Moneyball, Microsoft In Kenya & The AI Land Grab - Brett Lewan | Coffee Pump (E137)

Konnichiwa Fam, On this episode I sit down with Brett Lewan, Head of Edge Strategy at Microsoft, recorded on site at AfPIF in Kigali. Brett wanted to be a baseball statistician. He ran out of money in grad school, took the first paid internship he could find at twelve dollars an hour, and ended up running peering for one of the largest backbones on the planet before Microsoft came calling. He also turned up with a fake tattoo he found on Instagram that was supposed to grant him financial freedom. We talk about: - The Instagram tattoo that promises financial freedom - Wanting to do Moneyball for a living and why there were only twenty jobs - A twelve dollar an hour internship that turned into all of this - What edge actually means, explained with a highway and a shopping mall - What he knew about Microsoft's billion dollar Kenya announcement - Why every Gulf country is convinced it is the hub - The RAM shortage and new players buying up entire data centres - Whether crypto miners are quietly becoming AI landlords - PlayStation, Xbox, and why Fortnite skins beat the games we grew up on And much much more. Hope you enjoy the episode. Best, Team Coffee Pump Get your tickets for the Couch Connect x Coffee Pump Live Event: https://tikko.co.ke/event/0a16ec18-fa65-440e-8004-0211164a3f3f 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 Brett Lewan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettlewan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayne_brettsky/ Recorded in collaboration with AfPIF and the African IXP Association: AfPIF: https://www.afpif.org AF-IX: https://www.af-ix.org Equipment supplied by Cameras Africa: Website: https://www.camerasafrica.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camerasafrica_ 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. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:41 - Tattoos 3:35 - From Baseball Statistician To A $12 An Hour Internship At Level 3 11:36 - Breaking Bad vs Better Call Saul 15:25 - Joining Microsoft & What Edge Actually Means 28:20 - Gaming (Xbox, Sony, GTA, Fortnite) 33:20 - Microsoft's Entry Into Africa, Subsea Infrastructure & Peering 37:30 - Microsoft In Kenya 38:18 - Middle East Tension & What It Changes For Microsoft 43:30 - Neutral Data Centers, Energy & The RAM Shortage 46:57 - The Crypto Rhetoric 48:09 - A Two-Month Paid Sabbatical & Denver Life 50:15 - Out