Iyanya sat down with The Afropolitan Podcast for one of the most raw, unfiltered conversations we've ever had.
17 years in the music industry. Project Fame winner. The man behind Kukere. And still here — still evolving.
This episode covers longevity, reinvention, faith, fame, loss, addiction, therapy, and the real business behind building a lasting career in African music.
Iyanya opens up about staying authentic, navigating superstardom, the moment Kukere almost didn't happen, financial mistakes during his peak years, and healing after losing his father, mother, and brother in two years.
A masterclass on resilience, growth, and what it truly takes to survive and evolve while protecting your peace.
Subscribe for more conversations documenting Black brilliance, culture, and the stories shaping Africa and its diaspora.
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🎨 AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION
Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 200 pieces. Application only: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro: Talk-singing vs. real singing
00:38 – Loss, betrayal, and rebirth
02:18 – Welcome
02:40 – Being original and authentic
03:52 – First US tour (2013)
05:17 – American vs. Nigerian fans
06:30 – Advice to younger artists on fame
07:53 – The business of music
08:24 – The importance of guidance
10:05 – Falling out and reconciling with Ubi
11:04 – Creative freedom vs. business
13:30 – Growth from Project Fame to now
14:46 – The R&B side of Iyanya
16:17 – "You're singing it too much"
18:02 – Why African artists must adapt
20:18 – New album and his father's legacy
20:44 – Losing his father, winning Project Fame
22:15 – Mentorship from elder artists
24:26 – Sound Sultan's advice
26:08 – Doing TikToks and staying humble
26:55 – Fame as addiction
30:04 – Timeline grief and healing
31:23 – Losing three family members in two years
33:03 – Thoughts on therapy and faith
34:00 – Healing through prayer
38:59 – Cash flow lessons from peak years
39:37 – Ownership, investments, legacy
41:25 – Government appointment in Cross River
43:09 – Afrobeats going global
46:27 – Early US tours and empty venues
49:27 – Why artists need teams
53:19 – The real story behind Kukere
55:02 – Almost quitting before Kukere
59:24 – Ghana's role in Kukere blowing up
1:01:03 – Trusting your partner's vision
1:02:51 – Competition vs. collaboration
1:04:42 – Tekno's work ethic
1:06:47 – Surviving the Dana Air crash
1:08:58 – Relationships, privacy, fame
1:12:10 – Celibacy and honesty in dating
1:16:41 – Longevity in music
1:18:12 – Legacy toast
1:20:13 – Rapid fire questions
1:22:38 – Who's next: Moter Black & Seyi Vibez

AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION

A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 200 pieces. Application only.

Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr

$750,000 became $40 million in six years.
That's what happens when you stop betting on Africa's "potential" — and start betting on what's already working.
Ibrahim Sagna managed $37 billion at Africa Eximbank. Then he left to build Silverbacks Holdings. 10 exits since 2019. Flutterwave at 24x. Lemfi at 29x. Moov at 5.1x.
His thesis? Possible → Probable → Inevitable.
In this episode, we break down why Africa has been profitable for centuries, why capital has always known it, and why founders and investors are finally structuring exits that prove it.
From colonial extraction to modern venture capital. From seven cars to forty thousand. From early-stage angels to billion-dollar platforms.
We cover how African startups move from possible to inevitable, why distribution beats raw talent, and why storytelling is one of the most undervalued assets on the continent.
For founders, operators, investors, and anyone tired of hearing that Africa is still "loading."
It's not.

About Ibrahim Sagna
Ibrahim Sagna is Executive Chairman of Silverbacks Holdings, a private investment firm allocating capital across tech, entertainment, and sports. Since 2019, the firm has delivered 10 profitable exits.
Before Silverbacks, Ibrahim spent 26 years at Africa Eximbank running the investment banking division. He also hosts the In The Valley podcast.
Landmark investments include Moove — a global mobility fintech backed by Uber, operating in 29+ cities across five continents — and Wave Mobile Money, backed by Stripe.

