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The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa's Economic Miracle
Three little known Africa is now the world's fastest growing continent, with average GDP growth of 5.5% the past 10 years. Malaria deaths have declined by 30% and HIV infections by 74%. Nigeria produces more movies than America does.
The Lion Awakes is the true story of today's Africa, one often overshadowed by the dire headlines. Traveling from his ancestral home in Uganda, East Africa, to the booming economy and (if chaotic) new democracies of West Africa, and down to the "Silicon Savannahs" of Kenya and Rwanda, Ashish J. Thakkar shows us an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists. Far from being a place in need of our pity and aid, we see a continent undergoing a remarkable transformation and economic development. We meet a new generation of ambitious, tech savvy young Africans who are developing everything from bamboo bicycles to iPhone Apps; we meet artists, film makers and architects thriving with newfound freedom and opportunity, and we are introduced to hyper-educated members of the Diaspora who have returned to Africa after years abroad to open companies and take up positions in government. They all tell the same 21st Century Africa offers them more opportunity than the First World. Drawing from his business experience, and his own family's history in Africa, which include his parents' expulsion from Uganda by Idi Amin in the 70s and his own survival of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Ashish shows us how much difference a decade can make.
The Lion Awakes is the true story of today's Africa, one often overshadowed by the dire headlines. Traveling from his ancestral home in Uganda, East Africa, to the booming economy and (if chaotic) new democracies of West Africa, and down to the "Silicon Savannahs" of Kenya and Rwanda, Ashish J. Thakkar shows us an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists. Far from being a place in need of our pity and aid, we see a continent undergoing a remarkable transformation and economic development. We meet a new generation of ambitious, tech savvy young Africans who are developing everything from bamboo bicycles to iPhone Apps; we meet artists, film makers and architects thriving with newfound freedom and opportunity, and we are introduced to hyper-educated members of the Diaspora who have returned to Africa after years abroad to open companies and take up positions in government. They all tell the same 21st Century Africa offers them more opportunity than the First World. Drawing from his business experience, and his own family's history in Africa, which include his parents' expulsion from Uganda by Idi Amin in the 70s and his own survival of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Ashish shows us how much difference a decade can make.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2015
12 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 24, 2015
The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa's Economic Miracle by Ashish J. Thakkar was a true eye-opener and changed my views about Africa regarding development and potential. I knew that South Africa is now part of BRICS, which was just BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) previously, as far as economic development goes but I had no idea how far the rest of the continent had come as well.
The writing reads like an infomercial, both promoting the author and everything he has done and for the African continent. I am not fond of first-person narratives, much less any type of advertising, but Thakkar pulls it off; furthermore, if anyone deserves to toot his own horn, it is this author. The story really tempered the potential distaste I had.
For anyone studying global economics, or who is just plain interested in Africa, I highly recommend this and want to say thanks to Goodreads for sharing.
The writing reads like an infomercial, both promoting the author and everything he has done and for the African continent. I am not fond of first-person narratives, much less any type of advertising, but Thakkar pulls it off; furthermore, if anyone deserves to toot his own horn, it is this author. The story really tempered the potential distaste I had.
For anyone studying global economics, or who is just plain interested in Africa, I highly recommend this and want to say thanks to Goodreads for sharing.
November 22, 2020
I had bought this book right after it was published in 2015 - and since then it had resided in a prominent place in my library of unread books.
I should have read it much earlier - a really inspiring book. It tells the amazing story of the young Ashish Thakkar, who was in the right place at the right time - and was the right man. Amazing only to many of us Europeans that the right place is located in the dark heart of Africa, in Kampala, which almost everyone still identifies with Idi Amin, and not much else.
Not that Africa was completely unknown to me. But of this huge continent I only got to know Ethiopia, Sudan, Senegal and Gambia. And at that time the lion was still sleeping. That he had awakened in the meantime had also escaped me for some time. Because our press preferably provides us with reports about wars, disasters and famines. But "Africa is not only one story, but there are many", as Ashish Thakkar says. The optimistic side of the coin has hardly been noticed by the world, apart from China. Ashish Thakkar tells us this story. You should have read it.
I should have read it much earlier - a really inspiring book. It tells the amazing story of the young Ashish Thakkar, who was in the right place at the right time - and was the right man. Amazing only to many of us Europeans that the right place is located in the dark heart of Africa, in Kampala, which almost everyone still identifies with Idi Amin, and not much else.
Not that Africa was completely unknown to me. But of this huge continent I only got to know Ethiopia, Sudan, Senegal and Gambia. And at that time the lion was still sleeping. That he had awakened in the meantime had also escaped me for some time. Because our press preferably provides us with reports about wars, disasters and famines. But "Africa is not only one story, but there are many", as Ashish Thakkar says. The optimistic side of the coin has hardly been noticed by the world, apart from China. Ashish Thakkar tells us this story. You should have read it.
January 20, 2019
The impressions you had, you must break.
As new ideas start to shake.
An active community,
a land of opportunity.
What happens, when The Lion Awakes.
As new ideas start to shake.
An active community,
a land of opportunity.
What happens, when The Lion Awakes.
July 14, 2020
Inspiring read
A masterpiece of information especially for those trying to understand the new Africa that is before us. For those of us in the diaspora it is truly an inspiring work.
