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Austin Avuru at Afropolitan Live | Building Institutions That Last in Africa
AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION
A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 200 pieces. Application only.
Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr
In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Austin Avuru—Nigerian geologist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Seplat Petroleum—to explore what it really takes to build institutions that last in Africa.
From his early years at NNPC to co-founding one of Nigeria's most successful indigenous energy companies, Austin shares a rare long-term perspective on discipline, governance, succession, and the hidden cost of success. This is not a hype story. It is a builder's story.
We discuss why most African businesses collapse after the founder exits, why managing success is harder than starting from nothing, and why building in Nigeria is difficult but absolutely possible.
🔗 FOLLOW AFROPOLITAN
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Instagram – https://instagram.com/afropolitan
Twitter – https://twitter.com/afropolitan
Book 1:1 with Eche – https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika – https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
SPONSORS
VBan – Use code AFROPOLITAN → https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin → https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo → https://convo.vip
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:45 What it really takes to build in Nigeria
1:36 Discipline, focus, and one step at a time
2:18 Would he still choose Nigeria today
2:48 Starting his career at NNPC
3:49 Founding Platform Petroleum
4:36 Co-founding Seplat and acquiring Shell assets
5:02 Why Seplat listed on the London Stock Exchange
5:14 "We listed to save the company from ourselves"
5:47 Managing success as the biggest risk
6:27 Why African companies don't survive founders
7:47 Why Platform Petroleum still exists today
8:27 What NNPC represented in the 1980s
10:08 Comparing NNPC to Saudi Aramco
11:06 Losing his father at age six
11:36 His mother's role in shaping resilience
12:59 Returning to his childhood school after 60 years
14:14 The missed opportunity to go abroad
17:49 Acquiring IOC assets with audacity
18:50 Negotiating directly with Shell
19:41 Convincing global investors
20:42 Almost failing the LSE listing
22:06 How trust unlocked approval
24:36 Rebuilding market confidence
25:54 Scaling from 22K to 100K barrels/day
27:00 Why scaling breaks businesses
29:00 Choosing the right partners
30:23 When to walk away
32:04 Why indigenous entrepreneurs must step up
35:47 What a family office really is
36:25 Why he refused to write a will
37:00 Structuring wealth to avoid conflict
40:09 Lessons from the Dangote refinery
44:08 Energy transition and Africa's right to develop
47:49 What a just transition really means
50:35 Wealth discipline and philanthropy
53:23 Advice to Africans in the diaspora
55:35 Why Afropolitan exists
57:30 Rapid fire
59:39 Biggest hiring mistake
1:00:10 Best business advice received
1:01:26 One word for the diaspora: "It's possible"
1:02:05 Leaders he wants to see next
1:03:22 Final reflections on legacy -
Aunty’s is a limited sculpture collection by Anthony Azekwoh, released in collaboration with Afropolitan.
We are placing 200 sculptures from the collection.
Acquisition is by application only.
This is not a traditional purchase. Each piece is placed intentionally.
Applications can be submitted here:
https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr
In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Anthony Azekwoh, a Nigerian visual artist and sculptor redefining how African memory, culture, and identity are preserved through art.
This conversation introduces Aunty’s, a sculpture collection rooted in reclaiming African history after centuries of cultural theft — beginning with the looting of the Benin Bronzes in 1897. Rather than waiting for restitution, this episode explores what it means to rebuild African memory through ownership, craft, and contemporary creation.
Anthony breaks down his creative process, from sketching and digital sculpting to producing physical sculptures in Nigeria using bronze, marble dust, and fiberglass. He reflects on the role of “aunties” as cultural archivists, the importance of joy and celebration in African storytelling, and why African homes can become modern museums.
The conversation also goes deeper into Anthony’s personal journey. He speaks candidly about leaving university, navigating religious institutions, financial instability, NFT booms and crashes, payment barriers for African creatives, and what it took to rebuild after hitting financial rock bottom. This is a rare, unfiltered look at what it means to build art, business, and legacy from Africa — without permission.
Legal Disclaimer: The opinions, statements, and views expressed by guests appearing on the Afropolitan Podcast are solely their own and do not represent the views, opinions, or positions of Afropolitan, its hosts, affiliates, or employees. Any claims or characterizations made by guests regarding third parties, including institutions or organizations, are the guest's personal opinions and should not be interpreted as statements of fact endorsed by this platform.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro & Teaser: Anthony on making his first million through prints
1:28 - Welcome & Introduction to the Aunties Sculpture Collection
1:47 - The History: 1897 Benin Bronze Looting & Cognitive Colonization
2:39 - Why Aunties Matter to African History
3:15 - Anthony Explains Why He Created the Aunties Collection
4:05 - The Design Philosophy: Circles, Triangles & Making African Shapes Iconic
5:06 - Creative Process: How an Idea Becomes a Sculpture
6:33 - Bringing Production Home to Nigeria (3D Printing & Bronze from Benin)
7:15 - "We Are Our Own Museums Now" - Art Living in Homes Worldwide
9:01 - Disconnection from African Art History & Discovering It Abroad
10:55 - What Anthony Wants People to Feel When They Own an Auntie
12:25 - Connecting the African Diaspora Through Art
13:04 - Playing Eternal Games with Eternal People
16:23 - Anthony's Origin Story: Starting as a Writer Who Taught Himself to Draw
16:50 - Why He Left Covenant University (The Full Story)
19:52 - Peak NFT Boom & Figuring Out How to Make Art a Living
24:28 - Emeka's Story: How He Got Himself Rejected from Faith Academy
31:06 - The Covenant University Experience & Institutional Control
35:39 - Biggest Misconceptions About Monetizing Art
37:16 - The Red Man Painting & First Million Naira Moment
38:45 - "You Can't Game the System" - Why Hit Paintings Can't Be Predicted
39:16 - How NFTs Changed Everything for African Artists
41:38 - Payment Rails Nightmare: PayPal Holding $10K for 6 Months
43:43 - Why Crypto is a Lifeline for African Creators
45:00 - Dad's Reaction to the Art Money Coming In
47:11 - The Sculpture Business Failure: Starting 2024 at -$20K
53:38 - Clearing 100 Million Naira by December
54:49 - Is Web3 Dead? (Anthony's Take)
56:06 - How Anthony Got Into NFTs & First Sale Story
59:57 - The Crypto Crash: Losing $20-30K Overnight
1:02:49 - Business Opportunities in the Art World
1:05:28 - Loneliness in Building an Art Business
1:11:14 - Rapid Fire Questions (Favorite Nigerian Dish, Mythical Figure, Books, Movies)
1:15:22 - "There's No Plan B" - Compounding on One Thing
1:15:48 - 50 Years From Now: "The Greatest Ever"
1:16:20 - Gatekeeping in the Art World
1:17:27 - Tattoo Stories & Parent Reactions
1:23:01 - Who Should Be on the Afropolitan Podcast? (Rema's recommendation) -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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Gaise Baba How a Gospel Song Went Viral Before Release Faith Discipline and the Untold Story of “No Turning Back”
In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Gaise Baba, one of the most important voices shaping Afro Gospel, to unpack the real story behind how his song “No Turning Back” became a global movement before it was ever officially released.
From organizing free concerts while broke, to navigating criticism from the church, personal grief, and long seasons of obscurity, Gaise Baba shares a raw and honest journey built on faith, discipline, and conviction.
This conversation explores how preparation meets purpose when nobody is watching.
We dive into:
How “No Turning Back” went viral on TikTok and Instagram before release, and why timing mattered more than strategy
The real economics of gospel music in Nigeria, and why African artists are quietly out earning Western counterparts
Faith versus logic in creativity, business, and decision making
The backlash around modern gospel music and how Gaise Baba stayed rooted through criticism
What it really means to build while broke, unseen, and underestimated
This episode goes beyond music.
It is about identity, discipline, legacy, grief, and cultural influence.
