HOW WE MADE IT IN AFRICA: THE BOOK AVAILABLE NOW!

Frequently asked questions

In which formats are the book available?

The book is available in both paperback and ebook formats.

Where can I purchase the book?

The paperback can be purchased directly from this site or from Amazon. The ebook is available from this site, Amazon and other popular ebook platforms.

How will I receive the ebook when buying from this platform?

Customers will receive a link via email to download the ebook in three file formats:

  • EPUB (for Google Play, iBooks, Kobo, Nook and most other e-reader apps)
  • MOBI (for Kindle)
  • PDF

How can I read the ebook?

The ebook can be read on all platforms, including mobile phones, tablets, personal computers as well as Kindle and other e-reader devices. For the best and easiest reading experience, we recommend reading the book through the Google Play Books app on Android devices and the iBooks app on Apple devices. Both these apps should already be installed, but can also be downloaded for free. Below are brief step-by-step instructions on how to open the book in these apps as well as for Kindle.

Google Play Books

1. Ensure you have the Google Play Books app installed. It can be downloaded for free.
2. In the app, tap on Menu in the top left (three horizontal stripes icon)
3. Tap 'Settings'
4. Tick 'Enable PDF uploading' (Untick 'Download over Wi-Fi only' if you are not connected to wifi)
5. Tap on the book download link and download the EPUB file.
6. Tap on the downloaded file (it will show in your notification menu). The book should now open in Play Books.

iBooks

1. iPhones and iPads come with the iBooks app preinstalled. However, it can be downloaded for free from the App Store.
2. Tap on the book download link and download the EPUB file.
3. In the top right of your screen, tap on the 'Share' icon (square with an arrow pointing up)
4. Choose iBooks from the list of applications that appear. The book should now open in iBooks

Kindle app

1. Open the Kindle app
2. In the bottom-right corner, tap on 'More' (three lines, three dots)
3. Tap on 'Settings'
4. Under 'STORAGE & DOCUMENTS' you will see your Send-to-Kindle Email Address. Write down his address.
5. Tap on the book download link and download the MOBI file.
6. Attach the downloaded MOBI file to an email, and send it to the Send-to-Kindle Email Address. (Ensure to send it from the same email address that you used to create your Amazon account.)
7. Wait a minute or two and the ebook should appear in your 'Library' on the Kindle app.

Kindle device

1. Open the device and go to the Home Screen
2. Tap on 'Menu' in the top right corner of the screen (three dots)
3. Tap on 'Settings'
4. Tap on 'My Account'
5. At the bottom of the page you will see your Send-to-Kindle Email Address. Write down this address.
6. Tap on the book download link and download the MOBI file
7. Attach the downloaded MOBI file to an email and send it to the Send-to-Kindle Email Address. (Ensure you send it from the same email address that you used to create your Amazon account.)
8. Wait a minute or two and the ebook should appear in your 'Library' on your Kindle device.

How many pages does the book have?

The PDF version has 246 pages. The page count in other e-reader apps and devices will depend on the font size selected by users.

How are payments processed?

Customers can pay via either PayPal or PayGate. PayPal is generally the easiest, but we recommend picking the PayGate option during checkout in case of any issues with PayPal.

PayPal

- PayPal supports a large number of credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diner's Club and EnRoute. Cheque cards or debit cards with either a Visa or MasterCard logo are supported and treated just like a credit card.

PayGate

- Accepts all major credit and debit cards.

GENERAL

How did you decide on which entrepreneurs to profile?

All entrepreneurs profiled had to meet the following criteria:

  • They must have been running their own business for a minimum of four years.
  • They should seek to build high-growth, high-performance companies. We did not profile “lifestyle” entrepreneurs or those involved in business as a hobby.
  • Minimum of 10 full-time staff
  • At least 75% of the company’s sales should come from customers/clients based in Africa. In case of a company selling its products/services internationally (for instance, an e-commerce venture), its head office should be in Africa, and the continent should be the origin of the products/services.
  • Above all, we looked for entrepreneurs with interesting and inspiring stories that others can learn from.

We deliberately didn’t profile some of the continent’s more well-known business personalities (such as Nigerian cement tycoon Aliko Dangote, Zimbabwean telecoms pioneer Strive Masiyiwa or South African mining magnate Patrice Motsepe), instead introducing some fresh names, with a particular focus on the next generation, which in the coming decades could very well be mentioned alongside these titans.

Who should read this publication?

The book is aimed at all business-minded individuals. Our aim is for readers to learn from, and be inspired by, the experiences of the continent’s most dynamic entrepreneurs, while simultaneously gaining insight into Africa’s business opportunities, together with the hurdles that accompany them.

Who is the team behind the book?

The book is published by Maritz Africa, a South African-based business information company and owner of the award-winning online publication How we made it in Africa. Attracting over one million unique visitors a year, How we made it in Africa is aimed at African business people and foreign investors. Its advertisers include: DHL, Rand Merchant Bank, Standard Bank, EY, UCT Graduate School of Business, OPIC, University of Stellenbosch Business School, KPMG, Siemens and Ethiopian Airlines, to name a few.

The individual entrepreneur profiles were written by a team of journalists from across the continent. Writers include: Jeanette Clark (Media24, Moneyweb), Dianna Games (author of Business in Africa: Corporate Insights), Sven Hugo (Media24, RiskAfrica), Glenneis Kriel (Finweek), Confidence Musariri (Executive Editor: Fortune Group of Companies), Oluwabusayomi Sotunde (Rural Reporters), Iga Motylska and Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu (Quartz). Editor: Jaco Maritz. Copy editor: Erla Rabe. Proofreaders: Margy Beves-Gibson and Melissa Cawthra.