Pure Digital Passion with Moses Kemibaro

• Episode 162 - Affordable eSIM Mobile Data Roaming For Kenyan & African Travellers with Mandeep Birdi & Peter Lubia

  Tired of shocking data roaming bills after your travels? The eSIM revolution is here to put an end to that. In this episode of the Pure Digital Passion podcast, I sit down with Mandeep Birdi, CEO of RoamBuddy, and Peter Lubia, CEO of Flexicom Enterprises, to unpack how eSIM technology is making global connectivity affordable and seamless for travelers from Kenya and across Africa.We dive deep into their groundbreaking partnership and the landmark deal with Kenya Airways to launch the KQ Safari Data plan. This is a conversation about the end of the physical SIM card and the future of mobile connectivity.In this episode, we cover:(01:53) What is an eSIM? Mandeep Birdi explains the fundamentals of this 100% digital SIM and how it's installed.(03:33) Apple's Big Move: How the new eSIM-only iPhones are accelerating the global shift away from physical SIM cards.(05:55) A Practical Guide: Peter Lubia walks through the simple, step-by-step process of getting an eSIM before you travel.(08:09) The Global-Local Partnership: We break down the innovative model between RoamBuddy and Flexicom that's bringing this technology to Kenya.(11:12) Benefits Beyond Travel: Exploring the enhanced security, flexibility, and environmental advantages of eSIMs.(21:57) Africa's eSIM Opportunity: Why the continent is a fertile ground for this technology, leapfrogging legacy systems.(31:20) The Inside Story: How the landmark partnership with Kenya Airways to launch KQ Safari Data came to be.(35:24) Solving Corporate Travel: A look at the enterprise solutions that eliminate the nightmare of roaming expenses for businesses.(47:24) How to Get Connected: A clear call to action for individual travelers and businesses who want to start using or partnering on eSIMs.(56:18) The Future of Connectivity: Will the physical SIM card become a museum artifact? Our guests share their predictions.Connect with our guests:RoamBuddy: https://www.roambuddy.worldFlexicom Enterprises: https://esim.flexicom.co.keKQ Safari Data: https://www.kqsafaridata.com

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• Episode 161 - Charting Africa’s Digital Transformation with Balancing Act's CEO Russell Southwood

  In this episode, I sit down with Russell Southwood, CEO of Balancing Act and author of Africa 2.0 and the Africa Interconnection Report 2025, to unpack 20+ years of telecoms, internet, data centres, AI, and policy across the continent. We go from Celtel and M-PESA to today’s cloud & AI wave—and the human and cultural factors that make (or break) adoption.Chapters00:00 Intro01:30 Russell’s origin story (SOAS, Kenya at 7, early digital influences)07:18 Founding Balancing Act & the weekly Africa telecoms newsletter10:33 Lessons from the books (Less Walk, More Talk; Africa 2.0)17:53 E-commerce’s long runway & the digital divide (2G ↔ smartphones)21:28 Extending rural coverage (AMN, iSat, Vanu, Neuron & more)27:22 Data centers, cloud & AI — key takeaways from the Interconnection Report33:29 OTT regulation: innovation vs. control, free speech, shutdowns37:26 Broadband today, cable resilience & the rise of home internet40:45 Startups that last: solving real problems, not just raising rounds43:51 Government, talent & delivery (why execution matters)45:23 Looking ahead: energy constraints, AI realism & practical optimism53:20 ClosingWhat you’ll learnHow people—not pipes—ultimately drive tech adoption in AfricaWhy data centres are reshaping the ecosystem (IXPs, neutrality, sovereignty)How to balance OTT regulation without stifling free speech or innovationThe real blockers: literacy, energy, policy capture—and what’s changingHow enduring African startups think about users, utility, and scaleAbout Russell SouthwoodCEO, Balancing Act. Veteran analyst of African telecoms, internet & media. Author of Africa 2.0, Less Walk, More Talk, and lead author of the Africa Interconnection Report 2025.Enjoyed this?👍 Like the podcast💬 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments🔔 Subscribe to Pure Digital Passion for more conversations on Kenya's and Africa’s digital transformation