If you are a creator, artist, founder, or someone navigating purpose in a noisy world, this conversation will stay with you.
Welcome to The Afropolitan Podcast, where African stories are told with honesty, depth, and pride.
Follow Gaise Baba
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaisebaba/
Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast
For more unfiltered conversations with Africa’s boldest builders and storytellers.
Twitter – https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Join the Network State – https://afropolitan.io/join
🔗 Community – afropolitan.io/community
Newsletter – afropolitan.io/newsletter
Sponsored by:
VBan: The borderless banking app built for Africa’s digital workforce.
Use code AFROPOLITAN to sign up → https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin: South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more → https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest — Invest globally in dollar-denominated stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Sign up → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo by Afropolitan — Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers.
Visit https://convo.vip/
Listen Everywhere:
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU
Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by:
Eche – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
0:00 - Intro & Teaser
2:09 - How Gaise Baba Got Into Gospel Music
4:24 - Personal Faith Journey & Encounter at 18
5:57 - Navigating Criticism of Modern Gospel Sound
9:08 - The Light Up Movement: Free School Concerts
15:42 - Advice for Creators Building in Obscurity
18:27 - No Turning Back: The Viral Rollout Strategy
22:51 - The Song Blew Before It Was Released
25:00 - The Unlikely Collaboration with Lawrence Oyor
29:02 - Shooting the Music Video with 1,000+ Church Members
36:24 - How the Lawrence Oyor Collaboration Happened
41:02 - Understanding the Gospel Music Industry Economics
44:29 - Nigeria as the New Frontier for Worship Music
52:06 - Moving by Faith: Organizing Events with Nothing
57:05 - Lessons from Berklee College of Music
1:03:06 - Why Light Must Operate in Darkness
1:09:05 - Christians Need to Be at the Table
1:17:17 - Losing His Mom & Releasing No Turning Back
1:25:01 - The Spiritual Regiment That Prepared Him
1:26:12 - Advice for Young Men Finding Their Way Back to God
1:34:48 - Rapid Fire: Favorite Food, Gospel Song & Artists
1:38:28 - Who Should Be on the Podcast Next: Soji Labby -
In this episode of Afropolitan Podcast, we sit with Tracy Nwapa, Nigerian entrepreneur, interior designer, and founder of Interior Culture by Obiageli, Slice Lagos, Pavilion a as she opens up about building culture, losing everything, and starting again in Lagos.
From dominating Lagos nightlife during Detty December to navigating betrayal, co-founder conflict, and walking away from a business she built from the ground up, Tracy shares the unfiltered realities of hospitality, ownership, and resilience in Nigeria.
We explore how Tracy went from media and broadcast journalism to interior design, restaurants, and nightlife, why hospitality is one of the hardest businesses in Lagos, and what it truly takes to build experiences that people remember.
This conversation goes beyond nightlife.
It’s about purpose, feminine leadership in male-dominated industries, building with integrity in broken systems, and why Nigeria still feels like home despite the chaos.
If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, builder, or part of the African diaspora thinking about coming back home, this episode will challenge how you think about success, ownership, and resilience.
Welcome to The Afropolitan Podcast where African stories are told with honesty, depth, and pride.
🔗 FOLLOW THE GUEST
Tracy Nwapa
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/
Slice Lagos – https://www.instagram.com/slicelagos/
🔗 FOLLOW AFROPOLITAN
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Instagram – https://instagram.com/afropolitan
Twitter – https://twitter.com/afropolitan
Community – https://afropolitan.io/community
Newsletter – https://afropolitan.io/newsletter
SPONSORED BY
VBan – Borderless banking for Africa’s digital workforce
Use code AFROPOLITAN → https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin – South Africa’s premium craft gin blending heritage botanicals with innovation
https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest – Invest globally in dollar-denominated stocks, real estate & fixed income
https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo by Afropolitan – Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers
https://convo.vip
0:00 - Introduction
2:00 - What People Get Wrong About Hospitality in Lagos
4:07 - How Tracy Dominated Lagos Last December
7:00 - Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry
8:00 - How Tracy Stumbled Into Hospitality
11:28 - Advice for Diaspora Entrepreneurs Moving Back to Nigeria
15:04 - What Nigeria Offers That Nowhere Else Does
19:29 - Getting Into Interior Design Business
25:55 - The Interior Design Business Model in Nigeria
32:04 - Parents' Reaction to Her Success
33:37 - Co-Founder Conflict & Walking Away from Slice
42:57 - The Moment She Decided to Build Again
48:00 - The Role of Rage in Rebuilding
52:46 - Dealing with Betrayal from Staff
57:01 - The Fundraising Journey
1:00:32 - Introducing CUSP: Luxury West African Fine Dining
1:05:02 - Introducing FOMO: The Future of Nightlife
1:08:51 - Retirement Plans from the Nightlife Business
1:21:36 - Rapid Fire Questions
1:29:06 - Meeting FOMO Prime (The Robot)
1:33:00 - Closing & Who Should Be Next -
In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit with one of Africa’s biggest creators, Tayo Aina, to unpack the truth behind building a global creative career from Lagos. From driving Uber without knowing how to drive, to teaching himself filmmaking, to fighting immigration systems across Africa, Tayo’s journey is the blueprint for the next generation of African storytellers.
We discuss the moment J. Cole’s visit to Lagos changed his life, how MrBeast discovering his videos shifted his global visibility, and the hidden mechanics behind building a world-class YouTube career from Africa.
We break down the real challenges African creators face brutal CPM disparities, visa walls, platform discrimination, and the hidden costs of chasing a dream in a system not designed for you. But we also explore the beauty, the innovation, the hunger, and the global ambition that make African creators unstoppable.
This conversation goes beyond content.
It’s about identity, economic mobility, purpose, migration, belonging, and the future of Africa’s attention economy.
If you’re a creator, builder, founder, or diaspora kid navigating your own journey, this episode will speak to you.
Welcome to the Afropolitan era where Africans tell their stories with power, pride, and global influence.
Follow Tayo Aina
Tayo Aina
YouTube – https://youtube.com/@TayoAinaFilms
Instagram – https://instagram.com/tayoainafilms
Twitter – https://twitter.com/tayoainafilms
Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast
For more unfiltered conversations with Africa’s boldest builders, thinkers, and creators:
Twitter – https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Community – https://afropolitan.io/community
Newsletter – https://afropolitan.io/newsletter
Sponsored by
VBan – Borderless banking for Africa’s digital workforce.
Use code AFROPOLITAN → https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin – South Africa’s premium craft gin blending heritage botanicals with innovation.
https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest – Invest globally in dollar-denominated stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Sign up → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo by Afropolitan – Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers.
Visit https://convo.vip
0:00 - Airport strip search story
2:01 - What people misunderstand about being a creative
3:27 - Origin story: Uber driver days (2017)
4:39 - Learning to drive on the job
6:58 - First YouTube videos documenting Lagos
9:40 - Income from Uber driving
11:00 - The breakthrough moment decision
12:04 - Security issues and leaving Lagos for Abuja
13:05 - First wedding shoot and transition to video production
13:28 - Jékýllí concert video that got 1M views
15:07 - First monetized video (real estate content)
15:56 - The YouTube PIN verification problem (couldn't access money until 2020)
18:06 - Wema Bank sponsor ad
19:03 - Content creation as a business
21:00 - The attention economy explained
22:29 - Translating the world as an African creator
25:23 - San Francisco experience and observations
27:10 - First country visited: Russia (2018 World Cup)
29:02 - Starting full-time YouTube (August 2019)
32:27 - Advice for starting a YouTube channel
36:00 - Discovering CPM rate disparities
39:23 - Monetization challenges in Nigeria vs. US
42:20 - Making videos for US audiences
47:27 - Ethiopian airport discrimination experience
50:03 - South African visa issues
51:45 - Getting St. Kitts passport decision
56:27 - Moving to Portugal (2 years ago)
1:01:26 - Quality of life comparison: US vs Europe
1:04:02 - Why creators should build products not just views
1:09:00 - Baroche sponsor ad
1:09:56 - Rise Vest sponsor ad
1:11:38 - Convo sponsor ad
1:11:52 - Rapid fire questions begin
1:15:07 - Moving back to Nigeria conversation
1:27:00 - YouTube Creator Academy (training 3000+ people)
1:30:00 - Future plans: real estate and production studio
1:42:00 - Final question: Who should be on the podcast next -
Tayo Oviosu, founder & CEO of Paga, one of Africa’s most successful mobile money companies processing over $20 billion in transactions, joins The Afropolitan Podcast for a rare, unfiltered conversation on fintech, leadership, diaspora identity, and building in Nigeria through crisis, chaos, and conviction.
