Africa is not the future — it’s the now: Chidi Blyden on how the Global South is redefining global markets and international security
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Show Notes:
In this special episode of Mission Matters, host Adam Torres interviews Chidi Blyden, CEO and Principal at Culturally Bound Consulting, as part of the Milken Institute Global Conference series. Chidi discusses her first-time experience attending the conference, the significance of Africa in the global economy, and the critical role it plays in global security and innovation. She also delves into the importance of understanding cultural nuances when doing business in Africa and the Global South, shedding light on trending industries such as technology, film, and performing arts. Tune in to gain insightful perspectives on emerging markets and opportunities in Africa and beyond.
About Chidi Blyden
Ms. Chidi Blyden is an accomplished executive and thought leader whose expertise bridges national security, economic development, and international policy. As the Principal of Culturally Bound, she leverages over two decades of transformative leadership to deliver actionable strategies that address Africa’s complex challenges and unlock its immense potential.
About Principal at Culturally Bound Consulting
Culturally Bound is a strategic advisory firm known for its subtle yet impactful expertise in navigating complex global dynamics with precision and professionalism. Operating at the highest levels of influence, the organization serves as a trusted bridge—closing both real and perceived gaps in understanding, investment, and engagement with African nations and their people.
With a deep commitment to diplomacy, cultural intelligence, and long-term partnership, Culturally Bound fosters meaningful connections that promote mutual respect, sustainable development, and authentic collaboration.
At the core of its mission lies a powerful belief: Africa’s future is not only a tremendous opportunity—it is a shared responsibility.
Full Unedited Transcript
Hey, I’d like to welcome you to another episode of Mission Matters. My name is Adam Torres, and if you’d like to apply to be a guest in the show, just head on over to mission matters.com and click on BR Guest to apply. All right, so did I have Chidi? Bliden on the line and she’s CEO and principal at.
Culturally bound consulting and today’s interview is part of our Milken Global conference series where we’re interviewing, featuring, and highlighting some of the top participating guests and attendees that were at the Milken Global Conference this year, which is 2025. First thing, first, Chidi, welcome to the show.
Thanks so much for having me. All right, so I understand you were at the, conference this year, and first question is, is this your first time attending or have you been in the past? This was actually my first time attending the Milken Institute conference, and it was a wonderful experience.
Extremely busy and yeah, I learned so much. what stuck out to you? Like , I love talking to first time attendees because to me it’s like, it’s like going on. I, I haven’t been, but I call it like the Super Bowl of conferences. So if slash when I go to the Super Bowl one day, I mean that’s how I equate it to in my head.
Like, so what, was it like for you the first time? What stuck out? I think that’s exactly it. I just was, I think, really impressed with the sheer volume of people. What was, I think most impressive was the quality of the programming and the content. So everything from investment bankers to you know, startups like myself to people who have been working in, in number of industries around investment.
Thing in human rights issues, global issues, you know, political issues, security and defense issues. It was just a really great amalgamation of just every industry you could possibly think of thinking creatively and innovatively about the future. Yeah, that’s good stuff. Tell, tell us a little bit more about your business and what you do at Culturally Bound Consulting.
So, I’m a recovering former official. So I’ve worked in a number of different genres from the university to think tanks. Defense and development. And I have worked primarily in Africa and in the global south, just really working on US foreign policy issues, international affairs issues. And so as I’m taking this next chapter and starting my own company, I have an advisory firm that helps bridge the gap between wanting to do business in Africa or in other austere environments.
And understanding what it takes culturally to really survive, thrive, and be successful in those countries as well as in those cultures. Yeah. And and that’s a good point. And, one of the things that I know like, so Africa’s definitely a big talking point at the Milken conference. Did any of the content or, you know, conversations like what stuck out to you?
’cause I feel like sometimes when you leave a conference, and, I don’t think this is the case, but maybe sometimes some of the things you learn could be an afterthought. Like, so Africa, when I think about that, I, kind of sometimes fits in that category for some. so what, did you think of that?
Yeah. You know, I was really surprised that Milken was as focused on Africa as it, mm-hmm. Maybe hasn’t been in the past. And they had just recently announced their new global chair for Africa. Mm. Her name British Robinson, who was a former white House official as well. But she really had a number of sessions.
Focused on how to invest in Africa, how to do business in Africa, and we had small round tables. We talked about the number of things that Africa is often known for. Critical minerals sometimes and maybe some challenges around security and defense. But we were able to, I think, pull out of that, you know, a lot of the opportunities.
Yes, there’s opportunities around critical minerals. There was a new fund that was announced around the creative industries and the film industries and just how to do, and adapt in maybe informal environments. Mm-hmm. Which Africa is often known for, particularly around its creative industry.
So there was a lot of talk about how to get involved in the new markets that Africa is creating for the world, whether it’s technology mm-hmm. Film culture, and textiles. Now you were a former US Defense and Development official. So when I think of that, I mean the, the question I do have to ask is like, why is Africa important for global security?
Like, how does that play a role? I. I think that has probably been the number one question that I’ve been having to answer throughout my career. Mm-hmm. But it really is focused on understanding that these 54 countries are a central part of the world and the global markets environments business. Right now, Africa represents.
The talent capital that we’re going to need for the industries that are going to be the industries of the 21st century. I look at technology. I look at the race right now for the resources that are needed on earth to include critical minerals, all of which are helping to make the types of technology, the work, anything that we need.
