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, was awarded the second runner-up prize at the BCA African Business Book of the Year 2025.
The book was commissioned by Afreximbank and published by Narrative Landscape
All Hands on Deck: Unleash prosperity through world-class capital markets by Arunma Oteh, renowned Nigerian economist and former World Bank Treasurer and Director General of the Nigerian SEC, emerged the winner of the prestigious award for 2025 while Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance and African Economics by Bronwen Everill was announced as the runner-up with the organisers lauded the exciting shortlisted books but lamenting the general paucity of stories about African business and enterprise.
The judges described Oteh’s work as a “powerful and timely work which underscores the critical role of capital markets and the need for integrated, well-functioning capital markets in driving Africa’s development. Through sharp analysis and compelling narrative, the book delves into the structural challenges facing the continent, while offering an unflinching look at the realities of business and economic transformation across Africa.”
The award was presented at a ceremony held at the Institute of Directors in London, where the winner received a trophy and a cash prize of $10,000.
Held annually, the Award ceremony also features the Kay Whiteman Memorial Lecture. Whiteman was a journalist who dedicated his life to covering African affairs. This year’s guest speaker was financier and investor Mr. Papa Ndiaye, non-executive Chairman of Ecobank, a private equity stalwart and founding partner of Advanced Finance and Investment Group (AFIG Funds)
The runner-up title went to Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance and African Economics, a provocative critique of Western economic policies towards Africa, which the judges praised for exposing the persistent paternalism and misconceptions that continue to undermine the continent’s progress.
The second runner-up, Riding the Storm: The Untold Story of Africa’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, recounts Africa’s struggle to secure vaccines and other essential goods during the COVID-19 pandemic. The judges commended the book for offering a powerful African perspective on how the continent came together when everyone else retreated, showcasing the continent’s resilience and potential when acting collectively.
The runners-up both received cash prizes of $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.
The winning entry was adjudged the best for the year by the panel of judges constituted by The Business Council for Africa, promoters of the awards, which is now in its 3rd year, with the support of BrandComms and African Business.
The judging panel was comprised of respected African business and thought leaders as well as media executives: Arnold Ekpe, Chairperson of BCA, and chair of the Judging Committee, Chris Ogbechie, former Dean of Lagos Business School, 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 magazine.
This annual competition is dedicated to recognising and rewarding the authors of the best business books from Africa that illuminate compelling business narratives that promote Africa’s socio-economic development.
The Business Council for Africa, in recognising the stories (re)shaping Africa’s business landscape, brings together key figures in African publishing and business while honouring the talented authors and publishers responsible for bringing these stories of African entrepreneurship and resilience to life.
This year’s shortlist featured an eclectic and interesting mix from biographies of business leaders to a focus on manufacturing and capital market reforms, African economics and infrastructure, intra-Africa travel, and the economics of skit making, as well as gas as an alternative feedstock for industry.
