Afropolitan

Afropolitan
  • 0,0 (0)
  • ENTREPRENARIAT
  • CHAQUE SEMAINE

The Afropolitan Podcast Hosted by Chika Uwazie & Eche Emole This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a mirror to the soul of the African diaspora. Each week, co-hosts Chika & Eche sit down with founders, culture-shapers, and bold thinkers to explore the truth behind the highlights, shedding light on grief, growth, legacy, power, identity, and everything in between. You’ll hear the stories you won’t find on panels. The questions most people are too afraid to ask. The answers that stay with you long after the episode ends. From billion-dollar builders to first-gen visionaries, we go there. About Afropolitan: Afropolitan is building a digital nation for Africans and the diaspora—powered by culture, capital, and code. The podcast is one piece of a global movement to create infrastructure for Black and African ambition at scale. This is the sound of a new era. Raw. Soulful. Unapologetically Afropolitan. Watch on Youtube as well https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan?sub_confirmation=1

  1. 15 MAI ·  VIDÉO

    Chaos is Profitable: The Governor of Lagos on Why Money is Hiding in Plain Sight

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu governs Lagos — a city of over 20 million people. From banking halls to public service, his journey reflects a larger question: What does it take to govern ambition at this scale? This conversation was hosted at the National Theater in collaboration with Lens for Good — empowering creatives to transform the Nigerian narrative, one story at a time. In this episode, the Governor opens up about what the world gets wrong about Lagos, why creatives are the city's first pitch to the world, and what keeps him up at night leading Africa's most chaotic, creative, and resilient city. "You know Burna Boy, you know Wizkid, you know Davido — I tell you, there are a thousand other Burna Boys and Wizkids somewhere waiting to be discovered. And they are there in Lagos." AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only. Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr WHERE TO FIND MAI ATAFO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maiatafo Atafo Brand: https://www.instagram.com/atafo__ EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com CONVO BY AFROPOLITAN Book 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/ AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter Patreon: Patreon.com/AfropolitanPodcast TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 – Intro: What images come to mind when you think of Lagos? 1:29 – The two sides of Lagos: chaos and creativity 3:07 – The energy you can feel on every street 4:25 – The next Wizkid might be working in the same studio as you 5:27 – Governing through a burst of creativity (Wizkid concert, E1, Lagos Fashion Week) 6:35 – The E1 race: "They never believed we could put on the best" 7:57 – Breaking records is in Lagos' DNA 9:44 – What story does Lagos tell international investors? 10:02 – "Creatives open the conversation. Infrastructure closes the deal." 12:25 – What Lagos offers that no other African city can 13:52 – The "no giving up" spirit that defines Lagosians 14:47 – What do you tell creatives who see government as an obstacle? 17:01 – The one thing that can derail Lagos' creative momentum 18:34 – What keeps the Governor up at night 20:53 – 10 years from now: What should Lagos be known for?

