Episode 336: Ex-Royalty Goes All-In on Africa’s $1 Trillion Underground Economy | Sadiq Edu

 Witness one of the most powerful conversion stories ever shared on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast as Sadiq Edu recounts his journey from being the grandson of Nigeria’s Sultan to encountering Christ through dreams, divine appointments, and ultimately being baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Now co-founder of Pika, Sadiq is revolutionizing Africa’s informal economy by bringing data and dignity to 40 million traders.

Learn how a bookkeeping app is unlocking access to credit, reducing corruption, and potentially lifting nations out of poverty. Sadiq vulnerably shares the cost of following Christ–including family rejection–while building a Kingdom-minded business with his wife as co-founder.

00:00 Introduction in Lagos hotel with Islamic significance
02:14 Growing up Muslim as Sultan’s grandson
04:19 The catalyst: Meeting his future wife
04:29 Reading Quran and Bible together
06:00 Powerful dream leads to conversion
10:52 Promotion confirmation: God’s perfect timing
11:13 Meeting Archbishop at Paddington station
15:00 Invited to Lambeth Palace
17:47 Archbishop of Canterbury offers baptism
21:43 The remarkable baptism ceremony
28:36 Family rejection and the cost of faith
33:35 Marriage, family, and honoring God first
39:34 From security intelligence to founding Pika
47:01 Understanding Africa’s informal retail sector
50:24 Rejected by Techstars, then unexpected acceptance
52:42 Pivoting the business model in real-time
56:11 From 50 to 2,000 retailers without marketing
58:38 The vision: Empowering 40 million traders

Stay Connected to the Movement

Listen on your favorite podcast platform:

No Cost. No Catch. Online or In Person.
Journey with 10-15 other Entrepreneurs through the
8-week Study. Don’t Journey Alone. Find your Community.