From leaving a stable career in the US to pioneering digital payments in a pre-fintech Nigeria, Tayo shares the untold story behind Paga’s early struggles, near-death moments, and the strategy that turned it into one of Africa’s biggest financial infrastructure companies.
More than entrepreneurship, this episode explores the psychology of resilience, navigating naira devaluation, regulation, global perceptions of Africa, and the emotional weight of building for 200 million people when systems are broken.
He opens up about:
✦ What Silicon Valley still gets wrong about Africa
✦ The hidden cost of building in Nigeria, power, security, FX, people
✦ Why diaspora identity is an advantage, not a conflict
✦ Lessons from raising capital before “African tech” was a thing
✦ Why fintech in Africa isn’t a product, it’s infrastructure
✦ What the next decade of African money will look like
✦ Why founders burn out and how to stay sane in unstable markets
If you’re a founder, operator, investor, or future builder across Africa and the diaspora, this is a masterclass in vision, endurance, and building systems that outlive you.
Follow Tayo Oviosu
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/oviosu
Twitter – https://x.com/tayoov
Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast
For more unfiltered conversations with Africa’s boldest builders, thinkers, and creators:
Twitter – https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Community – https://afropolitan.io/community
Newsletter – https://afropolitan.io/newsletter
Sponsored by
VBan – Borderless banking for Africa’s digital workforce.
Use code AFROPOLITAN → https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin – South Africa’s premium craft gin blending heritage botanicals with innovation.
https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest – Invest globally in dollar-denominated stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Sign up → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo by Afropolitan – Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers.
Visit https://convo.vip
Book 1:1 with Eche - https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
02:18 Leaving the US: The Moment Tayo Realized He Had to Build for Nigeria
05:02 Nigeria’s Cash Chaos: The Origin Story Behind Paga
08:44 How to Raise Money When No One Believed in African Startups
12:33 Regulators, Rejections and Early Paga Near-Failures
16:11 Why Payments in Africa Requires Infrastructure Not Just an App
19:52 How Diaspora Identity Became Tayo’s Hidden Advantage
24:31 Surviving Nigeria’s Naira Crisis, FX, Inflation and Founder Psychology
28:46 Hiring in Nigeria Talent, Trust, Burnout and High-Performance Teams
33:12 The Harsh Reality of Building a Business in Nigeria
36:48 Why Paga Succeeded When So Many African Fintechs Failed
41:20 Africa’s Money Future, Digital Wallets and Financial Inclusion
45:55 How Founders Stay Sane While Building in Dysfunction
50:22 Competing With Banks, Telcos and Big Tech in Emerging Markets
55:03 Government, Regulation and Playing the Long Game
01:00:44 The Chaos Years, Power, Security and Founder Sacrifice
01:05:39 What Silicon Valley Still Misunderstands About Africa
Raising Global Capital Today vs Ten Years Ago
01:15:58 Africa’s Fintech Wave Is Just Beginning
01:20:36 What Founders Need to Win, Discipline, Clarity and Survival Tactics
01:25:18 Should Diaspora Africans Move Back, Tayo’s Unfiltered Advice
01:29:43 What Tayo Would Tell His 25-Year-Old Self
01:34:02 The Next Decade of African Innovation
01:38:27 Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts -
FOLLOW ADETUTU
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/
Woof Studios – (add link)
SUBSCRIBE TO AFROPOLITAN PODCAST
For more unfiltered conversations with Africa’s boldest builders, creators, and storytellers.
Twitter – https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Join the Network State – https://afropolitan.io/join
Community – https://afropolitan.io/community
Newsletter – https://afropolitan.io/newsletter
Book 1:1 with Eche - https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
This episode is sponsored by:
Vban, short for VIRTUAL BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER is the borderless banking app built for Africa’s digital workforce.
Use the code AFROPOLITAN to sign up: https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin, South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more: https://www.inverroche
Risevest, a digital wealth-manager connecting you to global, dollar-denominated investments in US stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Use this link to sign up: https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo by Afropolitan – Book 1:1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers.
https://convo.vip/
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:28 Why now is the moment for African creators
01:25 How creators actually get paid in Nigeria
02:23 Why multinational brands don’t spend in Africa
03:41 Why African creators earn less than US creators
04:40 The new money in social commerce, affiliates & merch
05:09 How global creators build multi-country audiences
06:03 Why Nigerian filmmakers win, distribution secrets
07:01 Why she deeply cares about creators
08:56 What creators misunderstand about YouTube money
10:22 Why tech companies deprioritise Africa
11:44 Ranking TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
14:36 Why YouTube is still the best platform in 2025
17:38 Why TikTok grows fastest (but pays least)
18:06 Breaking banking & payment barriers on the continent
20:02 Why African storytelling hasn’t broken globally
22:33 How she took creators to Cannes Lions
25:48 Inside the YouTube Plugged In event
29:07 Leaving Google: the real story
32:22 The business model behind WOLF Studios
33:43 Which industries pay creators the most
38:02 How to manage brands, teams & bad stakeholders
40:50 Building structure as a creator
41:45 How Afropolitan can scale globally
44:27 Why WOLF Studios rejects certain creator verticals
48:29 The future of licensing, web series & Nollywood
55:21 Should Nollywood charge micro-fees?
57:46 Why FOMO is the missing monetisation lever
01:00:26 What TV stations will pay creators for
01:02:19 The trillion-dollar opportunity in social commerce
01:05:24 Final toasts
01:06:17 Why RiseVest matters
01:07:13 Rapid Fire
01:11:22 Creator burnout & how to reinvent
01:13:18 Final message -
Dr. Julius Oni, orthopedic surgeon, investor, and co-founder of Excite Capital, joins The Afropolitan Podcast to reveal how he left Johns Hopkins Hospital to transform Africa’s healthcare system—and why Nigeria is now one of the most powerful emerging markets for medical innovation, investment, and talent.
From building a $243M real estate portfolio to returning home to tackle Nigeria’s $2B medical tourism gap, Julius opens up about the discipline, sacrifice, and purpose behind choosing legacy over comfort. He breaks down what it truly takes to move back, build systems in Africa, and deliver world-class care in a market where 220 million people are served by fewer than 500 orthopedic surgeons.
He opens up about:
◼️ Why Nigeria’s $2B medical tourism crisis is Africa’s biggest opportunity
◼️ The business model behind building sustainable healthcare in emerging markets
◼️ Leaving a top U.S. hospital to pursue purpose — not prestige
◼️ How he built financial freedom through real estate before moving back
◼️ What African professionals must understand about risk, faith, and purpose
◼️ How Excite Capital grew to $243 million while empowering the diaspora
If you’re a builder, investor, or African professional planning your “move back,” this episode will give you the frameworks, courage, and clarity to build boldly.
Follow Dr. Julius Oni:
Instagram – instagram.com/doctorjko
Exsite Capital – https://www.xsitecapital.com
Oni Clinic - https://www.oniclinic.com
Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast
For unfiltered conversations with Africa’s boldest builders and visionaries.
Twitter – https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Newsletter – https://afropolitan.io/newsletter
Sponsored by
VBan – The borderless banking app built for Africa’s digital workforce.
