How Bayo Adedeji Left Walmart to WakaNow to Fix Africa’s Travel Problem | $50M Raised

Description

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 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 00:00 — Intro: Africa’s Flight Crisis 06:01 — Role of Luck in Success 07:43 — How The Soulmate Cream Started in my House 13:55 — How I Started Selling Yams and Fries (Dundun Nation) 15:02 — Walmart Story and Why Bayo left a $300K Amazon job 16:13 — I made $50,000 Selling Shoes in Nigeria 21:43 — How My Wakanow Journey Started 25:55 — How Nigeria Can Become Wealthy and increase its Purchasing Power 37:21 — Why I Don't Invest If You're Poor; Entrepreneurship vs Intrapreneurship 42:14 — How Faith Works in Business; Religion and Business 47:10 — Dealing With Difficult Customers 51:30 — Customers Are Not Always Right 53:55 — Why Flights Are So Expensive in Nigeria and Africa 1:08:02 — Understanding Costumer Behaviour 1:14:30 — I Was Wrong About AI; AI is The Future 1:20:50 — Africans and Nigerians in Diaspora should come Fix Afric