Frankly Business Podcast

In this episode of Frankly Business, I sit down with Abasiama Idaresit — one of Africa’s pioneering digital entrepreneurs, early-stage investor, and CEO of Wild Fusion Holdings. From launching one of Nigeria’s first digital marketing agencies in 2010 to investing early in companies like Paystack, Big Cabal Media, and Casava, Abasiama has been at the forefront of Africa’s tech and media evolution. But not every decision went right. He shares the story of a painful investment mistake — pulling out early from a startup that went on to deliver over 10,000x returns. We break down: * The early days of digital marketing in Africa * Building and scaling Wild Fusion across Nigeria, Ghana & Kenya * His transition from operator to investor * The biggest mistakes founders and investors make * How to identify real opportunities in Africa’s tech ecosystem * Lessons from backing companies like Paystack and Big Cabal This is a masterclass in business, investing, timing, and long-term thinking. If you’re building, investing, or thinking about Africa’s future — this episode is for you. ⸻ Subscribe for more conversations on business, finance & opportunity Follow Frankly Business Podcast for insights that actually matter

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.

Most founders think funding is about pitch decks. They’re wrong. In this episode, we sat down with Ife Durosinmi-Etti, Founder and CEO of Herconomy, to unpack how she raised $600,000 in 24 hours, attracted over $5 million in commitments, and what most founders misunderstand about funding. We talk about crowdfunding on Instagram, visibility and credibility, the real cost of running tech companies, and why only 4% of women globally have raised over $1 million. This conversation goes beyond motivation — it breaks down how community, problem-solving, and alignment with global challenges (SDGs) can unlock grants, capital, and long-term growth. Whether you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or building in Africa, this episode will change how you think about money, access, and opportunity. women entrepreneurship, startup funding, how founders raise money, women in business, venture capital, fundraising for startups, crowdfunding instagram, african startups, women founders, herconomy, ife durosinmi etti, franky business podcast, grants for startups, tech startups africa, gender funding gap, women led startups, how to raise capital, startup grants, community led startups, funding for women #StartupFunding #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #AfricanStartups #FranklyBusiness

In this capsule of the Frankly Business Podcast, Samson Esemuede — founder of Zrosk Investment Ltd and one of Africa’s most exciting young investors — breaks down the truth behind venture capital, fundraising, and how investors actually make money. From how VCs raise capital, to who funds them, to why emerging markets need a new investment model, Samson Esemuede shares rare insights every founder and investor needs to hear. You’ll learn: • What venture capital really means • Where VC firms get their money • How they pick startups and manage risk • Why Nigeria needs a bespoke funding model • The lifecycle of a VC fund — from fundraising to exit • Lessons from Samson’s own investing journey: Lafarge, Nord Motors, LemFi, Max.ng & more This is the conversation every African builder, founder and dreamer needs to watch. Watch till the end — it might change how you think about money, risk and opportunity. ⸻ ✨ ABOUT FRANKLY BUSINESS PODCAST Frankly Business is Africa’s fastest-growing business and investment storytelling platform, bringing honest conversations from leaders shaping the future.

Samson Esemuede, CFA, is one of Africa’s most respected investment minds. He began his career at CitiBank and Deutsche Bank, rising to the position of Vice President, before becoming a founding partner at Zrosk Investment Management, a firm now managing north of $100+ million AUM. In this exclusive 130-minute conversation, Samson and Frank dive into: Topics Covered • The real state of the Nigerian economy • Why investors are betting billions on African startups • China’s economic slowdown and its implications • The secrets behind successful venture capital • The psychology of wealth and the habits of elite investors • What determines “luck” — and how to increase your opportunity surface area • A deep breakdown of equities, capital markets, and investment cycles Samson’s investments include: LemFi, MAX.ng, Nord Motors, Lafarge, and several of Africa’s fastest-growing ventures. This episode is a masterclass for founders, investors, analysts, and entrepreneurs who want to understand Africa’s economic future. * Africa economy * Nigerian investment * Samson Esemuede * Zrosk investment * venture capital Africa * startup funding 2024 * Nigerian stock market * China slowdown Africa * Frankly Business Podcast * Frontier Business Podcast

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.

