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What does it take to go from coding on a phone during ferry rides to building developer tools at Microsoft? In this captivating conversation, Japheth Obala reveals his remarkable journey from Likoni, Mombasa to becoming the first engineer at Microsoft's Africa Development Center.

Japheth's story begins with a natural talent for mathematics and a dedicated teacher who became a father figure after losing his parent at age 10. His path takes an unexpected turn when security concerns prevent him from attending Garissa University—a decision that likely saved his life from a terrorist attack that would later claim 142 students.

The heart of this episode explores Japheth's obsessive self-teaching process, programming C on his Android phone during ferry commutes before he could afford a laptop. We witness how the Swahili Box tech community provided his first real coding opportunity, leading to the Andela Fellowship that connected him with global companies. Perhaps most fascinating is how a casual algorithm solution scribbled on a napkin during a dinner with Microsoft representatives launched his career at one of tech's giants.

Throughout our conversation, Japheth shares invaluable insights about building developer tools, the challenges of relocating internationally with a young family, and his philosophy on finding fulfillment in tech careers. His perspective on prioritizing craft over compensation offers a refreshing counterpoint to typical tech career narratives.

Whether you're a developer seeking inspiration, someone curious about Africa's tech ecosystem, or simply love stories of unconventional success, this episode delivers profound lessons about passion, opportunity, and the unexpected paths that shape our professional lives.

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Apple Podcasts ► https://podcasts.apple.com/ke/podcast/impact-masters-podcast/id1652228341
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YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpRymy-NTwTzg98WpkLJXJbEs3eX_gT7z
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Podcast Index ► https://podcastindex.org/podcast/5637888
Podchaser ► https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/impact-masters-podcast-4842099

Guest
Japheth Obala
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jobala/


Host
Michael Kimathi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkimathi/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/m_k_global

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What does it take for a woman to succeed in Africa's male-dominated tech world? Catherline Mirobe's story shows us exactly that - through determination, skill, and an entrepreneurial spirit that refuses to quit.

Growing up between Nairobi and Kisii, Catherline Mirobe transformed from a struggling student to an academic standout, even changing her name to boost her confidence. With her father's guidance - an engineering consultant who repeatedly warned her "no one will give you a job" - she developed an entrepreneurial mindset early. While pursuing her electrical engineering degree at JKUAT, she launched a cake baking business from her tiny apartment, eventually expanding it with her mother's help and saving 200,000 KSH to fund future ventures.

Tragedy struck when her father passed away just before graduation, but Catherline persevered. Combining her engineering expertise with software development skills from Moringa School, she established her own tech business focusing on IoT solutions. Her impressive portfolio includes automated stadium locks, a 360° photo booth built at a quarter of import prices, and an innovative social distancing system for public vehicles. Through TikTok, she's built a following of thousands by authentically showcasing her projects while breaking stereotypes about women in tech.

Beyond creating solutions, Catherline is nurturing the next generation - teaching coding to children using Scratch programming and mentoring students from Tanzania. Her journey proves that with determination and the right mindset, African women can thrive in tech entrepreneurship. As she says, "Just try. You may fail at first, but just try. This field isn't meant only for men." Follow Caterline's inspiring work and discover how you too can turn technical skills into entrepreneurial success.

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What transforms a curious young boy from Likoni into a globally-recognized innovator creating life-changing solutions for fishing communities? In this captivating conversation, Dennis Okangi shares his remarkable journey from watching neighbors' TVs through windows to meeting world leaders and showcasing his innovation across continents.

Growing up as the only boy among five siblings in Mombasa's densely populated Likoni area, Dennis navigated the challenges of shared Swahili houses where multiple families coexist in close quarters with limited privacy and resources. These early experiences shaped his resilience and problem-solving mindset that would later define his entrepreneurial approach.

Dennis takes us through his educational journey – from earning a scholarship to Moi Forces Academy despite scoring below the typical threshold, to switching from an assigned zoology program to computer science at Rongo University. Along the way, he discovered his passion for hardware development through Science Congress competitions and mentorship at Swahili Box tech hub.

With refreshing candor, Dennis unpacks the failures of his first two business ventures, sharing painful lessons about equity distribution, investor relationships, and the importance of market validation. These experiences set the stage for the creation of Kuza Freezer – a revolutionary cold storage solution that's transforming the fish value chain in coastal Kenya.

By collaborating with local boat makers and embracing bottom-up design, Dennis cut production costs by 50% compared to imported alternatives. This approach not only makes the technology accessible to low-income fishing communities but also enables fishermen to preserve their catch longer and sell at fair market prices instead of at throwaway rates.

The impact of Dennis's innovation has earned him recognition across Africa and beyond, with acceleration programs taking him to India, Germany, Algeria, and South Africa. Yet he remains focused on the immense untapped potential within East Africa before expanding further.

Dennis leaves us with powerful insights about entrepreneurship not being "for the faint-hearted" and the wisdom of building solutions by first understanding community problems. His journey reminds us that with resilience, community understanding, and locally-appropriate technology, we can create sustainable solutions that uplift entire communities.

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Dive into the remarkable journey of Dr. Mthew Egessa, whose path from computer science to blue economy innovation demonstrates the transformative power of purpose-driven technology. Growing up in Western Kenya and navigating his way through the academic world, Mathew's story isn't just about personal achievement—it's a testament to how passion and persistence can create meaningful change in unexpected places.