Use code AFROPOLITAN → https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin – South Africa’s premium craft gin rooted in heritage botanicals.
Discover more → https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest – Invest globally in U.S. stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Sign up → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo by Afropolitan – Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers.
Visit → https://convo.vip/
Listen Everywhere:
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU
Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by:
Eche – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Book 1:1 with Eche - https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
📍Timestamps
00:00 Intro: Africa’s Healthcare & Future of Medical Innovation
00:21 Nigeria’s $2B Medical Tourism Problem
01:47 The Reality of Bone Setters & Healthcare Gaps
04:10 Why Healthcare in Africa Is a Long-Term Investment
05:04 The Insurance Divide & Business Opportunity
07:24 Reversing Medical Tourism — Nigeria as a Health Hub
09:44 Why U.S. Healthcare Costs 4× More
11:31 The Long Game: Building Quality Medical Systems
13:23 Why He Chose Medicine & Orthopedics
17:31 Purpose Awakening: The Moment Everything Changed
19:51 Leaving Johns Hopkins to Serve Nigeria
23:42 Building Financial Independence Before Returning
26:06 Choosing Purpose Over Comfort
28:02 The Role of Privilege, Luck & Faith
30:25 Finding a North Star to Guide Your Decisions
33:10 Vision Frameworks for African Professionals
36:31 The Truth About Patient Trust in Africa
38:24 Performing Surgery on Presidents & Public Figures
45:26 The Mental Discipline Required in Surgery
51:06 Afrobeats, Black Coffee & Music in the OR
52:35 Nigeria’s Healthcare Renaissance
55:52 IVF, Sickle Cell, and Medical Breakthroughs in Africa
59:15 The Post That Went Viral: Moving Back to Nigeria
01:02:24 Staying Focused Amid Criticism
01:06:07 Building Excite Capital to $243M
01:20:59 Understanding Multi-Family Real Estate
01:25:19 How Black Professionals Can Build Wealth Together
01:27:33 Afropolitan Toast Segment
01:28:57 Rapid Fire: Culture, Legacy & Identity
01:33:57 Who Julius Wants Next on Afropolitan -
David Oyelowo, award-winning British actor, producer, and founder of Mansa, the streaming platform reshaping Black storytelling, joins The Afropolitan Podcast to discuss why Africa and platforms like AFRIFF (Africa International Film Festival) are paving the way for the next global film powerhouse.
From his Oscar-nominated role as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma to produce the first major screen adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart with Idris Elba, David reveals the truth about Hollywood, representation, and building a platform that returns creative ownership to Black filmmakers worldwide.
He opens up about:
◼️ Why now is the greatest moment in history to be an African filmmaker
◼️ The rise of Mansa and how he raised $8 million to build a Black-owned streaming platform
◼️ The truth about Hollywood gatekeepers and why he built his own house
◼️ How he secured the rights to Things Fall Apart and why it must be filmed in Nigeria
◼️ Lessons on grief, faith, and family and why excellence is the best weapon against prejudice
If you’re a creator, filmmaker, or visionary shaping culture from Africa and the diaspora, this episode will inspire you to build systems, not seek permission.
Follow David Oyelowo
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/davidoyelowo/
Mansa – https://www.mansaplatform.com
Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast
For more unfiltered conversations with Africa’s boldest builders and storytellers.
Twitter – https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Join the Network State – https://afropolitan.io/join
🔗 Community – afropolitan.io/community
Newsletter – afropolitan.io/newsletter
Sponsored by:
VBan: The borderless banking app built for Africa’s digital workforce.
Use code AFROPOLITAN to sign up → https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin: South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more → https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest — Invest globally in dollar-denominated stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Sign up → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo by Afropolitan — Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers.
Visit https://convo.vip/
Listen Everywhere:
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU
Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by:
Eche – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
📍 CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:45 Why Now is the Greatest Moment for African Filmmakers
03:10 How Technology Solved Piracy & Changed Nollywood
06:00 Representation & Dreaming in White: The Power of Narrative
08:00 Becoming the First Black King at the Royal Shakespeare Company
10:30 Playing Dr. King and Shifting Global Perception
14:00 Founding Mansa: The Netflix for Black Stories
18:00 Building a Streaming Platform from Nigeria
21:30 Raising $8 Million for Mansa & The George Floyd Moment
25:00 The Hardest Lessons in Building Tech as a Creative
28:00 Trade-Offs, Resilience & Reinventing Yourself
31:00 Why Mansa Chose an AVOD Model & Free Access
33:30 Hollywood Gatekeepers & Proving the Diaspora Market
36:00 Selma, The Butler & The Reality of Being “Undervalued”
38:30 Black Lives Matter: Missed Opportunities and Systemic Cycles
42:00 Reclaiming Our Stories Beyond Slave Narratives
46:30 The Fall of Hollywood & Why Africa is Next
49:00 Navigating Gatekeepers & Building Your Own House
52:00 Things Fall Apart with Idris Elba
56:00 Black British vs Black American Actors Debate
59:00 The Future of African Cinema & Ownership
01:02:00 Authenticity, Resources & Legacy in Storytelling
01:06:00 Convincing the Achebe Family & Shooting in Nigeria
01:10:00 Advice to His Son: Excellence vs Nepotism
01:11:30 Selma & Oscar Snub: Turning Pain into Purpose
01:14:30 Timeline Grief & Losing His Mother
01:19:00 Why He Makes Films for Legacy and Home
01:22:00 Reparations, Heritage & Black Brilliance
01:25:00 Favorite Food, Directors & Dream Projects
01:32:00 Who He Wants Next on the Afropolitan Podcast
01:33:30 Legacy, Faith & The Future of Black Cinema -
Banke Kuku, founder and creative director of Banke Kuku Textiles, reveals how she built one of Africa’s most recognizable luxury fashion brands, worn by Gabrielle Union, Lupita Nyong’o, and Beyoncé, from her living room in Lagos to global runways.
In this exclusive episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, Banke opens up about the brutal realities of building a “Made in Nigeria” brand, surviving COVID after investing every penny, and redefining African luxury for a global audience.
She explains:
◼️ How she pivoted overnight during COVID to save her entire business
◼️ Why she refused to move manufacturing abroad despite the challenges
◼️ The hard truth about funding, quality control, and integrity in African fashion
◼️ What investors actually look for when backing creative entrepreneurs
◼️ Why staying patient, purpose-driven, and ethical is her biggest competitive edge
If you’re a designer, founder, or dreamer building something out of Africa, this episode will inspire you to create with courage, resilience, and authenticity.
Follow Banke Kuku
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bankekuku/
Website: https://www.bankekuku.com
Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast
For more unfiltered conversations with the world's most insightful Africans.
Stay connected with Afropolitan:
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website: https://www.afropolitan.io
Join the Network State: https://afropolitan.io/join
🔗 Join our community for exclusive updates: afropolitan.io/community
Get email updates: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter
This episode is sponsored by:
VBan — The borderless banking app built for Africa’s digital workforce.
Use the code AFROPOLITAN to sign up: https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin — South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more: https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest — A digital wealth-manager connecting you to global, dollar-denominated investments in US stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Use this link to sign up: https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo by Afropolitan — Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers.
Visit https://convo.vip/ to connect with leaders like Tunde Onakoya, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Book 1:1 with Eche - https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:38 The Rise of Nigeria’s Fashion Industry & Creative Economy
02:20 From Home Interiors to Founding a Fashion Label
04:55 Launching Her Brand Right Before the Pandemic
06:50 How She Pivoted to E-Commerce Overnight
09:30 Selling Pajamas Online to Save the Business
11:00 Building a “Made in Nigeria” Luxury Brand
13:40 The Harsh Realities of Manufacturing in Africa
16:30 Balancing Global Quality Standards with Local Talent
18:50 Funding Her Fashion Startup Through GT Bank & Grants
21:00 Lessons on Integrity, Leadership & Hiring the Right Team
23:00 What Global Investors Look for in African Designers
25:45 How “Made in Nigeria” Became Her Global Advantage
27:30 Pricing, Perception & The African Luxury Dilemma
30:00 Behind the Gabrielle Union Collaboration
33:00 Is Nigerian Fashion Overpriced — or Undervalued?
