Pure Digital Passion with Moses Kemibaro

• Episode 141 - The Launch of LINX Mombasa: A Conversation with Nurani Nimpuno on Expanding Kenya’s Internet Ecosystem

  In this episode of Pure Digital Passion, I spoke with Nurani Nimpuno, Head of Global Engagement at LINX (London Internet Exchange), during the launch of LINX Mombasa at Bahari Beach Hotel on February 13, 2025. This conversation explores why LINX chose Mombasa as its next expansion after Nairobi, and what this means for peering, interconnection, and digital infrastructure in Kenya and East Africa.Key topics we discuss include:Why Mombasa is a critical coastal hub for digital connectivityThe role of LINX Mombasa at iColo MBA1 & MBA2 in improving local and regional traffic exchangeHow LINX is keeping local traffic local to reduce latency and lower costsPlans to connect LINX Mombasa with LINX Nairobi for seamless interconnectionThe future of peering in East Africa and how businesses beyond ISPs can benefitFollowing the launch, we also toured iColo MBA2, one of Kenya’s most advanced data centers, where we saw firsthand the security, operational precision, and interconnection capabilities that support the region’s growing digital economy.This episode provides valuable insights into how LINX is shaping Kenya's and Africa’s internet future by enabling faster, more cost-effective, and scalable digital infrastructure.Listen now to understand how LINX Mombasa is helping grow Kenya’s and Africa's digital transformation!

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• Episode 140 - The Digital Future of Salary Advances in Kenya: Insights from the MySalary Panel Discussion & Launch.

  Last Friday, March 14, 2025, I had the privilege of moderating a panel discussion at the MySalary Launch & Experience Event at JW Marriott Nairobi. MySalary, a new fintech app developed by Little, is changing the way employees access their earnings by offering on-demand salary advances. Instead of waiting for payday, employees can now access a portion of their earned wages anytime, reducing reliance on high-interest loans and improving financial stability.What is MySalary?MySalary is a nano-lending platform that enables employees to access small salary advances based on what they have already earned. Unlike traditional payday loans, MySalary prevents overborrowing and promotes responsible financial management.Key Features & Benefits:Instant Salary Access – Employees can withdraw their earnings anytime before payday.Seamless Payroll Integration – Works effortlessly with HR and payroll systems.Automated Salary Advance Processing – Eligibility is automatically calculated based on actual workdays.Financial Inclusion – Empowers employees with financial flexibility and control.Data Security & Compliance – Fully encrypted and compliant with financial regulations.Flexible Employer & Employee Adoption – Businesses can set custom limits for responsible usage.Key Highlights from the MySalary Launch EventAt the event, we saw firsthand how MySalary is already making a difference:Live Demo by Kamal Budhabhatti (CEO, Little & Craft Silicon) – A deep dive into how MySalary works for employees and businesses.SMEs Get Free HR Management System – Companies without an HR system can access one for free to enable MySalary integration.12,000 Employees Already Using MySalary – The rapid adoption speaks to the demand for salary flexibility.Only Access What You’ve Earned – MySalary ensures responsible lending, limiting advances to earned income only.Flat 4% Transaction Fee – A transparent and affordable alternative to high-interest payday loans.Future Financing Marketplace – While MySalary is currently financed by Little, the goal is to bring in multiple financial partners for a more competitive and flexible marketplace.Panel Discussion: “Transforming Salary Access in Kenya”During the panel, I spoke with industry leaders about the impact of MySalary on financial wellness, workplace productivity, and fintech innovation.Panelists:Gloria Michelle Otieno (CEO, Recours Four Kenya Consultants Ltd) – Shared her perspective as an employer using MySalary and its impact on employee well-being.Snehar Shah (CEO, IX Africa Data Centre) – Explained how salary access solutions can benefit businesses and workforce management.Ford Anwar (General Manager, Apollo Tours and Travel) – Highlighted how financial stress affects employee productivity and how MySalary helps.Niladri Roy (COO, Little) – Provided insights into the technology behind MySalary and its future growth plans.This conversation made it clear that salary advance innovation is no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses looking to support their employees' financial well-being while improving productivity and retention.

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• Episode 139 - Eskimi's Cornelis Ouwehand On Transformative Creative-First Digital Advertising Strategies In Africa.

