How does African storytelling and community-driven play shape our future leaders? In this Conversations & Plugs episode, we chat with Zainab Nasser, founder of Play Academy, about why early childhood development might be Africa’s best-kept secret for sparking innovation. From debunking myths about “kids just being kids” to showing how caregivers can champion local narratives, Zainab reveals how play can transform a child’s worldview and fuel the entire continent’s next wave of entrepreneurs and changemakers.

Tune in to discover how parents, educators, entrepreneurs, and communities can unite to uplift the next generation—building a globally recognized, interconnected African economy one sandbox at a time. Whether you’re a caregiver or a business leader, this conversation offers actionable insights on the power of representation, the importance of inclusive support systems, and the balance between passion and practicality.

00:00 – Intro & the Miracle of Early Childhood 00:20 – Meet Zayne & Her Journey to Play Academy 05:44 – Adults Need Play Too: Rediscovering Creativity 10:15 – Local Storytelling: African Narratives in Kids’ Books 17:40 – Empowering Caregivers, Empowering Communities 24:40 – You Can’t Eat Passion, But You Need It: Balancing Purpose & Profit 31:12 – Q&A: How Do We Scale Community Hubs? 40:20 – Zainab’s Vision: Shaping Africa’s Future Through Early Learning 50:30 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts on Building a Child-Centric Africa Subscribe for more authentic African business stories and join our mission to empower 10,000 African ventures by 2030.

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