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‘Madame Statistics’ Champions Inclusive Financial Growth to End Poverty
Throughout her distinguished career in the heart of London’s financial hub, Modupe Ladipo honed her skills at renowned institutions such as ABN AMRO, Credit Suisse, and the London Stock Exchange.
In this episode of Global Innovators, we explore the captivating journey of this true trailblazer who has seamlessly transitioned from the dynamic financial landscape of the UK to her homeland, Nigeria.
There, she has emerged as a pioneering expert in financial inclusion, acting as a catalyst for the significant increase in the country’s banking penetration among adults – from 21% in 2008 to an impressive 52% by 2023, according to EFInA A2F surveys conducted in both years.
Based in Africa since 2008, she’s become a driving force in leveraging the power of data to empower individuals and nations, unlocking their full potential. She currently serves as the Founder & CEO of Prosperar Development Consulting.
Her notable contributions in Africa include setting up EFInA, partially funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, highlighting her dedication to addressing pervasive poverty — a significant barrier to global development.
In this episode, Ladipo reflects on the intricacies of her career, challenging cultural norms and finding her distinctive voice. Join us for an inspirational narrative of shattering barriers and catalyzing transformative change in Africa and beyond.
Emirati Filmmaker Uses Horror To Reveal Deep Truths About A Changing Arab Society
Hana Kazim, a pioneering writer, producer, and director, leverages her unique upbringing to confront challenges and taboo subjects head-on. Having recently launched the Middle East’s first production company dedicated to horror, the Dubai-native honed her craft at Image Nation, an Academy Award-winning film studio, and co-directed an Arab folklore series for one of the region’s largest streamers. As the driving force behind Wiswas Productions, Kazim is now on a mission to breathe fresh air into a film genre that is often overlooked in modern-day Gulf countries, while providing powerful social commentary along the way. Harnessing the power of storytelling, she aims to reveal profound truths about a society in flux while also inspiring a fresh wave of women filmmakers to claim their rightful place behind the lens.
How Trailblazing Restauranteur Built the Gulf’s Most Sustainable Restaurant
Omar Shihab is a management consultant turned restaurateur who has emerged as a leading voice within the UAE’s F&B sector. As the charismatic General Manager of BOCA, he has reimagined modern European cuisine through the use of local, home-grown ingredients in a desert region that imports the majority of its food. This unique approach, coupled with carefully tracking the restaurant’s carbon footprint, has earned Omar top awards for his pioneering business model that offers a bold blueprint for the wider industry.
Digital Nomad's Mission to Change the World Through Agritech
Henry Gordon-Smith is a blogger turned entrepreneur who is on a mission to transform agriculture through the use of technology. Having spent his early years in Hong Kong, Henry grew up with a deep sense of appreciation for how busy urban spaces can coexist alongside thriving nature. It’s a passion that not only sparked an interest in sustainable living but also eventually led him down the road of creating what he hails as the world’s first urban agricultural consultancy, covering areas such as vertical farming, hydroponics, or greenhouses. As the Founder and CEO of Agritecture, he advises farmers around the world on how to increase their crop yields using the latest technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. It’s a concept that has struck a chord with tech-savvy clients from Texas to Riyadh who are looking to maximize their produce at a time when natural resources are growing increasingly scarce. Though business is stable, Henry has faced many challenges in recent years, including trying to bounce back from the impact of Covid-19, which he describes as the most challenging time of his life. Deeply concerned about the future of our planet, Henry is working hard to make a difference through his own actions and is a strong believer in bringing people together through agriculture. His company has worked with displaced Syrian refugees and is currently developing a comprehensive urban agriculture plan for the city of Dallas.
Photo © Ryan Pavlovich
Real Estate Disruptor Bets on Co-Living in the Desert
When Bass Ackermann arrived in the UAE as a young expatriate, he experienced firsthand the challenges of finding affordable housing due to the steep upfront payments typically required when securing a place to live.
Now, the South African-born real estate executive is gearing up to launch an exciting new co-living concept aimed at solving this problem by eliminating excessive deposits, while also offering a flexible approach that could prove ideal for digital nomads in the Gulf.
The inspiration behind HIVE Coliv, which combines modern living with community spaces, dawned on Bass after spending his early career on large developments that he felt sometimes lacked market demand.
Having worked tirelessly to bring HIVE to life, he hopes it will resonate in the Middle East’s leading business hub, which has embraced hybrid work models as part of its goal to attract top global talent. Bass believes these factors could make it a huge success, particularly because of its disruptive approach aimed at combating urban loneliness and providing the flexibility he longed for over a decade ago.
Meet the Woman Banking the ‘Unbankable’
Katharine Budd, the visionary co-founder of Now Money, a dynamic Dubai-based startup, is revolutionizing the landscape of mobile finance, especially in growth sectors resilient to the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Since its inception in 2016, Now Money’s digital platform has facilitated over 1 million transactions, empowering low-wage migrant workers with access to essential financial services, a fundamental right the company passionately upholds.
Traditionally marginalized from conventional banking channels, this demographic now enjoys the convenience of receiving salaries and sending money to loved ones abroad with unparalleled ease. This transformative impact has propelled Now Money into the spotlight, earning recognition in prestigious publications such as Forbes Middle East and the Financial Times.
Fuelled by their success and driven by a commitment to inclusivity, Katharine and her dedicated team are embarking on an ambitious expansion journey across the Gulf region. This strategic move coincides with the World Bank’s projection of the global remittance market to low- and middle-income countries, estimated to surpass $589 billion by the close of 2021. Such robust growth, defying the broader economic recession spurred by the pandemic, underscores the pivotal role Now Money plays in reshaping financial accessibility on a global scale.