A masterpiece of information especially for those trying to understand the new Africa that is before us. For those of us in the diaspora it is truly an inspiring work.
September 17, 2015
A rather interesting, challenging book; something that at first one feared would be a bit of a tiresome, egocentric personal reflection but within a few paragraphs the author had expertly sold the idea to the reader.
The “African Lion” is waking up, the continent is slowly becoming more prosperous (it is the fastest growing continent presently) and it is the place to watch it seems. Hopefully some of the problems that have held the region back in the past can be held in check. Exciting times for sure may be ahead. This book is a first-person perspective, a look towards the future with an eye on the past; taking the reader on an African journey unlike anything they may have possibly experienced.
From the beginning one became hooked, reading about the polite cheek and drive of the author as a young boy selling his treasured computer to his father’s friend, for a profit, before promptly badgering his father to import another and selling it to his school principal for an even-larger profit. Films have been made of lesser stories. This book oozes positivity, hope and expectation that things will work out, yet there is no sense of entitlement, no excuses being made and no resentment of those who may (or may not) have held things back for the continent in the past.
The publicity material for the book set the scene well, with the reader “… being shown an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists. Far from being a place in need of our pity and aid, we see a continent undergoing a remarkable transformation and economic development. We meet a new generation of ambitious, tech savvy young Africans who are developing everything from bamboo bicycles to iPhone Apps; we meet artists, film makers and architects thriving with newfound freedom and opportunity, and we are introduced to hyper-educated members of the Diaspora who have returned to Africa after years abroad to open companies and take up positions in government. They all tell the same story: 21st Century Africa offers them more opportunity than the First World.”
It was an engaging read. It may challenge many perspectives. It exudes hope. Of course, you could criticise it for not rounding on those, Africans included, that have held the continent back, but this book may still be excused for that; it looks forward, it sees a future. This is a more poolside book than classroom book, even though it can serve both masters equally well. You need to set aside the time to give it a sequential read, but it flows well and it has an engaging story so time, and pages, soon rush by.
All in all, a very pleasant, interesting find that proved to be a worthwhile read.
Autamme.com
The “African Lion” is waking up, the continent is slowly becoming more prosperous (it is the fastest growing continent presently) and it is the place to watch it seems. Hopefully some of the problems that have held the region back in the past can be held in check. Exciting times for sure may be ahead. This book is a first-person perspective, a look towards the future with an eye on the past; taking the reader on an African journey unlike anything they may have possibly experienced.
From the beginning one became hooked, reading about the polite cheek and drive of the author as a young boy selling his treasured computer to his father’s friend, for a profit, before promptly badgering his father to import another and selling it to his school principal for an even-larger profit. Films have been made of lesser stories. This book oozes positivity, hope and expectation that things will work out, yet there is no sense of entitlement, no excuses being made and no resentment of those who may (or may not) have held things back for the continent in the past.
The publicity material for the book set the scene well, with the reader “… being shown an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists. Far from being a place in need of our pity and aid, we see a continent undergoing a remarkable transformation and economic development. We meet a new generation of ambitious, tech savvy young Africans who are developing everything from bamboo bicycles to iPhone Apps; we meet artists, film makers and architects thriving with newfound freedom and opportunity, and we are introduced to hyper-educated members of the Diaspora who have returned to Africa after years abroad to open companies and take up positions in government. They all tell the same story: 21st Century Africa offers them more opportunity than the First World.”
It was an engaging read. It may challenge many perspectives. It exudes hope. Of course, you could criticise it for not rounding on those, Africans included, that have held the continent back, but this book may still be excused for that; it looks forward, it sees a future. This is a more poolside book than classroom book, even though it can serve both masters equally well. You need to set aside the time to give it a sequential read, but it flows well and it has an engaging story so time, and pages, soon rush by.
All in all, a very pleasant, interesting find that proved to be a worthwhile read.
Autamme.com
Read
March 7, 2020I was expecting it to be more of a memoir and less of an explanation of Africa's current technological status. A good read overall, it's clear that Thakkar is well versed in technology and industry. Nevertheless, it reads like an extended blog post, with lots of citations of newspaper and magazine articles (especially Time and The Economist). Highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the Africa we never see.
September 29, 2015
Book stands out
It is very much worth reading. He brings a new and unique perspective and history and offers knowledgeable insights. I think he offers less on some important benefits and achievements from development assistance and some key issues like gender, basic education needs and participation but the overall message should be uplifting and motivating for Africans.
It is very much worth reading. He brings a new and unique perspective and history and offers knowledgeable insights. I think he offers less on some important benefits and achievements from development assistance and some key issues like gender, basic education needs and participation but the overall message should be uplifting and motivating for Africans.
July 26, 2015
WOW! I have to say that this was a really interesting read that I learned a lot from. Well don and one that I recommended to others. I won this great book on GoodReads and like I do with most my wins I will be paying it forward by giving my win either to a friend or library to enjoy.
November 22, 2015
A quick but very informative read. This book opened my eyes to the growth and achievements many of the countries of Africa have made.
October 22, 2015
Really interesting even to someone with little experience of business and economics. A whole new view of Africa.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews