Business
Billionaire, Femi Otedola, among writers shortlisted for BCA African Business Book 2026
The Business Council for Africa (BCA), in partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation, African Business and BrandComms, has unveiled an exciting and eclectic shortlist for the 4th edition of the BCA African Business Book of the Year Awards.
Femi Otedola, billionaire business mogul, was listed among shortlisted writers for this year’s honours. He made the list with his book, Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business.
The other shortlisted books and authors are: How we made it in Africa II, by Jarco Martiz; How Africa works, by Joe Studwell; Cultural Confluence in Organisational Change: A Portuguese Venture in Angola, by Allete Vonk; Afro-Optimism Unleashed, by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer; It’s About Tyme, by Adrian Saville, Bruce Whitfield; How Africa Eats, by Professor David Luke; Realizing Africa’s Potential: A Journey to Prosperity; by Landry Signé.
The annual competition celebrates the most compelling business writing examining and shaping Africa’s economic imagination – from leadership memoirs and sectoral deep‑dives to bold analyses of the continent’s future.
Now in its fourth year, the awards continue to spotlight the authors, thinkers and practitioners documenting Africa’s business and economic transformation with clarity, rigour and ambition.
Supported by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, the shortlist reflects a continent in motion: from the boardrooms of Lagos and Johannesburg to the food markets of Accra, the banking corridors of Nairobi and the policy tables of Addis Ababa.
The judging panel, as in previous iterations, 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; Arunma Oteh, former Director General of the Nigeria SEC and Chair at the Royal Africa Society; 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.
Commenting on the awards, Arnold Ekpe, Chairperson of BCA, commended the quality of this year’s submissions while emphasising the need for even more African business voices to emerge.
“We are excited to have the Africa Finance Corporation join us this year as our headline sponsor. As AFC approaches its 20th anniversary next year, it understands the importance of narrative and the significance of documenting first hand the business stories being created across the continent. These stories help deepen understanding of Africa’s evolving business landscape and economic transformation.”
READ ALSO: Femi Otedola’s Making It Big jumps to Number 1 on Amazon Best Sellers list
The winner and runners-up for this year will be unveiled at the awards ceremony scheduled to take place in London on 3 July, at the Institute of Directors. The winner will receive a trophy and $10,000. The second- and third-placed finalists will receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.
Last year’s winners included All Hands on Deck: Unleash prosperity through world class capital markets by Arunma Oteh; Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance by Bronwen Everill; and Toni Kan’s Riding the Storm: The Untold Story of Africa’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic covering the African response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Business Council for Africa was established in 1956 to provide reliable intelligence to investors interested in African economies.
Today, it is a registered not- for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting African business, championing enterprise, and connecting the continent with global opportunity.
Its flagship initiatives include the Annual African Business Book Awards and the Annual RED Index. For more information, visit: www.bcafrica.org
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The Governing Council, Management, and members of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) have expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Barrister Rotimi Edu, a prominent figure in the nation’s insurance sector and the Past President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).
In an official statement, the CIIN paid tribute to Barrister Edu, describing him as a distinguished professional and a fierce advocate for the advancement of the insurance industry in Nigeria.
‘His contributions to the growth of insurance brokerage and industry development remain remarkable and enduring,” the Institute noted, highlighting the significant impact of his leadership and legacy.
The CIIN extended its heartfelt condolences to the Edu family, the NCRIB community, and his wide circle of friends and associates, praying for his soul to rest in perfect peace.
Barrister Edu’s passing marks a significant loss for the Nigerian financial services sector, where his legal expertise and insurance acumen helped shape modern brokerage practices. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
The post CIIN Mourns Passing of Past NCRIB President, Barrister Rotimi Edu appeared first on Business Today NG.
Sterling Financial Holding Company Plc has announced plans to raise $400 million in fresh capital through a combination of debt and equity instruments, as part of resolutions to be considered at its Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The company disclosed the capital raise in a statement signed by its secretary, Sunny Kanabe, and posted on NGX Group on Monday, announcing its 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for 9 June.
The proposed capital raise is being put forward without affecting the capital-raising approvals earlier granted at the company’s AGM held on 11 July, 2025, it said.
The company had disclosed in July 2025 plans to raise to $400 million through a mix of financing options, including debt instruments and equity offerings.
In the statement published on Monday, the lender said the fresh capital could also be raised through the issuance of debt instruments, including convertible or non-convertible bonds, preference shares, ordinary shares, global depositary receipts, or a combination.
According to Sterling Financial Holding Company, capital could also be raised through public offerings, private placements, rights issues, and other approved methods.
The lender stated that the fundraising’s pricing and timing will be determined by its Board, and subject to the approval of relevant regulatory authorities.
“Company be and is hereby authorized to raise up to US$400,000,000 (Four Hundred Million United States Dollars) or its equivalent in Naira or other currencies.
“The capital may be raised in tranches or otherwise through the issuance of debt instruments (including, but not limited to, bonds that may be convertible or non-convertible, preference shares, ordinary shares, global depositary receipts, or a combination thereof, in the Nigerian and/or international capital markets, whether by way of public offer, private placement, rights issue, or any other method, at such dates and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), subject to the procurement of requisite approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities,” the statement read.
It added that where the capital raise involves equity issuance, the board will have authority to increase the company’s share capital and allot new shares as necessary to complete the transaction.
The resolutions also empower the board to amend the company’s ‘Memorandum and Articles of Association’ to reflect any changes in its share capital structure arising from the exercise.
In addition, shareholders are being asked to approve the Board’s authority to take all necessary steps, obtain regulatory approvals, and engage professional advisers required to execute the transaction.
The company also sought ratification of any prior steps already taken in relation to the capital raise process.
READ ALSO: Sterling Financial Holdings sustains record growth, deepens capital, as assets cross ₦4trn mark
“That the Board be and is hereby authorised to take all such lawful steps, pass all requisite resolutions and do all such other lawful acts and/or things as may be necessary for and/or incidental to giving effect to the resolutions above; and all prior lawful steps taken by the Board in the above regard be and are hereby ratified.
“That the Company be and is hereby authorised to appoint such professional parties and advisers and perform all other acts as may be necessary to give effect to the above resolutions, including obtaining relevant regulatory approvals and, without limitation, complying with the directives of any relevant regulatory authority,” the statement read.
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