The Brenthurst Foundation Podcast

The informal sector across Africa makes up nearly 83% of employment. However, in spite of its size, there is a general lack of engagement with the sector, from both government and private corporates.  

Today we speak …

Honda, Toyota, Toshiba and Sony, to name but a few, are all successful companies to come out of Japan. How did Japan perfect enterprise and create a …

At the end of the Second World War, Japanese cities were destroyed, a significant number of its population were killed or displaced, …

Speaking to Marie-Noelle,  H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the 2011 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and former President of Liberia (2006 – 2018), reflects on the moment she was announced President, the task to rebuild …

Our latest podcast with Olusegun Obasanjo is a deep dive into his time as the former President of Nigeria, highlighting how he supported the country’s transition to democracy. 

This episode was recorded during a recent …

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be Prime Minister?Well, our latest miniseries ‘Africa Through Their Eyes’ enables you to do just that through important discussions with former heads of state from across Africa. …

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be Prime Minister? 

Well, our latest miniseries ‘Africa Through Their Eyes’ enables you to do just that through important discussions with former heads of state from across …

What role does the AfCFTA play in agricultural development? What links growth, stability and equity to agriculture? Why don’t reforms always work? 

Africa’s arable land has increase by 52% in 20 years, so why do a large portion of the continent’s population still live in poverty? 

This week, …

This week we continue the conversation with H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma as he gives us an insight into the many surprises he experienced during his time as Sierra Leone's President, trends relating to coups across the region …

From economics and ebola to coups and the challenges of leadership, this episode features Marie-Noelle in conversation with former President of …

The demand for democracy is higher than the supply, according to recent Afrobarometer surveys; what does this means and might it have anything to do with the recent spate of coups in West Africa and the preference for …

Many state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa are in trouble; some have been for a decade or more. What is happening, why are they still in …

With 68% of the Tanzanian population born after 1999, the role of the country’s youth is vital. However, does Tanzania’s past play an important role …

Over the last 20 years, just 180,000 manufacturing jobs were created in South Africa. Going forward, what can be done to ensure higher employment rates within the country? This week, Marie-Noelle speaks to Haroon Bhorat …

In 1998, South Africa’s energy supply was in the pink. A low-cost, coal-fired fleet was producing surplus energy at one of the lowest prices in the …

In today’s episode, Marie-Noelle and Gareth Newham tackle the reason for the decline of South Africa’s crime and justice system. South Africa has …

In our episode this week, Marie-Noelle speaks with Andrew Murray, one of the authors of The Brenthurst Foundation’s latest book titled ‘Better Choices: Ensuring South Africa’s Future’. 

Here, they discuss all things …

Since the Russian invasion began on the 24th February 2022, amongst many other atrocities, Ukraine and its people have been the victims of countless war crimes. Human rights activists such as Oleksandra Matviichuk have …

In our episode this week, Marie-Noelle speaks with Andrew Donaldson, Senior Research Associate at the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit at the University of Cape Town as well as one of the authors of …

Parliament is the cornerstone of any functioning democracy. A centre of legislation and debate, its role is clearly defined during times of peace. …

Marie-Noelle's guest this week is Wandile Sihlobo, academic, Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and author …

Today's episode is a masterclass on strategic communication in warfare with Ukraine's Deputy Chairman for the Centre for Defence Studies and …

Join Marie-Noelle in a chat with Investec’s Chief Economist, Annabel Bishop, on the dual role of the financial sector in the economy and …

In this episode, Marie-Noelle chats with David Francis about South Africa’s ‘challenge’ with the informal economy and the better choices needed to …

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On the show this week, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo and pro-democracy activist Jeffrey Smith interrogate the role and relevance of election observer missions …

In this week’s episode, Marie-Noelle chats with Prince Nwadeyi, co-founder of iSpani, on what it means to have and exert agency and the work required …

Voter apathy is a growing problem among South Africa’s youth. While the reasons behind this are often emotive, they are understandable.

To better grasp how and where people have agency, Marie-Noelle spoke to Siviwe …

How does a small state that, according to the UN, doesn't officially exist, with a nonconvertible currency, no officially recognised borders or …

The impact of COVID-19 in South Africa, by existing data, has been the most severe on the African continent. South Africa, which accounted for 38.1% of total COVID-19 infections in Africa as of March 2022, is home to …

In this chat, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo and Ovigwe Eguegu of Development Reimagined chat about the deepening China-Africa relations as it pertains to …

In today’s episode chat with Henry Telli and James Dzansi of the International Growth Centre (IGC) about how IT systems can be potentially …

In today’s episode, Marie-Noelle speaks with Ambassador Dr Kipyego Cheluget about his diplomatic career and the lessons that a regional economic …

In this episode, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo chats with Ikenna Nzewi, co-founder and CEO of Releaf,  an agriculture technology company that develops …

Is China’s presence in Africa a positive one? What more can Africa do to increase the benefits received from a China-Africa relationship? Has Africa’s relationship with China changed over time? This podcast answers all …

How much economic damage was caused, and how will African economies recover? This is the question addressed in today’s episode from the launch of the 'Prospects for a Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery in Africa' report. 

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On 26 January 2022, President Hakainde Hichilema addressed a broad audience of policymakers, past presidents, ambassadors and curious minds at the …

In this week’s episode, Marie-Noelle sits with Mona Iddrisu, Head of Youth #Employment and Skills at ACET. They discuss the demand and supply-side …

On the first episode of the year, Marie-Noelle speaks with Erik Wandrag, CEO of Oceans Finance Company, who’s main take is to develop financial …

Understanding why poor countries have remained poor despite the trillions of dollars spent on development over the past several decades requires …

In today’s episode, Marie-Noelle sits with Tim Harris to discuss BPO, tech, service sectors and the opportunities for job creation. The gains however …

According to Afrobaromter, Africans want more democracy than they are getting. Why is democracy so important? What does more democracy entail? How can we deepen the democratic project?