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• Episode 160 - PAMRO Conference 2025 Preview: Joe Otin & Maggie Ireri On Trust, Truth & The Future of African Media

  In this episode of the Pure Digital Passion Podcast, I got an exclusive preview of the landmark 25th Annual PAMRO Media Research Conference, which returns to Nairobi after a 16-year hiatus.I was joined by two industry titans and key members of the conference organizing committee: Joe Otin (CEO, The Collective & Former PAMRO President) and Maggie Ireri (CEO, TIFA Research). They discussed the critical theme of "Trust and Truth" in today's media landscape, sharing their personal journeys with PAMRO and unpacking why this event is the most important gathering for media owners, marketers, agencies, and researchers in Africa this year.Key topics include:The significance of PAMRO's homecoming to Nairobi.Why "Trust and Truth" is the industry's most urgent conversation in the age of AI.The direct link between media research, advertising spend, and commercial success.The future of media measurement and the challenge of Big Tech.An inside look at the high-level speakers, panels, and networking opportunities.This is your ultimate guide to understanding the challenges and opportunities facing the African media industry today.Just a few slots remain for the conference! Do not miss the opportunity to join this conversation and enjoy the experience.Register for the PAMRO 2025 Conference (Sept 14th to 16th, Nairobi): https://pamro.org/pamro-25th-annual-conference/For Further Information:Contact PAMRO 2025 on +254 722 675 908

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• Episode 159 - Unlocking Kenya's & Africa’s IoT Potential with Fahrettin Oylum of Teknopalas & Doğuş Teknoloji

  In this episode of Pure Digital Passion, I speak with Fahrettin Oylum, the Co-Founder of Teknopalas and senior executive at Doğuş Teknoloji—two technology leaders from Turkey that are bringing their bold, future-focused vision of IoT and RFID transformation to Kenya and the wider African region.Teknopalas has been at the cutting edge of UHF RFID and IoT since 2005. Fahrettin walks us through their innovation journey, including:✅ Being one of the first 50 IoT companies globally, and the first in Turkey✅ Launching patented solutions like the UHF RFID library system and real-time IoT vehicle protocols✅ Building RFIDMarket.com, the largest IoT hardware marketplace globally✅ Developing their unified, cloud-native IoT platform integrating RFID, Bluetooth, Lora, and moreBut this is more than just a technology story. It’s about digital transformation with impact. Teknopalas and Doğuş Teknoloji, in partnership with Techmind Global, are setting their sights on Kenya as a strategic hub for deploying industry-ready IoT solutions—backed by 20+ years of engineering, R&D, and real-world execution.We also preview what’s coming at the IoT Summit Nairobi on 19th June 2025, including:✅ Real-world IoT use cases in healthcare, logistics, and agriculture✅ A live virtual tour of the RFID IoT Experience Center✅ Demonstrations of data-driven platforms powered by AI & machine learning✅ A vision for Africa-Turkey technology collaboration focused on sustainability and ecosystem growthIf you're in business, government, or technology — and want to understand how IoT will reshape Kenya's and Africa’s industries—this is your front-row seat to the future of IoT.

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• Episode 158 - Safaricom’s FY25 Annual Report Business Performance Analysis in Kiswahili [Uchambuzi wa Kina wa Utendaji wa Safaricom Kenya FY25] – A NotebookLM Audio Overview Experiment

  In this episode, I take you through my latest experiment with NotebookLM, converting my recent blog post, An In-Depth Analysis of Safaricom Kenya’s FY25 Business Performance, into a Kiswahili audio overview. This podcast delves into Safaricom’s financial highlights, strategic initiatives, and market performance over the past year, offering insights into the company’s growth trajectory and its impact on the broader digital economy in Kenya. This experiment demonstrates how AI can make complex financial data more accessible to Kiswahili-speaking audiences, reflecting the potential for AI tools like NotebookLM to bridge language gaps and expand the reach of digital content.

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