34:45 The Banke Kuku Woman: Confidence, Class & Culture
37:30 Taking Nigerian Fashion to Global Markets
40:00 The Psychology of Patience, Faith & Growth
42:00 The Doha Partnership & Middle East Expansion
43:30 Moving From London to Lagos — Culture Shock & Adaptation
45:00 Inside Her New Collection “Savannah” & Its Story
47:20 The Future of Fashion Investment in Africa
49:45 Protecting African Craftsmanship, Culture & IP
51:00 Building Her New Luxury Flagship Store in Lagos
52:30 Customer Experience, Culture & Patience in Business
54:00 Her Favorite Signature Pieces & What They Represent
55:40 The Strangest Custom Requests From Clients
57:00 The Afropolitan Toast: Creativity, Legacy & Resilience
59:00 Rapid-Fire Questions + Closing Reflections -
Austin Okere, the founder of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), Nigeria’s first technology company to IPO on the Nigerian Stock Exchange shares the extraordinary 20-year journey of building from $35,000 in seed capital to a $90 million public company.
In this powerful conversation, Austin reveals the hard truths about entrepreneurship in Africa: raising capital without structure, surviving the 2008 crash, handling rejection while scaling ethically, and knowing when to step down to make room for the next generation.
He explains:
◼️ Why building in Africa is harder and more meaningful than anywhere else
◼️ How to raise money ethically and survive multiple rejections
◼️ What most founders get wrong about succession and legacy
◼️ How to build trust, partnerships & governance investors respect
◼️ Why true wealth is measured by impact, not bank balance
🔗 Follow Austin Okere
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinokere
🔔 Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast for more unfiltered conversations with the world's most insightful Africans.
Stay connected with Afropolitan:
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website: https://www.afropolitan.io
Join the Network State – https://afropolitan.io/join
🔗 Join our community for exclusive updates: afropolitan.io/community
Get email updates: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter
This episode is sponsored by:
Vban, short for VIRTUAL BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER is the borderless banking app built for Africa’s digital workforce.
Use the code AFROPOLITAN to sign up: https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin, South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more: https://www.inverroche
Risevest, a digital wealth-manager connecting you to global, dollar-denominated investments in US stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Use this link to sign up: https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo: https://convo.vip/ with leaders like Tunde Onakoya, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
00:00 – The Truth About Building in Africa
02:15 – Opportunities in Africa
04:55 – Starting CWG with $35,000
07:00 – Leaving His Job & Early Struggles
09:30 – Partnering with Dell
13:00 – Building Nigeria’s Maintenance Culture
15:30 – Telecom Expansion and VSAT Networks
18:10 – Managing FX Challenges
19:15 – The Afropolitan Toast Segment
20:00 – Software Beginnings & Banking Opportunity
23:00 – The Infosys Partnership
26:00 – Y2K & Winning Three Banks
28:00 – Scaling CWG Through Banking Consolidation
31:45 – $10M Aureos Investment
34:30 – Closing Tony Elumelu at Midnight
37:45 – Surviving the 2008 Global Meltdown
40:20 – Preparing for IPO
41:10 – Listing CWG at $90M Valuation
42:30 – 2,500x Return for Early Investors
44:00 – Private Equity Due Diligence Process
47:30 – Navigating the Nigerian IPO Process
50:55 – Co-Founders and Partnership Structure
53:50 – The T-Person & H-Person Framework
57:00 – Succession Planning & Letting Go
01:00:45 – Transition to Also Leadership Academy
01:03:00 – Redefining What It Means to Be a Billionaire
01:05:30 – How to Join a Board
01:07:55 – Ethics and Corporate Governance
01:09:30 – When CBN Banned ATMs
01:13:20 – Turning a Crisis Into Opportunity
01:15:30 – Reflections on the Abraaj Collapse
01:17:30 – Staying Grounded After Success
01:19:45 – Building the Also Leadership Academy
01:21:45 – Scaling Through COVID & Online Training
01:25:00 – Legacy, Impact, and Shared Prosperity
01:27:30 – Advice to Young Entrepreneurs
01:29:00 – Defining a Billionaire by Impact
01:31:15 – Lessons From 28-Year-Old Austin
01:34:30 – Closing Reflections & Outro -
Guest: Vusi Thembekwayo - Investor, Speaker, Founder of MyGrowthFund & Executive Chairman of Thembekwayo Legacy Group
In this groundbreaking episode, we sit down with Vusi Thembekwayo for an unfiltered conversation about the brutal realities, psychological costs, and unparalleled opportunities of building in Africa today.
Vusi dismantles controversial narratives around Elon Musk and South Africa, reveals the trauma of poverty that holds us back, and delivers the hard truth about why your success is ultimately your responsibility. This is a masterclass in mindset, money, and the future of the continent.
💡 In this episode, we uncover:
→ Why it's the EASIEST time in history to build in Africa (despite the struggles)
→ The shocking truth behind Elon Musk's "Starlink Lie" and the white genocide narrative
→ How the trauma of poverty creates "limiting foundational beliefs" that cost us billions
→ Vusi's personal cost: Losing his relationship with his mother for 10 years
→ The moment he saw $1M and his brain "short-circuited"
→ How to break through the "African pricing" ceiling and demand your worth
→ The real reason he believes we should build "Zebras," not just "Unicorns"
→ The one thing that will unlock $50 Billion in institutional capital for Africa
→ The intellectual dishonesty of Elon Musk and the danger of his influence
→ The nuanced tension between South Africans and Nigerians (and how to fix it)
→ Vusi's most controversial opinion: "Your success is 100% your fault."
Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast for more unfiltered conversations with the world's most insightful Africans.
Where to Find Vusi Thembekwayo:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vthembekwayo?si=IBbm4OY3583DHuIi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vusithembekwayo/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vusithembekwayo?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Website: https://vusithembekwayo.com
📢 Join the conversation:
What was the most powerful moment for you? Was it Vusi's take on Elon Musk, the trauma of poverty, or his unwavering stance on personal responsibility? Let us know in the comments!
This episode is sponsored by:
Vban, is the borderless banking app built for Africa's digital workforce.
Use the code AFROPOLITAN to sign up: https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin, South Africa's premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more: https://www.inverroche
Risevest, a digital wealth-manager connecting you to global, dollar-denominated investments in US stocks, real estate & fixed income.
Use this link to sign up: https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo: https://convo.vip/ with leaders like Tunde Onakoya, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Book 1:1 with Eche - https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
Stay connected with Afropolitan:
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website: https://www.afropolitan.io
Join the Network State – https://afropolitan.io/join
🔗 Join our community for exclusive updates: afropolitan.io/community
Get email updates: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Growing Up in Apartheid South Africa
2:28 Why It's The Easiest Time to Build in Africa
7:00 The Cost of Leaving Corporate for Entrepreneurship
17:00 How My Father's Business Failure Shaped Me
28:00 From $2 to Top Speaker: Breaking Into The Industry
35:00 Why Speaking Agencies Don't Add Value
43:00 Zebras vs Unicorns: What Africa Really Needs
48:00 The Truth About Elon Musk & Starlink in South Africa
59:10 Why Intellectual Dishonesty Creates Extremists
1:07:00 The South Africa-Nigeria Dynamic Explained
1:19:00 DEI, Reparations & Historical Truth
1:23:00 Building My First Venture Fund With My Own Money
1:28:00 "Simba Is Still Waiting for Mufasa to Die"
1:31:00 Why I'm Converting to Permanent Capital
1:37:00 Rapid Fire Questions
1:42:00 Africa & AI: Still On The Consumption End
1:45:00 What People Get Wrong About Me
1:49:00 Who Should Be on The Podcast Next -
From Burnout To Beyond: The Untold Story Of Building Africa’s Leading Wellness Brand
Guest: Simi Williams, Founder of Beyond Fitness
At 26, Simi Williams was hospitalised from burnout while working in high finance in London.
