Focus on Africa
“I became a founder - then burnt out"
Up next
9 January 2026
23 minutes
Available for over a year
Now, despite a start-up boom happening in Africa, a recent study showed that many of Africa’s start-up founders say their jobs have negatively impacted their mental well-being.
60% of founders reported experiencing anxiety, 58% high stress, 52% exhaustion, and 20% depression. Key stressors include fundraising, inflation and economic instability.
Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna had a discussion with Jihan Abass, founder of Lami Insurance Technology - a Kenya-based fintech - and Mawano Kambeu, founder of Zambia-based digital company, Dot Com Zambia, to discuss burnout, mental health and navigating Africa’s complex start-up scene.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Weldye
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla
