7 Types of People We Built Nova Matches For

Moving abroad comes with big dreams, a new country, a new lifestyle, maybe even a new love story. But for many Africans living overseas, dating isn’t just about finding someone; it’s about finding someone who understands. The values, the upbringing, the balance between hustle and heart.

Whether it’s cultural disconnect, relocation stress, or being misunderstood, the struggle is real. Here are 7 real types of people who inspired Nova Matches and the realities behind their stories.

Femi — The Time-Compressed Romantic (UK)

Femi moved to London for his master’s in Finance, dreaming of growth and stability. Today, he works long hours as a care worker, juggling shifts and side hustles. By the time he gets home, he’s too exhausted to swipe through apps.

He’s not looking for luxury dates or quick flings, he wants depth. But most people he meets don’t get it. Conversations die when he’s too tired to text back, and no one seems to understand his grind or the pride he carries for where he’s from.

Femi represents a huge number of Africans abroad who crave connection that matches both their culture and their lifestyle, not just chemistry.

Nkechi — The Cultural Translator (Canada)

Nkechi came to Toronto for her postgraduate studies. She’s smart, confident, and deeply rooted in her Nigerian background. But dating? That’s where it gets complicated.

Every time she mentions how her mum prays for her every morning or shares an Igbo saying, she sees people’s faces change. They find it “cute” or “interesting,” but not something they understand. She’s tired of explaining why Sunday service means so much or why family isn’t “just extended.”

Nkechi’s story echoes a common truth, many Africans in the diaspora end up teaching their partners their culture instead of sharing it. She doesn’t want a teacher-student dynamic in love; she wants mutual understanding.

Tunde — The Career-Driven Immigrant (US)

Tunde’s story sounds like success on paper. He relocated to Atlanta, landed a tech job, bought a car, and got his papers sorted. But between long hours and deadlines, dating has become another task on his to-do list.

He’s matched with people on generic apps, but most expect constant attention, something his work schedule doesn’t allow. It’s not that he doesn’t care; he just has goals. And it hurts when people mistake his ambition for emotional unavailability.

Tunde represents that growing generation of Africans abroad chasing dreams and love, trying to prove they can build both without sacrificing either.

Amara — The Dual-Identity Young Professional (UK)

Amara was born in London but raised in a Nigerian home. At work, she’s British. At home, she’s African. She switches effortlessly between the two, but dating often puts her in awkward spaces.

Some men assume she’s “too modern,” while others expect her to act like she still lives in Lagos. She loves her jollof as much as her Sunday roasts, but people rarely see both sides of her.

Her challenge isn’t identity confusion, it’s being boxed in. Amara’s story mirrors so many second-generation Africans abroad who want love that embraces both their heritage and their Western lifestyle.

Kwame — The Culture Proud Diaspora Man (Canada)

Kwame’s charm is loud in the best way, afrobeats in his car, Ghanaian food on his stove, and pride in his roots. But when dating, he’s often treated like an “exotic experience.” People want to try his culture, not understand it.

He’s had dates who fetishize his accent or think jollof is the only thing that defines him. After a while, it stops being flattering. It becomes lonely.

Kwame’s story sheds light on a harsh reality, cultural pride is beautiful until people turn it into a novelty. He just wants someone who doesn’t need him to explain why his roots matter, they already feel it.

Zainab — The Burnout Survivor (New York)

Zainab once believed in fairytales, now, she just wants peace. After two relationships that ended in “I’m not ready for commitment,” she quit dating apps altogether.

Her DMs used to be full, but her heart wasn’t. She realized how easy it was to get lost in meaningless conversations that went nowhere. What she craved wasn’t attention, it was alignment, someone emotionally stable, who’s not afraid of intentional love.

Zainab’s story is the voice of many Africans abroad who are emotionally exhausted from surface-level connections and just want something real again.

Malik — The Relocation Nomad (Europe)

Malik has lived in three countries in four years, Berlin, Lisbon, Dublin. His career keeps moving him, but his heart hasn’t found a home. Every relationship he’s tried ends with a goodbye that feels more like a deadline.

He’s learned to keep things casual, because what’s the point of falling for someone when you’ll be on another continent next year? But deep down, he wants stability, someone who’ll grow with him, even if life keeps moving.

Malik’s story speaks for the restless diaspora lovers, those who live in motion but still crave connection that can travel with them.

These are not made-up characters, they represent real people, real emotions, and real challenges that Africans abroad face every day. From cultural barriers to relocation stress, dating abroad isn’t as glamorous as Instagram makes it look.

That’s exactly why Nova Matches exists, to help Africans abroad find intentional love rooted in shared values, culture, and authenticity.

Join the waitlist and be part of the next chapter of diaspora love: www.novamatches.com