    23 min

  2. 13 MAI ·  VIDÉO

    I Quit Medical School to Build a Startup My Dad Disowned Me

    Eghosa Nehikhare walked away from medicine to build Multigate a treasury and trade operating system now serving enterprises across Africa. Eight years later, he's helped companies manage hundreds of bank accounts, navigated a $27M crisis that would have broken most founders, and learned every brutal lesson about building financial infrastructure on the continent. But this conversation goes far beyond fintech. We unpack why African payments still route through New York, what it really costs to build enterprise trust in emerging markets, and why most founders underestimate the compliance game until it's too late. Eghosa breaks down: • Why now is the best time for diaspora to move back: "All the components are aligned" • The pain point hiding in plain sight: enterprises manually logging into 300-400 bank accounts daily • Treasury and trade operating system explained: the iOS moment for African corporate finance • The medicine-to-tech pivot: how a food delivery startup grew from $300K to $6.5M in six months • The one-year disownment: "I don't want to see any of my properties" • Swift demystified: it's a messaging layer, not a payment infrastructure • The $27M PR crisis: "First is shock. This is not true. It's painful, it was humbling." • What saved them: documentation, governance, and transparency • Why he'd say no if he knew what he knows now: "Let me look for something easier" • Living life in parallel lanes: "You can't put all other lanes on hold" • The 5-point market entry framework: political, regulatory, legal, taxation, media • GLIPH values: Generosity, Loyalty, Integrity, Perseverance, Humility • How he chose his wife using a checklist — and she did the same • Why he never considered Japa: "I just fell in love with Nigeria" This isn't just about fintech. It's about building something that lasts in a region that tests you at every turn. AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only. Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr WHERE TO FIND EGHOSA OKONKWO LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/eghosa-nehikhare-39483148 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/eghosa.n/ EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com CONVO BY AFROPOLITAN Book 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/ AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter Patreon: Patreon.com/AfropolitanPodcast TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Introduction & Patreon Announcement 0:53 – What It Truly Takes to Build in Africa 2:49 – Advice for Diaspora Considering Moving Back 6:00 – How Multigate Discovered the Enterprise Treasury Pain Point 9:07 – The Manual Reconciliation Nightmare: 300+ Bank Accounts 11:29 – Treasury and Trade Operating System Explained 15:28 – Walking Away from Medicine 17:20 – The Father's Reaction: One Year Disowned 20:45 – Reconciliation: The 30th Birthday Speech 22:32 – How Lagos Networking Led to VGG 25:03 – Understanding Swift and Intra-African Payments 30:14 – Building on Unstable Currencies 32:04 – Would He Start Again Knowing What He Knows Now? 38:37 – The $27M PR Crisis: What It Felt Like 41:06 – Compliance Advice for Founders 44:22 – Living Life in Parallel Lanes 45:44 – The 5-Point Market Entry Framework 50:01 – Books and Mentors That Shaped Him 52:26 – How Two Entrepreneurs Make Marriage Work 53:58 – What He'd Tell His 2017 Self 59:41 – Rapid Fire: Food, Travel, AI 1:02:52 – You Cannot Outsource Culture 1:04:07 – GLIPH: Values for Choosing Partners 1:07:10 – How He Chose His Wife 1:09:12 – The Power of Compounding 1:11:16 – Why He Never Considered Japa 1:14:44 – Who Should Sit in This Chair Next

    1 h 11 min

  3. 6 MAI ·  VIDÉO

    The Mistake African Parents Make in America (Why I’m Raising My Kids Differently)

    Beverly Adaeze turned African auntie impressions into a full-blown media career. From running a hair salon in Houston to landing five-figure brand deals with Princess Cruises and Capital One, she's proof that authenticity scales. She's the creator behind Mama Agnes, the character that made millions of Africans in the diaspora feel seen. This conversation goes far beyond content creation. We unpack what it actually takes to monetize a personal brand, why African creators are underpricing themselves, and how to build multiple revenue streams without burning out. Beverly breaks down: • Why she refuses to stay in the "African creator" box • The pricing learning curve and finding the right manager • How she became an MC by putting hashtags in her videos • Her first wedding: doing bridal hair AND hosting the reception • Why YouTube is the platform for long-term income • Managing creator burnout: "I also have to live life" • The stock fish story every African kid in America understands • Why she wants to move back to Lagos AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only. Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr WHERE TO FIND BEVERLY ADAEZE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beverlyadaeze Twitter/X: https://x.com/beverlyadaez249 EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code: AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com Hisa - Borderless investments For Africa. Use code: AFROPOLITAN: https://hisa.co/ CONVO BY AFROPOLITAN Book 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/ AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter Patreon: Patreon.com/AfropolitanPodcast TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction 2:12 - The opportunity of being an African creative 3:06 - When Beverly realized she could make money from content 5:01 - Biggest brand deals: Princess Cruises & Capital One 6:01 - Why she refuses to stay in the "African creator" box 7:01 - The diaspora brand deal gap: US vs Nigerian rates 8:46 - Learning how to price yourself as a creator 10:44 - Content creator vs influencer: What's the difference? 12:24 - The inspiration behind Mama Agnes & her characters 14:31 - Balancing the salon business with content creation 15:48 - Revenue streams: Content, hosting, and color classes 16:40 - Why she's never had a manager (and what she's looking for) 19:34 - Pitching brands vs brands coming to you 20:53 - How she became an MC by putting hashtags in videos 22:50 - Her first wedding: Doing bridal hair AND hosting 24:05 - The future: Red carpets, movies, and acting 25:01 - Craziest hosting story (wedding chaos) 26:29 - Financial planning during slow seasons 27:26 - How her relationship with her parents has evolved 30:52 - Does going viral actually make you money? 32:52 - Dating as a content creator with a platform 35:46 - The first time she went viral (the plantain video) 37:02 - Investing in equipment: When to level up 38:06 - Best platform for creators: Why YouTube wins long-term 39:14 - Are African creators underpricing themselves? 40:01 - Code-switching: Mastering accents naturally 41:02 - The ideal version of Beverly Adaeze (Wikipedia goals) 43:03 - Why she stopped doing hair (burnout, not content) 44:20 - Living in Colombia: Her gap year experience 45:18 - Is content creation a long-term career? 46:02 - Managing creator burnout: Taking breaks 47:11 - Ghana vs Nigeria: Less chaos, more laid back 49:01 - The hilarious Ghana DJ story 51:13 - RAPID FIRE: Lagos or Houston? 52:45 - Jollof rice debate: Nigerian, Ghanaian, or Senegalese? 54:48 - TikTok or Instagram? 56:16 - What African women need to stop apologizing for 56:40 - Would she move back to Lagos? 58:53 - The stock fish story every diaspora kid understands 1:00:32 - Falling back in love with African culture 1:03:06 - Who should be on this podcast next: Bozoma Saint John

