48 episodes

Welcome to the Afropolitan Podcast hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of Afropolitan.



Afropolitan is creating a digital nation to enable Africans and the diaspora to build abundant lives. The internet enables people to organize around shared values at scales that were previously unthinkable before the current century. If it were a country, Facebook would be the largest one globally. With the advent of cryptocurrency, the next Facebook will not be a social network with a passive online community but rather a full-blown digital nation coordinated by its native currency and a unifying mission.

In Africa, our knowledge and history has been passed down through oral tradition. That oral tradition continues till this day, but today we call it podcasting.

We seek to preserve our history, achievements and knowledge not just for today, but for the future.

In each episode, our guests share their working formulas, the hard facts about leaving familiar terrain, embracing the unknown, and staying relevant afterwards. Listen to the Afropolitan podcast, where we extract the blueprints of fearlessness, innovation, and progress from Afropolitan citizens who are building the future of a bold and progressive nation.

Join the network of abundance → https://linktr.ee/afropolitangroup

Afropolitan Website → https://www.afropolitan.io/

Read our Manifesto https://afropolitan.mirror.xyz/qkBv4y7MidTpDZJVEIEBC4EZi70v30IrCXLCZ-F6eMs

Afropolitan Afropolitan / Jamit

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 8 Ratings

Welcome to the Afropolitan Podcast hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of Afropolitan.



Afropolitan is creating a digital nation to enable Africans and the diaspora to build abundant lives. The internet enables people to organize around shared values at scales that were previously unthinkable before the current century. If it were a country, Facebook would be the largest one globally. With the advent of cryptocurrency, the next Facebook will not be a social network with a passive online community but rather a full-blown digital nation coordinated by its native currency and a unifying mission.

In Africa, our knowledge and history has been passed down through oral tradition. That oral tradition continues till this day, but today we call it podcasting.

We seek to preserve our history, achievements and knowledge not just for today, but for the future.

In each episode, our guests share their working formulas, the hard facts about leaving familiar terrain, embracing the unknown, and staying relevant afterwards. Listen to the Afropolitan podcast, where we extract the blueprints of fearlessness, innovation, and progress from Afropolitan citizens who are building the future of a bold and progressive nation.

Join the network of abundance → https://linktr.ee/afropolitangroup

Afropolitan Website → https://www.afropolitan.io/

Read our Manifesto https://afropolitan.mirror.xyz/qkBv4y7MidTpDZJVEIEBC4EZi70v30IrCXLCZ-F6eMs

    Shaping the Future of African Commerce Through Vertical Integration With Daniel Yu (Founder & CEO of Wasoko)

    Shaping the Future of African Commerce Through Vertical Integration With Daniel Yu (Founder & CEO of Wasoko)

    Quote - “The spirit of Afropolitan, and why I'm so excited about the
    community that's being built, is to connect one of the most powerful
    forces in the world, which is human communities, to the fastest
    growing place in the world, which is the African continent.”

    The Afropolitan Podcast highlights Afropolitans who embrace the
    unknown and walk with purpose. Through this podcast, we aim to empower
    Africans in the Diaspora to maximize their potential and contribute to
    the development of a vibrant and progressive black community.
    In this episode, we chat with Daniel Yu, Founder & CEO of Wasoko, a
    technology company that is transforming the $600 billion market for
    essential goods sold through mom-and-pop stores in Africa. Wasoko
    provides on-demand ordering, delivery, and financing services to these
    small retailers. Wasoko's platform enables shop owners to place orders
    at any time via SMS or a mobile app, and offers free same-day delivery
    of goods directly to their stores. Additionally, Wasoko provides "Pay
    Later" financing options to support the growth of these shops. The
    company operates in several African countries, including Kenya,
    Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal, and collaborates
    with major companies such as Unilever and Procter & Gamble. Wasoko has
    raised over $145 million in equity financing from investors like Tiger
    Global and Avenir Growth Capital, making it one of the largest tech
    companies in Africa.
    Daniel Yu is an entrepreneur and software developer with extensive
    experience working and traveling in over 65 countries, primarily in
    emerging economies such as Africa, the Middle East, Central America,
    Brazil, Southeast Asia, and China. He is skilled at exploring markets
    and building networks to effectively launch technology-driven
    businesses. Daniel is conversational or fluent in eight languages:
    English (native), Mandarin, Swahili, Arabic, Spanish, Cantonese,
    Portuguese, and French.
    Daniel is passionate about leveraging technology and innovation to
    transform the retail landscape in emerging economies, empowering small
    businesses, and making a positive social impact across Africa. Join us
    as Daniel discusses his journey with Wasoko and the importance of
    digital technology and services to solve Africa’s supply chain
    problems.

