We Investigated Africa's Silicon Valley (It's not what we expected!)

So Africa powers two-thirds of all mobile money, but you still think tech only comes from Silicon Valley? I'm Chaymae, and I'm uncovering global case studies they missed, in plain sight. Hit subscribe to support our show! When people think “tech,” they picture Silicon Valley. But in Lagos, Nairobi, Kigali, something entirely different is happening. Not copycat apps or delivery startups shaving off a minute, but real solutions: mobile banking for the unbanked, solar power for homes off the grid, drones delivering blood to remote hospitals. So we dug into: The untold story of Africa’s Silicon Valleys Why cultural pressure is the biggest startup challenge no one talks about And how African entrepreneurs are writing a new playbook for global innovation If you're building anything outside of the West, this one’s for you. Timestamps: 00:00 – Africa’s not catching up, it’s leapfrogging 00:29 – The pressure to build is real 01:35 – Is Africa the next tech frontier? 03:42 – Africa's rise & its challenges 06:53 – The fear of failure is constant 07:30 – Build a startup or support your family? 08:04 – Who’s funding Africa’s tech future? 09:09 – The role of government 09:55 – Will Africa own its tech future, or be owned? In Plain Sight is a show uncovering the business lessons, AI shifts and global stories hiding in plain sight, the ones traditional media often misses. Each episode dives deep into overlooked companies, untapped markets, and bold ideas at the intersection of business, tech, and culture. You can find me on Instagram here   / chaymaesamir   On TikTok here   / chaymaesamir   Get our newsletters, loved by the world's best founders, companies + funds: https://www.third.club More about me + my work: https://www.chaymaesamir.com — Made it this far down? You’re exactly who In Plain Sight is for. Please consider subscribing to support our work. Every new subscriber makes my team do a dance and helps us make the next episode.