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💫Exciting Launch Announcement💫 Only 5% of Africa's trained AI talent can afford to access GPUs, the essential instrument for building competitive AI solutions. So no matter how many people we train or how much data we gather, we continue to hit the compute roadblock for true innovation to take place. As Keyzom Ngodup Massally said, history was made in 1945 when the United Nations Charter was drafted in San Francisco to give birth to the United Nations. So it was pretty historic that yesterday, in San Francisco, the UNDP and the Italian G7 presidency launched its Africa AI Hub for Sustainable Development. Celina Lee and I worked with the UNDP team to publish this primer on Africa AI Compute, explaining the key investment that can rid Africa off its compute roadblock and push the continent to the next stage of its AI revolution. Africa is estimated to need $2.5B in investments by 2030 to plug its "compute gap". Together with our budding coalition, we proposed a $15m program to initiate this flywheel and bring Africa closer to becoming the "use case capital of AI for the world". 👉🏾 Read more https://lnkd.in/gvYssmiH Great working with you Tonee Ndungu, Robin A. Miller Omar Jagne, Sharon Machira, Houda Ghozzi, PhD Alliance4ai, Ahura AI and others contributing to this cause.

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Have you ever wondered why, despite all efforts, a product still doesn't hit the mark? The success of a product is not necessarily tied to the quality of the work the teams do. They can do extensive product discovery, design beautiful interfaces ,and write flawless code using the latest tech stack & infrastructure. Yet, the product still fails. Why does this happen? The main reason is that teams operate in silos, with hand-offs from one team to another. Information is also siloed. Designers hold the user insights, stakeholders have their agendas, and engineers understand technical capabilities and constraints. This isolation leads to a lack of context and clarity and, ultimately, misalignment. To make things worse, feedback loops are broken. Insights from sales, support, and other customer-facing roles don’t reach the design and development teams to inform decisions. In theory, the product manager should bridge these gaps—connecting business stakeholders, design, and engineering teams while representing the customer. They should work at a strategic level with the business and at a tactical level with delivery teams. In practice, that does not happen. When so much information gets routed through product managers, some is lost or misinterpreted. One-on-one meetings—the primary method PMs use to communicate across teams— only add to the inefficiency and information loss, leading to compromise instead of alignment. The solution is simple: Get everyone in the same room. While this is common sense, it rarely happens. Product managers aren’t typically trained to facilitate these kinds of collaborative meetings. This is where structured workshops like #DesignSprints (tactical) and #ProblemFraming (strategic) make a huge difference. The best part? Adopting these methods doesn’t require an extensive Agile transformation or a disruption of current workflows. Teams can keep working as they normally do, but now they’ll be able to contribute to decisions, share their perspectives, and gain clarity on what needs to be done. So, it's time to break down the silos—let's get everyone in the same room. Design Sprint Academy

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🚨 [AI POLICY UPDATE] 🇳🇬 Nigeria releases its "National AI Strategy," and it's a must-read for everyone in AI governance. Quotes: "Nigeria and the broader African continent possess some of the most distinctive and compelling challenges and opportunities that AI could address. From optimising agriculture in diverse climates to improving public health infrastructure, locally developed AI solutions, adapted to local realities, are far better equipped to solve these challenges than externally imposed models created for an entirely different context and people. Therefore, developing a homegrown AI strategy that provides Nigeria with a clear roadmap for AI application will catalyse relevant innovation and aid in rebalancing power structures. This presents a massive opportunity for Nigeria to play as the leader of AI in Africa. (...)" (page 11) - "Formulating effective strategies for fostering a thriving AI ecosystem in Nigeria necessitates a critical and introspective approach. Understanding the interplay between internal strengths, like a youthful population and budding technology sector, and external factors, such as global trends and market demands, is paramount. By identifying these elements, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs can leverage Nigeria's unique potential in the international AI landscape. Recognising internal weaknesses, such as infrastructure deficiencies and lacking skilled personnel, allows for targeted interventions to bridge these gaps. Capitalising on emerging opportunities presented by the AI revolution can unlock significant economic growth and societal benefits for Nigeria.(...)" (page 14) - "Access to quality data is fundamental to developing robust and reliable AI systems. Unfortunately, Nigeria faces significant challenges with data across collection, quality, availability, and accessibility. On data collection, a 2020 report by the World Bank titled "Nigeria Digital Economy Diagnostic" (22), revealed that Nigeria has a low data collection rate. This implies a need for more data in various sectors, hindering the development of AI models that could address critical issues in significant sectors. Additionally, the quality of available data is another crucial issue. Many datasets in Nigeria suffer from inaccuracies, incompleteness, and a lack of standardisation. This data quality needs to be improved to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of AI algorithms, which require clean and accurate data to function optimally. Even when data is available, they must be more cohesive and consistent." (page 36) ➡ Read the full document below. ➡ To stay up to date with the latest developments in AI policy & regulation, join 31,900+ people who subscribe to my weekly newsletter (link below). #AI #AIGovernance #AIRegulation #AICompliance #Nigeria

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MVPM: Minimum Viable Product Manager Dos and Don'ts for every PM Day 2 of 60 - PM Roadmap by Carl Vellotti Study Material Link: https://lnkd.in/ezKfseWA Creator: https://lnkd.in/eBgmqDYC Q1. Think about the three key concepts/skills mentioned in the article for a generalist Product Manager. Which one do you think you need to focus on the most and why? A1. Product Management at the heart will always be a generalist role. Yes specialisations exist, and yes industry expertise exists - but at the root, a good PM will always have to be versatile and multi-disciplinary to an extent. As for what skill needs the most focus to start with? - Project Management……BUT not in the way you may think. The article doesn’t really talk about three core aspects behind a day to day for a PM - communication, documentation, and prioritisation. And since learning how to PjM well teaches you these 3 things as well - hence my answer is PjM. If you’re good at comms, docs, and, prio - you WILL be good at any other skills mentioned in the article. Q2. The article mentions that knowing the stack, system architecture, and data model can help a Product Manager make better decisions and trade-offs. Do you think these skills are essential for every Product Manager or are there other skills that are more important? A2. So these ‘skills’ were part of the ‘Technology’ section. There is merit to understanding how tech stacks work, but as far as architecture and data models go - I really don’t think it's a must have for the MVPM. Most consumer product focused companies would rather have the PM focus more on the customer, business, and UX side than worry about how the architecture is laid out. So unless a specific role calls for it - just understanding the basic tech stacks is the go to skill ‘every’ PM should have. Lastly, I would have preferred to see ‘asking tech questions’ as its own skill. It’s briefly mentioned under tech stack learning, but I see it as a standalone skill. Asking the right (not stupid?) questions and holding a discussion with the tech team in a tech literate way, is a really good skill to have. As you PM, over time you will need to build your Tech-BS meter, knowing what questions to ask, and more importantly, what answers to expect - is a skill that will keep you on the same page with tech teams. Q3. How can you use the concepts from this article in your approach to learning as a Product Manager? A3. My favorite part of this article were the ‘where you shouldn’t focus’ section. Time and time again, I see a lot of PMs focusing on the wrong things that don’t really matter at the end of the day. PMs already do a lot of diverse tasks. I think it’s easier to list what NOT to do VS what a PM should be doing. So starting soon, I will be creating perhaps a list of things that I definitely shouldn’t be doing as a PM. _______________________ Context behind this post: https://lnkd.in/e7ZQefjS

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The First Principles of Product Management Day 3 of 60 - PM Roadmap by Carl Vellotti Study Material Link: https://lnkd.in/ezKfseWA Creator: https://lnkd.in/eBgmqDYC Q1.  After reading this article, what is one assumption or proposition that you previously held about product management that has been challenged or reinforced by the author's first principles approach? A1.  “When a PM is coding, writing support documents, or designing the product……They’re acting out their values as an employee of the company, not as a PM” Being a jack of all trades is fine and all, even I used to be proud of being considered one, but the harsh reality is that when it comes to managing a Product, you have to stick to your lane and get objectives accomplished through others. Being the jack helps you talk to other trades, but don’t for one moment confuse you’re gonna get everything done alone. “If an engineer happens to also be good at marketing and that’s what’s blocking the team, they should jump in and help. But that doesn’t make them a better engineer.” - far too many companies need to understand this concept. Q2. The author argues that product management is responsible for defining the product strategy, but not for directly building or operating the product for customers. Do you agree with this distinction? Why or why not? A2. I mean, I do agree with this distinction - but the issue is that the ground reality is quite different. I think PM is culturally a very different role depending on where you work - in the West, it’s more strategic and hence the article aligns well with that mindset BUT in the East (especially in emerging regions) - PM role has higher expectations. Is it the right thing? I am not so sure. All I know is that strategy should always be the first priority and if needed, the PM should help out with building or operating the Product for customers if feasible. The AirBnB kerfuffle last year already showed how the modern PM is expected to be a PMM as well. And this will keep happening with time. Then the recent trend of all ex PMs going consultant also shows that at job PMs are just tired of additional non strategic responsibilities. This situation is ever evolving and we have yet to see the end point for it - but I do believe that with time the PM (especially at constrained companies) will be taking on execution and operation responsibilities as well to some extent. Q3. How will you apply the principles of maximizing impact to the mission and accomplishing everything through others in your own work as a product manager? What specific steps will you take to ensure that your team is aligned around the company's broader mission and goals? Answer in comments as I hit post limit with my rambling. _______________________ Context behind this post: https://lnkd.in/e7ZQefjS

