Africa’s Business Revolution

Africa offers exciting opportunities to build large, profitable businesses for those who look beyond its reputation for complexity and conflict.
Article

Africa’s overlooked business revolution

– Global business leaders who misunderstand Africa run the risk of missing out on one of the 21st century’s great growth opportunities.
Report - McKinsey Global Institute

The power of parity: Advancing women’s equality in Africa

– Gender inequality in Africa remains high, and progress toward gender parity has stagnated. This is a large missed opportunity for African societies and for the continent’s growth prospects.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

Leadership lessons from Africa’s trailblazers

– How five leaders are seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges to build successful organizations in—and a brighter future for—the nations of Africa.
Podcast - McKinsey Quarterly

How to win in Africa

– The right strategy can unlock strong, profitable growth, explain the authors of Africa’s Business Revolution.
Survey

Rethinking the African business opportunity

– Hopes are high for Africa’s long-term growth, driven by technology and basic services rather than resources. Survey respondents in Africa report more optimism—and better business practices—than peers elsewhere.

About the book

Book - Featured Insights

Africa's Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World's Next Big Growth Market

The definitive guide to doing business in Africa, packed with fresh insights from McKinsey and exclusive interviews with prominent CEOs.

Featured insight

Article

The closest look yet at Chinese economic engagement in Africa

– Field interviews with more than 1,000 Chinese companies provide new insights into Africa–China business relationships.

Sector perspectives

Article

Winning in Africa’s agricultural market

– Private-sector companies can find practical solutions to enter and grow in Africa’s agricultural market.
Article

Should sub-Saharan Africa make its own drugs?

– A comprehensive analysis of the business, economic, and public-health impact finds the potential for local production of pharmaceuticals to be a mixed bag.
Report

African retail banking’s next growth frontier

– Revenue could pick up significantly in the next five years. The region’s winners are likely to emphasize a few key themes—such as going digital first or making banking leaner and simpler.
Article

Lions (still) on the move: Growth in Africa’s consumer sector

– Africa remains a high-potential region, but growth is concentrated in a few markets and income segments. To win, companies need a tailored, data-driven approach.

Featured videos

Spotting Africa’s opportunities

Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala discusses perceived and real risk, as well as ways to harness the improved business environment and empower women.

Developing Africa for the next horizon of growth

– Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, discusses the potential for agricultural industrialization, energy inclusion, and infrastructure upgrade to drive prosperity growth.

Three imperatives for winning in Africa: An interview with Coca-Cola’s former president of Africa

– Alexander Cummings discusses the continent’s potential and ways companies can establish a presence there by partnering for development and building local relevance.

Seeing Africa’s potential in tech, talent, and education

– People in Africa are interested in the same technological and educational opportunities as elsewhere in the world, and the opportunities are extraordinary.
Video

A conversation with Jay Ireland, former president and CEO, GE Africa

– In this video, the seasoned executive speaks to what he learned about doing business in Africa and how to unleash the talent there.
Video

How e-commerce supports African business growth

– Africa’s booming e-commerce sector can not only jump-start small businesses but also help large companies enter a market... full of energized consumers.
Video

Talent and technology in Africa today

– African Leadership Academy cofounder Fred Swaniker explains why companies should invest in people and harness technology to take... on the continent’s big challenges.