    Daniel’s Reading List:
    1. Doing Good Better: How Effective Altruism Can Help You Help Others,
    Do Work that Matters, and Make Smarter Choices about Giving Back by
    William MacAskill - https://amzn.to/41EnFJj
    2. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight - https://amzn.to/3IkPMq2
    3. Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder - https://amzn.to/455COGn
    Show Notes
    2:00 Daniel breaks down his background and what led him to Africa as
    an entrepreneur
    3:27 Daniel, as the founder and CEO of Wasako, has been working to
    transform commerce in Africa and tells us the problem it aims to solve
    4:49 Daniel details the monetization model of Wasoko
    5:16 Daniel talks about some of the assumptions he had of this
    commerce model and what challenges he faced going to market
    6:54 Daniel talks about the importance of startups to vertical
    integrate in Africa to ensure successful delivery of their chosen
    offerings and how the process of building in Africa differs from being
    in California, where certain aspects are already taken care of, and
    the focus is primarily on software development
    8:20 Daniel explains why he started in certain African countries
    compared to others and the cultural differences experienced in each
    country
    10:09 Daniel paints the customer onboarding process early on
    11:16 Daniel details the early stages of a startup and the struggles
    you have to go through
    12:37 Daniel talks about...

    • 27 min
    Scaling Impact with Obinna Ukwuani (Chief Digital Officer, Bank of Kigali Plc)

    Scaling Impact with Obinna Ukwuani (Chief Digital Officer, Bank of Kigali Plc)

    Quote: "Don't approach entrepreneurship from a position of
    desperation; instead, build and have leverage."

    The Afropolitan Podcast highlights Afropolitans who embrace the
    unknown and walk with purpose. Through this podcast, we aim to empower
    Africans in the Diaspora to maximize their potential and contribute to
    the development of a vibrant and progressive black community.

    In this episode, we chat with Obinna Ukwuani, Chief Digital Officer at
    the Bank of Kigali Plc, where he drives digital product development to
    achieve digital financial services objectives. Obinna, born in America
    with Nigerian roots, studied Economics at the Massachusetts Institute
    of Technology (MIT). He founded and directed the Makers Robotics
    Academy Rwanda and NESA by Makers, and now serves as the Founder and
    Director of Bruk Oil Mills in Enugu. Obinna previously worked at
    Paystack and shares his entrepreneurship insights in this episode.

    Obinna is passionate about education, entrepreneurship, and the
    transformative power of Web3/Blockchain technologies for people
    worldwide. Join us as Obinna discusses his journey to the Bank of
    Kigali and the importance of digital technology and services in
    solving Africa's challenges.

    Obinna's Reading List:
    1. Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by
    Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson - https://amzn.to/3kD1fbO
    2. The Biafra Story: The Making of an African Legend by Frederick
    Forsyth - https://amzn.to/3Zt7vBN
    3. The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis - https://amzn.to/3ICWJlD

    Show Notes:
    1:22 Introduction to the Afropolitan Podcast
    1:42 Obinna's background and journey to MIT, earning a BSc in
    Economics
    7:28 Obinna's decision to return to Nigeria and his role in
    nation-building and creating opportunities
    12:09 Obinna's work with the Makers Robotics Academy Rwanda and its
    impact on the local community
    14:14 Obinna shares his first significant encounter with failure and
    the lessons learned
    20:46 Obinna discusses insights from working with Paystack and Bank of
    Kigali on technology's potential for Africans
    24:19 Obinna talks about his experience raising funds for startups and
    offers advice for first-time founders navigating the fundraising
    process
    28:35 The importance of managing desperation and balance when
    dealing with investors
    31:20 Sam Altman's New Yorker profile and the need for Africa to
    leapfrog - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/10/sam-altmans-manifest-destiny
    38:12 Obinna shares his thoughts on Web3 and Blockchain, addressing
    skepticism and guiding principles
    42:53 Books that have profoundly impacted Obinna's life
    50:27 Hypothetical title of a book about Obinna's life
    51:35 Obinna's perspective on what it means to be Afropolitan

    The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of
    Afropolitan. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit,
    or wherever you get your podcasts.

    Connect with Afropolitan:
    Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan
    Website - https://www.afropolitan.io/

    • 51 min
    Being A Conduit For Resources and Information With Kyle Maloney (Co-Founder of Tech Beach)

    Being A Conduit For Resources and Information With Kyle Maloney (Co-Founder of Tech Beach)

    Quote - “Founders need to realise that investors love founders that
    have failed before because it is in your failings, you learn the
    most.”