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Ibrahim Sagna

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Silverbacks Holdings

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Convo by Afropolitan – Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers

https://convo.vip

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Why Africa is not “potential”

01:25 Why colonization proves long term value

02:01 Capital extraction then and now

02:56 The Silverbacks Holdings thesis explained

03:57 How African founders scale globally

04:52 From luck to preparation in venture

05:51 Possible vs Probable vs Inevitable

07:41 How SPVs create focused conviction

08:40 Why global expansion signals inevitability

10:06 Real exit multiples from African startups

11:05 Liquidity as a storytelling engine

12:32 From likable to adored brands

13:56 Why Apple behaves like a religion

15:21 Elevating African companies through narrative

17:19 How secondary exits actually work

18:46 Inside the Move investment story

21:41 Solving Uber’s real problem

24:34 Distribution as the real moat

27:08 From seven cars to 40,000

29:04 Becoming a truly global company

30:30 Brands that achieved cultural dominance

33:22 Why African culture is always exported

38:13 Building IP in film and media

39:16 Finding a 1.6 billion person niche

41:12 Culture investing with global reach

45:00 What DFIs actually do

52:10 Why refining beats raw talent

56:41 Who controls the story controls value

59:37 Almost dying and staying uninterrupted

01:08:11 Finding your superpower

01:27:07 Why Africa has always been actual

01:31:01 The next generation sees no limits

In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Sofi, one of the most compelling African women creators shaping culture across the diaspora, to unpack the real cost of authenticity, freedom, and building a life on your own terms.

Known online as The Odditty, Sofi opens up about choosing self expression over approval, walking away from expectations placed on African women, and turning her personality into a powerful platform. From viral moments to $25K brand deals, from being silenced to owning her voice, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation about identity, trauma, money, boundaries, and becoming unapologetically yourself.

This is not an influencer highlight reel.
This is a survival story.

We talk about the African creator economy, monetising authenticity, being underestimated, navigating family pressure, womanhood in public, and why being different is no longer a weakness but an advantage.

This episode explores:

• Why being yourself often comes with backlash, loss, and resistance
• How Sofi turned authenticity into real income and global opportunities
• The hidden cost of being a woman online, especially as an African creator
• Why African creators are finally winning and what most people missed
• Identity, self worth, trauma, healing, and choosing freedom anyway

If you are a creator, founder, artist, or anyone trying to live honestly in a world that rewards conformity, this conversation will stay with you.

Welcome to The Afropolitan Podcast, where African stories are told with honesty, depth, and pride.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00: Intro

01:42 Why now is the best time to be an African creator

02:38 Telling African stories beyond suffering

03:06 Monetising being odd instead of fixing yourself

03:35 Blogging, early creation, and finding a voice

04:35 The first brand deals and learning your worth

05:28 How Sofi landed a $7,500 Home Depot deal

06:46 Why representation and visibility matter

07:15 What African parents expect versus reality

08:39 Sexual harassment and leaving Nigeria

10:59 Moving to America and unlearning shame

11:50 Viral moments and the birth of The Odditty

12:47 Choosing creativity over law school

14:16 Family pressure, money, and misunderstanding

15:44 Paying the price for freedom

16:43 Being ostracised for being yourself

18:06 Therapy, healing, and reclaiming power

19:30 Viral videos and what happens after

22:40 Why viral moments are not the goal

24:05 Building community over chasing attention

25:32 Boundaries, friendships, and creator burnout

28:41 Business boundaries and saying no

30:58 Being underestimated and weaponising softness

32:53 “She won’t last long” and proving them wrong

35:13 Creator politics, envy, and extraction

35:39 The business of content creation explained

38:28 Managers, agencies, and skin in the game

40:51 Why representation must work for you

44:00 The New York apartment controversy

45:52 The rat race and redefining success

47:44 Choosing freedom over lifestyle validation

50:43 Turning 30 and rewriting the dream

53:37 Race in America versus class in Nigeria

01:01:20 Why African creators would win faster at home

01:04:33 Lagos creator economy frustrations

01:07:41 Why Sofi started her podcast

01:10:28 Shame, sex, and breaking taboos

01:13:46 Processing trauma and delayed healing

01:16:33 Taking power back

01:19:40 Boundaries and self respect

01:21:34 Rapid fire questions

01:23:43 Who should be on the podcast next

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.

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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)

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.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaisebaba/ 

For more unfiltered conversations with Africa’s boldest builders and storytellers.
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Discover more → https://www.inverroche.com

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Sign up → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan

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Visit https://convo.vip/

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Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585

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.

Tracy Nwapa
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/

Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Instagram – https://instagram.com/afropolitan
Twitter – https://twitter.com/afropolitan
Community – https://afropolitan.io/community
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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

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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
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Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Community – https://afropolitan.io/community
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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)

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/