The Business Council for Africa, in collaboration with BrandComms and African Business, has announced the shortlist of the BCA
Business Book of the Year Awards.
This annual competition, which is now in its third year, is dedicated to illuminating the compelling business narratives that promote Africa’s socio-economic development.
Authors from Nigeria lead this year’s shortlist. Also, four of the books are authored by women, more than in previous years.
The shortlisted books in no particular order are: ‘Riding the Storm: The Untold Story of Africa’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic’ by Toni Kan; ‘A West African Entrepreneur’s Challenging Path to Financial Freedom’ by Ike Onyema Obi and Janine de Nyssche; ‘Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance and African Economics’ by Bronwen Everill; ‘Essentials of Leadership in Africa’ by Bella L. Galperin and Caren B. Scheepers; ‘In Her Hands: Shaping the Future of Manufacturing in Africa’ by Demi Samande; ‘Africa’s Global infrastructures’ by Jana Honke, Eric Cezne, Yifan Yang; ‘Skit Economy: How Nigeria’s Comedy Skit-Makers Are Redefining Africa’s Digital Content Landscape’ by Bell Ihua, Ph.D.; All hands on deck for capital markets reform’ by Arunma Oteh; ‘The Rise of Gas’ by Engineer Charles A. Osezua; and ‘The Traveller: Crossing Borders and Connecting Africa’ – Thebe Ikalafeng.
In recognising the stories (re)shaping Africa’s business landscape, the BCA African
Business Book of the Year awards brings together key figures in African publishing and
business while honouring the talented authors and publishers responsible for bringing these
stories of African entrepreneurship and resilience to life.
This year’s shortlist features an interesting mix from biographies of business leaders to a
focus on manufacturing and capital market reforms, African economics and infrastructure,
intra-Africa travel and the economics of skit making, gas as alternative feedstock for industry
and Africa’s response to COVID-19.
The judging panel is made up of respected African business and thought leaders as well as
media executives: Arnold Ekpe, Chairperson of BCA, and chair of the Judging Committee,
Chris Ogbechie, former Dean of Lagos Business School, Moky Makura, CEO of AfricaNoFilter, Terhas Berhe, Managing Director and Founder of Brand Communications, Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of African Business and New African magazine and Anver Versi, Editor of New African and African Banker magazine.
Commenting on the awards, Arnold Ekpe still thinks Africans need to get better at telling
their stories: “We have seen research that has quantified the cost of the risk premium we are
paying. This is because we are simply not good at telling our stories, and more importantly
our business stories. We are seeing more business books being published but the numbers are still tame given that many amazing businesses are emerging on the continent and that we are leading in many sectors, from tech to fashion to film to finance or mining.”
The winner and runners-up for this year will be unveiled at the awards ceremony scheduled
to take place in London on July 4th, 2025, at the Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, London
SW1Y 5ED, United Kingdom.
The winner will receive a trophy and $10,000! The second and third placed winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.
Last year’s winners were ‘How Africa Trades’ by Professor David Luke; ‘Africa is not a
Country’ by Dipo Faloyin and ‘Ethiopian Airlines: The African Aviation Powerhouse’ by
Jozef Mols.
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