Calling Cards, Telkom Kenya & Building A Successful Career - Snehar Shah | Coffee Pump (E108)

On E108, I sit down with Snehar Shah, CEO of IX Africa Data Centres in Kenya, a serial operator whose career runs from electrical engineering to chartered accountant to telecom CFO to four startups. He came back to Kenya in 2008 to turn around Telkom Kenya, where he was handed the job of cutting the workforce from 20,000 to 3,000. We get into the real origin of M-Pesa, how Vodafone built it on a UK government grant while everyone else scrambled to copy it, and the regulation fight the data centre industry just won this week. From Eaton Towers to solar to scaling Kenya's biggest edtech, Snehar has had a hand in a lot of what's shaped the market. We talk about: - Growing up in Eldoret and being schooled in the UK - Engineering at Imperial, then qualifying as an accountant at PwC - Turning around Telkom Kenya and cutting 20,000 staff to 3,000 - The real origin of M-Pesa and why rivals couldn't copy it - Building Orange Money with Equity Bank, which became Equitel - Eaton Towers and selling 8,000 masts to American Tower - The solar business powering 300,000 rural homes - Scaling Moringa School into the region's biggest edtech - The data centre regulation fight and the win this week - The Helsinki trip and meeting President Ruto at Nokia HQ - Why Kenyan engineers keep getting hired abroad - ESOPs and why they are still rare in this part of the world - Running a full marathon at 50, sub five hours by five seconds Hope you enjoy the episode. Best, Team Coffee Pump Order Our Coffee and Wallpapers: https://wa.me/c/254707696969 Our Coffee and Tea Is live! Order from our website: https://coffeepumppodcast.com/shop Join Our Membership and get access to videos early: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkZKGnWZWb-S9wJdz9IGDTw/join Support The Channel: - MPESA: 0707 69 69 69 - Pay Bill: 542 542 Account Number: 069 420 Find Snehar Shah: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snehar-shah-cfa-798371 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seemasnehar - Moringa School: https://moringaschool.com - Music Beats Covid: https://www.facebook.com/musicbeatscovid Find our host Sajid Vayani: - Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sajvayani Coffee Pump Spotify, Apple and Socials: - Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sajvayani Disclaimer: The content of The Coffee Pump Podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Coffee Pump Podcast, its affiliates, or any associated entities. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be construed as professional advice in any field, including but not limited to legal, financial, medical, or business matters. Any statements made about businesses, products, or individuals are based on personal experiences and opinions and are not meant to be taken as fact or a definitive review. The Coffee Pump Podcast does not assume any liability for the accuracy, completeness, or consequences of using the information discussed. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions, conduct their own research, and seek professional guidance where appropriate. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that The Coffee Pump Podcast is not responsible for any actions or decisions made based on the content provided. 0:00 - Intro 1:42 - Snehar's Podcast & Radio Show 3:18 - Saj's Conspiracy Theories & Young President's Association (YPA) 5:47 - How Saj & Snehar Met , Data Center Operations In Kenya 10:08 - Government Involvement In The Data Center & ICT Space 12:51 - Snehar Meeting Ruto At Nokia Headquarters & His Experience In Finland 19:02 - Snehar's Upbringing ,Education & Tech Genesis 26:07 - Snehar Working At Orange ,Telkom Kenya & Moving To Kenya 28:49 - How Safaricom & Mpesa Was Formed 31:22 - Snehar Leaving Corporate & Joining Iten Towers Company 32:45 - How The Tower & Mast Business Works 35:20 - Snehar Joining Azuri Technologies & Expanding To East Africa 38:14 - Safaricom In Ethiopia & Kenyan's Tolerance & Work Ethic 40:47 - Snehar's Experience At Azuri Tech During Covid & Merging With Solar Panda 43:48 - ESOPs Culture 46:54 - Moringa School Genesis , AI & Leadership Programs 54:20 - Snehar's Debut In The Data Center Space & Marathon Career 1:00:27 - Snehar's Future Plans ,Travel Experiences & Tour Companies 1:06:31 - Outro