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A masterclass by Feyi Olubodun in product management that every product manager and product designer must watch, especially if building for the African market, market outside your own, or any market really. Understanding the cultural context, customer pain points, and grassroots-level product growth. "The only person that cares about your product... is you" "The only thing consumers care about is themselves, and their problem" "You as startup founders and owners, need to think of the problem that your target consumer is having. That problem is what you must marry. Your idea or product, you date them. If they don't solve the consumer problem, you break up!" Pretty great anology, to make a vital point about concept that most fail to understand. This post doesn’t do it justice. Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/gW4HrqGH Techpoint Africa

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🌟 Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the AI Expo Africa and engage in a fascinating conversation with Isheanesu Misi, the Chief Technology Officer at Vambo AI | Multilingual Intelligence . 🌍🤖 We explored the groundbreaking work Vambo AI is doing in the realm of Multilingual Intelligence. Their platform empowers users to harness advanced AI capabilities in their native languages. 🔹 Indigenous Language AI: Vambo AI enables seamless communication and creativity across languages. Whether you're sending professional emails, crafting engaging essays, or creating impactful social media posts, Vambo AI has got you covered. 🔹 Translate: Effortlessly translate documents and messages while preserving the true essence of your text. 🔹 Search: Dive into the vast ocean of online knowledge with ease, as Vambo AI simplifies complex concepts in the language you understand best. Curious to learn more? Visit Vambo AI to explore their innovative solutions. 🚀 -> vambo.ai Chido Dzinotyiwei #AI #MultilingualIntelligence #VamboAI #LanguageAI #Innovation

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🚀 Product Managers: Is your role empowering or limiting you? New insights reveal stark differences in how companies treat PM roles. From decision-making authority to career growth opportunities, your experience might vary wildly from your peers. We have just published an article exploring: • The impact of role definition on product success • Key insights from industry discussions • Practical steps for PMs feeling undervalued Whether you're a seasoned PM or aspiring to be one, understanding these variations is crucial for your career. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gwrhwPDe #ProductManagement #CareerGrowth #TechIndustry 

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You'ld never tell how many early stage startups (or corporate product teams) I work with deal with massive strategy and coordination challenges just because they don't have these three essential elements: a clear Product/Platform Model, a high-tempo validation and testing capability and a Growth Model (after PM fit). Check out this quick guide for early stage teams I wrote with Luca Ruggeri for the Boundaryless blog! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dPZwFNhj

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Google for Startups Growth Academy: #AI for #Education is underway! From an impressive pool of over 600 applicants from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, 21 startups have been selected for their innovative use of AI to enhance learning. Special shout out to the local Israeli selected for the program: Jotit, revolutionizing learning methodologies by integrating traditional and digital education and Wilco, providing an immersive software training platform. Over the next three months, these startups will be supported with growth strategies, international expansion plans, and access to Google tools to help them scale and innovate responsibly. Let the learning begin! Yuval Passov | Marta Mozes | Noam Feinstein | Dikla Matias | Doriel Shilo | Alon Carmel 🎗️ | Shem Magnezi | David Bleicher #GoogleForStartups #GrowthAcademy #startups

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Venture Capital and Startup Innovation in Africa The venture capital scene in Africa is increasingly vibrant, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovative business models. Despite a cautious approach, investors are actively seeking startups that not only present strong business strategies but also address critical issues effectively. This dynamic shift in investment priorities highlights the growing importance of sustainable development and innovation in shaping the future of Africa's economic landscape. Ventures Africa. #VentureCapital #Startups #Innovation #Sustainability #AfricaBusiness