She lost $1M in funding when investors saw she was pregnant — but that didn’t stop her from returning to Nigeria to build Beyond Fitness, now one of Africa’s most respected wellness brands.
In this powerful episode, she opens up about the cost of ambition, postnatal depression, gender bias in fundraising, and the daily fight to build a global business out of Lagos.
In this episode:
→ Burnout and the illusion of success in high finance
→ Motherhood, postnatal depression, and recovery
→ Losing $1M in funding because of pregnancy
→ How gender bias shapes fundraising for women
→ Building Beyond Fitness into a global brand
→ Balancing family, faith, and entrepreneurship
→ Why Lagos taught her control is an illusion
→ Redefining what success and purpose really mean
Follow Afropolitan
Website – https://afropolitan.io
Instagram – @afropolitan
Twitter – @afropolitan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
This episode is sponsored by Inverroche Gin, South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more: https://www.inverroche
Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo: https://convo.vip/
Book 1:1 with Eche - https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Timestamps
0:00 - The Gym Incident That Started Everything
0:38 - Introduction: Simi Williams - From Banking to Beyond Fitness
1:51 - Trying to Be a Global Wellness Entrepreneur
2:34 - When Success Was Breaking Me: Hospital at 26
4:40 - Childhood Connection to Fitness
6:03 - Losing My Therapy: Three Times Movement Failed Me
8:25 - Double Entrepreneur Household: Managing Two Businesses
13:06 - The Birth of Beyond Fitness
15:28 - Fundraising While Pregnant: Losing Investors
19:06 - Being a Woman in Fundraising
21:02 - Reinventing Myself: From Finance to Fitness
22:56 - Moving Back to Nigeria: The Cultural Shock
25:04 - Did I Make a Mistake Coming Back?
27:12 - Bible App Moment & Beyond Fitness Experience
31:29 - Creating a Culture of Care
33:09 - What Banking Taught Me to Unlearn
35:03 - Every Role Except Security: Building From Scratch
37:20 - Why High-Profile People Drop Their Guard at Beyond
39:20 - The Tender Parts: Bamboo Season
42:11 - What I Want My Daughter to See
43:25 - Global Vision for Beyond Fitness
44:48 - Beyond on Tour: Wellness Retreats
48:46 - When Everything Goes Wrong: The Bus Story
51:13 - What I Want to Be Remembered For
51:30 - Rapid Fire Questions
52:46 - Motherhood: What It Taught Me
54:05 - Birth Center Decision
56:00 - Who Should Be Next on the Podcast -
Yele Bademosi is a founder, investor, and creative thinker at the intersection of culture, capital, and clarity. He’s the Co-creator and CEO of Onboard. He reveals the untold truth behind losing $3.9 million overnight in the FTX collapse and how that moment transformed his relationship with money, purpose, and freedom.
A former medical student turned tech founder and investor, Yele has built some of Africa’s most influential startups, including Bundle (incubated within Binance). But after reaching the height of startup success, everything came crashing down.
In this deeply personal conversation, Yele shares lessons on resilience, rebuilding from zero, and why he believes private credit, not crypto, is Africa’s biggest untapped opportunity. He also discusses the future of the creator economy, the importance of financial sovereignty, and how Africa’s next billion-dollar companies will be built by creators, not corporations.
He explains:
- Why he walked away from medicine to pursue freedom
- How losing everything in FTX changed his definition of wealth
- The truth about Africa’s credit gap and economic opportunity
- What “potential capital” really means and how to find yours
- Why creators are Africa’s next economic revolution
Key Themes
The Future of Credit in Africa
Surviving the FTX Collapse
Rebuilding Purpose & Identity
The Creator Economy as Africa’s Next Wave
Financial Freedom, Integrity & the Pursuit of Happiness
🔗 Follow Yele
X (Twitter) – @YeleBademosi
LinkedIn – Yele Bademosi
OnboardGlobal – https://www.linkedin.com/company/onboardbynestcoin/
Follow Afropolitan
Website – https://afropolitan.io
Instagram – @afropolitan
X (Twitter) – @afropolitan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
This episode is sponsored by Inverroche Gin, South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more: https://www.inverroche
Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo: https://convo.vip/
Book 1:1 with Eche - https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Stay connected with Afropolitan:
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Website: https://www.afropolitan.io
🔗 Join our community for exclusive updates: afropolitan.io/community
Get email updates: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter
00:00 - The Biggest Opportunity in Africa: Private Credit
01:09 - Introduction: What's the Biggest Opportunity in Africa?
03:12 - Why Credit is Africa's Missing Infrastructure
05:06 - South Africa's Credit System vs Rest of Africa
06:28 - Who Was Yele Before Bundle & Nestcoin?
07:55 - Growing Up in Ibadan: Early Entrepreneurial Roots
10:20 - Moving to UK at 14: The Internet Opens New Worlds
12:18 - The Medical School Journey & Father's Blessing
14:12 - "Opting Out" of Medical School
16:55 - Writing the Letter to Mom: Pursuit of Freedom
18:37 - Afropolitan Toast: To African Creativity & Legacy
20:25 - Life Lessons from Parents: Excellence & Integrity
22:24 - Losing Dad: The Impact 15 Years Later
26:04 - Five Types of Wealth: Transforming Priorities
28:05 - Moving to London: Being Closer to Family
30:13 - Financial Sovereignty & Why Crypto Matters
32:38 - Building Digital Infrastructure for Africa
35:02 - The Bundle Story: Right Place, Right Time
38:15 - Leaving Binance to Build Nestcoin
40:22 - Raising the Largest African Crypto Seed Round
44:58 - The FTX Collapse: November 11, 2022
48:51 - Surviving the Crisis: Resilience & Recovery
52:13 - 18 Months of Uncertainty: Getting 95% Back
56:43 - Learning to Forgive Yourself
58:27 - Personal Funds Lost in FTX
01:01:32 - Redefining Wealth: Potential Capital
01:06:34 - Afropolitan's Journey: The Million Dollar Prophecy
01:09:28 - Why Afropolitan Will Succeed: Culture Connectors
01:16:51 - The Creator Economy Thesis: Distribution is Queen
01:19:19 - From BET for Africa to Creator Infrastructure
01:23:29 - The Cost of Creation is Dropping: Distribution Wins
01:27:47 - Leading Through Pivots: Vision Evolution
01:32:09 - African Creators to Watch
01:36:05 - Three Systems Creators Need: Banking, Credit, Management
01:40:06 - Onboard: Freedom to Transact Globally
01:42:26 - Stablecoins: The New Financial Infrastructure
01:46:53 - Rapid Fire: Lagos vs London
01:48:28 - Favorite Nigerian Food: Ofada Rice at Mega Chicken
01:51:51 - Who Should Be on Afropolitan Podcast -
From $0 To $2.4M In 3 Weeks The Brutal Truth About Startup Fundraising
Guests: Chika & Eche Founders of Afropolitan
What does it really take to raise millions as an African founder In this unfiltered episode Chika & Eche break down how they raised $2.4 million in just 21 days and the painful lessons learned along the way From losing $1.5 million in commitments overnight to discovering why 98% of startups fail this is the playbook for anyone dreaming of building something big
In this episode:
→ How Chika & Eche closed $2.4M in 3 weeks
→ Why $1.5M in commitments disappeared overnight
→ The difference between idea vs traction when pitching
→ Why your team matters more than your idea
→ The pitch deck structure that wins investors
→ Hard lessons from losing a $1M deal
→ Why 98% of startups fail but some still thrive
→ The 5 fundraising stages every founder must master
Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo: https://convo.vip/ with leaders like Tunde Onakoya, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Book 1:1 with Eche - https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Stay connected with Afropolitan
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
