Afri-CAN by Pharo Foundation

Africa: lost continent, aid-dependent basket case of economic development failures? Forget the old clichés. Francesca Beausang and her guests explore the ideas and concrete innovations through which Africa is becoming a model of innovation-driven development for the world. Afri-CAN is a podcast run by Pharo Foundation, a mission-driven, impact-oriented organisation that designs, funds and operates economic development programmes towards a vibrant, productive and self-reliant Africa.

Afri-CAN by Pharo Foundation is a business podcast hosted by Pharo Foundation, with 48 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Pharo Foundation hosts Afri-CAN by Pharo Foundation, a business show with 48 episodes published.

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  Episode #5

  Is Impact Investing Enough?

  Sep 28, 202622 minS4

  Is impact investing enough to create meaningful change? In this episode of the Afri-CAN Podcast, Aunnie Patton Power, Founder of Intelligent Impact, author, and professor at Oxford and LSE , joins us to challenge some of the assumptions behind traditional impact investing. From her early career in investment banking to her work in innovative finance, Aunnie explores why adding “impact” to existing venture capital and private equity structures may not be enough. We discuss alternatives to traditional equity, new approaches to ownership and exits, the role of philanthropy as risk and transition capital, inclusive investment decision-making, and how incentives shape the outcomes financial systems produce. The conversation also asks a bigger question: is growth always the goal — and who ultimately benefits from the value being created? A thought-provoking discussion about how finance could be redesigned to better serve founders, communities and the societies we want to build.

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  Episode #4

  Can Regenerative Agriculture Really Work in Africa?

  Sep 24, 202634 minS4

  What will it take to make regenerative agriculture work for both African farmers and investors? In this episode of the Afri-CAN Podcast, John Kruse, Principal – Agronomy & Sustainability at International Farming, and Ones Karuho, Senior Strategic Advisor at the United Nations World Food Programme , join us to explore the practical and financial realities of transitioning to regenerative agriculture. From cover crops, conservation tillage and water retention to farmer training and changing long-established practices, the conversation examines how healthier soils can contribute to more resilient food systems. But changing farming practices also creates risk. Farmers may face several growing seasons before realizing the full benefits of the transition, raising an important question: who carries that risk? We explore the role of farmer incentives, value-chain finance, impact investing, patient and blended capital, institutional markets and partnerships that can help farmers through the transition. We also discuss how remote sensing, supply-chain traceability and on-the-ground verification can give investors confidence that regenerative practices are delivering measurable change. A conversation about soil, resilience, finance and what it will take to scale regenerative agriculture across Africa.

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  Episode #3

  Can Technology Fix Africa’s Construction Problem?

  Jul 12, 202624 minS4

  What happens when construction equipment is needed urgently, but the right machine is hundreds of kilometers away? In Episode 3 of the Afri-CAN Podcast, we speak with Arthur Abaliwano, CEO of Anchor Machines , about how technology is helping contractors and mining companies across Africa access heavy equipment faster and more efficiently. Arthur explains how Anchor Machines connects project teams with nearby excavators, graders, bulldozers, and other equipment, reducing sourcing time, transportation costs, and costly project delays. He also shares how the company is expanding beyond equipment access to address other industry challenges through fleet management, fuel partnerships, insurance, financing, and real-time data. The conversation also explores Arthur’s entrepreneurial journey, the lessons learned while building a startup without a technology background, and the barriers African innovators continue to face, including limited patient capital, slow payment cycles, procurement requirements, and cross-border regulations. Listen to learn how Anchor Machines is rethinking one of Africa’s most important industries and making construction and mining more connected, collaborative, and efficient.

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  Episode #2

  Impact Investing, Low-Fee Schools, and the Future of Development

  Jul 5, 202642 minS4

  As aid flows decline, can impact investing help fill the gap in global development? In this episode of the Afri-CAN Podcast we speak with Corina Gardner, CEO of IDP Foundation, and Rob Alhadeff, CEO and Co-Founder of Jackfruit Network, about the future of education finance in Africa. They discuss the role of low-fee private schools in underserved communities, why education receives less impact capital than healthcare, and how innovative financing can help schools improve infrastructure, learning outcomes, and long-term sustainability. The conversation also covers outcomes-based financing, trust-based local decision-making, microfinance, guarantees, local currency lending, and new ways to leverage endowments and investment capital for greater impact. This is a deep but practical conversation about what comes after traditional aid and how capital can be structured to reach the schools and communities that need it most.

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  Afri-CAN by Pharo Foundation

  Development After the Fall of Aid

  Jun 23, 202634 min

  In the first episode of Season 4 of the Afri-CAN Podcast, we speak with Paul Ronalds, CEO of Save the Children Global Ventures , about the future of development at a time when global aid has been severely cut. Paul explores how the development sector can move beyond traditional funding models and incorporate markets, impact investment, and financially sustainable approaches to support life-changing programs. This episode looks at one of the biggest questions facing the sector today: how can development organizations continue creating impact when aid funding is no longer guaranteed? Listen to the full conversation to hear Paul’s perspective on rethinking development, funding long-term solutions, and building programs that can help sustain themselves.

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