The Business Deal That Put A Generation of Gambian Footballers at Risk

Nigerian data scouts Afriskaut promised great things for the international exposure of Gambian players. But the cost was far too great.

When Afriskaut, a Nigerian tech firm founded by charismatic CEO Nnamdi Emefo, touched down in The Gambia in early 2025, it seemed like the answer to years of prayers for the country's struggling youth football community.

Clubs and academies were starving for funding, visibility, and international exposure for their young talents. Success stories like that of Yankuba Minteh at Brighton are few and far between.

Afriskaut’s pitch was compelling: sophisticated data analytics, high-quality video scouting reports, and a bridge to top-tier European clubs.

But beneath Afriskaut’s shiny presentation and glowing success stories from Nigeria, such as the lucrative transfer of Nigerian talent Victor Orakpo to OGC Nice, troubling elements soon emerged, eventually leading to accusations of exploitation.

This story is part of a broader collaborative investigation by Kicker, The Sports and Crime Briefing, and Público, uncovering the global system enabling the exploitation and trafficking of young African footballers. This project was carried out with support from Journalismfund Europe.