You came for the drama, stayed for the wardrobe… and unexpectedly, got a whole financial education you weren’t ready for.
Here are 5 African shows that dropped accidental money wisdom — if you were paying attention.
🎬 1. “Blood & Water” (South Africa) — Trust Funds Don’t Buy Trust
Puleng and Fikile’s whole lives were built around secrets, wealth, and legacy.
What it taught me:
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Just because someone has money doesn’t mean they’re secure.
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Financial privilege doesn’t erase emotional neglect.
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Also, estate planning matters. (Seriously, where was the adult supervision?)
Takeaway: Build wealth and emotional intelligence. Don’t just secure the bag — secure the family values that go with it.
🎬 2. “Skinny Girl in Transit” (Nigeria) — Your Soft Life Still Needs Structure
Tiwa gave us vibes, work-life chaos, and gym struggles, but she also made one thing clear: being a grown woman is expensive.
What it taught me:
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You can’t budget joy out of your life.
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If your lifestyle is always ahead of your income… you’re not living soft, you’re living stressed.
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Side hustles are cute — until they burn you out.
Takeaway: Create a lifestyle you can actually afford — and automate your savings so your soft life doesn’t bankrupt your future.
🎬 3. “Queen Sono” (South Africa) — Freedom Requires Financial Power
Underneath the action and espionage, Queen’s story was one of agency — trying to do the right thing in a corrupt system.
What it taught me:
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Economic oppression is real — and personal.
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You can’t fight the system if you’re financially dependent on it.
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And yes, money can be a weapon. Or a tool. Use wisely.
Takeaway: Liberation isn’t just political — it’s financial. Own your finances, or someone else will control your options.
🎬 4. “Shuga” (Kenya, Nigeria, SA) — Ignoring Consequences is Expensive
This show was a lot — sex, love, HIV, addiction, peer pressure. But behind the scandal? Economics.
What it taught me:
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One bad financial decision (or partner) can derail your entire future.
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Sugar daddies = emotional debt + risk you didn’t budget for.
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Emergency funds are sexy. So is therapy.
Takeaway: Protect your health and your wallet. Say yes to pleasure, but with your eyes (and calculator) open.
🎬 5. “An African City” (Ghana) — Just Because You’re Earning in Dollars Doesn’t Mean You’re Winning
The diaspora darlings taught us that repatriation comes with a steep learning curve — especially in cedis.
What it taught me:
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Currency conversion is a scam and a half.
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Lifestyle inflation is real (especially when you’re trying to impress old classmates).
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Money doesn’t follow you home — strategy does.
Takeaway: Whether you’re living in Nairobi or New York, be intentional about your finances. Wealth without a plan is just expensive noise.
🎬 6. “The Smart Money Woman” (Nigeria) — Your Friends, Your Money Mirror
Zuri’s life was cute until it wasn’t. One broken-down car later, her finances (and façade) started to unravel — and we felt it.
What it taught me:
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Broke isn’t always about income — sometimes, it’s about avoidance.
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You can earn well and still live paycheck to paycheck.
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Money doesn’t fix your problems. Clarity does.
From budgeting bootcamps to awkward money conversations with friends, Zuri and the girls showed us what accountability, growth, and financial adulting really look like.
Takeaway:
Track your money. Understand your money story. Talk about it — especially with your circle.
Your glam squad might be your soft life team, but your financially literate friends? They’re your survival kit.
💬 Final Word
Money is more than math. It’s emotion. Culture. Trauma. Pressure. And sometimes? It’s a plot twist in your favorite show.
So the next time you’re binge-watching, ask yourself:
What is this drama teaching me about my own relationship with money?
Because sis, real wealth?
That’s when your bank account and your boundaries are aligned.
— Living Africana Team