I think you’re going to find that Africa will have to be essential component to that. For example, as you look at you know, critical minerals as a conversation, there’s also a great need to have the talent that can work, the machinery, the processing, the manufacturing and statistics have shown that one in four people come 2020.
I think it’s 2050 will be African. And so where you will get your talent from to do the kinds of work that we’ll need for 21st century jobs will also come from Africa. So there’s a real talent continuum. And there’s a real need for resources from Africa, from everything from, as I said, minerals to actual people really being an integral part of world economics.
Hmm. I wanna switch focus here for a minute because I’d like to spend some of the time we have left on this and talk, get into the, you mentioned the global south earlier. Are we kind of missing the boat on some of this stuff and some of the real opportunity other than maybe minerals and critical minerals?
I think we are missing an opportunity to really understand what the combination of Africa and South America and the Caribbean are, what we continue to be, you know, Latin American and Caribbean. Mm-hmm. The global south that I’m using air quotes what that means to the rest of the world. I mean, between the two places.
You have about 87 countries, you know, a number of different industries, a number of different cultures and communities. That are contributing to world economy, global economy, and all of the, the different industries that are emerging now. The idea that we are only extracting minerals from these places, I think is a huge loss, is you don’t think about all of the contributions that these markets have to stabilizing, you know, challenging areas in the world where you need.
New markets and, and new consumers to buy from. You need investments in places in the world where there are industries like tourism or hospitality. These are places in the world and they have the human capital talent and people that are gonna be needed to continue running the world. So the idea that we would just look at these places for you know, single or monolithic resources.
Really does put, I think the rest of the world at is a disadvantage. Mm-hmm. It needs to be more integral to the, to the work and business that the entire world is focused on at this time. Yeah. What kind of trends are you following? I mean, whether it’s in the global south, whether it’s in Africa or otherwise, like what excites you right now in doing this work?
I am really interested in the combination of the film industry and performing arts and what it means for infighting and inciting people to get interested in the global south. So, you know, documentary films about the diaspora, the multiple diaspora around the world. You know that they are African diaspora or Latin American diaspora.
The contributions, like I said, that they’re bringing and sharing their stories, the storytelling that we’re seeing come out of many of these communities has been just phenomenal. And just really seeing how the combination of, you know, cultural context and cultural aspects are really integral to any industry that you’re working in.
So whether it’s defense or technology or innovation, there really is a need to understand more about the people that we are working with and working for. And I’ve just been really pleased to see the preponderance of music and film and writing that’s coming out of many of these communities that’s really giving us a window into the global south and its people.
Yeah, I think it’s interesting too, and especially when we think about, I mean in the past, depending when we talk about Africa or other things, I mean obviously we’re looking at developing it in new markets and other ways to bring products there, but to see like innovation happening in in Africa, or whether it’s Africa or whether it’s other countries, and to see like innovation that’s.
Brought over then to United States or otherwise, or just the ideas. That’s one of my favorite parts about Milken is getting this like international audience that comes in and you’re like, even just to hear the projects and the companies that people are working on and and for, and you’re like, whoa, all this is going on.
It’s kind of like a, it’s hopeful for me, you know? Absolutely. I think this year the Masep Prize that Milken Partners with Oh yeah. Was given to health and technology focus and that. I can’t even wait to see what they’re gonna do with that. I mean, with all of the global, I I think they up the dollar amount too, didn’t they?
Off the top of my head, I don’t. Last year I’ve absolutely, I’ve, I can’t remember. Yeah, I think it might be around 2 million now. I may be misquoted, but I know it was a million before and I think they, they’re upping the amount given, and I’ve, interviewed some of the Zepi people and I was like, man, it’s just, it’s groundbreaking.
And what they’re gonna be able to do with it, I think is going to change, you know, absolutely. The communities that they’re around, but also I think the way that we look at health and health technology globally. So, you use so many of these African nations and the innovation that’s coming out of them as testing and innovation spaces to really push the envelope on what can be done.
And I’m excited to see what comes out of it. And every year there, this prize is given and every year you have. You know, people who are inspired by just seeing that kind of work happen. And that’s what was really cool about Milken was the idea that all of these different industries kind of were coming together, funding their projects and then sharing them with the rest of the world for increased security, whether it’s human security or health security.
So it was, great to, really see that come to life. Yeah, totally agree. Well, Chidi, it’s really been a pleasure having you on the show, getting to know more about your work and also the, and the great experience you had at the Milken Global Conference. That being said, if somebody’s listening or watching this and they want to follow up and they wanna learn more about about your company, culturally bound consulting, or they wanna follow you on social or otherwise, do they do that?
Thanks Adam. You can follow me. It’s at culturally bound or at culturally underscore bound on x. And then you can always find our and social [email protected]. We always get to test and see how well as. Stellar you are. ’cause culturally is spelled as it is spelled amazing and everybody listening, just so you know.
We’ll definitely put the links in the show notes so you can just click on ’em and head right on over. And speaking of the audience, if this is your first time with Mission Matters and you haven’t done it yet, hit that subscribe or a follow button. This is a daily show. Each and every day we’re bringing you new content, new ideas, and hopefully new inspiration to help you along the way in your journey as well.
So again, hit that subscribe or follow button and Chidi, thanks again for coming on the show. Thanks a lot, Adam. I appreciate it.
