building a culturally sensitive brand, the role of collaboration and music in expanding reach, and how Mizizi navigated its rise from social media buzz to partnerships with major cultural institutions like Marvel. Paakow emphasizes the value of persistence, adaptability, and surrounding yourself with the right people to grow sustainably.

From personal identity to global impact, this episode highlights how fashion can help reclaim narratives, build movements, and reshape how Africa is seen, both by the world and by its diaspora.

Episode Summary
00:00 – Introduction to Change Africa Podcast
01:01 – Paakow Essandoh: Bridging Cultures Through Fashion
05:03 – The Journey of Entrepreneurship
08:59 – Grappling with Identity and Blackness
12:03 – Promoting African Culture Through Fashion
13:02 – The Launch of Mizizi and Initial Success
16:02 – Evolving the Brand and Cultural Sensitivity
19:09 – Media Attention and the Rise of Mizizi
20:54 – Sustaining Success in African Fashion
23:06 – Collaborations and Future Directions
23:50 – Building Connections Through Music and Fashion
26:29 – The Impact of African Culture on the Diaspora
29:02 – Collaborating with Marvel: A Journey of Persistence
38:08 – The Role of People in Business Success
41:27 – The Talent and Potential of African Creatives
45:48 – The Future of African Creativity and Global Representation

Further Reading and Resources
Explore Mizizi at mizizishop.com
Discover how Mizizi partnered with Marvel and other global brands
Learn more about diaspora fashion and storytelling via The Folklore and OkayAfrica

This podcast is a production of Nexa Media.
Do you have a question for our hosts? Email us at changeafricapod@gmail.com
Follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Change Africa Podcast, host Isaac Aboah sits down with Amma Gyampoh, founder and CEO of Scale Up Africa, for a compelling conversation on digital transformation, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and rethinking finance across the continent.

Amma shares how her work in e-government and digital systems in the UK shaped her approach to African development. She reflects on her decision to return to Ghana and the transformative potential of solving problems “amidst the obvious,” especially in agriculture, where she believes distribution is everything.

The discussion dives into African startups' structural challenges, from infrastructure and funding gaps to misaligned investor expectations. Amma champions a shift in mindset and capital, calling for decolonized financing, better collaboration among investors, and deeper engagement from local pension funds and family offices in shaping Africa’s future.

This episode also explores gender lens investing, the untapped power of tourism and the creative economy, and why local decision-making is critical to sustainable entrepreneurship. Amma makes a powerful case for aligning capital with context and systems with sovereignty.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Change Africa Podcast
01:01 – Amma Gyamoh: Founder of Scale Up Africa
02:46 – Digital Transformation Experience in the UK
05:26 – Transitioning to Ghana: Motivations and Challenges
08:23 – Addressing Agricultural Challenges in Africa
12:25 – The Importance of Distribution in Agriculture
15:32 – Building Startups: Differences Between Africa and the UK
18:14 – Investor Perspectives on Infrastructure and Funding
21:12 – Impact Investing Ghana: Collaborative Efforts
25:30 – Unlocking Local Pension Funds for Impact Investments
30:01 – Engaging Wealthy Families in African Tech Opportunities
31:04 – Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potential
34:29 – Challenges in the Startup Ecosystem
39:31 – Integrating Solutions Across Sectors
41:12 – Shifting Power Dynamics in Funding
45:54 – Transforming Tourism and Creative Industries
51:26 – Decolonizing Finance and Impact Investing
56:40 – Building a Sustainable Future for Africa

Further Reading and Resources
Learn more about Amma Gyampoh’s work through Scale Up Africa.
Explore Impact Investing Ghana, a platform promoting collaboration in inclusive finance.
Check out AVCA and the Ghana Venture Capital Trust Fund for additional context on investing in African startups.
Read more on gender lens and decolonial investing at Criterion Institute.

This podcast is a production of Nexa Media.

Do you have a question for our hosts? Email us at changeafricapod@gmail.com

Follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Change Africa Podcast, host Isaac Aboah is joined by guest Claudine Moore, a trailblazer in global PR and communications, to explore how branding, cultural intelligence, and the diaspora can shape Africa’s future.

