Afropolitan

AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION

A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 200 pieces. Application only.

Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr

$750,000 became $40 million in six years.
That's what happens when you stop betting on Africa's "potential" — and start betting on what's already working.
Ibrahim Sagna managed $37 billion at Africa Eximbank. Then he left to build Silverbacks Holdings. 10 exits since 2019. Flutterwave at 24x. Lemfi at 29x. Moov at 5.1x.
His thesis? Possible → Probable → Inevitable.
In this episode, we break down why Africa has been profitable for centuries, why capital has always known it, and why founders and investors are finally structuring exits that prove it.
From colonial extraction to modern venture capital. From seven cars to forty thousand. From early-stage angels to billion-dollar platforms.
We cover how African startups move from possible to inevitable, why distribution beats raw talent, and why storytelling is one of the most undervalued assets on the continent.
For founders, operators, investors, and anyone tired of hearing that Africa is still "loading."
It's not.

About Ibrahim Sagna
Ibrahim Sagna is Executive Chairman of Silverbacks Holdings, a private investment firm allocating capital across tech, entertainment, and sports. Since 2019, the firm has delivered 10 profitable exits.
Before Silverbacks, Ibrahim spent 26 years at Africa Eximbank running the investment banking division. He also hosts the In The Valley podcast.
Landmark investments include Moove — a global mobility fintech backed by Uber, operating in 29+ cities across five continents — and Wave Mobile Money, backed by Stripe.

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Ibrahim Sagna

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Instagram –  https://www.instagram.com/ibrahimsagna?igsh=em56c2pzZmlreWhx

Twitter -  https://x.com/ibrahimsagna?s=21&t=g8hW-h3DHs2_PEEsZXCnvw

Silverbacks Holdings

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/silverbacks-holdings_work-hard-activity-7224762396614000640-po9Z?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

In the Valley Youtube - https://youtube.com/@in_thevalley?si=U9bElCNHygbokIwP

In the Valley Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/in.the_valley?igsh=NDhlZ2NlaWdpdGl0

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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 

 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

https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afrop...

Convo by Afropolitan – Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers

https://convo.vip

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Why Africa is not “potential”

01:25 Why colonization proves long term value

02:01 Capital extraction then and now

02:56 The Silverbacks Holdings thesis explained

03:57 How African founders scale globally

04:52 From luck to preparation in venture

05:51 Possible vs Probable vs Inevitable

07:41 How SPVs create focused conviction

08:40 Why global expansion signals inevitability

10:06 Real exit multiples from African startups

11:05 Liquidity as a storytelling engine

12:32 From likable to adored brands

13:56 Why Apple behaves like a religion

15:21 Elevating African companies through narrative

17:19 How secondary exits actually work

18:46 Inside the Move investment story

21:41 Solving Uber’s real problem

24:34 Distribution as the real moat

27:08 From seven cars to 40,000

29:04 Becoming a truly global company

30:30 Brands that achieved cultural dominance

33:22 Why African culture is always exported

38:13 Building IP in film and media

39:16 Finding a 1.6 billion person niche

41:12 Culture investing with global reach

45:00 What DFIs actually do

52:10 Why refining beats raw talent

56:41 Who controls the story controls value

59:37 Almost dying and staying uninterrupted

01:08:11 Finding your superpower

01:27:07 Why Africa has always been actual

01:31:01 The next generation sees no limits

In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Sofi, one of the most compelling African women creators shaping culture across the diaspora, to unpack the real cost of authenticity, freedom, and building a life on your own terms.

Known online as The Odditty, Sofi opens up about choosing self expression over approval, walking away from expectations placed on African women, and turning her personality into a powerful platform. From viral moments to $25K brand deals, from being silenced to owning her voice, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation about identity, trauma, money, boundaries, and becoming unapologetically yourself.

This is not an influencer highlight reel.
This is a survival story.

We talk about the African creator economy, monetising authenticity, being underestimated, navigating family pressure, womanhood in public, and why being different is no longer a weakness but an advantage.

This episode explores:

• Why being yourself often comes with backlash, loss, and resistance
• How Sofi turned authenticity into real income and global opportunities
• The hidden cost of being a woman online, especially as an African creator
• Why African creators are finally winning and what most people missed
• Identity, self worth, trauma, healing, and choosing freedom anyway

If you are a creator, founder, artist, or anyone trying to live honestly in a world that rewards conformity, this conversation will stay with you.

Welcome to The Afropolitan Podcast, where African stories are told with honesty, depth, and pride.