    1 h 4 min

  4. 22 AVR. ·  VIDÉO

    The Central Banker Who Rigged The System: How To Build Africa's Richest Man

    Ayobami Adekojo walked away from corporate life to dive headfirst into one of the most brutal arenas in the world: Nigerian politics. As a political strategist, polling firm founder, and policy advisor, he's worked on presidential campaigns, sat in governors' strategy rooms, and watched history get decided in hallways most people never see. But this conversation goes far beyond elections. We unpack why the Nigerian diaspora fundamentally misunderstands how political power works at home, what actually moves a voter, and why the 2027 election is already decided before most people have even tuned in. Ayobami breaks down: The biggest misconception about Nigerian politicians: "They're some of the smartest people in the country" The real mechanics of power: wards, delegates, governors, and the machine The flat rate: what every presidential candidate quietly pays delegates Why the average Nigerian voter wants something elites would never expect How social media has quietly made politicians more accountable than ever The EndSARS autopsy: the vacuum, the bad actors, the moment it slipped The 90 minutes inside the PDP primary that handed Atiku the ticket How Tinubu outplayed Osinbajo, Amaechi, and Buhari to win APC The Emefiele playbook: hubris, dollars, and why he didn't flee The 2027 prediction: "The easiest reelection in 19 years" The honest autopsy of 2023: why Peter Obi split the vote and couldn't win Why Atiku and Obi on the same ticket was the only path to beating Tinubu What the diaspora must understand before running for office back home This isn't just about Nigerian politics. It's a masterclass on how power actually moves in a country that punishes naïveté at every turn. Become a member of the Afropolitan Inner Circle. https://www.patreon.com/posts/welcome-to-inner-156114670?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link WHERE TO FIND AYOBAMI ADEBAYO Twitter/X: https://x.com/dondekojo EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/welcome-to-inner-156114670?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction: The smartest people run Nigeria 2:01 - Afropolitan Inner Circle membership announcement 2:06 - The biggest misconception about Nigerian politicians 4:17 - Why Nigeria can't function like Qatar despite oil wealth 6:33 - Regional rule vs. fiscal federalism debate 10:43 - How political power actually works: wards, delegates, governors 15:07 - The flat rate: how much every presidential candidate pays delegates 17:05 - Why ability to win matters more than money 19:21 - What voters actually want (it's not what elites think) 21:17 - Vban sponsor segment 23:05 - The party donation requests politicians receive 24:52 - Why diaspora children struggle to connect with voters 26:21 - How social media has transformed political accountability 28:50 - The EndSARS movement: organization, vacuum, and collapse 34:13 - Social media's power in governance and transparency 37:44 - EndSARS lessons: the lack of clear demands 42:13 - APC primaries: watching Tinubu outmaneuver everyone 45:15 - The 90 minutes that changed the PDP primary 48:08 - Tambuwal's dramatic stage return and the Atiku alliance 51:00 - Why Tinubu was always going to win APC 54:20 - The Buhari mystique: why Nigerians kept believing in him 59:34 - Nigeria's pattern of making the wrong collective choices 1:04:07 - Advice for diaspora Nigerians entering politics 1:07:14 - Why politicians can work with anyone (and young people can't) 1:09:10 - The hubris of Emefiele: too much power, too little foresight 1:13:14 - Why Emefiele didn't flee Nigeria 1:14:22 - 2027 prediction: the easiest reelection in 19 years 1:16:41 - The Trump-Nigeria diplomatic situation explained 1:19:21 - 2023 election autopsy: the three-way vote split 1:23:43 - Why Tinubu won with minority support 1:27:33 - Can Atiku and Obi ever unite? 1:31:25 - Rapid fire questions 1:32:48 - Who should be on the podcast next

