“All Hands on Deck: Unleash Prosperity Through World-Class Capital Markets,” authored by renowned Nigerian economist and former World Bank Treasurer Arunma Oteh, has been awarded the prestigious BCA Business Book of the Year Award for 2025. The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Institute of Directors in London on July 4, where Oteh received a trophy and a cash prize of $10,000. Oteh’s compelling work emphasises the pivotal role of capital markets in driving Africa’s development. With sharp analysis and a clear narrative, the book addresses the continent’s structural challenges while providing insights into the realities of business and economic transformation across Africa.

The prestigious runner-up honours went to “Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance” by Bronwen Everill, which critiques Western economic policies towards Africa. The judges praised it for shedding light on the persistent paternalism and misconceptions that undermine the continent’s progress. The second runner-up, “Riding the Storm: The Untold Story of Africa’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic” by Toni Kan, recounts Africa’s challenges in securing vaccines and essential goods during the pandemic. The judges commended it for offering a powerful perspective on the continent’s resilience and collective action when facing adversity. Both runners-up received cash prizes of $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. The annual award ceremony also featured the Kaye Whiteman Memorial Lecture.

This year’s lecture was delivered by Mr. Papa Ndiaye, non-executive Chairman of Ecobank and founding partner of AFIG Funds. The event highlighted the need for more stories about African business and enterprise, an observation noted by organiser Arnold Ekpe, Chairperson of the Business Council for Africa (BCA). Ekpe remarked, “We are still far from where we would like to be in terms of books that help us understand the dynamic business landscape on the continent. We hope the visibility generated by the BCA award, along with the cash prizes, will inspire more writers and publishers to share the narratives of African entrepreneurship.” Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of African Business magazine, added that the award not only recognises excellence in business writing but also fosters ongoing discussions about African business and enterprise.

This year’s award process was informed by a panel of esteemed judges, including respected business leaders and media executives. The BCA Business Book of the Year Award, now in its third year, aims to spotlight exceptional business narratives that contribute to Africa’s socio-economic progress.

The shortlisted entries exhibited a diverse range of topics, from biographies of business leaders to discussions on manufacturing, capital market reforms, and intra-African travel. In recognising these influential works, the Business Council for Africa continues to bridge the gap between African publishing and business, ensuring that vital stories of resilience and entrepreneurship are brought to the forefront.