  In this episode of the Pure Digital Passion Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cornelis Ouwehand, Africa Sales Director at Eskimi, to discuss how digital advertising is evolving across the continent. Eskimi's transformation from a programmatic advertising platform into a comprehensive end-to-end digital advertising platform is redefining the industry. Their bold 'Don't Be Boring' campaign is pushing brands to embrace creativity, brand-building, and AI-driven advertising strategies.The Rise of Digital Advertising In AfricaThe shift to digital advertising has accelerated in Africa, with South Africa nearing 50% digital ad spend, while Kenya and Nigeria are catching up at around 17%. Cornelis noted that while progress is being made, education remains a major gap, as many marketers and brands are still grappling with the fundamentals of digital advertising."A decade ago, we were fighting for 2% of marketing budgets. Now, digital is becoming the dominant channel, but there's still a long way to go." - Cornelis OuwehandWhy 'Don't Be Boring' Is A Game-ChangerEskimi's 'Don't Be Boring' campaign is more than just a tagline - it's a wake-up call for brands to move beyond basic programmatic buying and focus on engaging, high-impact creative advertising. The campaign emphasizes:Creative-driven advertising - Moving beyond generic display ads to immersive, interactive formats.AI & Neuroscience in Ads - Pre-testing creatives using eye-tracking and heatmap analysis for better engagement. Localized ad strategies - Tailoring campaigns to cultural and market-specific nuances for better performance. Carbon-efficient media buying - Helping brands optimize their media spend while reducing environmental impact.Beyond Programmatic: Eskimi's Expanded CapabilitiesEskimi is no longer just a programmatic DSP - it has built a creative studio that enables brands to produce 12–15 different ad units from just three static assets. This shift ensures brands can deliver customized, high-performing digital campaigns across multiple formats. Eskimi also leverages advanced AI-driven analytics to optimize campaigns before, during, and after launch, helping brands maximize their ROI and brand engagement.The Future of Digital Advertising in AfricaCornelis highlighted key trends shaping the future of digital marketing on the continent:Education & Certification - Eskimi is launching a digital advertising certification program to train future marketers.Local Publisher Collaborations - Strengthening direct publisher partnerships for more efficient, targeted media buying.Smarter AI-Powered Advertising - Leveraging machine learning and data-driven insights for better campaign outcomes.The Growth of Brandformance - A hybrid approach that blends brand awareness and performance marketing for long-term impact.In A NutshellEskimi is redefining digital advertising in Africa by balancing data, creativity, and innovation. As brands move toward more engaging, high-performance ad strategies, Eskimi is at the forefront, helping them deliver compelling campaigns that truly connect with their audiences.

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• Episode 138 - Discussion Panel On AI & Workforce Empowerment From The InsurTech Forum Nairobi 2025

  At InsurTech Forum Nairobi 2025, I had the privilege of moderating a highly engaging panel discussion on AI & Workforce Empowerment alongside industry leaders:Charles Washika – Director, ICT & Innovation, Co-operative Bank of KenyaGicheha Gitau – Talent Acquisition & People Analytics ExpertGeorge Hapisu – Partner, Deloitte East AfricaHere are the key insights and takeaways from our discussion:AI-Driven Changes in Workforce Automation: Augmenting, Not Replacing Human TalentAI is redefining how organizations automate workflows, optimize decision-making, and enhance efficiency.Charles Washika highlighted that AI isn’t replacing jobs but augmenting human decision-making through:Conversational AI agents improving customer support experiencesIntelligent process automation in fraud detection and transaction monitoringAugmented decision-making in credit scoring and risk assessmentGenerative AI automating tasks like reporting, content creation, and analysisHe emphasized that AI-powered automation allows employees to focus on higher-value tasks, leading to greater innovation, efficiency, and productivity.AI’s Role in Talent Acquisition and Leadership DevelopmentGicheha Gitau shared how AI is transforming full-cycle talent management, saving up to 20% of recruiters' time by:Automating candidate sourcing and screeningEnhancing leadership development with AI-driven learning modelsAssisting in hiring decisions while ensuring human oversight for ethics and accuracyHowever, a key challenge remains: AI-generated CVs. The rise of AI-assisted job applications raises questions about authenticity, bias, and verification. Gicheha stressed the need for ethical hiring practices and human oversight to ensure fairness in recruitment.Challenges in AI Integration: Addressing Employee Resistance & Change ManagementGeorge Hapisu tackled one of the most pressing concerns: How do organizations integrate AI into their workforce without triggering fear or resistance?Leadership buy-in is critical for AI adoption—without it, employees may resist automation efforts.AI must be positioned as an enabler, not a replacement, to mitigate fears of job losses.Continuous upskilling and change management programs are essential to prepare employees for AI-powered workplaces.George also referenced successful AI adoption cases from other industries, such as:Unilever’s AI-driven hiring process, which reduced recruitment time by 75%.Bank of America’s AI-powered virtual assistant, Erica, which improved customer interactions and efficiency.AI-Driven Upskilling: The Future of Workforce CompetenciesWith AI reshaping industries, organizations must redefine the skills required for AI-driven workplaces.Charles Washika outlined a three-step approach to AI-powered upskilling:Collaboration between HR and tech teams to identify essential AI skills.AI-driven insights to shape training programs tailored to evolving business needs.Continuous assessment and real-time learning to adapt to AI’s rapid advancements.Governance & Leadership: AI Implementation StrategiesFor AI to effectively transform workplaces, companies must establish clear AI governance frameworks.George Hapisu emphasized the need for:Executive leadership & board involvement in AI adoption strategies.AI governance policies to ensure ethical AI deployment.Frequent communication and trust-building measures to drive employee confidence in AI.He concluded that successful AI adoption isn’t just about technology—it’s about culture, leadership, and strategic alignment.Final Takeaways: What Business Leaders Must PrioritizeCharles Washika: Develop AI adoption strategies that are both customer-focused and employee-centric.Gicheha Gitau: Maintain a balance between technology and human values—use AI as an assistant, not a replacement.George Hapisu: Prioritize change management, stakeholder engagement, and workforce training to ensure smooth AI adoption.