    1 h 33 min

  5. 8 AVR. ·  VIDÉO

    From Columbia Law To A Times Square Billboard: Her Scaling Blueprint

    Eni Popoola went from Harvard undergrad to Columbia Law to Big Law then walked away five months in to become a full-time content creator. But this conversation goes far beyond influencing. We unpack why the creator economy is harder than it looks, what it really takes to build boundaries as a public figure, and why Black women creators still aren't getting paid what they're worth. Eni breaks down: • The biggest misconception about being an influencer: it's not easy • The hardest part: finding separation between content and life • Why she purposely doesn't give her audience "all of her" • Being first gen corporate: "No one in my family had worked a corporate job" • The meeting that changed everything: "You have to stop doing content" • Why she quit immediately: "This is my opportunity to leave" • The $700 to $7,000 brand deal story that opened her eyes • Why Black women creators are not getting paid what they're worth • The algorithm problem: same faces, smaller pool • Immigrant guilt and reframing sacrifice for the next generation • Unlearning toxic corporate culture through coaching and therapy • Why her dating pool is smaller and why she's fine with it • Therapy as a non negotiable for public figures • America's literacy crisis: "People cannot comprehend what's happening" • The intentional TikTok strategy that grew her audience • Lagos Fashion Week vs. New York and Paris: "Influencers here are celebrities" This isn't just about content creation. It's about building a life on your own terms. AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only. Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr WHERE TO FIND Eni Popoola Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enigivensunday?igsh=eTJmN25ybW5mODY5 Website: https://enigivensunday.com/ EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com CONVO BY AFROPOLITAN Book 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/ AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter TIMESTAMPS TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro: The biggest misconception about being an influencer 2:28 - The hardest part of content creation 4:32 - Setting boundaries between content and life 8:19 - The story of leaving Big Law 14:16 - The internal conversation before quitting 18:40 - "I have to quit" — the moment of decision 22:27 - Walking out with everything 25:26 - How she built financial security before leaving 29:10 - The first big check: from hobby to business 31:37 - Are Black women creators being paid what they're worth? 36:48 - Navigating negotiations with a legal background 41:43 - Immigrant guilt and first-gen pressure 47:29 - The George Floyd moment and DEI's limits 52:13 - Dating as a high-achieving creator 58:55 - How therapy helps navigate success 1:05:28 - Unlearning scarcity around money 1:07:24 - The current state of America and the literacy crisis 1:11:50 - Choosing your lane as a creator 1:15:19 - What you lose chasing virality 1:17:17 - The future: products, platforms, and storytelling 1:21:43 - Lagos Fashion Week experience 1:29:17 - Rapid Fire: favorite books, food, platforms, and more 1:34:30 - Who should be on the podcast next?

