Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT launches new podcast series

The inaugural episode features an insightful conversation with His Excellency President Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi of the Republic of Botswana, a visionary public servant dedicated to leveraging innovation, technology, and strategic partnerships to shape the future of Botswana and, by extension, Africa. 

In the episode, President Masisi talks about his career in public service and his own beliefs around leadership and the kind of leadership that Africa needs.  President Masisi stresses the importance of making sustainable, long-term decisions that serve the broader public interest, laying the groundwork for future generations. As Botswana transitions from a resource-driven economy to a knowledge-based economy, President Masisi shared the rationale behind his ambitious “Reset and Reclaim” agenda, aimed at unlocking Botswana’s potential through innovation and investment in human capital. 

Beyond Botswana, the President spoke about the potential that has always been a part of Africa. His Excellency solidified his hope for this future, saying, “Africa is proud. It is beautiful, it [has] intelligent people and wonderful resources, it [has] capacity, and it is potentially much more prosperous if not abused.” He continued, “We are clear. We want innovation. We want to dig in deep, get the very best that we have and can generate, and share it with the world, and the world only owes us a fair price.”

During the conversation, when asked about the current narrative around Africa, President Masisi was clear about rejecting the outdated stereotypes that have long shaped global perceptions of the Continent. “Africa is rich not only in resources but in untapped talent, innovation, and opportunity,”

President Masisi asserted, “This negative, condescending narrative of Africa being essentially problematic, deficient in everything of value, is not only false and baseless, [but] it is also determined deliberately as a precursor to conquest. And I want to invite everybody who seeks peace to begin by rejecting that notion.” 

During the conversation, President Masisi discussed a number of cutting-edge initiatives including:

• The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a future collaboration with the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT to support Botswana in its transition to a knowledge-based economy and establishment as a core African hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
•  A target to increase research and development (R&D) investment to 3% of Botswana’s GDP, reinforcing the country’s commitment to building a future defined by science and technology.
• The launch of a fund to support entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa. This fund will create opportunities for African innovators to scale groundbreaking solutions and position the Continent as an exporter of innovation, as opposed to raw commodities. The fund will be based on a blended financing model and will work in close collaboration with African Governments, philanthropists, DFIs, and bilateral donors to achieve the ultimate goal of an independently prosperous Africa.

Dina H. Sherif, Executive Director of the Legatum Center and host of this new series produced monthly by the Center, notes that this podcast aims to amplify the voices of purpose-driven individuals, like His Excellency President Masisi, who are laying the foundation for inclusive, innovation-driven prosperity in Africa and the world. 

When asked about what His Excellency would like his legacy of purpose to be, President Masisi mentioned that he hopes to be remembered as one of the biggest disruptors for good, stating, “I am only human, like we all are, and I happened to be very privileged to have occupied the position that I occupy, and with all the humility I can muster…I want, when people think back, to remember this one time when I had this very privilege, what a profound change in the way we thought and behaved, I cultivated and caricatured. The rest, really, is the uptake.”  

Listeners are invited to tune in to “A Legacy of Purpose: Conversations with Dina H. Sherif,” available now on all podcast platforms and via the Center’s YouTube channel. Stay connected as we continue to explore the dynamic intersection of leadership, innovation, and purpose, with upcoming episodes featuring a range of influential voices from around the world.

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