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The Intersection of Product Management and Innovation Product management and innovation—two concepts often discussed separately—are deeply intertwined in practice, as highlighted in Pragmatic Institute's 2024 State of Product Management and Marketing Report. This intersection is not just an academic idea; it’s the cornerstone of creating tools, processes, and teams that thrive in a rapidly changing market. Why Does This Matter? Tools Built for Purpose: The report shows that 78% of companies with significant revenue growth have integrated AI into their products. This underscores how innovation in technology drives strategic product decisions, enabling companies to enhance efficiency and customer value simultaneously. However, achieving this requires product teams to not only adopt new tools like generative AI but also to ensure these innovations align with solving customer pain points. Processes Aligned with Strategy: Many product managers (63%) still spend excessive time on tactical tasks like email and meetings, leaving less room for customer discovery and strategic planning. Balancing innovation with day-to-day execution demands a reimagined workflow—one that incorporates predictive analytics, rapid prototyping, and agile methodologies to prioritize impactful work. People Who Lead Change: The report also highlights the growing demand for hybrid skill sets, such as prompt engineering and ethical AI decision-making, over traditional technical programming skills. This shift emphasizes that the future of product innovation isn’t just about tools but about empowering people with the right skills to navigate complex ecosystems. The Takeaway for Leaders To truly leverage the synergy of product management and innovation, organizations must foster an environment where: Product managers are decision-makers, not just executors. Innovation is a team sport, driven by cross-functional collaboration and shared goals. Learning and upskilling are prioritized, enabling teams to adapt to emerging technologies like AI responsibly and effectively. By investing in the intersection of these fields, businesses don’t just keep pace—they lead the charge. Let's make 2024 the year we elevate product management into the strategic innovation engine it’s destined to be. What are your thoughts? How is your organization embracing this crucial overlap? Let’s discuss! https://lnkd.in/geF_CxDD #ProductManagement #Innovation #AIIntegration #Leadership

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Exciting investment news to Kenya (and Africa) from Microsoft and G42: https://lnkd.in/eff9J2s8 Encouraging to see our Microsoft's #AIforGoodLab efforts are recognized and posed to play a key role. Snapshot from the news release: "... Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab in Nairobi will use AI technology to work with nonprofit organizations and other partners to help address economic and societal priorities across East Africa. This will include work to enhance food security by using advanced AI techniques to make site-specific fertilizer recommendations that increase agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. It will also include support for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), using AI high-resolution satellite data to monitor and reduce water risks for downstream wildlife and communities in northern Kenya. In addition, collaborating with the Kenya Red Cross Society, Kenya Space Agency and National Disaster Management Unit, the AI for Good Lab will work to improve climate resilience by applying AI models to high-resolution satellite data for both disaster preparedness and disaster response. And in collaboration with the Smithsonian and Kenya Wildlife Trust, the Lab will use high-resolution satellite imagery and AI to monitor wildlife populations and track livestock expansion near protected areas in East Africa ..." Kenya Space Agency Charles Mwangi Kenya Red Cross Philip Thigo, MBS Phyllis Migwi Catherine Muraga Akua Gyekye Malcolm Kijirah The Nature Conservancy Smithsonian Institution Kenya Wildlife Trust Planet #AI #Kenya #Africa

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🌍 Building Global Tech Teams? Why Africa Might Be Your Secret Weapon💡 🤔 Imagine this: You’re a senior manager at a fast-growing startup, and your product roadmap is ambitious, but there’s a problem... you just can’t find the right tech talent locally. Sound familiar? 🤔 😎 What if I told you the perfect solution could be in Africa? 🇰🇪 😎 💠 Here’s why African IT talent is a game-changer for startups: 💼 A growing hub of expertise – Africa , in particular, is producing highly skilled developers, data scientists, and engineers who are already working with global companies. 🖥️ Remote-ready professionals – Many African IT professionals are experienced in remote work, making them agile and easy to integrate into your team from day one. 💡 Cost-efficient without compromising on quality – High-quality talent at a fraction of the cost you’d expect in more traditional markets. It’s the smart choice for startups with big dreams and lean budgets. 🔑 My role? I help startups like yours tap into this incredible pool of talent, connecting you with the right IT professionals from Kenya and Africa, whether you’re looking for remote hires or talent willing to relocate. Ready to explore how African tech talent can elevate your startup? Let’s chat! 💬 #GlobalTechTeams #RemoteWork #AfricanTalent #KenyaDevelopers #ITRecruitment #StartUpGrowth #TechHiring