This conversation explores how Mathew's formative experiences shaped his approach to innovation. From his days teaching in a resource-constrained village school to his time at the prestigious University of Nairobi School of Computing, each chapter of his life contributed to a unique perspective on technology's role in society. Particularly moving is his account of bringing drama and competitive opportunities to underserved students, witnessing firsthand how access and exposure can transform self-belief.

Mathew's work at the Technical University of Mombasa, where he now serves as chairperson of the Management Science Department and leads the Blue Economy Innovation Hub (BayHub), represents a fascinating intersection of academic research and practical innovation. His creation of Vua Solutions, a fintech platform helping small-scale fishers build financial resilience against seasonal income fluctuations, showcases the profound impact simple technologies can have on vulnerable communities.

What makes this episode particularly enlightening is Mathew's nuanced understanding of sustainable development. Rather than pursuing technological innovation or profit maximization alone, his work emphasizes environmental sustainability, financial inclusion, and community empowerment. As he explains the challenges and opportunities within Kenya's blue economy—from sustainable fishing practices to coastal tourism and environmental conservation—listeners gain valuable insights into how contextually appropriate solutions can address complex societal challenges.

Whether you're interested in technology, social entrepreneurship, or sustainable development, Mathew's thoughtful approach to bridging academic knowledge with real-world impact offers inspiration and practical wisdom. Listen now to discover how innovation with purpose can create ripples of positive change across communities.

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🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ke/podcast/impact-masters-podcast/id1652228341
Spotify: https://t.co/zmQxOd6XwG
YouTube Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpRymy-NTwTzg98WpkLJXJbEs3eX_gT7z
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/797ccc7b-d91b-4f09-9d0b-344a3d895692
Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/5637888
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/impact-masters-podcast-4842099

🎤 Guest: Dr. Mathew Egessa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewegessa/
Twitter: https://x.com/MathewEgessa

🎤 Host: Michael Kimathi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkimathi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/m_k_global

📲 Follow Impact Masters:
X (Twitter): https://x.com/ImpactMastersco
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impact-masters-inc/

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Let us know how we are doing

Support the show

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The entrepreneurial journey from campus coder to fintech disruptor comes alive in this compelling conversation with Tom Kimani, founder of Presta. With remarkable candor, Tom reveals how his early fascination with computers transformed into a passion for solving real financial problems across Africa.

Tom's story is rooted in humble beginnings – from growing up near power stations where his father worked, to setting up an impressive workspace in his university days that left his peers in awe. What sets his narrative apart is how he leveraged limited resources to create maximum impact. While other startups chase massive funding rounds, Tom built Presta on the radical notion that "your biggest investor is actually your customer." This customer-first philosophy guided every aspect of his company's growth.

The conversation takes us through the evolution of Presta, which began as a simple digital lending platform and expanded to revolutionize how Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) operate. Tom shares the breakthrough moment when they created a digital loan application system with e-signatures, eliminating the need for physical paperwork and in-person guarantors. This innovation proved especially valuable during COVID when traditional paper-based systems became problematic.

What truly distinguishes this episode is Tom's transparency about the challenges of building a fintech in Africa – from navigating slow decision-making cycles in traditional financial institutions to implementing robust security measures while handling billions in loan disbursements. His insights on hiring ("sometimes you have to hire people and pay them more than you're earning") offer a refreshing perspective on leadership and talent management.

As Presta expands beyond Kenya's borders to Zambia and Botswana, Tom's story reminds us that African solutions can scale continent-wide when entrepreneurs focus on genuine customer needs rather than chasing trends. Whether you're building your first startup or scaling an established business, Tom's journey demonstrates that with passion, persistence, and a deep understanding of local markets, African entrepreneurs can create technology that transforms lives.

Ready to be inspired by the next generation of African tech innovators? Subscribe now and join our community of forward-thinking listeners passionate about technology's role in shaping Africa's future.

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Support the show

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Dive into a rich conversation in this episode that encapsulates the journey from telecommunications to the era of artificial intelligence. Our guest shares captivating stories from his early experiences navigating the traditional telecom landscape, recounting the challenges of making phone calls using payphones and the inefficiencies he faced. This exploration leads to his pursuit of electrical engineering and ultimately transitioning to telecommunications at Multimedia University.

Throughout the episode, you’ll discover how the intersection of personal experience and professional ambition has equipped him with the knowledge needed to propel social change. His commitment to empowering communities became evident as he actively participated in volunteer initiatives like teaching coding in Kibera, aiming to equip the next generation with essential skills.

The conversation then shifts towards entrepreneurship, with a focus on innovative projects that aim to address social issues. He elaborates on building platforms that cater to the needs of refugees, emphasizing the significance of technology in delivering meaningful solutions.

As AI continues to reshape industries, our guest articulates the immense potential that lies ahead - framing AI not as a looming threat but as an invaluable complement to human effort. The dialogue encourages listeners to embrace risk, prioritize training, and innovate while considering ethical implications as they navigate this evolving landscape.

This episode not only inspires those interested in tech but also invites an invigorating discussion about our collective future. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights. Subscribe now, and let’s explore how we can build a more connected and innovative world.

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