    The Afropolitan Podcast spotlights Afropolitans who aren’t afraid to
    step into the unknown and walk in purpose. With this podcast we hope
    to empower Africans in the Diaspora to harness their full potential
    and contribute to the development of a bold and progressive black
    community.

    Our guests will share their working formulas, the hard facts about
    leaving familiar terrain, embracing the unknown, and staying relevant
    afterwards.

    This episode features Kyle Maloney, Co-Founder of Tech Beach; a
    startup with an active community designed to connect the Caribbean
    with the Global Technology Ecosystem.

    Klye studied Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
    University and was exposed to entrepreneurship early on which
    culminated in Co-founding Tech Beach to offer a much needed service in
    the region.

    He is passionate about empowering people and companies in the
    Caribbean through technology to scale and solve pertinent issues.

    Listen and enjoy as Kyle talks to us about his journey with Tech
    Beach, his background and plans for the future.

    Kyle’s Reading List

    Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Arthur R. Pell
    https://amzn.to/3XzOzzZ

    The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary
    Results by Gary Keller, Jay Papasan
    https://amzn.to/3lFdS6a

    Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad
    Ones by James Clear
    https://amzn.to/2P8LAvI

    Show Notes
    2:30 Impact of covid and background of Tech Beach
    5:58 Context of the Caribbean for startups
    7:52 Expansion in the Caribbean compared to Africa
    9:07 Fundraising process, challenges and advice
    11:32 Recruiting and retaining talent
    13:31 Kyle’s background and influences
    19:49 Lessons from failure
    24:00 Process to find the right mentor within the ecosystem
    28:15 Title of the book about your life
    30:53 Reading list
    32:44 Being Afropolitan
    35:03 Future plans

    The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of Afropolitan.
    Listen and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit, or
    wherever you get your podcasts.

    Want to learn more about Afropolitan?

    Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan
    Website - https://www.afropolitan.io/

    • 37 min
    Breaking Boundaries Beyond Africa With Hanu Agbodje (Founder & CEO of PATRICIA)

    Breaking Boundaries Beyond Africa With Hanu Agbodje (Founder & CEO of PATRICIA)

    Quote - “There is no joy to be found in playing small and dimming your lights.”


    The Afropolitan Podcast spotlights Afropolitans who aren’t afraid to
    step into the unknown and walk in purpose. With this podcast we hope
    to empower Africans in the Diaspora to harness their full potential
    and contribute to the development of a bold and progressive black
    community.


    Our guests will share their working formulas, the hard facts about
    leaving familiar terrain, embracing the unknown, and staying relevant
    afterwards.


    This episode features Hanu Agbodje, Founder & CEO of PATRICIA; a
    fintech company founded in 2017 using Blockchain technology to process
    cryptocurrency transactions in Africa and beyond.


    Hanu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from
    University of Port Harcourt and founded PATRICIA after 13 other
    unsuccessful businesses.


    He is passionate about crypto and how the technology can solve
    Africa’s biggest problems and synergise payments.


    Listen and enjoy as Hanu talks to us about his journey with PATRICIA
    and ambition to transform alternative payments solutions in Africa.


    Hanu’s Reading List


    The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

    https://amzn.to/3E3l8iW


    Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter
    Thiel and Blake Masters

    https://amzn.to/3lt34Iq


    How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell

    https://amzn.to/2VzobXM


    Show Notes

    1:23 Patricia's mission and vision for the world

    1:58 Recruiting and retaining talent

    3:30 The journey to Patricia

    9:39 African founders competing anywhere in the world

    12:25 What promise cryptocurrency holds for Africa?

    15:02 Advice for founders dealing with government regulation

    16:25 Dealing with failure and lessons learnt

    19:23 Balance between creativity and objectives

    20:38 Title of the book about your life

    22:07 Other passions aside from Patricia

    24:08 Self-care and avoiding burnout

    25:07 Reading list

    30:41 Being Afropolitan

    32:38 Future of Patricia


    The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of Afropolitan.

    Listen and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit, or
    wherever you get your podcasts.


    Want to learn more about Afropolitan?


    Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan

    Website - https://www.afropolitan.io/

    • 34 min
    Changing Lives Through Chess With Tunde Onakoya (Founder of Chess In Slums Africa)

    Changing Lives Through Chess With Tunde Onakoya (Founder of Chess In Slums Africa)

    Quote - “This frail body will house the greatest spirit humanity will
    ever know.”

