Jul 18, 2021Dating through tough timesIn a few weeks, we’ll be walking down the aisle to get married and we’ve just put down the deposit for a wonderful house with a garden. …Dating4 min read
Dec 27, 20202020 - my five books of the yearUsually, I read many, many books throughout the year. I’ve made a habit out of picking my favourites each year and reflect on the lessons I’ve learned. 2019, I chronicled five amazing biographies from Michelle Obama to Samantha Power. 2020 was a different year. A year with more screen-time, more…Book Review6 min read
Apr 5, 2020My top start-up resourcesHey there to all company builders, a list of my personal favorites that I keep coming back to when thinking of starting and running new ventures. Books This is a mix of books of people/companies who’ve made it and books that simply inspire me. Saying No to Jugaad: The Making…Startup2 min read
Jan 1, 20202019 — the five people who moved me and what I’ve learnedReading biographies is almost always better than fiction. Here’s a short account of what I’ve learned from my favorite five this year. Lessons on finding your voice, leadership, family and how to pursue change and not give up. “Michelle Obama: Becoming” or lessons on finding your voice. I started the…Leadership6 min read
Nov 18, 2018How to holiday in TanzaniaTanzania is still one of my favorite destinations in the world. Despite or maybe because its recent economic, political and social troubles, I highly recommend anyone to go explore: wander Zanzibar’s beaches, dance the night away in Dar es Salaam, learn about Bagamoyo’s history or stop for the best chapatis…Travel5 min read
Nov 18, 2018Bagamoyo — Throw down your heartA short personal history of Bagamoyo Throw down your heart is the literal meaning of Bagamoyo in Swahili. Moyo means heart and baga is something like throw it down. …Travel3 min read
Jun 30, 2018Can the Gig Economy help to create jobs in Africa?A full-time job is considered the norm in most countries. Platform and tech companies such as Uber, Alibaba, and Google have started to undermine this long-established concept and build their success on new business models that change the way many view work. …Gig Economy6 min read
Mar 16, 2018Affordability — Beyond the BuzzwordAffordability is at the core of much of our work as impact investors — from affordable electricity to housing, food, healthcare, education and many more. Yet ask someone to define what it means, and you may be met with little more than a blank stare. We recently conducted a straw…Africa5 min read
Aug 18, 2017Smart investors pay attention to womenInvesting with a gender lens increases business opportunities, helps to diversify risks in a portfolio and provides a social return to society. Investing with a gender lens is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting strategies for creating impact. Several institutions from McKinsey to the Peterson Institute have published findings on how diversity on corporate boards is improving gross margins. Data from the Credit Suisse CS Gender 3000 report for example…Entrepreneurship5 min read
Published in ICED Facility·Aug 15, 2017How can technical assistance help cities float Green Bonds?The world’s fastest-expanding cities are now in the global South. Rural to urban migration, combined with the effects of urban population growth, could add another 2.5 billion to the world’s urban population by 2050. According to the UN, close to 90 percent of this increase will be in Asia and…Finance7 min read
