Builders of Africa is a podcast for early founders and SME owners building real businesses across the continent. Each episode features candid interviews with builders—founders and operators sharing the decisions, lessons, and playbooks behind what they’re building. Expect practical conversations on offers, sales, distribution, proof, partnerships, and growth.
Hosted by Obafela Killa.
We release a new episode every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.
Follow Obafela:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obafelakilla
Building Businesses That Outlive You, with Zalfa Paddy | Builders of Africa
What does it take to build a business that keeps running without you?In this episode of Builders of Africa, host Obafela Killa talks with Zalfa Paddy, a consultant, marketer and founder based in Accra, Ghana. She led teams and shaped brands, including at Ashesi Center for Entrepreneurship. She also ran her food brand, Flutter Batter, as a side business for eight years before going full-time.Zalfa explains why she believes you should build people, not just brands, and how to tell when you're playing it too safe. She also shares what finally pushed her to leave corporate life.Her mother's business ended after an injury, and that taught her about key person dependency. This is why she's now building Woman to Woman, a nonprofit in Ghana. It offers women entrepreneurs peer circles, practical business and financial training, and mentorship.What you'll learn:
• Why people matter more than the brand
• How to judge your runway before you quit your job
• What key person dependency is, and how systems fix it
• Why fear, not money, held her back for eight years
• How to use "what's the worst that could happen?" to make decisions
• Why to take opportunities, and when to stop at too manyBuilders of Africa shares practical lessons from people building the future of the continent, one story at a time.Connect with Zalfa and Woman to Woman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zalfa-paddy/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zalfa-paddy/)
Follow Builders of Africa:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@buildersofafricapodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@buildersofafricapodcast)
Website: https://www.obafelakilla.com/boa (https://www.obafelakilla.com/boa)
13 Oct 2026
Why Young Africans Are Turning Away From Agriculture | with Kelvin Odoobo
Why Young Africans Are Turning Away From Agriculture | with Kelvin Odoobo
Obafela Killa speaks with Kelvin Odoobo—food systems practitioner, agribusiness advisor, author, and founder and CEO of Shamba Pro—about why African agriculture should be treated as a dignified, viable business.Kelvin shares how his early experiences in Kenya and years working across African markets shaped his perspective. The conversation explores why many young people avoid agriculture, how to start an agribusiness responsibly, and how farm records and data can help farmers make better decisions.
In this episode
Why agriculture became associated with poverty and how that mindset took hold.
Why aspiring farmers should secure a market before investing in production.
How to start small, manage risk, and treat early mistakes as “school fees.”
How Kelvin’s experience in agribusiness led to the creation of Shamba Pro.
Why farm records, weather information, and data can support better decisions.
The assumptions about farmers and technology that hold agritech back.
The importance of trust and collaboration when scaling across African markets.
The El Nino Farm Resilience Program and the farmers it aims to support.
Why food systems thinking can help professionals see beyond isolated problems.
Timestamps
00:00 — Introduction and Kelvin’s background
03:07 — Early exposure to commercial farming in Kenya
04:47 — Why young people were running from agriculture
08:18 — Colonialism and the poverty mindset around farming
12:10 — Why agriculture should be dignified and profitable
15:51 — Start with the market, then start small
18:16 — Choosing low-risk crops and learning through experience
21:04 — How Kelvin’s work led to Shamba Pro
24:49 — Farm records and financial access
26:17 — The myth that farmers cannot use apps
31:03 — Why agritech is difficult to scale
32:24 — Collaboration, trust, and co-design
34:32 — The El Nino Farm Resilience Program
39:48 — Measuring the program’s success
44:37 — Lessons for scaling across African countries
55:42 — Why Kelvin wrote From Agriculture to Food Systems
61:04 — Closing advice on agribusiness, data, and systems thinking
Key takeaways
Research local demand before investing in production.
Start small with what you can afford to learn from.
Keep farm records and use data to guide decisions.
Build relationships with local partners when entering new markets.
Treat agribusiness like any other business: understand the market, manage risk, and learn as you go.
12 Aug 2026
Why SMS Might Be the Future of AI in Africa
The conversation with Emanuel Ogola, the founder and CEO of Ulysia Now AI, delves into the journey of building an AI assistant for offline phone users in Africa. It explores the unexpected beauty of constraints, the empowerment of people with information, and the challenges and constraints faced in building Ulysia Now AI. The discussion also covers the importance of building credibility and strategy in the early stages of a startup.
Takeaways
Constraints build better products
AI that meets users where they already are
Chapters
00:00 Building for the People Technology Usually Forgets
03:04 The Unexpected Beauty of Constraints
06:40 From Loneliness to Building Alisa
08:07 Empowering People with Information
15:50 Challenges and Constraints in Building Ulysia Now AI
26:29 Building Credibility and Strategy
23 Jun 2026
Why Most HealthTech Fail in Africa (And What Works)
Unlock the secret to transforming Africa’s healthcare supply chain from scattershot to reliable, scalable, and trust-driven.
