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Nigerian businessman, Femi Otedola, recently released his memoir, Making It Big, sparking much controversy. While the book details his journey to building his empire, reviewers have commented on several issues, particularly the cynical ideology of Nigerian businessmen. While it is undoubtedly a rewarding read for those eager to understand the Nigerian and African business world, it is only a starting point.
In our latest book recommendation, we have compiled a list of books to read after Femi Otedola’s memoir, Making It Big. From books that chronicle the journey of successful businessmen to those that provide insights into the African business world, our recommendations will help you understand what it takes to build a successful business in Africa.
Leaving the tarmac: buying a bank in africa
author: Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede
Genre: NON-FICTION
Described as ‘the most compelling business story to come out of Africa’, Leaving the Tarmac is banker and former chief executive officer of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede’s book on his journey towards acquiring and revolutionizing the bank. He was accompanied on this journey by his partner, Herbert Wigwe. Both men left their jobs as executive directors of Guaranty Trust Bank to buy the much smaller Access Bank, and then systematically built it into one of the most prominent and successful banks in Nigeria.
Throughout this book, Aig-Imoukhuede shares both the victories and failures he encountered during this journey of transformation, making the book function as an engaging business adventure story as well as a practical guide for entrepreneurs seeking to understand how to build excellence-driven organizations.
Africa’s Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World’s Next Big Growth Market
AUTHORs: Acha Leke, Musta Chironga and Georges Desvaux
GENRE: NON-Fiction
Three McKinsey consultants specializing in African markets decided to come together to write a book. The result is Africa’s Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World’s Next Big Growth Market. This is a comprehensive business guide that presents Africa as an emerging economic powerhouse that represents one of the most significant commercial opportunities of the current century. Leke, Chironga and Desvaux challenge common misconceptions about doing business on the continent and provide data-driven insights into why Africa should be viewed as a priority destination for global companies and investors.
This book is both an analytical framework for understanding African economic dynamics and a practical roadmap for executives seeking to establish profitable, long-term enterprises across the continent. It combines McKinsey’s research expertise with real-world case studies to demonstrate how businesses can create sustainable value while contributing to Africa’s broader economic development.
Dangote’s Gambit: Unraveling the Business Empire of Aliko Dangote
AUTHOR: princewill lagang
GENRE: non-fiction
Dangote’s Gambit: Unraveling the Business Empire of Aliko Dangote is a biographical examination of how Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote constructed one of Africa’s most expansive commercial enterprises. The book traces Dangote’s growth to his current status as the continent’s wealthiest individual and a globally recognized industrialist. It analyses the strategic moves and calculated business decisions that allowed Dangote to establish dominance across diverse sectors including construction materials, food processing, petroleum and energy.
Cassava Republic Press is proud to announce the launch of their inaugural $20,000 Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize dedicated to exceptional works by Black women. Deadline: 30th June 2024. Learn more here.
africa rise and shine
AUTHOR: jim ovia
GENRE: non-fiction
In this compelling memoir, founder of Africa’s Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia details his experiences building the bank from its modest origins into a multi-billion-dollar financial institution. Ovia gives dutifully recounts the numerous obstacles and failures he encountered while establishing what would become one of Africa’s premier banking institutions. Spanning several decades of Nigerian and global economic history, the book contains both personal anecdotes and key business insights.
The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa’s Economic Miracle
Authors: Ashish J. Thakkar and Douglas Rogers
Genre: NON-FIction
This is a firsthand exploration of contemporary Africa’s transformation, challenging widespread misconceptions about the continent’s current trajectory. Ashish Thakkar, founder of the pan-African Mara Group, embarks on a journey across multiple African nations to document the remarkable economic progress occurring beneath the surface of international media coverage.
Through personal experiences and business insights, the authors illustrate how African entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders are driving their own development without relying on external assistance. Both travelogue and economic analysis, The Lion Awakes positions Africa as a rising global force whose diverse economies, technological advancement, and entrepreneurial spirit are reshaping international perceptions⎈