Find out more in this week’s chat …

This week we bring you the second half of our conversation with Guinea's former finance minister, Malado Kaba, who sat down with Marie-Noelle to …

Malado Kaba, first female Minister of Economy and Finance of Guinea, sits down with Marie-Noelle to discuss the difficult trade-offs in …

Ever wondered why Africa misses the mark attracting FDI?

Summits, targets, and envoys are a good start to attracting much needed FDI to Africa, but they will not be enough. We need a more active and targeted approach by …

The Brenthurst Foundation presents an interview with Dr Yakama Manty Jones, Director of Research and Delivery Division at the Ministry of Finance in Sierra Leone. Yakama reflects on the financing options that are …

Over the past couple of years, Zambia has been in the news but not for flattering reasons: mounting debt and increasing mismanagement of the country's macroeconomic indicators. Today, the narrative has turned as many …

In today’s episode, Riva Levinson of KRL International joins Marie-Noelle in discussing good political leadership, what it takes to deepen democracy …

Young people across the world are well adept to 21st Century life and issues which come with it, making them well-equipped to take positions of power. However, when it comes to Africa, do the young of today lack the …

The SA Future Trust was was established in March 2020 with a view to provide financial support to SMME's across the country. One and a half years on, how has it helped support the people of South Africa and what further …

What’s it like meeting those in power? How are they really when the camera’s are turned off? What does it taketo become a top African journalist?

This week, Marie-Noelle speaks to Daniel Makokera, a veteran newscaster …

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) recognises that it needs to focus more on economic diplomacy, including upskilling its diplomats to promote trade and investment.

But this …

Between 2001 and 2019, two million men and women from abroad served in Afghanistan, and more than $2 trillion was expended, an extraordinary, once-in-a-generation commitment of resources to a poor country, a staggering …

The recent unrest that took hold across parts of South Africa, following the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma, put inequality back in the …

The Ease of Doing Business indicator is a system that ranks the regulatory environment of countries around the world. Over time, the ranking, …

The US foreign policy approach to Africa has remained remarkably consistent since the Clinton administration. As President Biden’s State Department …

Diaspora communities play an integral role in the economic, cultural and developmental growth of their countries of origin. 

However, research …

Industries without smokestacks – tradable services like tourism and transport – could hold the key to future meaningful employment for millions …

Automation. Artificial intelligence. Remote working. These are just some of the terms and phrases often deployed in conversations around the ‘fourth …

According to the IMF, Africa was home to the world's five fastest growing economies prior to the pandemic. Much has been written of the continent's …

Africa’s cities are growing. Fast. Some 500 million people live in one of the continent’s already burgeoning metropolises. Another 800 million are …

Technology - how can we leverage its power to improve lives and equip the youth of today with the right skills for a digital world of tomorrow?

The …

We’re taking a break from the podcast this week, but fear not, we’ve got a load of great new content lined up that will be coming out shortly.

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Crisis planning is critical to the success of any government. But how can you plan for the unknown?

Fellow at The Brenthurst Foundation, Richard …

Philanthropy has played a significant role in the lives of many through charitable donations, funding businesses and stop gap public good provisions. …

The Brenthurst Foundation’s Director, Dr. Greg Mills, has been known to embark on some epic adventures in his time.

This week, he spoke to …

This week Marie-Noelle invites one of The Brenthurst Foundation’s newest members, Deputy Research Director Emmanuel Owusu-Sekyere, to offer his …

This week we're going in house, The Brenthurst Foundation Research Director Ray Hartley sits down with Marie-Noelle to discuss how South Africa …

Increasing pressure is being put on African nations to get Covid-19 outbreaks under control, but how easy is it to prioritise Covid-19 when you're …

The potential benefits of the AfCFTA are endless and many have called it a 'game changer', 'revolutionary and 'Africa's next biggest break'. 

Join in …

Marie-Noelle Nwokolo presents the final episode of this mini-series on agriculture and green development. 

Hear Prof David Henley, author Joe …

While some African governments have sought to crush corruption, almost all have failed in preventing it from enveloping the continent.  An accountability deficit has bred poor governance. But how do you tackle this?

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Is there an Asian or an African mindset? Are there cultural variations that help explain the differing development trajectories of these continents?

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How vital is policy continuation in promoting development? Are regional success stories important in showing the way for others? What can Asia’s …

Following on from The Asian Aspiration podcast launched earlier this year, The Brenthurst Foundation presents a new seven-part podcast series: …

Thank you for listening in to the Introductory Chapter of the book, The Asian Aspiration: Why and How Africa Should Emulate Asia – and What It Should …

What can be done to fix Zimbabwe and how should South Africa approach its wayward neighbour? Join host Greg Mills as he talks to Lindiwe Zulu, the …

Can South Africa's opposition find more in common than what separates them and join together to unseat the ruling ANC?

Listen to Herman Mashaba and …

What are the lessons for the opposition in other Southern African countries? Greg Mills talked to one of the region’s most courageous opposition leaders, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, about what lessons he learned from …

Listen to Professor Haroon Bhorat, Tim Cohen, Greg Mills and Henning Suhr on the state of the economy after lockdown. 

For more information on the webinar and other Brenthurst Foundation activities head to: …

On 19 June 2020, Greg Mills hosted Lazarus Chakwera, leader of the Malawi Congress Party, Dr Boniface Dulani of the Institute of Public Research and …