Join us in this riveting episode as we dive into the extraordinary journey of Benjamin, the founder and CEO of NALA, one of the fastest-growing fintech companies focused on building infrastructure for emerging markets. From humorous encounters with the police to the hustle of raising funds after a major co-founder setback, Benjamin's story is one of resilience, innovation, and faith.

Discover how he transitioned from being a TV host in Tanzania to creating a fintech powerhouse through sheer determination and a vision to make financial services more equitable across Africa and beyond. Don't miss Benjamin's inspiring insights on building a personal brand, navigating regulatory challenges, and the critical role of customer focus in scaling a startup. This is an episode packed with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and founders alike.

00:00 Introduction and Unexpected Encounter

00:14 Journey to YCombinator and Co-Founder Crisis

00:28 Building NALA: Overcoming Doubts and Challenges

00:38 Navigating Emerging Markets and Africa's Perception

01:08 Faith and Founding NALA

01:55 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

05:01 Customer Stories and Early Struggles

06:48 From TV Personality to FinTech Founder

09:45 Business School Hustle and Early NALA Days

14:35 Pivots and Persistence: The Road to Success

28:02 The Turning Point: From Angel Checks to VC Rejections

28:24 Building the Dream Team: Key Hires and Strategic Moves

30:00 Navigating the Pandemic: Pivots and Challenges

32:56 Facing Doubts: Investor Skepticism and Self-Belief

34:25 Dilemmas and Decisions: Expansion vs. Depth

38:20 The Evolution of RAFIKI: From Consumer to Infrastructure

44:16 Compliance and Scaling: Navigating Global Regulations

46:48 Talent and Team Building: Finding the Right People

49:41 Positioning and Perception: Building a Global Business from Africa

56:55 Reflections and Advice: Bold Moves and Key Resources

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Youtube: https://youtu.be/b6NGIGCT-Tk

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