{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/63d3e49444d8540011dbbbf5/6825bac8b1b74cbbae78ab69?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Amma Gyampoh:  Transforming Africa Through Impact, Innovation, and Local Power","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/63d3e49444d8540011dbbbf5/1747304088708-6b215e59-3fbe-4b74-acba-461c948e92cb.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Chapters</h3><p>00:00 – Introduction to Change Africa Podcast</p><p>01:01 – Amma Gyamoh: Founder of Scale Up Africa</p><p>02:46 – Digital Transformation Experience in the UK</p><p>05:26 – Transitioning to Ghana: Motivations and Challenges</p><p>08:23 – Addressing Agricultural Challenges in Africa</p><p>12:25 – The Importance of Distribution in Agriculture</p><p>15:32 – Building Startups: Differences Between Africa and the UK</p><p>18:14 – Investor Perspectives on Infrastructure and Funding</p><p>21:12 – Impact Investing Ghana: Collaborative Efforts</p><p>25:30 – Unlocking Local Pension Funds for Impact Investments</p><p>30:01 – Engaging Wealthy Families in African Tech Opportunities</p><p>31:04 – Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potential</p><p>34:29 – Challenges in the Startup Ecosystem</p><p>39:31 – Integrating Solutions Across Sectors</p><p>41:12 – Shifting Power Dynamics in Funding</p><p>45:54 – Transforming Tourism and Creative Industries</p><p>51:26 – Decolonizing Finance and Impact Investing</p><p>56:40 – Building a Sustainable Future for Africa</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Further Reading and Resources</h3><ul><li>Learn more about Amma Gyampoh’s work through<a href=\"https://scaleupafrica.co\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Scale Up Africa</a>.</li><li>Explore<a href=\"https://impactinvestinggh.org\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Impact Investing Ghana</a>, a platform promoting collaboration in inclusive finance.</li><li>Check out AVCA and the Ghana Venture Capital Trust Fund for additional context on investing in African startups.</li><li>Read more on gender lens and decolonial investing at<a href=\"https://criterioninstitute.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Criterion Institute</a>.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This podcast is a production of Nexa Media.</p><p><br></p><p>Do you have a question for our hosts? Email us at <a href=\"mailto:changeafricapod@gmail.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">changeafricapod@gmail.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow the podcast on <a href=\"https://twitter.com/changeafricapod\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter</a>,<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/changeafricapod/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Facebook</a>,<a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/changeafricapod/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Instagram</a>, and<a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-africa-podcast/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> LinkedIn</a>.</p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Nexa Media"}