DCN Africa Podcast

Hosted by DCN Africa Podcast

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Dec 2024

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About the show

Hosted by the insightful Aurra Kawanzaruwa, this thought-provoking and informative monthly podcast delves into a wide range of digital trends and their far-reaching impact on various aspects of society, particularly on truth and democracy.

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9 recent

December 19, 2024Episode 942 min

Episode 9: Internet Governance in Africa

In the next episode of the DCN Africa Podcast, we delve into the complex world of internet governance in Africa. Following the recently ended UNECA 13th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), Aurra unpacks the various challenges and opportunities that come with regulating the internet on the continent. Our interview guest for this episode is Phillip Ayazika, the Programs Director at Pollicy (Uganda) and we also feature a short excerpt from a panel session at the 13th AfIGF, “Protecting Internet data flows in trade policy initiatives”, led by the Internet Society and featuring: • Dawit Bekele - Regional Bureau Director for Africa at the Internet Society • Wairagala Wakabi - Executive Director of the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) • Sorene Assefa - Country Representative for Ethiopia at the African Development Bank Group • Natalie Campbell - Co-founder of A Very Good Company • Amazouz Souhila - Co-founder and Managing Director of Clean City Africa Link to the AfIGF Session Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ00RKW0ZCI&t=541s

November 20, 2024Episode 849 min

Episode 8: Diary of an Entrepreneur

Get ready to be inspired by Africa's vibrant spirit of entrepreneurship! In a continent where 1 in 5 working-age Africans are starting new businesses (the world's highest rates of entrepreneurship), the potential for growth and innovation is unlimited. Join Aurra as she explores the transformative power of entrepreneurship in Africa, showcasing the strategic policies, education, and support systems that are propelling the continent towards a prosperous future. From regional initiatives to global interventions, discover how African nations are unlocking the potential of their entrepreneurs and paving the way for a thriving startup ecosystem. Don't miss this deep dive into Africa's entrepreneurial landscape!

October 4, 2024Episode 747 min

Episode 7: Youth - Africa’s Superpower

In this episode of the DCN Africa Podcast, Aurra unpack’s the influence of young people in Africa, paying particular attention to how digital tools influence their economic, social and political impact on the continent and globally.The Deep Dive features an excerpt from Rachel Nyaradzo Adams’ talk at TEDx Gaborone on ‘A Crisis of Courage: Africa’s 21st Century Challenge’ Watch her full talk here: https://youtu.be/XDgIXsiWeTw?si=azBlfA2scUkE-2Ix)Aurra also got on a call with Bongekile Filana, the Chairperson of the National ICT Youth Council of South Africa who shared insights into the recently launched AI for Youth Development Policy by the African Union. She also spoke to Naomi Mutua, the Brand and Executive Comms Manager at Ideologie Limited in Kenya for news and updates on the situation with the GenZ protests in Kenya. Want to share your thoughts on the podcast? Send us an email to dcnafricapodcast@gmail.com, we’d love to hear from you!#DCNAfricaPodcast #AfricanYouth

September 5, 2024Episode 650 min

Episode 6: An African Perspective Abroad

In this episode, the DCN Africa Podcast travels to Helsinki, Finland, for the ‘Unlocking Media Literacy’ Forum and to Tallinn, Estonia, for the ‘Anatomy of Influence’ Forum. The host, Aurra, takes us on a journey through sound and dialogue as she tries to understand both media literacy and influence from an African perspective. This episode features excerpts from a lecture by Leo Pekkala, the deputy director of KAVI, National Audiovisual Institute of Finland, a panel discussion featuring Chido Onumah from Nigeria, the co-founder of the Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue Foundation (MILID Foundation) and another featuring Dr Sam Kamau, the Head of the Strategic Communication Program and Senior Lecturer at the National Defense University in Kenya. Aurra also had an in-depth interview with Tallinn based, Zimbabwean Researcher, Pat Gombe, a researcher at the Baltic Film, Media, and Art School (BFM) at Tallinn University in Estonia. Finally, painting a vivid picture of the future in 20 years time, Aurra shares an excerpt from a panel she participated in, moderated by Diana Filimon, a DCN Global Team Member from Romania and co-Founder of Genzette. The panel included Michael J. Oghia, a Consultant on Digital Infrastructure, Cyber Resilience, Internet Governance & Media Development from Serbia and Akilnathan X. Logeswaran, Leading Tech Engagement, Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from Germany. We want to hear from YOU! Share your thoughts and connect with us on email: dcnafricapodcast@gmail.com. Be sure to like, share and subscribe to the DCN Africa Podcast everywhere that podcasts are available!

