Frankly Business Podcast

Frank Fagbo

The Frankly Business Podcast is a platform for clear, intelligent conversations on business, finance, and the economy across Nigeria and Africa. Hosted by Frank Fagbo, a business media professional with deep experience in markets and economic reporting, the show features founders, CEOs, policymakers, and industry leaders shaping Africa's digital and economic landscape. We break down fintech, macroeconomic trends, regulation, digital payments, startup funding, capital markets, and the strategies behind Africa's fastest-growing companies. Our goal is simple: to make complex ideas accessible and give you insight into how top operators think and execute. This channel serves founders, investors, professionals, and anyone interested in African business, financial markets, entrepreneurship, and technology.

  1. Why Great Companies Fail Even When They Do Everything Right | Niyi Adesanya

    JAN 4

    Why Great Companies Fail Even When They Do Everything Right | Niyi Adesanya

    Some companies do everything right — and still fail. Why? In this episode of the Frankly Business Podcast, Africa’s foremost leadership strategist Niyi Adesanya explains why vision, talent, and execution are not enough without strong systems, culture, and leadership design. Drawing from real-world examples like Nokia and Kodak, Niyi breaks down the hidden factors that cause organizations — and even nations — to collapse despite having smart people and big ideas. In this conversation, we explore: • Why “doing everything right” can still lead to failure • How systems defeat vision without structure • Culture vs strategy: what truly drives performance • The ambidextrous organization: how to explore and exploit effectively • Why fixing infrastructure without fixing mindset doesn’t work • How AI is reshaping consulting, leadership, and the knowledge industry This is not a motivational conversation. It’s a thinking conversation for founders, CEOs, executives, consultants, and leaders building for long-term relevance. 00:00 – Intro: Why Great Companies Still Fail 02:18 – Who Is Niyi Adesanya? 08:06 – How Sam Adeyemi Mentored Me (Mentorship, Relationships & Early Formation) 09:15 – How I Organize The Largest Leadership BootCamp in Nigeria 13:10 – Why Vision Without Systems Always Breaks 16:05 – Culture vs Infrastructure: What Really Drives Performance 20:48 – The Nigeria Case Study: Leadership, Governance & Mindset 26:14 – Maintenance Culture & Why Systems Collapse Over Time 33:00 – The Ambidextrous Strategy in Organization: Explore vs Exploit 34:10 – Nokia & Kodak: Doing Everything Right — and Still Failing 38:25 – AI, Consulting & the Death of Motivation Without Results 46:45 – The Business of Speaking & Consulting 50:15 - The Highest Paid Speaker in Nigeria 52:02 – Motivational Speaking is Dead 53:40 – Final Thoughts: Question for Femi Otedola 55:00 – Closing & Outro Credits: Music: No Limits by ArcticFoxMusic Link to Video: https://youtu.be/ypGySPBoOIg?si=s9RZ377Btl4rWPkF ️ This is the Frankly Business Podcast — where Africa’s sharpest minds break it down.

    56 min
  2. From Walmart to Wakanow: How Bayo Adedeji Is Fixing Africa’s Travel Problem | $50M Raised

    JAN 31

    From Walmart to Wakanow: How Bayo Adedeji Is Fixing Africa’s Travel Problem | $50M Raised

    From Walmart to Wakanow. In this episode, Bayo Adedeji, CEO of Wakanow, shares how he transitioned from working at Walmart to building one of Africa’s leading travel tech companies — raising over $50 million along the way. We also unpack why flights are expensive in Africa and what must change Why are flights so expensive in Africa — especially during Christmas and peak travel season? In this explosive conversation, Bayo Adedeji (CEO of Wakanow) breaks down the real economics behind African flight prices… and the journey that took Wakanow from near-collapse to a $50M global travel empire operating in 30+ countries. From Walmart to Wakanow, from selling shoes and fries, to leaving a $300,000 Amazon job, Bayo shares the brutal truth about: ✈️ Why African flights cost a premium How travel companies survive in tough markets ️ What it REALLY means to build in Africa Why “projecting poverty” kills investment deals Entrepreneurship vs intrapreneurship (and why both matter) How Wakanow rebuilt trust and scaled globally This episode is packed with hard-earned lessons on business, travel, money, customer behaviour, and the reality of surviving in Africa’s toughest industries. This… is Frankly Business. Where Africa’s biggest minds come to talk money, business, and the future. WATCH TILL THE END — every minute is pure gold. Chapters below Drop your thoughts in the comments — we read everything. ⸻ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS (Clear, Searchable, SEO-Friendly) (If you want, I can refine these after seeing the exact runtime.) 00:00 — Intro: Africa’s Flight Crisis 01:42 — Why are African flights so expensive? 05:10 — The hidden economics of airlines in Africa 08:25 — Christmas & festive season: why prices skyrocket 11:02 — Wakanow’s early struggles and near-collapse 14:50 — Why Bayo left a $300K Amazon job 18:33 — From Walmart to Wakanow: the untold journey 21:40 — Selling shoes, fries & beach houses: the hustle story 25:55 — How Wakanow raised $50M and expanded to 30+ countries 30:11 — Entrepreneurship vs Intrapreneurship 33:08 — “Stop projecting poverty” — his viral investment philosophy 37:42 — Why African founders must think differently 41:15 — Customer behaviour: the truth nobody talks about 45:59 — Speed, execution, and decision-making 50:22 — Travel, tourism & the African opportunity 54:40 — Advice for young entrepreneurs and employees 59:10 — Final message: Build. Don’t beg.

    1h 31m

About

The Frankly Business Podcast is a platform for clear, intelligent conversations on business, finance, and the economy across Nigeria and Africa. Hosted by Frank Fagbo, a business media professional with deep experience in markets and economic reporting, the show features founders, CEOs, policymakers, and industry leaders shaping Africa's digital and economic landscape. We break down fintech, macroeconomic trends, regulation, digital payments, startup funding, capital markets, and the strategies behind Africa's fastest-growing companies. Our goal is simple: to make complex ideas accessible and give you insight into how top operators think and execute. This channel serves founders, investors, professionals, and anyone interested in African business, financial markets, entrepreneurship, and technology.