Navigating Tech Startups and Corruption In Africa - Marek Zmyslowski

Marek Zmyslowski is a Polish-born entrepreneur and executive, focused on online businesses in Frontier and Emerging Markets. He co-founded HotelOnline.co – a Hospitality Technology Company, and Jumia Travel – Africa’s Biggest Hotel Booking Portal, with backing from Rocket Internet and Goldman Sachs. . WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW: Lagos, Nigeria: Largest city with 21 million people, known for its financial center, beach resorts, and cultural landmarks Marek Zmyslowski: Moved from Poland to Lagos in 2013 to start a business Challenges: Dealing with rampant corruption and gaining acceptance Marek's story: Detailed in his book "Chasing Black Unicorns," a memoir filled with dangerous events and business challenges Memoir: Describes facing the Polish mafia and becoming an international fugitive due to corrupt enemies in Nigeria Book Details: "Chasing Black Unicorns" published in Poland, English translation available in September 2019 Charity: 100% of book income goes to providing laptops and coding lessons to poor students in Nigeria Additional Recommendation: John Perkins shares similar stories of intrigue and adventure.   HOW TO FIND MAREK'S WORK: www.marekzmyslowski.com   SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today's story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”   CONCLUSION What a life Marek Zmyslowski has led at such a young age. What he has been able to accomplish and still does even against all of the corruption in Nigeria.  I can’t wait to read his book, Chasing Black Unicorns coming out in English in September 2019.   Mentioned in this episode: Join Me In Panama For Our Next Tour I have great news. After many meetings and explanations, the Panamanian government has agreed to keep the Investors Visa at a $300k Real Estate investment instead of nearly doubling the amount required, as they said they would. This is a massive win for our community who wants to move to or invest in Panama, but I am not sure how long this will last… If you have been thinking about Panama, then I want to make an invitation to you today. Come join me for a special four-day tour to see if the country I call home is right for you and your family. We have just released the next set of trip dates. You can find out more at ExpatMoney.com/fly. Come visit me and the Expat Money team, get a feel for the country and see if Panama makes sense for investment or as a new home. Panama Fly'n Buy Real Estate Tour Veritas Panama - Offgrid Community After 17 months of bureaucracy, my partners and I successfully got our permits for Veritas Panama! This is the fully off-grid community we are building in the highlands of Panama. We have already started building the roads, subdividing the lots, installing the septic and water, and even installing solar panels, so everything is independent of the power grid! The site we chose is unbelievable; we are up at a flat plateau about a thousand feet up a mountain with incredible unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. To go to the beach, it is just 15 minutes down to the water. We have mature fruit trees on site, including these gorgeous 200-year-old mango trees and many other things, such as avocado trees, papayas, and...