How Gen Z Will Build the Next Billion-Dollar Companies

Dayo Ayoade has quietly shaped the products, platforms, and cultural movements that define a generation. From leading WeChat’s West African expansion to producing 60,000+ capacity concerts for Burna Boy, Asake, and Rema, Dayo has lived at the intersection of tech, entertainment, and behavioral insight.

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In this powerful episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, Dayo reveals what most people get wrong about African markets and what Gen Z is getting right.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why WeChat failed in Nigeria and what it teaches us about product market fit

• How "gist" became the most powerful form of currency in Nigerian culture

• The rise of Detty December and his role in co-creating it with Mr. Eazi

• The unseen science behind virality, consumer behavior, and Gen Z's intuition

• Why legacy isn’t built in public but in patterns only a few can see

Dayo is more than a builder. He’s a cultural alchemist who understands what moves people and why.

Whether you're a founder, product thinker, or creative shaping tomorrow's Africa, this episode is for you.

Subscribe and turn on notifications for more transformative conversations with African visionaries.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Burna Boy and Nigerian Production

03:52 Building in Nigeria: The Impossible Game

08:05 Gen Z: The Future Workforce

12:05 Social Problems vs. Technology Problems

16:02 Divided Unity: Nigeria's Unique Social Structure

19:52 Creating Permission to Innovate

24:28 The Rise of Mr. Eazi

30:09 Creating New Superstars in Afrobeat

35:42 Production Challenges in Nigerian Concerts

40:08 The Rise of Asha Kei and Rema

44:40 The Impact of Rema's Show on Nigerian Culture

49:11 Technological Innovations in Ticketing and Payments

55:22 Preparing for the Future: Infrastructure and Events

01:00:26 The Rise of Nigerian Creative Economy

01:02:33 Ownership and Control in the Creative Industry

01:04:43 The Evolution of Content Creation in Nigeria

01:06:37 YouTube as the New Home for Nigerian Cinema

01:09:37 Monetization Challenges for Nigerian Creators

01:10:58 Learning from Global Markets

01:12:43 Building for the Nigerian Audience

01:15:52 Understanding Gen Z Consumption Patterns

01:17:26 The Gist Culture of Gen Z

01:24:15 The Importance of Drama in Nigerian Media

01:26:05 Recognition and the Journey of Building

01:28:44 The Future of Nigeria's Creative Economy

01:34:00 The Nigerian Business Landscape

01:35:04 Cultural Dynamics and Social Structures

01:35:50 The Future of Nigeria and Its Diaspora

01:37:07 Cultural Fusion and Global Influence

01:38:08 The Role of Technology in Cultural Evolution

01:39:02 Intentionality in Cultural Integration

01:40:01 The Changing Landscape of Nightlife and Experiences

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