How we made it in Africa: Learn from the stories of 25 entrepreneurs who've built thriving businesses

by Jaco Maritz

From the founder of the award-winning website (www.howwemadeitinafrica.com) comes the stories of 25 entrepreneurs who've built thriving businesses. * Be inspired by the experiences of Africa’s most dynamic entrepreneurs * Gain insight into the continent’s business opportunities * Find the courage to make your own dreams and ambitions become a reality Discover why Ken Njoroge is building a billion-dollar pan-African digital payments company (it is not because he wants to drive a Ferrari); Find out how Jean de Dieu Kagabo grew a Rwanda-based industrial group from a simple toilet paper; And be inspired by the extraordinary tale of Hassan Bashir who created a booming insurance company from nothing but grit and persistence. Each entrepreneur’s story is told in an honest and sober manner, not shying away from the mistakes made and the considerable hurdles they had to overcome. And there were many tough 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 one entrepreneur was too broke to afford diapers for his baby, while another had to sell her house to keep the company alive. MEET THE ENTREPRENEURS 1. Ken Njoroge (Kenya): The long, hard journey to build a billion-dollar company 2. Tseday Asrat (Ethiopia): A modern twist on Ethiopia's coffee culture 3. Tumi Phake (South Africa): Flexing his entrepreneurial muscles to exploit a gap in the health club industry 4. Monica Musonda (Zambia): Instant noodle pioneer 5. Hassan Bashir (Kenya): An insurance company created from nothing but grit and persistence 6. Ebele Enunwa (Nigeria): A $50-million food and retail empire 7. Tayo Oviosu (Nigeria): The entrepreneur who traded in his Silicon Valley life to bring mobile money to unbanked Nigerians 8. Navalayo Osembo (Kenya): How to make a Kenyan running shoe 9. Jean de Dieu Kagabo (Rwanda): Rwandan industrialist always hunting for the next big business idea 10. Addis Alemayehou (Ethiopia): Serial entrepreneur bringing the world to Ethiopia 11. Kasope Ladipo-Ajai (Nigeria): Nigerian cooking made convenient 12. Chijioke Dozie (Nigeria): Leveraging past experiences to disrupt the banking industry 13. Sylvester Chauke (South Africa): Marketer with a passion to take African brands global 14. Yoadan Tilahun (Ethiopia): Showing Ethiopia how to throw an event 15. Mossadeck Bally (Mali): West African hotel group built on an appetite for risk 16. Jennifer Bash (Tanzania): Adding value to everyday staples 17. Jesse Moore (Kenya): Thinking out of the box to power over 600 000 homes with solar energy 18. Twapewa Kadhikwa (Namibia): How one hair salon became a group of companies 19. Jacques de Vos (South Africa): Growing a high-impact tech business one problem statement at a time 20. Nana Akua Birmeh (Ghana): Architect breaking glass ceilings in Ghana 21. Nelly Tuikong (Kenya): Kenyan beauty brand taking on global behemoths 22. Dr Hend El Sherbini (Egypt): From a small Egyptian family business to a London-listed healthcare giant 23. NJ Ayuk (Cameroon): A lawyer on the road less travelled 24. Polo Leteka (South Africa): The investor who spots opportunity where others see risk 25. Ashley Uys (South Africa): Diagnostic hustler ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jaco Maritz is CEO of media company Maritz Africa, publisher of the award-winning pan-African online business publication How we made it in Africa. Jaco holds a BA in Information Science from the University of Stellenbosch.

Genres: Africa, Business

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2018

Reviews

[Mackean Maramba]

There is more to Africa than what meets the eye!!!

Most of my life in Africa l have heard about Aliko Dangote and Strive Masiyiwa as the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa, but after reading this book l have realised that there are a lot of upcoming entrepreneurs in the turn of the century.

[Kay]

Absolutely refreshing read. Africa has a lot to offer and its inspiring to see men and women who are tapping into the opportunities. I’m next !

[nicholas]

Applies to an African scenario

I am from Nairobi and boom it starts with a case study of Nairobi very informative and it brings you down to earth and you get to realize you are not the only entrepreneur going through the hardships

[Tari Matanga]

How we made it in Africa

This is incredibly inspiring . As a fellow African and entrepreneur this motivated me to continue on my path. Great read !

[Jose Ramon]

A bit boring

[Tinashe Brenda]

Great book for aspiring entrepreneurs.

[Jorge]

An excellent, inspiring, insightful and very entertaining account of entrepreneurship in Africa.
It tells the story of 25 entrepreneurs from all over Africa, big and small, but all very unique.
The compilation is well curated and the case studies are very well written.
A great book if you are interested about Africa!