Leaving the Tarmac: Buying a Bank in Africa

"Aig … gives meaning to grit and authenticity, taking us on a journey that closes the gap between harsh reality and one's aspiration, giving young Nigerians, especially women in the finance sector the inspiration to dream, weather the storm and achieve greatness." -- Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations

THE MOST COMPELLING BUSINESS SUCCESS STORY TO COME OUT OF AFRICA

When Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe bought Access Bank in 2002 it was one of the smallest and most crisis-prone banks in Nigeria. Their goal was to build it into one of the biggest and strongest banks in the country.

Leaving the Tarmac is the story of their success and it reads like a financial thriller, while at the same time providing a detailed blueprint for how to create a sustainable business founded on excellence, how to build and lead a winning team and how to operate successfully in emerging markets.

The author has written with searing honesty about the set-backs as well as the triumphs that they met with along the way, providing an unrivalled insight for anyone planning to build a company or do business in the volatile but high-growth markets of modern Africa.

REVIEWS

“Aig-Imoukhuede … gives us a frontline account of what it means to seize opportunities and weather risks in Africa's banking industry. I recommend the book to all who want to get an inside view of what it takes to create and grow a successful business in Nigeria's challenging but opportunity-laden business environment.” -- Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization and Nigerian Minister for Finance (2003-2006, 2011-2015)

"I robustly recommend Leaving The Tarmac as a must-read across all sectors. For leaders who are at the cutting edge of significant breakthroughs for their businesses, this is a manual! The wealth of experience and candor displayed by the writer speaks to what matters most to his heart, sustainable African development." -- Aliko Dangote, GCON, President and Chief Executive, Dangote Group

"Insight into leadership styles, institution-building, and the importance of courage, hard work and strategic thinking. Recommended reading for anyone interested in the history of Nigerian banking during its most interesting and challenging transformations, as well as in how to be an entrepreneur and then build an institution that outlasts the founder. A story worth telling and retelling." -- Muhammad Sanusi II, CON, 14th Emir of Kano and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014

"A dramatic account of efforts to tame the wild frontier of Nigerian banking into a reasonably well-ordered financial services industry." -- Dele Olojede, International journalist, Publisher and Pulitzer Prize winner

"A powerful tale of leadership and institution-building amidst weak regulatory institutions and a changing cast of politicians, Central Bank Governors, and competitors. I loved reading this book." -- Ngaire Woods, Founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford

"The book provides an insider's view of the meticulous planning, sheer hard work, resilience, and grit that produced the modern Access Bank. A high-octane blend of professionalism, ambition, and discipline." -- Professor Peter Tufano, Dean, Said Business School, University of Oxford

"Virtually all 195 pages were brimming with very useful tips and hints ... All in all an excellent and highly motivating story." -- Atedo Peterside, CON, Founder, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc & board member, Standard Bank of South Africa