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• Episode 137 - Eskimi's Betty Njiraini On Hyper-Localized Digital Advertising Campaigns In Kenya & East Africa

  In this episode of Pure Digital Passion, I had an engaging conversation with Betty Njiraini, Regional Manager for Eskimi in East Africa, about the company’s game-changing approach to digital advertising. Eskimi is not just another DSP (Demand-Side Platform)—it is leading a creative-first revolution in programmatic advertising, blending data with innovation to create campaigns that don’t just sell but resonate.Why Creativity Matters in Digital AdvertisingThe industry has long focused on data and automation, but Betty emphasized a major shift toward creativity-driven campaigns. A staggering 75% of Eskimi’s digital work is now creative, proving that impactful advertising isn’t just about reach and targeting—it’s about storytelling.“The enemy is boring. Boring ads waste money. Our goal is to make digital advertising not just efficient but engaging and memorable.” – Betty NjirainiLocalization: The Key to Digital Advertising Success in Kenya and the rest of AfricaEskimi’s on-the-ground presence in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and beyond has been critical in ensuring localized, culturally relevant advertising. Betty explained that global creative assets don’t always work in Africa—brands need to integrate local languages, customs, and behaviors for campaigns to resonate. Eskimi’s partnerships with local publishers and bespoke creative executions have helped unlock massive engagement in African markets.How Eskimi Uses AI & Neuroscience to Enhance Digital CampaignsEskimi’s creative-first, data-backed approach is powered by AI and neuroscience-driven tools like:Neurons AI – Predicts engagement through eye-tracking and heatmap analysis before campaigns go live.Lumen Attention Metrics – Measures real-time ad visibility and effectiveness.Brand Lift Surveys – Provides quick, data-backed feedback on brand perception within just two weeks.These capabilities allow brands to pre-test their creatives, ensuring that messaging is clear, engaging, and optimized for maximum impact.The ‘Don’t Be Boring’ Campaign: Eskimi’s Bold RepositioningEskimi’s brand repositioning is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about reinventing the role of creativity in programmatic advertising. The ‘Don’t Be Boring’ campaign is a direct challenge to the industry, urging advertisers to think beyond static banners and repurposed billboard assets. Betty emphasized that brands need to bring Eskimi in from the start to co-create engaging, localized, and data-backed campaigns that stand out.What’s Next for Eskimi in Kenya and East Africa?Betty highlighted three key initiatives shaping Eskimi’s future:Workshops & Training – Eskimi offers free programmatic advertising workshops and certifications to help brands unlock new possibilities.Client Collaboration – Eskimi encourages early involvement in campaign planning to drive more creative, effective executions.Hyper-Localized Ad Strategies – The company continues to prioritize African market insights to refine and tailor digital advertising approaches.In A NutshellEskimi is proving that data without creativity is just noise. By integrating AI, neuroscience, and cultural insights, Eskimi is leading the charge in redefining programmatic advertising in Kenya, East Africa and the rest of Africa. As digital media spend grows across the region, brands that embrace creative-first, data-backed campaigns will stand out in the cluttered digital advertising space.

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