Ahmed Yahia, founder of SURGiA, reveals how a personal story about fake medical supplies ignited a mission to empower hospitals in remote regions with digital infrastructure, financing, and quality assurance — and it’s only the beginning. This episode dives deep into the gritty realities of building trust in regulated markets.
You'll discover a simple yet powerful framework for navigating compliance, verification, and stakeholder relationships in healthcare supply chains. Ahmed shares concrete strategies for verifying suppliers globally, establishing direct manufacturer ties, and maintaining quality amid complex logistics. We break down the crucial role of operational automation from day one — why startups often fail to scale operationally, and how to embed scalable processes early, from inventory to supply chain forecasting. Plus, how to blend online and offline channels to build trust with healthcare providers who still rely on physical presence and relationships.
Most importantly, Ahmed’s honest lessons about fundraising — raising to expand, not just to survive — will challenge your assumptions about growth and sustainability in healthtech.
Whether you're entering healthcare or building a B2B platform in Africa, this episode is packed with clear, real-world lessons.
Follow Ahmed at https://surgia.co/ (https://surgia.co/) or connect on LinkedIn for ongoing insights. Ready to move from concept to reliable healthcare infrastructure? Hit play now.
9 Jun 2026
The Most Unpopular Way to Build in Africa (But It Works)
Most entrepreneurs in Africa try to grow by doing more of what already works. Sabrina Yegela took a different route, and it’s paying off.
From Tanzania, she’s building a plant-based lifestyle brand that combines traditional know-how with practical innovation. She’s not just running a farm; she’s turning farm outputs into real products, and building community-driven stays that bring in steady income.
The wild part? She built it without outside funding. Along the way, she’s had to deal with water scarcity, regulations, and the uphill battle of earning trust in a market where many people doubt local brands.
In this episode, we get into:
- How Sabrina is turning crops into higher-value products — from skincare to snacks to experiences
- What it really takes to keep building when water is limited (and why tools like hydroponics matter)
- How she built credibility with organic, certified products — and why that trust compounds
- How she got her first customers through community, word-of-mouth, and content (without big marketing budgets)
- Why sharing the journey publicly — wins, mistakes, and all — can build loyalty faster than “perfect” branding
Africa’s entrepreneurial potential is often stifled by lack of support, infrastructure, and regional trust. Sabrina’s story proves that with grit and strategic authenticity, you can defy the odds; creating ripple effects that uplift communities and redefine local brands.
If you're an African builder—whether in agribusiness, hospitality, or consumer goods—this episode is your blueprint for impactful, sustainable growth grounded in purpose.
Tap into Sabrina’s transparent journey, and get inspired to carve your own path forward, because Africa’s future depends on entrepreneurs like you.
Follow Sabrina:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebantuvegan/ (https://www.instagram.com/thebantuvegan/)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinayegela/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinayegela/)
Follow Obafela:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/obafelakilla/ (https://www.instagram.com/obafelakilla/)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/obafelakilla/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/obafelakilla/)
Follow Builders of Africa:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buildafrica_ok (https://www.instagram.com/buildafrica_ok)
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@buildafrica_ok (https://www.tiktok.com/@buildafrica_ok)
Explore More:
◼ Discover Bantu Vegan - https://www.bantuvegan.com/ (https://www.bantuvegan.com/)
◼ More Builders of Africa - https://www.obafelakilla.com/boa (https://www.obafelakilla.com/boa)
Start thinking beyond just product—think legacy, community, and resilience. Now's the time to build boldly and intentionally.
27 May 2026
Maryam Bello: Building Credibility in Africa's Innovation Space
In this insightful session, Maryam Bello shares her journey of navigating the complex world of innovation in Africa. She discusses the stereotypes and challenges faced by entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of building genuine credibility. Maryam reveals how overcoming obstacles and focusing on authentic progress can unlock funding and partnerships. As a climate and public health innovator, Maryam shares her journey from launching Telika AI to empowering founders without a voice at the top.
She explains:
◼ How her upbringing shaped her resilience and drive
◼ The importance of authenticity in building trust
◼ Why overcoming stereotypes is crucial for African entrepreneurs
◼ How Telika AI is changing the game for founders
◼ The role of integrity and vision in choosing co-founders
00:00 Intro
01:15 The Unexpected Challenges of Building in Africa
03:45 Overcoming Stereotypes in Entrepreneurship
06:30 The Real Signals of Credibility Investors Seek
09:00 How Maryam's Upbringing Shaped Her Drive
12:15 The Importance of Authenticity in Building Trust
15:00 How Telika AI Empowers Founders
18:30 Choosing Co-Founders with Integrity and Vision
21:00 The Future of Innovation in Africa
Follow Maryam:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bellomaryam_/ (https://www.instagram.com/bellomaryam_/)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-bello-602b53164/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-bello-602b53164/)
Follow Obafela:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/obafelakilla/ (https://www.instagram.com/obafelakilla/)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/obafelakilla/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/obafelakilla/)
Follow Builders of Africa:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buildafrica_ok (https://www.instagram.com/buildafrica_ok)
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@buildafrica_ok (https://www.tiktok.com/@buildafrica_ok)
Explore More:
◼ Discover Telika AI - http://telika.ai/ (http://telika.ai/)
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