Claudine shares her personal and professional journey, from growing up in the UK with strong Pan-African values to founding C. Moore Media and eventually leading it to acquisition by global firm Allison. Her work has centered on amplifying authentic African narratives and building bridges between the continent and its global communities.

The conversation delves into how tourism and sports can drive economic growth, foster cultural pride, and reshape Africa’s global image. Claudine emphasizes the role of storytelling and branding in addressing skewed Western perceptions of Africa, highlighting that many of the continent’s challenges are rooted in how it is framed to the world.

This episode also touches on the significance of the Africa Business Cultural Intelligence Report, an inaugural topline report for global and pan-African businesses and organizations with the business cultural intelligence and local market knowledge required to thrive in Africa’s dynamic and rapidly growing markets. We explore the promise of intra-African trade and the importance of corporate social responsibility. Claudine highlights the untapped potential of the African diaspora, the need for investment in Africa's youth, and why Africa must prioritize people over profit in its development strategies.

From the DRC’s mineral wealth to the rise of African talent in global sports, this conversation paints a powerful picture of how culture, business, and identity intersect in the continent’s growth story.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Change Africa Podcast
01:02 – Claudine Moore: A Journey of Connection to Africa
03:08 – The Impact of the African Diaspora
08:40 – Starting Seymour Media: A New Chapter
13:23 – Navigating Acquisitions in PR
22:26 – Allison: Expanding Horizons
25:29 – Africa Business Cultural Intelligence Report
30:07 – Tourism and Sports: A Cultural Connection
33:18 – The Impact of Sports on African Culture and Economy
37:43 – Education and Technology: Preparing Africa's Youth for the Future
41:28 – Opportunities and Responsibilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
49:01 – US-Africa Relations: The Role of the Diaspora
55:08 – Intra-African Trade: Bridging Gaps and Building Connections

Further Reading and Resources
Learn more about Claudine Moore’s work and initiatives at C. Moore Media and Allison.
Read the Africa Business Cultural Intelligence Report here.

This podcast is a production of Nexa Media.

Do you have a question for our hosts? Email us at changeafricapod@gmail.com

Follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Change Africa podcast, host Isaac Aboah sits down with sisters Anna and Victoria Agyekum, co-coordinators of On Point Property Management, to explore the growing world of real estate in Ghana and the critical role of the diaspora in shaping the sector’s future.

The conversation opens with the sisters sharing their unexpected journey into real estate, grounded in their cultural roots and entrepreneurial upbringing. Together, they unpack the unique challenges diaspora investors face, from trust gaps to limited access to information, and highlight why Ghana presents a powerful investment opportunity with its political stability and emerging economy.

Anna and Victoria speak candidly about high interest rates, mortgage access, and infrastructure issues and propose public-private partnerships as a vital part of the solution. They emphasize that affordability must be understood from the perspective of multiple market demographics and call attention to the need for better planning to position Ghana as a potential world-class city.

Throughout the episode, the sisters stress the role of technology, sustainability, and community development in the future of real estate. They also reflect on the impact of real estate expos in educating buyers and empowering local and diaspora communities.

This episode captures the intersection of culture, entrepreneurship, and future-focused urban development, showing how real estate can become a tool for transformation across Africa.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Change Africa Podcast
01:56 – Sisters in Business: The Jakum Story
06:03 – Cultural Roots and Influences
09:52 – Identifying the Real Estate Problem
14:04 – Benefits of Investing in Ghana
18:14 – Comparative Real Estate Markets
21:53 – Challenges in the Ghanaian Real Estate Market
25:58 – The Future of Real Estate Investment in Ghana
26:57 – Navigating Interest Rates and Mortgage Accessibility
28:28 – Infrastructure Development and Real Estate Opportunities
31:07 – Understanding Affordability in the Real Estate Market
33:42 – The Role of Expos in Real Estate Education
37:28 – Sustainability and Community Investment in Real Estate
44:15 – Envisioning the Future of Urbanization in Africa
47:04 – The Impact of Technology on Real Estate Development

Further Reading and Resources
To learn more about Anna and Victoria's company, visit their website.
Learn more about the Ghana Property & Lifestyle Expo 2025 here.

This podcast is a production of Nexa Media.

Do you have a question for our hosts? Email us at changeafricapod@gmail.com

Follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.