    1 h 36 min

  6. 1 AVR. ·  VIDÉO

    Investing In Africa Is A Different Game. Here Are The Rules

    Private equity in Africa has returned less than 10% IRR over the last decade. The target? 20%. Andrew Alli has spent 30 years figuring out why. He led infrastructure investments at the IFC, then became CEO of Africa Finance Corporation—where he secured an A-minus credit rating and led a Euro bond that was 5-6x oversubscribed. But this conversation goes far beyond finance. We unpack why private equity has underperformed across Africa, what's really blocking development, and why the diaspora's most valuable asset isn't money—it's know-how. Andrew breaks down: • Why African PE returns less than 10% IRR when firms target 20% • The 30% ownership trap: why PE firms can't turn companies around • Dutch Disease: how oil destroyed Nigeria's manufacturing base • Why 54 African countries is "way too many" • Energy and productivity: the two dimensions that drive development • 95% of AFC's troubled investments shared one flaw: governance (not corruption—culture) • China in Africa: "When Europeans visit, I get a lecture. When the Chinese visit, I get a stadium." • The diaspora's real value: know-how, not cash • John Rawls and why justice is the foundation of national unity This isn't just about investing. It's about understanding the game you're playing. Essential viewing for founders, investors, and diaspora professionals building in or with Africa. AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only. Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr WHERE TO FIND ANDREW ALLI Twitter: https://x.com/afalli LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrew-alli-a5029a1 EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com CONVO BY AFROPOLITAN Book 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/ AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 – Intro 1:35 – One uncomfortable truth: You have to work with governments 4:12 – Where do you see hope in Africa? 5:04 – 54 African countries is too many 6:12 – Africa's demographic advantage and the future of labor 7:03 – Private equity's broken model in Africa 9:50 – The currency trap: 300% in Naira, 6% in dollars 11:06 – Why PE exits take 14-15 years instead of 10 12:16 – The 30% stake problem 14:45 – Africa needs 15+ million jobs per year 15:46 – Development comes down to two things: productivity and energy 16:55 – The average Nigerian consumes the same electricity as a fridge 18:08 – Energy is the bottleneck—even for AI in the US 18:35 – Education and know-how: The Dangote Refinery example 21:18 – Only 2 African utilities are financially viable 22:37 – Macroeconomic stability and security 26:55 – When did Nigeria diverge? The 1970s oil curse 33:19 – Why 54 countries creates inefficiency 36:43 – Where young Africans should look for opportunity 40:08 – Fintechs will eventually become banks 43:41 – AFC's early days and building from scratch 46:07 – How AFC achieved an A-minus credit rating 47:25 – 95% of troubled investments had governance failures 49:55 – John Rawls and why African leaders need a theory of justice 55:21 – China's role in African infrastructure 1:00:03 – The diaspora's real value: Know-how, not money 1:06:31 – Why Andrew is on Twitter 1:08:47 – Rapid fire: Favorite Nigerian food, travel, and more 1:09:49 – How AFC's Eurobond was 5-6x oversubscribed 1:12:08 – Warm monetization: Sell Indomie, not champagne 1:16:11 – The infrastructure deal that got away 1:17:19 – Most underrated African leader: Seretse Khama 1:17:30 – Who should sit in this chair next?

