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.
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 

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/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU
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/
Slice Lagos – https://www.instagram.com/slicelagos/ 

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

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)

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/

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 

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

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/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU
Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585

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.

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/davidoyelowo/
Mansa – https://www.mansaplatform.com 

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 

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/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU
Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585

Eche – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
Chika – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/

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.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bankekuku/
Website: https://www.bankekuku.com

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

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.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585

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

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