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No visit to Benin's tech ecosystem would be complete without acknowledging one of the most active and influential tech companies in the region – Gozem - Africa's Super App. Founded by Emeka Ajene, Gregory Costamagna and Raphael Dana in Togo, Gozem has truly impacted the region with the introduction of the first super app in Benin. 🚀 Gozem's platform offers a diverse range of services tailored to the needs of its customers: 🛵 Motorcycle-taxis 🚗 Car-taxis 🚜 Tricycle-taxis 🍔 Food delivery 📦 Parcel delivery 💸 Financial services The impact of Gozem is undeniable, with an impressive network of over 12 thousand drivers across West and Central Africa, transforming the way people move and conduct business. I can't wait to see how Gozem continues to innovate and lead in this space, setting a benchmark for tech excellence in the region. To learn more about my experience in Benin, you can watch my recent documentary on the tech ecosystem in Benin using the link below: https://lnkd.in/edUqB_Ch This project wouldn't have been possible without my official sponsors, Kora, a pan-African payment infrastructure offering a robust payment API for payment collections, and disbursements for businesses across Africa. Kora’s services enable global companies to scale rapidly on the continent. With a single integration, Kora powers businesses to accept payments (cards, mobile money, and bank transfers). Kora also powers payouts and settlements across multiple countries. To get started, visit Kora's website: www.korahq.com

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From the margins of the UN Summit For The Future, Aubra Anthony, Jane Munga and Sharmista Appaya highlight critical factors required to positively shape AI on the continent: Expertise, Infrastructure, Coordination, and Data with at least two of the four requiring significant financing. With multiple priorities from health to education, from agriculture to climate change, the question is: where does the money come from? Public funds? Many states are struggling with debt repayment. Philanthropy? Primarily focused on climate and health. There may be a different way to think about the financing problem. Data has enormous value, and people generate the most valuable data. A micro-payment system for data generation could supplement income for millions and generate value. If this was coupled with non-personal data locked up in government institutions, perhaps sufficient value could be "unlocked" to attract financing and power AI in Africa. Brian Omwenga Ibrahim Dikko Eleanor Carey Eleanor Sarpong Arjun Pant Chris Tullis Maryana Iskander Tayo Akinyemi Henrietta Bankole-Olusina Ethel Cofie Natalie Paida Jabangwe, MBA DIC Toki Mabogunje Djeinaba Kane Nalongo L. Nshuti Mbabazi Sabine Mensah Shikoh Gitau

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So, I came across the screenshot below and decided to write more on it. Here's me complimenting: While companies like Tesla often grab the spotlight, the truth is that most successful technologies don't become popular by themselves, even in Africa's growing tech industry. Take M-Pesa in Kenya, for example. Although it changed the way people handle money, its success was largely due to Safaricom's smart marketing strategies. In the same way, Nigeria's Paystack didn't become $200 million in company valuation just because its product was great. It grew because it reached out to small businesses and formed key partnerships. These examples show that marketing is more than just ads. It's about smart positioning, educating people, and showing the value of a product. Many promising innovations in Africa don't succeed because they lack effective marketing. The key takeaway? Great ideas are just the start. Strategic marketing—whether obvious or not—is crucial for turning Africa's best tech ideas into widely adopted successes. William E. Daxon WED

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Founders in B2B and PMs building new products, this is for you. I will not debate the definition of MVP. In fact, I will argue, don't think in terms of MVP. Think in terms of assumptions or risk you want to validate. In today's (long) article, I share what your product risks are and how to experiment (including many examples). Link below. In my coaching/advising, I go through this dialogue. PM: What should be the MVP? Me: Depends. What is your hypothesis to test? PM: What should be the hypothesis? Me: Depends. What is the biggest assumption or risk on which you are banking your product on? Don't start to build an MVP. Test your assumptions first. Instead of asking what my MVP should be, first ask what is your biggest assumption. When you are starting out as a new startup or even building a new product in an existing company, you are making assumptions. Your assumptions are roughly in this order : ➡️ Is there a customer need? ➡️ Is this a one off need for a few people or a need for many? ➡️ Is this a high priority need? ➡️ Will they actually use it? Will users change habits? ➡️ Will it actually work and provide value? ➡️ Can we build it ? Profitably ? ➡️ Can we scale GTM? These are the starting assumptions at least for new products. For existing products, there are other risks like retention risk, competitive risk, economic risk etc. Bringing a new product to market carries risks throughout its life cycle. As a founder or a product manager, you need to be aware of these risks. When you start a new product, the biggest risk is if there is even a customer need. As you progress in your products journey, your risk profile changes. At any given point of time there is one assumption that is the riskiest. And that’s the risk you want to test for. Once you test for that, then move to the next riskiest item. So instead of asking what your MVP should be, ask Assumption : What’s the biggest assumption or risk is at this time? Hypothesis : Create a hypothesis based on that assumption. Experiment: Design the lowest cost experiment. Be creative. There are many ways to cheaply experiment and prove your hypothesis. You don’t have to build something at this stage. See my examples in this article. https://bit.ly/4dW83Im -------------------------------------- Are you a startup founder in B2B or a PM looking for ways to creatively test assumptions? I can help. We can start with a call. Calendly link inside the article.

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