    1 h 19 min

  7. 25 MARS ·  VIDÉO

    Tech Investor: The Trillion-Dollar Market Everyone Is Afraid To Touch

    Marlon Nichols spotted the opportunity in Africa before most of Silicon Valley was paying attention. Now managing $600 million across three funds at Mac Ventures, he's built a reputation for seeing cultural shifts 18-24 months before they hit mainstream. In this conversation, we unpack how he thinks about deals, why he bets on culture as a leading indicator, and what he's learned from backing companies like Gimlet Media and Pipe. Marlon breaks down: • Why he flew to Nairobi for a board seat and how it changed everything • The cultural investing thesis: how behavior becomes business • Gimlet Media: investing in podcasts before podcasts were a thing • "You can have the biggest market, phenomenal product, and a crappy team — it's going to fail every time" • The four non-negotiables he looks for in founding teams • Solo founders: why being an "attractor" is essential • How Mac Ventures survived the ZIRP era without chasing crypto • Why energy is his biggest focus right now — and what AI has to do with it • The real difference between being a good investor and running a fund • Culture House: how a brunch turned into a global community • Skin in the game: why he left consulting and never looked back • Shackle Mobility: the Nigerian startup he wants you to know about This is a masterclass in pattern recognition, fund discipline, and building in markets others overlook. AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only. Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr WHERE TO FIND MARLON NICHOLS Mac Ventures: https://macventurecapital.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marloncnichols?igsh=MWRrM2hhcTYweHF4Mg== Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/macventurecap?igsh=MTNodWFpYTZ3cWFwdQ%3D%3D EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com CONVO BY AFROPOLITAN Convo - Book 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/ AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro: What Marlon Saw in Africa 01:24 - Marlon's Background & Managing $600M+ at MaC Venture Capital 02:22 - The Courage to Invest in Africa Early 02:45 - How a Chance Meeting Led to His First African Investment (Kenfield Griffith) 03:39 - Finding a Nigerian LP by Accident in Portugal 05:58 - The Cultural Investing Thesis Explained 06:28 - From Cross Culture Ventures to MaC: Evolution of the Thesis 7:38 - Why Meritocracy Matters in Diverse Investing 8:00 - Culture as Behavior: Identifying Trends 18-24 Months Early 9:00 - Gimlet Media Investment: The HBO of Podcasting 10:21 - Building Mental Models for Evaluating Deals 11:02 - "It Takes 7 Years to Get Good at This" - Getting the Reps 12:59 - Current Thesis on Media Companies & Why It's Tough 15:38 - Investments in Mansa (Nate Parker & David Oyelowo) and Spill 16:33 - Biggest Misconceptions Black Founders Have About Raising Capital 18:25 - Understanding VC as a Product Business 19:41 - The ZIRP Era: How MaC Maintained Fund Discipline 21:32 - What MaC is Excited to Invest In: Energy, Fintech, AI, Healthcare 23:09 - Founder Red Flags: The Know-It-Alls 25:20 - Thoughts on Solo Founders: The Attractor Principle 26:05 - The 4 Non-Negotiables in Founding Teams 27:24 - Why Technical Co-Founders Matter (Tech Debt) 28:25 - Great Team vs. Great Market: What Wins 29:04 - Dealing with Co-Founder Conflict (Real Story) 31:29 - How MaC Venture Capital Was Formed (Cross Culture + M Ventures) 33:31 - What It Really Takes to Run a Fund 38:17 - Why Cycles Repeat: Young People Haven't Seen It Before 40:05 - The VC's Role During Tough Times: Therapist, Coach, Team Member 41:45 - How Important is Self-Awareness in Founders 42:31 - From Jamaica to Venture: Mom's Entrepreneurial Influence 45:25 - Does Capital Allocation Have a Worldview? 46:12 - The Energy Thesis: Why It's Necessary Now 48:50 - Crypto vs. AI: Why AI is Different 50:43 - How MaC Evaluates AI Companies (3 Lenses) 54:58 - Thoughts on the Creator Economy 57:15 - Stephen Bartlett's Distribution Thesis: Attention as Currency 59:13 - Super Personalization vs. Virality Debate 1:01:26 - Culture House: Origin Story at SXSW 1:04:05 - Investments Born from Culture House (PlayVS Story) 1:04:50 - What Skin in the Game Means to Marlon 1:06:52 - Auntie Art Collection Ad 1:07:35 - RAPID FIRE SEGMENT 1:07:43 - Gimlet vs. Pipe: Which Felt Better? 1:08:38 - Advice to 2015 Marlon: Vet Your Partners 1:09:54 - Biggest Red Flag in Pitch Decks 1:11:10 - Most Underrated Trait in a VC: People Management 1:11:21 - Favorite Jamaican Food & City 1:12:10 - Favorite Nigerian Food & Why LA Over SF 1:13:58 - Who Should Be on the Podcast? Shackle Mobility Founders 1:16:53 - Carrot Credit Investment Thesis 1:19:07 - Outro & Thanks

