Episode 231 with Amanda Etuk, Program Director at Cascador, an Africa focused platform supporting growth stage entrepreneurs with the leadership, networks, strategic partnerships and catalytic capital needed to build resilient, high impact businesses.
Amanda works at the intersection of strategy and execution, helping founders navigate one of the most overlooked stages of African entrepreneurship. With experience spanning scaling startups, managing complex multimillion pound operations and building ecosystem partnerships, she is focused on equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow sustainable businesses that create jobs and strengthen Africa's economy. Through Cascador, she works closely with founders who have moved beyond the startup phase but need the right support to successfully scale their businesses.
In this episode, Amanda explains why Africa's biggest entrepreneurial opportunity lies not in creating more startups, but in helping existing African businesses successfully navigate the "messy middle". She explores why growth stage founders are often overlooked despite their importance to job creation and economic development, why leadership and strong networks matter just as much as access to finance, and why Africa needs new models of support that extend beyond traditional venture capital to build resilient, globally competitive businesses and strengthen the real economy.
What We Discuss With Amanda
- Why the "messy middle" is one of the biggest and most overlooked opportunities in Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Why growth stage businesses are critical to creating jobs and driving long term economic growth across Africa.
- Why leadership development, mentorship and strong peer networks can be just as valuable as raising capital.
- Why Africa needs financing and support models that go beyond venture capital to better serve the real economy.
- What founders, investors, policymakers and ecosystem builders need to do differently to help more African businesses scale into resilient, globally competitive companies.
Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Why Africa's Music Industry Isn't Getting Paid What It's Owed? Make sure to check it out!
Connect with Terser:
LinkedIn – Terser Adamu
Instagram – unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) – @TerserAdamu
Connect with Amanda
LinkedIn – Amanda Etuk and Cascador
Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: