Entrepreneurship and leadership platform, Under 40 CEOs, has unveiled the second volume of its inspirational publication titled How We Made It in Africa, featuring the stories of 52 accomplished African business leaders. The launch took place in Lagos as part of the platform’s 10th anniversary celebration and drew a large gathering of innovators, industry captains, and members of the Under 40 CEOs network from across the continent.
Among those profiled in Volume 2 are popular Nigerian singer-turned-entrepreneur Olubankole Wellington, known as Banky W, award-winning rapper Jude ‘M.I’ Abaga, and beauty industry icon Banke Meshida-Lawal. The publication highlights the diverse journeys and achievements of entrepreneurs making a mark in sectors such as entertainment, fashion, construction, tech, and social enterprise.
Executive Director of Under 40 CEOs, Mr. Familusi Babajide, said the new book serves as both a record of achievement and a tool to inspire more young Africans to pursue purpose-driven leadership.
“We’ve spent the last ten years building something that matters—not just to the people featured in our stories, but to the continent as a whole. This book is a symbol of our journey so far and a reminder that we are just getting started,” Babajide said during his remarks at the launch.
He noted that each story in the book reflects the courage, resilience, and creativity of young African leaders. “It is more than a celebration; it’s a collective narrative of impact, ambition, and transformation,” he added.
One of the featured entrepreneurs, Banky W, co-founder of Empire Mates Entertainment, shared his experience of launching his music label while still in university. “When you’re passionate about something, you will find a way,” he said, adding that entrepreneurship is a mix of vision, passion, and strategic planning.
Another notable contributor, Temitope Runsewe, CEO of Dutum Construction and one of the personalities profiled, described the initiative as a call to build lasting value across Africa. “Africa is not just a place to build businesses; it’s a place to build legacies,” he said. “The opportunities here are endless, and the impact you can make goes far beyond money.”
Runsewe also praised the platform for championing entrepreneurship in Nigeria and beyond. “Platforms like Under 40 CEOs remind us that choosing to build in Nigeria is choosing to shape the future.”
The unveiling ceremony also featured the premiere of the Under 40 CEOs Legacy Video, which chronicled the evolution of the platform since its launch in 2015. Initially started as a television series profiling young business leaders, the initiative has grown into a Pan-African entrepreneurship ecosystem. Over the past decade, the platform has mentored and empowered more than 1,000 young executives in Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Africa.
Some of the platform’s key collaborations were showcased, including the Drive Your Ambition partnership with Mitsubishi Motors and They Said I Couldn’t, a campaign with Sunlight Nigeria. Both initiatives highlighted success stories of young Africans breaking barriers in business.
In addition to the book, Under 40 CEOs is running several other programmes, including the Jumpstart Fund which supports early-stage ventures, the Learning Hub for executive training, and the Under 40 CEOs Junior Club, aimed at grooming future entrepreneurs from a young age.
The organisers said that How We Made It in Africa: Volume 2 is not just a book, but a movement that celebrates African excellence and leadership under the age of 40. They also revealed that more activities are lined up to mark the anniversary throughout the year, including a major capstone event expected before the year ends.
The event brought together diverse players in the African business space, reaffirming the growing influence of youth-led innovation and enterprise across the continent.
