The journal of a continent on the rise
Building Africa,
one entrepreneur
at a time.
Diary of an African Entrepreneur is a movement — stories, ideas, and the people building the continent's future. Watch the interviews, read the journal, and join a community that backs its own.
Hosted by Adedeji Adebusoye · Author of Scaling for Success
The mission
“There is a lot of money looking for worthy investments — but too few businesses built to receive it. We're here to change that.”
DOAE exists to rally, equip, and connect African entrepreneurs — so the next generation of businesses is built to last, scale, and matter.
Watch
Interviews with people building Africa
How Clean Water Changed an Entire Community
What happens when a successful corporate executive walks away from a thriving career to solve one of Africa’s most pressing challenges? In this episode of Diary of an African Entrepreneur, I sit down with Osen Iyahen, Founder & CEO of Optimal Greening, to discuss her remarkable journey from leading projects at GE and ExxonMobil to transforming lives through sustainable water, sanitation, and renewable energy initiatives across Nigeria. This conversation explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, leadership, sustainability, and social impact. Osen shares how she built an organization that empowers communities with clean water while creating systems designed for long-term sustainability. She also reflects on the challenges of fundraising, leading mission-driven teams, working with governments and donors, and building solutions that genuinely improve lives. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, policymaker, nonprofit professional, investor, or someone passionate about Africa’s future, this episode offers practical insights into leading with purpose and creating lasting impact. If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who believes business can be a force for good. Guest Osen Iyahen Founder & CEO, Optimal Greening Host Deji Adebusoye Author of Scaling for Success: Empowering African SMEs Partner, Sahel Capital Learn more: www.adedejiadebusoye.com Purchase Scaling for Success: Empowering African SMEs: www.adedejiadebusoye.com/book Subscribe for more conversations with Africa’s leading entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders. #diaryofanafricanentrepreneur #leadership #Entrepreneurship #cleanwater #Sustainability #africanentrepreneur #Innovation #SocialImpact #communitydevelopment #BusinessLeadership #Nigeria #podcast #purposedrivenleadership
Delayed Gratification: The Entrepreneurial Skill Nobody Talks About
In this episode of Diary of an African Entrepreneur, Deji Adebusoye concludes the Foundation Series by exploring one of the most overlooked skills in entrepreneurship: Delayed Gratification. Why do some businesses compound and grow stronger year after year while others disappear despite early success? The answer often lies in the entrepreneur's ability to sacrifice short-term rewards for long-term growth. Drawing lessons from the famous Marshmallow Test, African entrepreneurial realities, and the stories of business leaders like Aliko Dangote and Jeff Bezos, He examines why delayed gratification is difficult—and how it can be learned. We discuss: • The Social Proof Pressure that pushes entrepreneurs to look successful before becoming successful • The Provider Burden and the challenge of balancing business growth with family expectations • How economic instability influences spending decisions • The "Also Culture" trap created by social media and startup hype • Why reinvesting profits compounds business growth • The PACE Framework for building a resilient business • Practical exercises to audit your spending and strengthen long-term thinking If you're building a business in Africa and want to create something that lasts beyond trends, funding announcements, and short-term wins, this episode is for you. The marshmallow will always be in front of you. The question is: will you eat it now, or build something that compounds for decades? Subscribe for more insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, business strategy, and the realities of building sustainable businesses in Africa. #DiaryOfAnAfricanEntrepreneur #AfricanEntrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth#DiaryOfAnAfricanEntrepreneur #AfricanEntrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #AfricanEntrepreneurship #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #StartupLife #FounderJourney #BusinessStrategy #DelayedGratification #Leadership #WealthCreation #AfricanStartups #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLessons #Dangote #JeffBezos #FounderPsychology #LongTermThinking #ScaleYourBusiness #StartupFounder #BuildToLast
The journal
Ideas, lessons, and field notes
Should Companies aim for longevity or growth?
Context: It was just an ordinary pastry shop, about the size of a barber’s shop; I do not think there was enough room to sit and eat. This pastry shop has made me reflect and ask tough questions about the longevity of companies in Africa. The pastry shop is in Nottingham, UK, on a busy
8 Sept 2022
Get your business plan out of your head!
As I engage with several entrepreneurs, one of the recurring realisations is that they have grand plans for their companies – but alas, it’s only in their heads! If I get a dollar for each time I have met entrepreneurs with no written business plan, I would be competing with Elon Musk right now. It
28 Jul 2022
Growth Is a Mindset – Plus a Dose of Action!
Most entrepreneurs usually have a reason for being. Whether conceived or imposed upon them, there is always a motive for existing. Some entrepreneurs lost their jobs and needed a means of income. Some left their jobs to satisfy the entrepreneurial FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Some are born entreprene
19 Jul 2022The showcase
Bold businesses worth knowing
We spotlight independent African businesses — on the site and across our channels.
The book
Scaling for Success
Empowering African SMEs
A practical playbook for building African businesses that scale — why so many stall, and the systems that let the best ones grow.
₦13,000
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