Its Like Moses, But for Tech Bros
Trying to do the impossible in a world where almost everything is possible
I really love the Old Testament stories in the bible, because that’s where all the intrigue, action, and politics lie. I mean, take Moses, a guy that carried a whole country out of another, or David, the shepherd who dodged a mad king, beat a whole Kingdom’s enemies with a rag-tag group of men, and became a King eventually. Seemingly impossible feats are discussed like normal events in those stories. I try to take that mentality with me into my daily life. A lot of things might look impossible at first, but “you can’t knock it till you try it”. So, this week, try doing that impossible thing. Let’s make history!
A Tale of One Internet Country…
Moses’ story has been on my mind for a while, and for a very good reason. We’re at a point in Nigeria where everyone tries to remind you that they didn’t choose to belong to this country. By now Lord Lugard must have died a second time from all the punishments that have been sent to him by Nigerians. Agitators want their country, people are Japa-ing to other countries to restart their lives in the countries they chose.
But even the Japa people aren’t having it easy per se. There have been reports of doctors being overworked in the UK, and many others like this. On the agitation front, leaders are constantly rounded up and imprisoned for “threatening the sovereignty of the state”. So, are we stuck with each other? Is there nothing we can do about the situation we’re in?
That’s where the Startup Moses comes in the form of Afropolitan, a “Network State” startup. I found out about Afropolitan in a tweet that “made fun” of the company and how they were raising funds just to “be writing newsletter”. On digging deeper, I found out that the company wants to build a whole country! Yes, recognized by the UN and all that.
A brief rundown: Afropolitan, as the name implies, is looking to build a state for Africans around the world. They believe that people should belong to states that they want to belong to, not states that they are born into. Which is very radical and makes some sense too. They plan to build the Nation in four phases:
Phase 1: Create a network of people. Using events (such as the year of return), newsletters, and podcasts among other tools, this seems to be going well.
Phase 2: Create a super app that enables Afropolitans to perform a myriad of functions (Send money, buy, and sell, order for services, etc.). People with the app can also view in real-time, how the state grows.
Phase 3: Minimum viable state. Encourage internal trade to boost the internal economy, increase interdependence of members
Phase 4: Purchase real estate in different countries. Develop basic amenities and have network members move in. Get countries to recognize them as a state, and they all live happily ever after.
You can read more about this in their very succinct manifesto.
While this sounds so wonderful and makes me feel gooey inside, it also raises a lot of questions in my head. A few of which I’ll be dropping here (so I don’t look like a hater)
Because I am a Nigerian and have countlessly heard the story of the Nation that almost was (Biafra), I do know how hard it is to start your country from another country. Land is a very important resource; how do you plan on convincing the host government to give out the land for free? Secondly, how do you expect the government to let its invaluable human resource go just like that? (See Moses and the Pharoah, and Moses had God on his side in that story). Also, regarding taxation; who do the taxes go to? I mean Afropolitan will need money to govern, but as I said earlier, this is money that governments will be hard-pressed to give up (I mean, imagine Nigeria in these times, allowing another country to collect taxes from its citizens!)
I was at a twitter spaces event where one of Afropolitan’s founders, Echeme Emole spoke about how the first members of the state must be the best of the best. Which sounds very elitist in my opinion. I mean, Nigeria doesn’t care what I am and wants me for me, how dare you decide that I have to be one of the “smarts” to be part of your country. It feels like the same restrictions people face when they go to other countries. The final concern I’ll share is about the children that will be born to Afropolitans. Will they be citizens by birth? Won’t that be in direct conflict with the premise of starting the nation?
I haven’t even touched on the questions that deal with defense, border rules, amenities, laws, and other diplomatic issues that they will need to take care of. But I guess that’s why this fascinates me, it takes my two favorite topics; startups and politics and makes them a single concept. I sometimes wonder whether it would have been better to just build something like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s Talent city. It’s the same premise without any political stress.
In the end, I do hope to see this impossible dream in its completed form. Who knows, I might be one of those to get dual citizenship there.
What Has Been Up?
Bola Tinubu published his Manifesto during the weekend, I plan to compare his and Atiku’s in a thread or in the next newsletter.
My guy is relocating to Abuja, and I went to eat rice in his honor. It felt like the last supper but without any death.
I have a question for you guys, would you rather that your next president focuses on social schemes for the “common man” or would you prefer that the president focuses on more capitalist ventures (the private sector et al)? There are no wrong answers, I just want to see where our heads are at.
I’ve been listening to “Bless” by Ice Prince, and I won’t lie to you, that song is the best start to a great day.
Sycamore has released an interesting product called “Loan Friends”, You can use it to lend money to friends and family without worrying about them paying you back (because they will).
Are you looking to move into a house in Lagos? Do you need a roommate? Chiprent’s got you! Check them out.
I’d like to thank Nkem Ezeaka for always finding the time to read and share the newsletters (even when the story doesn’t interest her).
Oh, well. Goodbye for now. Don’t forget to subscribe, drop a comment (I enjoy gisting with y’all), and share!
Everytime I think you have outdone yourself, you go ahead and do it again