🔗 Join our community for exclusive updates: http://afropolitan.io/community
Get email updates:
00:00 - Intro
01:37 - How to Fundraise & Pitch: Special Episode Introduction
02:47 - Chika's Fundraising Background: TalentBase & 500 Startups (2015-2016)
04:29 - What Investors Really Care About: Numbers & Audacity
06:09 - Eche's Community Building Journey: From Events to Investment
08:16 - The Power of Long-Term Track Records in Fundraising
10:47 - From Labor to Leverage: Naval's Framework for Building Wealth
13:47 - The Importance of Relationships: 10 Years to First Million
15:42 - The Afropolitan Pitch: 3 Minutes That Changed Everything
18:41 - Phase 1: Events & Year of Return ($2B Economic Impact)
19:17 - Phase 2: COVID Pivot to Clubhouse (200K Community)
20:02 - Phase 3: The 5AM Revelation in Nairobi
22:27 - Phase 4: The Four-Phase Roadmap to Digital Nation
25:14 - Why Team Matters: The Marriage of Co-Founders
28:07 - From Idea to Traction: What VCs Actually Want
31:17 - The Psychology of Fundraising: Creating FOMO
34:09 - When $3.5M Became $2.1M: The Bear Market Reality
37:47 - Due Diligence Goes Both Ways: Choosing Your Investors
40:24 - Creating Momentum: The 3-Week Close
42:22 - Why African Founders Undervalue Themselves
44:47 - The Pitch Deck Breakdown: What Actually Matters
48:41 - Team Dynamics: Why Most Startups Really Fail
51:58 - Chika's TalentBase Story: When Boards Betray Founders
54:27 - The Power of Failure: Your Network is Your Net Worth
56:49 - From Tech-First to Culture-First: The Afropolitan Pivot
59:34 - Building Through Bear Markets: Choosing Gratitude
01:02:11 - Co-Founder Alignment: The Conversations That Save Startups
01:04:36 - Final Thoughts: Your Failed Startups Are Tomorrow's Cap Table -
Darey On LiveSpot, Dirty December, Cardi B, And The Business Of African Entertainment
Guest: Darey Art Alade, Founder of LiveSpot 360
What if entertainment wasn’t just about the music, the lights, or the artists but about building the infrastructure of a billion dollar industry in Africa?
In this powerful conversation, Darey takes us behind the scenes of Nigeria’s creative economy from pioneering LiveSpot 360 to bringing global stars like Cardi B and Kelly Rowland, and shaping the cultural movement known as Dirty December.
He shares how festivals are built from scratch, the financial realities of touring in Nigeria, and the policies that could unlock Africa’s entertainment future. Darey also opens up about working with his wife, balancing creativity with business, and why cultural influence is Africa’s next global export.
In this episode:
→ The untold business of concerts, festivals, and shows in Nigeria
→ Why Dirty December became “Africa’s summer”
→ Building LiveSpot 360 out of frustration and problem solving
→ Behind the scenes of Cardi B’s Lagos show and cultural impact
→ How forex, inflation, and infrastructure shape African entertainment
→ The future of Afrobeat, Nollywood, and experiential marketing
→ What every Nigerian artist needs to break through today
→ How cultural influence opens doors to politics and global power
→ Lessons on marriage, business partnerships, and energy management
If you’re Afropolitan, drop a YES in the comments and subscribe for more builder-level conversations.
This episode is sponsored by Inverroche Gin, South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.
Discover more: https://www.inverroche.com/
Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers?
Book a 15-minute convo on Convo (https://convo.vip/) with leaders like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Stay connected with Afropolitan
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
00:00 - Intro
02:36 - The Business Behind the Show
05:38 - The Myth vs Reality of Nigerian Entertainment Business
06:36 - Breaking Down a 30,000-Person Festival Production
13:43 - Equipment Infrastructure: Why International Artists Don't Tour Nigeria
20:02 - How LiveSpot Was Born from Problems
25:10 - From Artist to Industry Builder: The Transition
29:32 - Bringing Cardi B to Nigeria: Behind the Scenes
32:00 - Cardi B Twerking at Sanuisi Roundabout at 6 AM
34:48 - Foreign Exchange Crisis and Creative Business
39:21 - The Future of Detty December
46:46 - Growing Up in a Musical Dynasty
50:17 - Building Business with Your Spouse
57:37 - Energy Management and Setting Boundaries
01:03:09 - "Your Wife Should Be Your Guy"
01:07:23 - The Evolution of Nigerian Music Industry
01:11:45 - What It Takes to Break Into Music Today
01:16:03 - Meeting Bill Clinton: Breaking Ice with Cultural Knowledge
01:20:46 - Policy Recommendations for Nigeria's Creative Industry
01:26:26 - Rapid Fire: Favorite Artists & Nigerian Food
01:32:10 - Who Should Be on Afropolitan Next -
The Harsh Truth About Nigeria’s Music Industry Fame Betrayal And Building Billion Naira Businesses
Guest: Ubi Franklin, Music Executive & Founder of Made Men Music Group (Triple MG)
What does it really take to build stars in Nigeria’s music industry? In this explosive episode, Ubi Franklin opens up on the business of Afrobeat, how he discovered Tekno, built Kukere into a national anthem with Iyanya, and why the music business is more volatile than real estate or oil.
From negotiating shows with Davido, to losing money on failed deals, to why “contracts don’t guarantee loyalty,” Ubi shares the unfiltered truth about fame, betrayal, and survival in Africa’s most competitive industry.
In this episode:
→ Why music is the riskiest but most rewarding business in Africa
→ How Ubi Franklin built Triple MG and discovered Tekno
→ The untold story of Kukere and Iyanya’s rise
→ Why Nigerian banks won’t fund entertainment
→ The danger of one hit songs
→ Loyalty, betrayal, and why contracts don’t protect you
→ Ubi’s friendships with Davido, Kiss Daniel, and Tekno
→ Why friendship is worth more than transactions
→ His advice for young men navigating fame, women, and relationships
Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo (https://convo.vip/ with leaders like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Follow Ubi Franklin
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:*
YouTube link - https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify Link - https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Stay connected with Afropolitan
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
YouTube Chapters – Ubi Franklin on Afropolitan Podcast
00:00 – Intro: Reinvention, Risk & The Cost of Staying Visible
01:30 – The Business of Entertainment in Africa
05:20 – Why Nigerian Banks Don’t Invest in Music
10:00 – Building TripleMG & Afrobeat’s First Global Push
14:00 – Documenting Iyanya’s Historic 31-City Tour
19:30 – Why Banks Still Don’t Understand Music Catalogs
23:00 – The Structure Problem with Nigerian Entertainers
25:00 – Starting Out: From Julius Agwu’s PA to Running a Studio
30:00 – The Making of Kukere: Hustle, Generators & Breakthroughs
33:20 – From Failed Papers to Bitcoin: An Unexpected Pivot
38:00 – Launching Instant Pickup, Instant Apartment & Early Startups
40:15 – When Nigeria Happened: Business Losses & Hard Lessons
44:40 – Walking Away from Debt & Finding Peace
48:30 – Why Artists Can’t Stay Hot Forever
50:30 – The Big 3: Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy & Breaking Into Their League
56:00 – How Music Used to Spread: From Alaba to the Diaspora
58:40 – The Flavor Blueprint: Staying Relevant Without Being ‘Big 3’
1:03:00 – Understanding Your Market: Flavor, Chike & Small Doctor
1:08:00 – Inside Davido’s Malibu Camp & How Hits Are Born
1:12:00 – Nigeria Will Happen to You: Culture, Corruption & Everyday Chaos
1:18:00 – Why Most Artists Don’t Build Relationships That Matter
1:22:00 – The New Music Economy: Influencers, Distribution & Global Reach
1:27:00 – Why Consistency Beats Hype: Lessons for Young Artists
1:32:00 – Flavor, Chike & Ethnic Markets: The Power of Knowing Your Base
1:38:00 – Building Resilience After Business & Personal Setbacks
1:44:00 – Nigeria vs. Government vs. People: Who Really Holds Us Back?
