Success in Africa: CEO Insights from a Continent on the Rise

CHAPTER 4

Africapitalism

You can’t ignore the markets where there is nothing. Those are the markets that buy everything.

Dr. Chris Kirubi, Chairman, International House Limited

Africa needs everything, and success in Africa comes from filling that need. That seems a straightforward equation, but it has eluded many companies that have operated in Africa, including many African companies. James Mworia recalls an experience that captures the phenomenon well. When this story took place, James had already been to university, become a CPA, and was working full time at Centum:

I remember when I was an employee of Centum in 2001, I got a letter from my bank, Standard Chartered Bank. They said, “Based on your balance and the activity in your account, ...