On Saturday, March 28, How we made it in Africa II officially launched in the United States at the Harvard Business School Africa Business Conference. Written by South African author Jaco Maritz, the book chronicles the journeys of visionary entrepreneurs building remarkable companies across the continent. The book features 15 case studies of founders who have created successful businesses.
These entrepreneurs hail from a variety of countries, such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt. Their stories cover a diverse array of sectors, including retail, agriculture, healthcare, and technology.
During the launch event, Maritz discussed his writing process, shared key leadership lessons gleaned from the featured founders, and highlighted major business opportunities revealed through their stories. The presentation concluded with a lively Q&A session with the audience.
Organised by the HBS Africa Business Club, the conference attracted nearly a thousand attendees, bringing together a dynamic mix of global executives, investors, entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers, and diaspora professionals. The two-day weekend featured keynote addresses, industry-focused panel discussions, a startup pitch competition, and extensive networking.
Prominent officials and business leaders in attendance included Leila Fourie, Group CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange; Fred Swaniker, Founder of the African Leadership Group; Patrick Njoroge, Former Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya; Tope Lawani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners; and Witney Schneidman, Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