July 5, 2024Episode 539 min

Episode 5: Hidden Conflict

Episode 5: Hidden Conflict - https://linktr.ee/dcnafricapodcast When it comes to conflict and socio-political unrest, all 5 regions of Africa have devastating stories to tell. Some conflicts are more well-known on a global stage than others, but in this episode, we’re going to zone in on 3 countries in particular: Ethiopia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The host, Aurra, also sits down with Innocent Mpoki, a Zimbabwean 4th year PhD Student of African Politics at Boston College in the U.S., to discuss the history, patterns and prevalence of coups in Africa. Finally, in this episode's News and Updates, we’ll be looking at South Africa’s glass-ceiling breaking new wearable technology, an update on the tech funding scene in Africa and the African Telecommunications Union’s latest report. Credits: 'Sudan's conflict, explained' by Vox - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDfhxMwoyWo&t=37s 'The Congo War Explained (and why it’s escalating)' by TDLR News Global - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4lFc43Yx4I&t=50s 'Forgotten Wars' by Lawrence Freedman - https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2024/02/forgotten-wars-ethiopia-tigray-sudan We would love to hear from you! Connect with us on email and send your feedback to dcnafricapodcast@gmail.com #DCNAfricaPodcast #HiddenConflict #Ethiopia #Sudan #DRC #TechNews

June 5, 2024Episode 448 min

Episode 4: Going Viral in Africa

In this episode of the DCN Africa Podcast, join Aurra as she takes a deep dive into the proverbial rabbit hole of what makes online content go viral in Africa and how it relates to the spread of misinformation. This episode also features an in-depth interview with Prossy Sheila Kawala, the Director of Media Initiatives at Centre for Media Literacy and Community Development (CEMCOD), Uganda. In the News & Updates segment, we unpack the recently ended DCN Africa Virtual Training on "Empowering Africa: Building Media Literacy Capacity" through testimonials from one of the facilitators, Dr. Nancy Kwangwa, the Deputy Librarian at Women's University in Africa, as well as from participants Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu (Global Press Institute, Ghana), Gondai Ronald Bangidza (Media Professional, Zimbabwe) and Andre Mpoudi Eyambe (MIL Expert & Trainer, Cameroon).

May 2, 2024Episode 336 min

Episode 3: Africa & Artificial Intelligence

In this episode of the DCN Africa Podcast; We examine the complex relationship between Africa and Artificial Intelligence. With the development of AI originating in the Global North, what does it mean for the adoption, impact and development of AI in Africa? In a quest to find an answer to this question, the host unpacks an insightful discussion that took place at the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting 2024, focusing on the session titled “AI, Productivity, Work: Can We Have It All?”, featuring Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire. Finally, the News and Updates segment features contributions from Rethabile Tshepe (Pan African Center for Ethics) and Taweh Johnson (Campaigners Against Misinformation and Disinformation in Libera - CAMDL). FEATURES World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting 2024, session on “AI, Productivity, Work: Can we have it all?” https://www.weforum.org/events/special-meeting-on-global-collaboration-growth-and-energy-for-development-2024/sessions/ai-productivity-work-can-we-have-it-all/ Pan African Center for Ethics, AI and Ethics Webinars https://youtu.be/7uXOqNV_iyc?si=_uez1YfGH25m0b00 https://youtu.be/jq07ec9hMww?si=CMBQDe4TXMF36BFO CAMDL - https://www.camdl.org CONTACT US We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with us at dcnafricapodcast@gmail.com Follow our Host on all social media platforms @Ms_Aurra

April 4, 2024Episode 241 min

Episode 2: Hashtag Heavyweights

In this episode of the DCN Africa Podcast, we explore the social media trends across the continent. We aim to understand how the different regions in Africa utilize digital platforms to effectively communicate and engage with their communities. In our interview for this episode, we talk to the visionary Sallu Kamuskay, the Founder of Salone Messenger based in Sierra Leone, who shares his story of how he built an influential platform under less-than-ideal circumstances. INTERVIEW Sallu Kamuskay - Founder, Salone Messenger | https://salonemessengers.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallu-kamuskay/ CONTACT US We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with us at dcnafricapodcast@gmail.com

March 12, 2024Episode 141 min

Episode 1: This Is Africa!

EPISODE SUMMARY In our opening episode, we explore the digital and information landscape of Africa. With 54 countries and 5 regions, Africa is a continent full of diversity and cultural complexity. It is also the second-largest continent in the world and boasts the youngest population. We unpack the past & future digital and developmental trends unique to each region. From North Africa to West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa, each region has its unique challenges and opportunities regarding digitalization and information access. In our recap segment, we look back at the launch of the DCN Africa Regional Chapter, which took place in Zambia in November 2023. Join us as we delve into what drives Africa forward and how it is taking its place on the global stage. Interviews: Cherubim Mawuli Amenyedor - Founder & President, STRIMPE (Strategic Imperative), Ghana Rachel Fischer - Parliamentary Engagement & Research Manager, OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse), South Africa Cameron Evers - Senior Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa, Emergent Risk International, U.S.A. Gift Tracy Aminu - Fact-checker, FactSpace West Africa, Ghana Emily Lukwesa - Correspondent, APA News (Agence de Presse Africaine), Zambia Allan Bryan Ssenyonga - Freelance Journalist, Uganda Follow our host, Aurra on all social media platforms @Ms_Aurra