1:50:00 – Advice on Relationships, Decisions & Longevity
1:55:00 – Who Ubi Wants to See Next on Afropolitan Podcast -
AI Startups Unicorns And The Future Of Africa With Ike Eze
🎙️ Guest: Ike Eze, Venture Capitalist, Author of Founders Fit, and Co-founder of Beta.Ventures
From Silicon Valley exits to building venture capital in Africa, Ike Eze shares the unfiltered truth about startups, fundraising, unicorns, and the coming wave of AI in Africa.
This episode is packed with insights on how founders can avoid shiny-object syndrome, find the right “founder fit,” raise money realistically, and why the future of Africa’s tech story may be written through AI applications, capital flows, and unstoppable resilience.
💡 In this episode:
→ What signals show Africa is ready for unicorns
→ Why diaspora money isn’t always startup money
→ The hard truth about founders and self-awareness
→ The bubble era of crazy valuations and down rounds
→ What AI means for Africa and the opportunities ahead
→ Why ideas follow capital, not passion alone
→ How to find your real founder-market fit
→ Lessons on money, humility, and building wealth ethically
Connect with Ike Eze
Book a 1:1 on Convo → https://convo.vip/ikeeze
Follow Ike on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikeeze/
Buy Ike Eze’s Book: The Founder Fit: Finding the Business Idea that’s Right for You
https://www.amazon.com/Founder-Fit-Finding-Business-Thats/dp/B0FD7YBM6Y
✨ Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo (https://convo.vip/) with leaders like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Join the Afropolitan Community on Whatsapp & Telegram
https://www.afropolitan.io/community
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:
YouTube link - https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify Link - https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Stay connected with Afropolitan
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Full Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
01:30 – From Silicon Valley exits to building in Africa
08:12 – Why founder self-awareness matters more than pitch decks
14:05 – The danger of chasing shiny objects in startups
20:47 – Diaspora money vs. startup money: hard truths
28:55 – How Africa can build its first wave of unicorns
37:42 – What “Founder Fit” really means
46:18 – The bubble era of crazy valuations & down rounds
55:36 – Why ideas follow capital, not passion
01:04:44 – The role of humility & ethics in building wealth
01:12:58 – AI’s potential to reshape Africa’s future
01:22:11 – Capital flows, resilience, and what’s ahead
01:30:24 – Advice for founders: clarity, patience, and self-trust
01:39:30 – Closing reflections & where to find Ike -
🎙️ Guest: Femi Kuti, Afrobeat Pioneer & Son of Fela Kuti
What does it mean to carry a legacy in a country that keeps failing its people? In this explosive conversation, Femi Kuti opens up on life in Nigeria, politics, betrayal, family, and the impossible task of keeping a band together for four decades.
From rejecting politicians who jailed his father to speaking about the decay in schools, health care, and infrastructure, Femi shares the painful reality of being an artist in Nigeria. He explains why you can’t wish for a government to fail, why colonialism still lives in our minds, and what it truly takes to fight for integrity, family, and music.
💡 In this episode:
→ Why Femi refuses to support failed Nigerian leaders
→ The painful reality of betrayal and band members running away
→ How colonialism destroyed Africa’s self-belief
→ The truth about education, health care, and leadership failure
→ Lessons from Fela Kuti’s legacy and why family unity matters
→ How social media distorts truth and history
→ The fight to carry Afrobeat and Nigeria’s voice to the world
→ Why Nigeria must rebuild from schools to infrastructure to survive
✨ Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo (https://convo.vip/ with leaders like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:*
YouTube link - https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify Link - https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
Hosted by
Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/
Stay connected with Afropolitan
Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/
Frantz Fanon Book Title - The Wretched of the Earth.
📍 Timestamps
00:00 – Rejecting false friends and betrayal in music
01:30 – Why Afrobeat is more than just music
15:36 – Breaking away from Fela and building my own legacy
25:42 – Nigeria’s leaders and the decay of schools and hospitals
36:18 – The impossible challenge of keeping a band together
47:25 – How betrayal broke me on tour and why trust is fragile
53:27 – What Afrobeat really means and the message behind it
01:04:10 – Fame, money and the broken Nigerian music industry
01:09:52 – Nigeria then and now – hospitals, football and leadership
01:26:04 – Violence, fear and deciding to work on myself
01:35:01 – Why I will never support failed Nigerian politicians
01:42:10 – What real laws should look like in Nigeria
01:50:39 – Band betrayals, runaway musicians and survival costs
02:00:15 – Colonialism and how it still controls Africa’s mind
02:06:27 – Why education and music schools can save Nigeria
02:15:26 – The colonial mindset and why thinkers must be in government
02:20:39 – Slavery, Pan-African unity and the lost dream
02:26:21 – TikTok, young people and the danger of forgetting history
02:33:02 – Listening to the next generation and taking their advice
02:40:14 – How my family kept Fela’s legacy alive
02:45:46 – Culture, tradition and the fight for family unity
02:47:00 – Closing reflections on legacy, faith and the future of Nigeria -
From Harvard To MTN: How One Man Built Africa’s First Billion-Dollar Private Equity Firm
Okechukwu Okey Enelamah, Founder of African Capital Alliance by Chika Uwazie and Eche Emole
What if Africa wasn’t just an investment opportunity but the future of global capital?
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Okey Enelamah shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in Eastern Nigeria during the war, to earning an MBA from Harvard, joining Goldman Sachs, and ultimately pioneering private equity in Africa with African Capital Alliance (ACA).
From launching Nigeria’s first major private equity ((PE) fund to backing legendary deals like MTN (44X) and ABC Transport, Okey reveals the lessons, leadership principles, and legacy mindset that built one of Africa’s most influential investment firms, scaling from 35 million dollars to over 1.2 billion AUM.
💡 In this episode:
→ How Africa became a contrarian bet with outsized returns
→ Behind the scenes of Nigeria’s greatest PE deal MTN
→ Building during military rule and economic uncertainty
→ How to raise capital across funds and generations
→ The real story behind special economic zones and policy reform
→ Mentorship faith and integrity in business
→ Why AI and digital infrastructure are Africa’s next big bets
→ How to think like a long term investor
✨ Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo (https://convo.vip/) with leaders like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more.
Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:*
YouTube link - https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify Link - https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64
Apple Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585
🕒 Timestamps
00:00 – Private equity explained & Africa’s $10B potential
01:00 – Okey’s background: from medicine to Goldman Sachs
02:20 – Growing up in Enugu & early pull to finance
10:45 – Breaking into South Africa’s market post-apartheid
12:25 – Origin story of ACA: building Nigeria’s first major PE fund
14:40 – Mentorship, Dick Kramer, and launching ACA under military rule
19:20 – The legendary MTN deal: 44x returns and wealth creation
23:40 – Mentorship, relationships, and showing up in Africa
25:45 – ABC Transport story: governance & exits in Nigerian PE
27:40 – Fundraising journey: $35M → $570M → $1.2B AUM
30:00 – PE vs VC explained: growth capital vs early bets
34:30 – Future opportunities: Nigeria’s digital economy surpassing oil
38:20 – Why McDonald’s hasn’t entered Nigeria yet
42:20 – Ethics & walking away from bad deals
46:45 – Writing Apostles of Righteousness in the Marketplace
52:25 – Missing early-stage unicorns? ACA’s view on VC partnerships
56:15 – Currency devaluation & protecting African PE returns
1:03:00 – Special Economic Zones: vision for industrial infrastructure
1:07:10 – How Nigeria can unlock manufacturing competitiveness - Visa fler
