Hawkers, Hackers, Entrepreneurs and Movie Stars: Stories from My Trip To Nigeria

I've finally finished my TechCrunch posts about my week in Nigeria. There's been a little controversy, as always. But nothing close to the tension and intensity we experienced in the country.

I started out with a photo essay about "Computer Village," where many Nigerians go to buy technology or get it repaired. One or two attention-seeking Nigerian bloggers got upset about this post saying it wasn't reflective of Nigerian tech entrepreneurs. Um.....yeah, that's why I didn't say it was. I don't consider the Best Buy in San Francisco the braintrust of Silicon Valley either. But it's always interesting to see how everyday people around the world buy and consume technology produced by US companies. To check out the post, go here. 

*This* was my post on Nigerian tech entrepreneurs. The scene is definitely more nascent than what I've seen in countries like Brazil or Indonesia,  but I was really impressed by a few companies I met. My favorite was a company called Gyst. Read all about them and the other startups I met here. The article also talks about some of the unique challenges to starting companies in Nigeria: In particular an insanely skewed dual economy thanks to oil money and corruption and the stigma Nigerian scammers have cast over the legit tech community. 

My next two stories were about the insane world of Nollywood, or Nigerian filmmaking. It's the second largest film industry in the world by volume, a potential goldmine and an industry that captures all the unique nuances of the Nigerian spirit-- both good and bad. If the post on tech entrepreneurs represents the hopeful case for the country, and the reality of 419 scamming represents the most troubling side of the country; Nollywood is right down the middle. A good story turned into a great story when we got detained by a vigilante court and had to bribe our way out.  You have to click on a story that starts out: "It was when they pulled out the machetes that I started to worry."

For glimpses of the chaotic market where Nollywood movies are bought and sold, go here. 

Finally, today I posted what I expect will be the most controversial story from my trip. It's about the world of 419 scammers in Nigeria. I spent my last day in Nigeria talking to about a dozen current and reformed scammers, and it was chilling and fascinating at the same time. Westerners will probably feel like I'm glorifying criminals; many Nigerians will feel like I'm bringing more attention to the national stereotype that plagues them. But, as I argue in the post, Nigeria has to face and tackle this problem if it is going to realize its potential in the emerging world, and I wanted to understand the people behind the emails and attacks. 

Not surprisngly, they share a lot of the same characteristics of great entrepreneurs-- which is terrifying and encouraging for Nigeria's future, depending on the path the country takes. I tried to present their stories without judgement, but I found the toll that a life of crime had taken on these "Yahoo boys" heartbreaking. From one current scammer: 

“You white people have very flexible hearts. We’ve seen it. That’s why there can be no true love in Nigeria. Your closest friends rip you off here.” He continued, “I wish I could stop. I’m not into the black man power like some people. I don’t want to make someone sell their house; I don’t want to take everything. I just can’t find a job. If I had a junior brother I wouldn’t teach him. You get addicted to it.”

For the full story, head here. It's a fascinating country that will change a lot in the next five to ten years. I hope we get to go back.

Later today, I head to Berlin to speak at the Next11 conference, and meet with several German entrepreneurs. After that, I'll head directly to New York for TechCrunch Disrupt. Wish the baby and me luck kicking an annoying cold that came back from Omaha with us.