    1 h 19 min

  8. 18 MARS ·  VIDÉO

    Why Spotify & Apple Own Afrobeats ( And How We Lose) Audu Maikori

    Audu Maikori built Chocolate City into Africa's most enduring record label — the only one from its generation still standing and profitable after 20 years. But this conversation goes far beyond music. We unpack the intellectual property crisis quietly stripping Africans of ownership over their own culture, why Nigerian artists are generating billions of streams while losing the rights internationally, and the distribution bottleneck holding back every sector of the Nigerian economy. Audu breaks down: • Why Chocolate City survived when every other label from its era collapsed • The copyright trap: why your music isn't yours if it's not registered in the US • "We built an industry on someone else's infrastructure. We own nothing." • Linda Ikeji vs. BellaNaija: the difference between a hustle and an institution • Why hip-hop has been "trapped" for 15 years — and what Afrobeats can learn • The $22 billion catalog acquisition wave and what it means for African artists • Jay-Z vs. Diddy: the brutal lesson on community, legacy, and co-ownership • His "wilderness moment" — broke, in debt, and one prayer away from giving up • Why destabilizing Nigeria is a geopolitical project, not just a governance failure This isn't just about entertainment. It's about ownership, infrastructure, and who controls the future of African culture. AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only. Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr WHERE TO FIND AUDU MAIKORI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audumaikori Twitter: https://x.com/audumaikori Chocolate City: https://www.chocolatecitymusic.com EPISODE SPONSORS Vban - Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.com Quill - AI meeting notes that live on your device, not in your cloud. No bots on your call, no copy-pasting transcripts. Try free → https://www.quillmeetings.com/partners/afropolitan CONVO BY AFROPOLITAN Convo - Book 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/ AFROPOLITAN Twitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast Newsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletter TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro: The myth about the business of entertainment 2:03 - Has Nigeria done a good job exporting its culture? 4:28 - Is the music industry more structured now vs. when you started? 7:30 - Why 70% of label revenue comes from outside Nigeria 7:54 - The copyright registration problem (Nigeria vs. US) 9:01 - The real reason behind the Chocolate City investment 12:14 - How a legal background shaped Chocolate City's success 17:07 - Why contracts matter: "Social media tweets can't get you out of contracts" 18:58 - The role of technology infrastructure in capturing value 21:03 - "We built an industry on somebody else's infrastructure" 22:33 - Is Nigerian music an industry or a hustle? 23:29 - Linda Ikeji vs. Bella Naija: Two business models 27:06 - The Apple vs. Android approach to building brands 28:23 - What opportunities are we missing in the creative sector? 31:03 - The distribution problem: "We can't get products to people" 33:19 - Why 80% of telco budgets ignore Nigeria's biggest populations 36:02 - The untapped opportunity in Nigerian football 37:15 - Similarities and differences between Hip-Hop and Afrobeats 40:04 - "Hip-hop was quickly owned by the white man" 41:48 - "Intellectual property enslavement is in perpetuity" 47:47 - Why the advertising-music marriage hasn't worked in Africa 51:41 - Nigerian designers and the distribution gap 54:21 - "Is Nigeria ready?" - The Walmart model for Africa 59:52 - The fashion industry's missed opportunity 1:04:17 - The M.I. story: "Stop Plus is on the way out, you're on the way in" 1:07:02 - How to see potential in people before others do 1:10:10 - The early Chocolate City days: "You get this bar?" 1:13:03 - Stories from the studio: Developing Oleku and Safe 1:19:00 - "Your vision is your vision" 1:21:01 - The airplane perspective lesson 1:23:22 - Advice for founders in their "wilderness moment" 1:24:28 - The 2004 turning point: From broke to breakthrough 1:29:31 - Being exiled for speaking truth 1:32:23 - Why destabilizing Nigeria destabilizes Africa 1:35:00 - Sponsor: Aunties Collection 1:35:47 - Sponsor: Quill 1:36:28 - RAPID FIRE: Best hip-hop album of all time 1:36:57 - Artist you wish you had signed 1:38:31 - Should artists own their masters from day one? 1:41:52 - Favorite hip-hop song of all time 1:42:37 - Perspective on Jay-Z as artist and businessman 1:46:53 - The Diddy comparison: "You can't fake community" 1:50:01 - Who should sit in this chair next?

    1 h 55 min
Tout afficher (106)

Bande-annonce

À propos

The Afropolitan Podcast Hosted by Chika Uwazie & Eche Emole This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a mirror to the soul of the African diaspora. Each week, co-hosts Chika & Eche sit down with founders, culture-shapers, and bold thinkers to explore the truth behind the highlights, shedding light on grief, growth, legacy, power, identity, and everything in between. You’ll hear the stories you won’t find on panels. The questions most people are too afraid to ask. The answers that stay with you long after the episode ends. From billion-dollar builders to first-gen visionaries, we go there. About Afropolitan: Afropolitan is building a digital nation for Africans and the diaspora—powered by culture, capital, and code. The podcast is one piece of a global movement to create infrastructure for Black and African ambition at scale. This is the sound of a new era. Raw. Soulful. Unapologetically Afropolitan. Watch on Youtube as well https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan?sub_confirmation=1

Informations

  • Création
    Afropolitan
  • Années d’activité
    2025 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    106
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Afropolitan
  • Site web de l’émission
    Afropolitan

Vous aimeriez peut‑être aussi