I Sold My MTN Car 10x Its Price to Fund My UK Visa — In 3 Years, We Bought 2 Cars, a House & Secured Stable Jobs” – Robert
Robert, a Ghanaian now based in Swindon near Oxford in the UK, shared his inspiring journey in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show.
Back in Ghana, Robert worked with MTN after completing KNUST in 2013. He rose through the ranks to become a Territory Sales Controller, winning multiple awards including Best Channel Department Controller. Out of 32 people who started with him, he was the only one who survived the competitive environment. “Everything I’ve achieved, I credit to MTN because it trained me professionally and taught me discipline,” he said.
Robert got married in 2019. At first, he abandoned his plans to travel, believing he could succeed in Ghana. But later, he decided to give it another try. MTN sold him a car cheaply, and he sold it at 10 times the price to fund his UK visa process.
When Robert and his wife moved to the UK in 2022, the transition wasn’t easy. He had been out of school for 10 years and struggled with studies when he enrolled in a program that was heavy on coding. His wife supported him throughout—while she worked, Robert studied and took care of their children. When she returned from work, he would go to class.
They initially survived on warehouse jobs, cycling and later using an electric bike to get to work. “At one point, I almost regretted coming to London because I was doing well in Ghana, yet here I was struggling,” he admitted.
Over time, things improved. Robert’s wife got a job with the NHS through sponsorship, and Robert eventually landed a professional role after working in warehouses. Despite challenges, they were disciplined with money. “We don’t attend social gatherings, we save aggressively. At one point, we were making £8,000–£9,000 a month and saving about £3,000,”Robert revealed.
Their sacrifices paid off. In just three years, they managed to buy a house and two cars, including a Tesla. Robert explained that the Tesla was not for show-off but a financial decision: “Charging at home costs me less than £5 for 287 miles, unlike the fuel-guzzling car we first bought.”
Robert believes many Ghanaians in the UK limit themselves by only taking basic jobs to avoid higher taxes. He insists that working hard and planning long-term is key to success abroad. “The UK is tough, but with discipline and sacrifice, you can build a better life. My wife and I came with a plan, and now we are stable with a house, cars, and good jobs,” he concluded.
Interestingly, Robert and his wife don’t attend church. “Even in Ghana, we didn’t. We believe in God, but our focus here is on building a better life,” he added.