Quote: "Don't approach entrepreneurship from a position ofdesperation; instead, build and have leverage."The Afropolitan Podcast highlights Afropolitans who embrace theunknown and walk with purpose. Through this podcast, we aim to empowerAfricans in the Diaspora to maximize their potential and contribute tothe development of a vibrant and progressive black community.In this episode, we chat with Obinna Ukwuani, Chief Digital Officer atthe Bank of Kigali Plc, where he drives digital product development toachieve digital financial services objectives. Obinna, born in Americawith Nigerian roots, studied Economics at the Massachusetts Instituteof Technology (MIT). He founded and directed the Makers RoboticsAcademy Rwanda and NESA by Makers, and now serves as the Founder andDirector of Bruk Oil Mills in Enugu. Obinna previously worked atPaystack and shares his entrepreneurship insights in this episode.Obinna is passionate about education, entrepreneurship, and thetransformative power of Web3/Blockchain technologies for peopleworldwide. Join us as Obinna discusses his journey to the Bank ofKigali and the importance of digital technology and services insolving Africa's challenges.Obinna's Reading List:1. Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty byDaron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson - https://amzn.to/3kD1fbO2. The Biafra Story: The Making of an African Legend by FrederickForsyth - https://amzn.to/3Zt7vBN3. The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis - https://amzn.to/3ICWJlDShow Notes:1:22 Introduction to the Afropolitan Podcast1:42 Obinna's background and journey to MIT, earning a BSc inEconomics7:28 Obinna's decision to return to Nigeria and his role innation-building and creating opportunities12:09 Obinna's work with the Makers Robotics Academy Rwanda and itsimpact on the local community14:14 Obinna shares his first significant encounter with failure andthe lessons learned20:46 Obinna discusses insights from working with Paystack and Bank ofKigali on technology's potential for Africans24:19 Obinna talks about his experience raising funds for startups andoffers advice for first-time founders navigating the fundraisingprocess28:35 The importance of managing desperation and balance whendealing with investors31:20 Sam Altman's New Yorker profile and the need for Africa toleapfrog - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/10/sam-altmans-manifest-destiny38:12 Obinna shares his thoughts on Web3 and Blockchain, addressingskepticism and guiding principles42:53 Books that have profoundly impacted Obinna's life50:27 Hypothetical title of a book about Obinna's life51:35 Obinna's perspective on what it means to be AfropolitanThe Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder ofAfropolitan. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit,or wherever you get your podcasts.Connect with Afropolitan:Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitanWebsite - https:

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