A new thought-leadership podcast, Policy Without Politics, has been launched to deepen public understanding of the policies shaping economies, markets, businesses and societies across Africa.
Hosted by renowned financial services expert Mustafa Chike-Obi and development economist Dr. Ken Ikpe, the weekly podcast seeks to bridge the gap between policy formulation and its real-world impact on citizens and businesses.
Available on YouTube, the programme is designed to foster informed and non-partisan conversations on governance, public policy, economic development and the business environment.
According to the organisers, Policy Without Politics provides a platform for objective analysis and constructive dialogue, connecting decisions made by governments and institutions to their effects on markets, investments, communities and everyday life.
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Dr. Ken Ikpe said the podcast was created to make policy discussions more accessible and relevant to a wider audience.
He noted that policy decisions influence every aspect of society, from businesses and public services to economic growth and individual livelihoods, making it important for citizens to understand how such decisions are made and implemented.
The debut episode, titled “Policy vs Implementation: Why Nigeria’s Good Ideas Keep Failing,” examines whether Nigeria’s development challenges stem from poor policy design, weak implementation or a broader deficit in accountability and political will.
The discussion covers issues such as fuel subsidy removal, electricity pricing, healthcare financing, education, exchange rates, telecommunications and social safety programmes.
During the episode, Mustafa Chike-Obi argued that sustainable development depends on productive economic activity rather than reliance on welfare programmes alone.
Other episodes already produced include “The Importance of an Economic Adviser in National Government,” which explores the role of economic advisers in shaping long-term national development strategies, and “Why Do African Teams Concede in the 86th Minute?”, which uses football as a lens to examine policy execution, discipline and the economic opportunities within the sports sector.
The podcast also features an introductory episode, “Introducing PWP: Why Good Policy Fails to Change Lives,” which explores the disconnect between policy intentions and outcomes.
Mustafa Chike-Obi brings more than four decades of experience in investment banking and financial services to the programme. He previously served as the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and held senior positions with international financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, Bear Stearns and Guggenheim Partners.
Dr. Ken Ikpe, a development economist and business strategist, has over 30 years of experience in business leadership, brand management and advisory services. He is a former Group Chief Executive Officer of Insight Redefini Group and holds a doctorate in Development Economics.
Commenting on the podcast’s mission, Chike-Obi said the focus is not on politics but on identifying policies that work, understanding why some fail and exploring what must change to achieve meaningful development outcomes.
The organisers say the podcast is targeted at policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, students and citizens interested in understanding the ideas and decisions shaping Africa’s future.