5 African Leaders Entrepreneurs Should Learn From

The path to entrepreneurship is not without its challenges and regrets at times, especially in a developing continent like Africa. However, there are several African leaders that have successfully scaled their businesses from which entrepreneurs can learn from them. 

You shouldn’t let anything prevent you from launching your business idea, even if there is a lack of resources, knowledge, or other factors.

Entrepreneurs are known to be problem-solvers. Therefore, start by resolving the problems you are facing so that you can later resolve those of your future clients.

Here are 5 African leaders entrepreneurs should learn from.

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1. Aliko Dangote

Dangote, the richest man on the continent, is one of the esteemed African leaders from Nigeria that entrepreneurs can learn from. He is the proprietor of the Dangote Group, a commercial conglomerate with interests in commodities in Nigeria and other African nations, as well as an investor and business magnate.

He frequently remarks that Nigeria is among the best-kept secrets. Many foreigners hold off on investing as they wait for the appropriate opportunity. There is no ideal moment. Dangote Group was founded due to his entrepreneurial leadership and managerial abilities.

There are many things that business owners can take as lessons from Dangote, but one of the most crucial ones is to invest in what you know.

If you don’t fully grasp the industry, resist the urge to invest in what is trendy. Dangote stuck closely to the trade in everyday items like sugar, rice, and cement that he had learned from his grandpa.

2. Strive Masiyiwa

Strive is a businessman from Zimbabwe and the founder of Econet, a global telecommunications company organisation that provides services to countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa. He is listed as one of Africa’s billionaires on the 2018 Forbes List.

He is regarded as one of Africa’s most giving humanitarians and has received several honours, recognition, and awards for his economic acumen and generosity.

Persistence is an important lesson to take away from Strive Masiyiwa. He persevered in the face of multiple challenges from the government and private businesses to pursue what was right for himself and his country.

3. Tony Elumelu 

Tony is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the chairman of United Bank for Africa. The foundation is well known for its $5000 USD Entrepreneurship Grants provided to up-and-coming entrepreneurs across the continent.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, which was established in 2015, is the biggest charitable project in Africa focused on entrepreneurship.

4. Mike Adenuga

Adenuga is the founder of Globacom Limited, a telecommunication platform that would go on to meet Nigerians’ demands and compete with industry behemoths like MTN Group.

Globacom is currently valued at more than $1 billion. The second richest person in Nigeria is a billionaire businessman named Adenuga.

Avoiding gossip is a valuable lesson business people can take from this African leader. Mike Adenuga has been the subject of numerous rumours, but nobody has ever heard that he replied to any of them. Ignoring some things requires a lot of fortitude.

5. Patrick Awuah

He is a Ghanaian businessman and the founder of Ashesi University, one of the top universities on the continent. In 2012, the university was the first academic institution to receive an award as one of Ghana’s top ten Most Respected Companies.  

Patrick Awuah was also ranked as one of Ghana’s most respected CEO. His aptitude for schooling inspired him to leave his position at Microsoft in 2002 and launch Ashesi.

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