Follow Sofi (The Odditty)

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_odditty/

Website
https://theodditty.com/

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Sponsored By

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
https://www.inverroche.com

Risevest
Invest globally in dollar denominated stocks, real estate, and fixed income
https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan

Convo by Afropolitan
Book 1 on 1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers
https://convo.vip

TIMESTAMPS

00:00: Intro

01:42 Why now is the best time to be an African creator

02:38 Telling African stories beyond suffering

03:06 Monetising being odd instead of fixing yourself

03:35 Blogging, early creation, and finding a voice

04:35 The first brand deals and learning your worth

05:28 How Sofi landed a $7,500 Home Depot deal

06:46 Why representation and visibility matter

07:15 What African parents expect versus reality

08:39 Sexual harassment and leaving Nigeria

10:59 Moving to America and unlearning shame

11:50 Viral moments and the birth of The Odditty

12:47 Choosing creativity over law school

14:16 Family pressure, money, and misunderstanding

15:44 Paying the price for freedom

16:43 Being ostracised for being yourself

18:06 Therapy, healing, and reclaiming power

19:30 Viral videos and what happens after

22:40 Why viral moments are not the goal

24:05 Building community over chasing attention

25:32 Boundaries, friendships, and creator burnout

28:41 Business boundaries and saying no

30:58 Being underestimated and weaponising softness

32:53 “She won’t last long” and proving them wrong

35:13 Creator politics, envy, and extraction

35:39 The business of content creation explained

38:28 Managers, agencies, and skin in the game

40:51 Why representation must work for you

44:00 The New York apartment controversy

45:52 The rat race and redefining success

47:44 Choosing freedom over lifestyle validation

50:43 Turning 30 and rewriting the dream

53:37 Race in America versus class in Nigeria

01:01:20 Why African creators would win faster at home

01:04:33 Lagos creator economy frustrations

01:07:41 Why Sofi started her podcast

01:10:28 Shame, sex, and breaking taboos

01:13:46 Processing trauma and delayed healing

01:16:33 Taking power back

01:19:40 Boundaries and self respect

01:21:34 Rapid fire questions

01:23:43 Who should be on the podcast next

Austin Avuru at Afropolitan Live | Building Institutions That Last in Africa

AUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTION
A limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 200 pieces. Application only.
Apply here: https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr

In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Austin Avuru—Nigerian geologist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Seplat Petroleum—to explore what it really takes to build institutions that last in Africa.
From his early years at NNPC to co-founding one of Nigeria's most successful indigenous energy companies, Austin shares a rare long-term perspective on discipline, governance, succession, and the hidden cost of success. This is not a hype story. It is a builder's story.
We discuss why most African businesses collapse after the founder exits, why managing success is harder than starting from nothing, and why building in Nigeria is difficult but absolutely possible.

🔗 FOLLOW AFROPOLITAN
Website – https://www.afropolitan.io
Instagram – https://instagram.com/afropolitan
Twitter – https://twitter.com/afropolitan
Book 1:1 with Eche – https://convo.vip/echeemole
Book 1:1 with Chika – https://convo.vip/chikauwazie

SPONSORS
VBan – Use code AFROPOLITAN → https://vban.com
Inverroche Gin → https://www.inverroche.com
Risevest → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitan
Convo → https://convo.vip

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:45 What it really takes to build in Nigeria
1:36 Discipline, focus, and one step at a time
2:18 Would he still choose Nigeria today
2:48 Starting his career at NNPC
3:49 Founding Platform Petroleum
4:36 Co-founding Seplat and acquiring Shell assets
5:02 Why Seplat listed on the London Stock Exchange
5:14 "We listed to save the company from ourselves"
5:47 Managing success as the biggest risk
6:27 Why African companies don't survive founders
7:47 Why Platform Petroleum still exists today
8:27 What NNPC represented in the 1980s
10:08 Comparing NNPC to Saudi Aramco
11:06 Losing his father at age six
11:36 His mother's role in shaping resilience
12:59 Returning to his childhood school after 60 years
14:14 The missed opportunity to go abroad
17:49 Acquiring IOC assets with audacity
18:50 Negotiating directly with Shell
19:41 Convincing global investors
20:42 Almost failing the LSE listing
22:06 How trust unlocked approval
24:36 Rebuilding market confidence
25:54 Scaling from 22K to 100K barrels/day
27:00 Why scaling breaks businesses
29:00 Choosing the right partners
30:23 When to walk away
32:04 Why indigenous entrepreneurs must step up
35:47 What a family office really is
36:25 Why he refused to write a will
37:00 Structuring wealth to avoid conflict
40:09 Lessons from the Dangote refinery
44:08 Energy transition and Africa's right to develop
47:49 What a just transition really means
50:35 Wealth discipline and philanthropy
53:23 Advice to Africans in the diaspora
55:35 Why Afropolitan exists
57:30 Rapid fire
59:39 Biggest hiring mistake
1:00:10 Best business advice received
1:01:26 One word for the diaspora: "It's possible"
1:02:05 Leaders he wants to see next
1:03:22 Final reflections on legacy

Aunty’s is a limited sculpture collection by Anthony Azekwoh, released in collaboration with Afropolitan.

