Episode 115 - Brian Longwe’s Incredible Journey: From Selling Clothes to Becoming an Icon of Africa’s Internet Revolution

Earlier this week, while attending the ITW Africa Conference at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, I had an unexpected reunion with an old friend and internet pioneer, Brian Longwe. It had been almost a decade since I last saw him, and what started as a chance encounter turned into an impromptu podcast session for Pure Digital Passion. Brian, who is currently the CEO & Co-Founder at Converged Technology Networks, an ISP in Malawi, has been one of Africa’s most influential figures in the broadband and internet space. Over the past 30 years, he has spearheaded internet projects across more than 20 African countries. A Humble Beginning in Nairobi Born and raised in Nairobi, Brian had to drop out of St. Mary’s School when his family fell on hard times. Refusing to be idle, he began selling second-hand shirts in downtown Nairobi. Soon after, he found himself reselling surplus grapes imported from Tanzania, canvassing Nairobi’s upscale neighborhoods. One day, fate intervened when he knocked on the door of a family friend, who introduced him to the world of technology by teaching him how to type on a Toshiba laptop. From there, Brian’s fascination with technology blossomed, and he quickly went from selling clothes to learning computer skills that would set the stage for his career. From Grapes to ISP Pioneering In the early 90s, Brian’s foray into technology led him to his first tech job at Form-Net, where he became an installer of email systems. Not content with just installations, he started selling and fixing tech solutions, and soon his success drew the attention of Form-Net’s leadership. By 1996, Brian had risen to the role of technical manager, playing a pivotal role in bringing internet connectivity into Kenya. By 1999, Brian co-founded ISP Kenya alongside some of Kenya’s leading internet visionaries. The company quickly established itself as one of the top ISPs for corporate clients, culminating in its acquisition by Wananchi Online, which helped form the Wananchi Group of Companies. Although Brian reflects on declining equity in the company as one of his biggest regrets, his influence in the region’s internet space remained undeniable. Venturing into New Markets After leaving ISP Kenya, Brian explored various entrepreneurial ventures, including IP telephony and forensics technology. His vast experience eventually led him to assist in setting up mobile money services in several African countries. In 2010, he became the Group CTO of MobiCash, overseeing the rollout of mobile money platforms in seven countries, a challenging but rewarding endeavor. In recent years, Brian’s work in Africa has taken him to some of the continent’s most underserved regions. His experience establishing ISPs in Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi has given him a unique perspective on how technology can transform lives. In one of his most impactful projects, he helped set up internet-enabled containers in rural Uganda, offering young people microwork opportunities through partnerships with Silicon Valley firms like Samasource. A Full Circle in Malawi Today, Brian continues his work as an ISP pioneer in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to connecting the unconnected, building infrastructure that delivers high-quality internet to underserved areas. His story is one of perseverance and vision, proving that no matter where you start, the determination to succeed can lead to extraordinary results. As we wrapped up our conversation, Brian shared his thoughts on the future of Africa’s digital infrastructure. He believes that Africa is poised to be the next big thing in tech, with its youthful population and untapped potential. However, for the continent to truly flourish, it must cultivate its human resources by nurturing skilled, educated, and talented individuals.