In a continent where innovation meets necessity, one leader sits at the center of Africa’s fintech revolution. Dr. Stanley Jacob — President of the Fintech Association of Nigeria and CEO of Zest Payment (Stanbic IBTC subsidiary) — joins Frankly Business for a deep dive into the truth behind Africa’s $4.6bn fintech boom. From the North of Nigeria to the top of Africa’s payment infrastructure, Dr. Stanley breaks down: How Opay and Moniepoint built lightning-fast transaction engines Why Zest is building the rails powering the next era of digital payments The ₦100 million licensing hurdle nobody talks about The orchestration model shaping the future of fintech Why investors are betting big on Africa despite macro uncertainty The battle between speed, compliance and sustainability This episode is bold, raw, and visionary — a masterclass for founders, operators, regulators, bankers and anyone serious about Africa’s digital economy. This is Frankly Business. Where Africa’s biggest minds come to talk money, innovation, and the future. #FintechAfrica #AfricanBusiness #StartupFunding #NigeriaTech #Opay #Moniepoint #StanbicIBTC #ZestPayments #FinancePodcast #AfricaRising #TechInAfrica #FinancialInclusion #DigitalPayments #FranklyBusiness #LeadershipInAfrica

What if we told you that ₦3 million could be within your reach — legally and smartly? In this episode of Frankly Business, we break down practical, proven ways to access business funding in Nigeria. From grants and accelerator programs to pitching tips and hidden opportunities most entrepreneurs miss — this is your roadmap to getting funded. Our guest shares insider tips, real success stories, and the common mistakes that make founders lose out on free money. If you’re serious about growing your business, this episode could change your story.

How does someone go from a small village background to building a billion-naira fintech company? In this inspiring episode of Frankly Business, we sit down with a visionary founder who turned humble beginnings into a global success story. From early struggles to groundbreaking innovation, he shares the mindset, mistakes, and miracles behind his journey to raising billions in funding and transforming Africa’s digital finance space. Proof that where you start doesn’t define how far you can go — this one’s pure motivation and masterclass combined.

Tired of motivational talk with no real results? In this power-packed episode of Frankly Business, we reveal tested and proven business strategies that actually make money — not just in theory, but in the real Nigerian market. From pricing hacks and customer retention secrets to digital marketing moves that drive serious profit, our guest breaks down what it really takes to scale from thousands to millions. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, side hustler, or SME owner, this episode gives you the playbook for lasting success — no fluff, just facts.

Let’s be honest — not every startup failure is innocent. In this no-holds-barred episode of Frankly Business Speaking, we dive into the dark side of entrepreneurship: fraud, exploitation, and the toxic “fake it till you make it” culture that’s ruining trust in the startup ecosystem. From misused investor funds to unpaid staff and deceptive marketing, we ask the hard question — should some founders actually face jail time? It’s bold, it’s controversial, and it’s the conversation the business world has been avoiding for too long.

What if you could learn a skill today and start earning big in just two weeks? In this episode of Frankly Speaking, we uncover high-demand, fast-monetising skills that Nigerians are using to make millions — even with little or no capital. From digital services to creative freelancing and AI-powered tools, our guest reveals the exact skills, platforms, and strategies that can turn your hustle into real income — fast. This isn’t a get-rich-quick gimmick — it’s a roadmap for smart, skill-based success.

Why do small businesses struggle to survive while big brands keep getting bigger? In this explosive episode of Frankly Speaking, we expose the strategies — and sometimes the silent wars — that big corporations use to dominate markets, edge out competitors, and control consumer choices. From pricing power and marketing muscle to government influence and supply chain control, we unpack the harsh realities behind Nigeria’s business landscape. Whether you’re a small business owner or a curious observer, this episode will open your eyes to the real rules of the game.

Getting business funding in Nigeria isn’t easy — but what if you could learn directly from someone who’s cracked the code 11 times? In this episode of Frankly Speaking, we break down the real steps, strategies, and mindset that helped our guest secure 11 business grants worth millions of naira. From crafting irresistible proposals to standing out in competitive applications, this episode gives you the blueprint to win — no connections required. Whether you’re a startup founder, SME owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this is your ultimate grant-winning guide.

Behind every booming estate and luxury apartment in Nigeria lies a secret few people talk about — the unconventional strategies, silent partnerships, and local dynamics that truly drive property sales. In this episode, we uncover how agents, developers, and even influencers are reshaping the real estate game. From off-market deals to the psychology behind buyer decisions, we break down what really sells homes in Nigeria — and why it’s not always what you think. Whether you’re an aspiring investor, a curious homeowner, or simply fascinated by the business side of real estate, this episode reveals the untold truths of Nigeria’s property market. Listen now to discover the strategies that separate ordinary agents from industry insiders.