What is as telling is the fact that many of Africa's success stories have been written against a background of less than ideal communications and infrastructure, and in the face of laws and regulations that often hinder rather than help the establishment of successful business enterprises.
Nevertheless, the successes have been remarkable - and here are Business In Africa's top 36 African business leaders:
The most powerful business leaders in Africa (1-6)
Tokyo Sexwale
A philanthropic pedigree
Former politician turned industrialist and chairman of Mvelaphanda Holdings, Tokyo
Sexwale, is a businessman with a conscience. Concerned that too many philanthropists in Africa are Americans or Europeans, his family trust makes extensive donations across the continent to the disabled, and to education and sports development.
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The most powerful business leaders in Africa (7-12)
Maria Ramos
Alpha female of the corporate class
Maria Ramos combines neatly and completely the two contrasts in South African transport utility Transnet's CEO — the alpha female of the corporate class, ranked among the top 50 most powerful women in the world by Fortune Magazine in 2005, and a straight-talking CEO, without pretences.
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The most powerful business leaders in Africa (13-18)
Graham Mackay
Prime mover
Graham Mackay is widely regarded as one of the sharpest intellects in African business. As Group Managing Director of South African Breweries (SAB) since 1997 he deserves much of the credit for the group's extraordinary growth during his watch.
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The most powerful business leaders in Africa (19-24)
Chris Kirubi
Bringing flamboyance to business
The flamboyant businessman cannot just be kept down and neither does he need any introduction. The former Chairman of Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) is a well-known investor with business interests in diverse activities.
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The most powerful business leaders in Africa (25-30)
Arnold Kilewo
A savvy public administrator and business executive
Arnold Kilewo has been in public service for 29 years in senior management positions. He is presently an independent consultant. The 67-year-old Kilewo graduated with a bachelor of law degree from the University of London in 1965, after which he served as a state attorney at the Attorney General's Chambers until 1967.
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The most powerful business leaders in Africa (31-36)
Ekwow Spio-Garbrah
Leading with integrity
Ekwow Spio-Garbrah ranks among the continent's top business leaders not because of his net worth. He's an impeccable leader in his own right. Garbrah has worked as Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation since 2003. His curriculum vitae shows 25 years experience in advising governments, multinational corporations, international banks and multilateral organisations.
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