    The Afropolitan Podcast spotlights Afropolitans who aren’t afraid to
    step into the unknown and walk in purpose. With this podcast we hope
    to empower Africans in the Diaspora to harness their full potential
    and contribute to the development of a bold and progressive black
    community.

    Our guests will share their working formulas, the hard facts about
    leaving familiar terrain, embracing the unknown, and staying relevant
    afterwards.

    This episode features Tunde Onakoya, Founder of Chess In Slums Africa;
    a non-profit organisation that utilises the game of chess to educate
    and empower underprivileged children to achieve far more than their
    circumstances.

    Tunde holds a National Diploma in Computer Science from Yaba College
    of Technology and created Chess in Slums Africa to use chess as a tool
    to educate and propel the destiny of children out of poverty.

    He is passionate about equaling the playing field and has a goal to
    educate 1 million children in slum communities in 5 years.

    Listen and enjoy as Tunde talks to us about his journey with Chess In
    Slums Africa and redressing the imbalance in society.

    Tunde’s Reading List

    Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy
    for Modern Problems by Jules Evans
    https://amzn.to/3DMbVLF

    The Prosperity Paradox: How Innovation Can Lift Nations Out of Poverty
    by Clayton M. Christensen, Efosa Ojomo, Karen Dillon
    https://amzn.to/3DNoFBO

    Self-Discipline through Ikigai and Kaizen (Longevity and Happiness at
    Hand) by Mark Morimoto
    https://amzn.to/3lnLVQb

    Manifesto for a Moral Revolution Paperback – May 4, 2021 by Jacqueline Novogratz
    https://amzn.to/3RGYd2i

    Show Notes
    1:29 Background and discovery of chess
    4:31 Creation and mission of Chess In Slums Africa
    9:07 Impact on children/slums
    11:28 Ferdinand with cerebral palsy winning the chess tournament in Makoko
    14:17 Partnership with chess.com
    16:10 Finding purpose with Chess In Slums Africa
    19:42 Fulfilling potential linked to mission of Chess In Slums Africa
    22:43 Reading list
    25:24 Future plans and how to get involved/support
    27:28 Title of the book about your life
    28:13 What does being Afropolitan mean to you

    The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of Afropolitan.
    Listen and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit, or
    wherever you get your podcasts.

    Want to learn more about Afropolitan?

    Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan
    Website - https://www.afropolitan.io/

    • 30 min
    Venture Capitalist Investing Insights With Yida Gao (Managing General Partner of Shima Capital)

    Venture Capitalist Investing Insights With Yida Gao (Managing General Partner of Shima Capital)

    Yida Gao
    Quote - “Talent is everything for an early stage company and the
    people they hire early on define the trajectory of the company.”


    The Afropolitan Podcast spotlights Afropolitans who aren’t afraid to
    step into the unknown and walk in purpose. With this podcast we hope
    to empower Africans in the Diaspora to harness their full potential
    and contribute to the development of a bold and progressive black
    community.


    Our guests will share their working formulas, the hard facts about
    leaving familiar terrain, embracing the unknown, and staying relevant
    afterwards.


    This episode features Yida Gao, Managing General Partner of Shima
    Capital; an early stage crypto and Web3 investment firm.


    Yida holds a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He previously worked in Wall
    Street for Morgan Stanley in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group.


    He is passionate about investing in crypto and Web3 companies that
    chart new territory.


    Listen and enjoy as Yida Gao talks to us about his journey with Shima
    Capital and insights on the venture capitalist environment.


    Yida’s Reading List


    Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, and Innovators Create and Dominate
    Markets by Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, Kevin
    Maney

    https://amzn.to/3jfIPx0


    Show Notes

    2:02 Journey into crypto

    4:10 Shima’s investment thesis and approach to funding startups

    6:09 Main criteria to invest in a founder

    8:34 Fundraising process for Shima Capital

    10:50 Misconceptions about venture capitalists

    12:13 VCs inspired by

    13:09 Recruiting and retaining talent

    14:48 Navigating the fundraising environment

    17:25 Process of capital calls

    20:20 Best guidance that Shima offers for portfolio companies

    23:47 First encounter with failure and lesson learnt

    26:25 Reading list

    28:14 Title of the book about your life

    29:28 What does being Afropolitan mean to you


    The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of Afropolitan.

    Listen and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit, or
    wherever you get your podcasts.


    Want to learn more about Afropolitan?


    Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan

    Website - https://www.afropolitan.io/

    • 31 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

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