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Despite Africa’s immense potential, brimming with a diverse range of markets and impressive innovation, damaging misconceptions of the continent continue to impact the exposure and opportunities accessible to African entrepreneurs. Here, is a list of some of the best business books spotlighting Afro-optimism––the rocket fuel needed to catalyse entrepreneurs to dream big, achieve excellence, and drive Africa forward.
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Are you passionate about driving your African business forward but feel like you’re stuck in neutral? Do you dream of a future where your African organisation is not just a local success story, but a global phenomenon? For African SME founders and CEOs seeking to scale their businesses, Afro-Optimism Unleashed offers a comprehensive guide to overcoming common challenges, building a strong leadership team, and achieving long-term success. Unlock the full potential of your African business with practical strategies, expert insights, and a proven roadmap to sustainable growth, empowering you to build a globally competitive enterprise and contribute to Africa’s bright future. Read this book and learn how to: • Develop a comprehensive business strategy focused on scalability and sustainability • Assemble and champion a team that reflects the diversity of your target market and brings together a wide range of perspectives and experiences • Build trust and credibility by being transparent and authentic • Leverage a clear governance structure to protect and grow your business, regardless of its size • Drive market expansion by exploring networking and partnership opportunities
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Africa's Business Revolution provides the inside story on business in Africa and its future growth prospects and helps executives understand and seize the opportunities for building profitable, sustainable enterprises. Combining an unrivalled fact base with expert advice on shaping and executing an Africa growth strategy, this book is required reading for global business executives looking to expand their existing operations in Africa--and for those seeking a road map to access this vast, untapped market for the first time.
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Each entrepreneur’s story is told in an honest manner, not shying away from the mistakes made and the considerable hurdles they had to overcome. And there were many tough times: from being betrayed by long-time senior managers to losing vast sums of money because of poor market research. Pursuing their business ambitions also had a toll on their personal lives: one entrepreneur was too broke to afford diapers for his baby, while another had to sell her house to keep the company alive.
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The road to success is rarely linear and never easy. Despite countless setbacks, Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank, was able to achieve the unthinkable. Africa Rise and Shine is the story of Ovia’s business and banking success and how he was able to create one of Africa’s largest banks. Spanning decades of both world and Nigerian history, Africa Rise and Shine dives deep into the events that led to Ovia’s triumph. Drawing upon his educational experiences and relentless determination, Ovia was able to overcome every hurdle that stood in the way of his bank becoming the national icon that it is today. Africa Rise and Shine outlines the tough, yet necessary business decisions that were essential to Zenith’s prolonged success and is filled with valuable takeaways for every businessperson. Learn from one of the best in banking what it takes to truly be successful.
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Throughout the book, you’ll find stories of entrepreneurs, local and global companies – some that have gotten it right and others that did not. Based on the author’s 30 years of wisdom, successes, experiences, mistakes, stories, and friends she acquired working and living across the continent of Africa, this book challenges perceived ideas of Africa. It is a call to go beyond the imagery of the past and to explore, embrace and invest in “AfriCAN” – the can-do continent.
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Are you passionate about driving your African business forward but feel like you’re stuck in neutral? Do you dream of a future where your African organisation is not just a local success story, but a global phenomenon? For African SME founders and CEOs seeking to scale their businesses, Afro-Optimism Unleashed offers a comprehensive guide to overcoming common challenges, building a strong leadership team, and achieving long-term success. Unlock the full potential of your African business with practical strategies, expert insights, and a proven roadmap to sustainable growth, empowering you to build a globally competitive enterprise and contribute to Africa’s bright future. Read this book and learn how to: • Develop a comprehensive business strategy focused on scalability and sustainability • Assemble and champion a team that reflects the diversity of your target market and brings together a wide range of perspectives and experiences • Build trust and credibility by being transparent and authentic • Leverage a clear governance structure to protect and grow your business, regardless of its size • Drive market expansion by exploring networking and partnership opportunities
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Africa's Business Revolution provides the inside story on business in Africa and its future growth prospects and helps executives understand and seize the opportunities for building profitable, sustainable enterprises. Combining an unrivalled fact base with expert advice on shaping and executing an Africa growth strategy, this book is required reading for global business executives looking to expand their existing operations in Africa--and for those seeking a road map to access this vast, untapped market for the first time.
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Each entrepreneur’s story is told in an honest manner, not shying away from the mistakes made and the considerable hurdles they had to overcome. And there were many tough times: from being betrayed by long-time senior managers to losing vast sums of money because of poor market research. Pursuing their business ambitions also had a toll on their personal lives: one entrepreneur was too broke to afford diapers for his baby, while another had to sell her house to keep the company alive.
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The road to success is rarely linear and never easy. Despite countless setbacks, Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank, was able to achieve the unthinkable. Africa Rise and Shine is the story of Ovia’s business and banking success and how he was able to create one of Africa’s largest banks. Spanning decades of both world and Nigerian history, Africa Rise and Shine dives deep into the events that led to Ovia’s triumph. Drawing upon his educational experiences and relentless determination, Ovia was able to overcome every hurdle that stood in the way of his bank becoming the national icon that it is today. Africa Rise and Shine outlines the tough, yet necessary business decisions that were essential to Zenith’s prolonged success and is filled with valuable takeaways for every businessperson. Learn from one of the best in banking what it takes to truly be successful.
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Throughout the book, you’ll find stories of entrepreneurs, local and global companies – some that have gotten it right and others that did not. Based on the author’s 30 years of wisdom, successes, experiences, mistakes, stories, and friends she acquired working and living across the continent of Africa, this book challenges perceived ideas of Africa. It is a call to go beyond the imagery of the past and to explore, embrace and invest in “AfriCAN” – the can-do continent.
© Five Books 2025