We are placing 200 sculptures from the collection.
Acquisition is by application only.

This is not a traditional purchase. Each piece is placed intentionally.

Applications can be submitted here:
https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr

In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Anthony Azekwoh, a Nigerian visual artist and sculptor redefining how African memory, culture, and identity are preserved through art.

This conversation introduces Aunty’s, a sculpture collection rooted in reclaiming African history after centuries of cultural theft — beginning with the looting of the Benin Bronzes in 1897. Rather than waiting for restitution, this episode explores what it means to rebuild African memory through ownership, craft, and contemporary creation.

Anthony breaks down his creative process, from sketching and digital sculpting to producing physical sculptures in Nigeria using bronze, marble dust, and fiberglass. He reflects on the role of “aunties” as cultural archivists, the importance of joy and celebration in African storytelling, and why African homes can become modern museums.

The conversation also goes deeper into Anthony’s personal journey. He speaks candidly about leaving university, navigating religious institutions, financial instability, NFT booms and crashes, payment barriers for African creatives, and what it took to rebuild after hitting financial rock bottom. This is a rare, unfiltered look at what it means to build art, business, and legacy from Africa — without permission.

Legal Disclaimer: The opinions, statements, and views expressed by guests appearing on the Afropolitan Podcast are solely their own and do not represent the views, opinions, or positions of Afropolitan, its hosts, affiliates, or employees. Any claims or characterizations made by guests regarding third parties, including institutions or organizations, are the guest's personal opinions and should not be interpreted as statements of fact endorsed by this platform.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro & Teaser: Anthony on making his first million through prints

1:28 - Welcome & Introduction to the Aunties Sculpture Collection

1:47 - The History: 1897 Benin Bronze Looting & Cognitive Colonization

2:39 - Why Aunties Matter to African History

3:15 - Anthony Explains Why He Created the Aunties Collection

4:05 - The Design Philosophy: Circles, Triangles & Making African Shapes Iconic

5:06 - Creative Process: How an Idea Becomes a Sculpture

6:33 - Bringing Production Home to Nigeria (3D Printing & Bronze from Benin)

7:15 - "We Are Our Own Museums Now" - Art Living in Homes Worldwide

9:01 - Disconnection from African Art History & Discovering It Abroad

10:55 - What Anthony Wants People to Feel When They Own an Auntie

12:25 - Connecting the African Diaspora Through Art

13:04 - Playing Eternal Games with Eternal People

16:23 - Anthony's Origin Story: Starting as a Writer Who Taught Himself to Draw

16:50 - Why He Left Covenant University (The Full Story)

19:52 - Peak NFT Boom & Figuring Out How to Make Art a Living

24:28 - Emeka's Story: How He Got Himself Rejected from Faith Academy

31:06 - The Covenant University Experience & Institutional Control

35:39 - Biggest Misconceptions About Monetizing Art

37:16 - The Red Man Painting & First Million Naira Moment

38:45 - "You Can't Game the System" - Why Hit Paintings Can't Be Predicted

39:16 - How NFTs Changed Everything for African Artists

41:38 - Payment Rails Nightmare: PayPal Holding $10K for 6 Months

43:43 - Why Crypto is a Lifeline for African Creators

45:00 - Dad's Reaction to the Art Money Coming In

47:11 - The Sculpture Business Failure: Starting 2024 at -$20K

53:38 - Clearing 100 Million Naira by December

54:49 - Is Web3 Dead? (Anthony's Take)

56:06 - How Anthony Got Into NFTs & First Sale Story

59:57 - The Crypto Crash: Losing $20-30K Overnight

1:02:49 - Business Opportunities in the Art World

1:05:28 - Loneliness in Building an Art Business

1:11:14 - Rapid Fire Questions (Favorite Nigerian Dish, Mythical Figure, Books, Movies)

1:15:22 - "There's No Plan B" - Compounding on One Thing

1:15:48 - 50 Years From Now: "The Greatest Ever"

1:16:20 - Gatekeeping in the Art World

1:17:27 - Tattoo Stories & Parent Reactions

1:23:01 - Who Should Be on the Afropolitan Podcast? (Rema's recommendation)

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.

Follow Gaise Baba

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaisebaba/ 

Subscribe to Afropolitan Podcast

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 

Sponsored by:

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/

Listen Everywhere:

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

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