Experts and industry veterans are identifying 2026 as a pivotal year that will separate “speculators” from “builders” in the African market. At a high-level reunion hosted by the London Business School (LBS) alumni community in Nigeria in September 2025, a clear consensus emerged: the current economic cycle rewards those who prioritize tangible execution and long-term value over short-term trends.
This shift marks a departure from the “startup hype” era, moving toward a results-driven approach where progress is measured by resilience and market impact.
1. The DNA of a 2026 Success Story
In his keynote address, Bolaji Balogun, CEO of Chapel Hill Denham, distilled 35 years of entrepreneurial wisdom into a framework for the modern builder.
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Big Vision, Specific Problems: Success begins with a massive goal but focuses on solving a clearly defined, localized problem.
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Aggression & Discipline: Balogun noted that Africa’s most successful conglomerates were built by founders who combined operational rigor with a “mean streak”—a healthy level of aggression needed to make quick, clear-minded decisions and pivot when necessary.
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The Talent Moat: Growth in Africa is inextricably linked to the ability to hire and retain high-quality people over a long horizon.
2. Scaling Without a Template
Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, challenged the traditional “startup mindset,” urging entrepreneurs to move toward deliberate strategies for regional and continental scale.
“We are all going to be pathfinders. We are all going to travel down roads nobody has gone through. If you are waiting for a template, you are not going to get one,” Ogbonna stated.
His message was clear: in 2026, the competitive advantage lies in the willingness to walk “lonely paths” where no established playbook exists.
3. Global Thinking, Local Execution
Akintayo Sanwo-Olu, President of the LBS Alumni Community in Nigeria, reinforced the theme of “Rooted Pan-Africanism.” He argued that while learning and values are global, execution must be deeply grounded in local realities.
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Exporting Innovation: The goal for 2026 is not just to import international business models, but to refine African innovations and export them to the global market.
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Beyond Business: Sanwo-Olu positioned the community as “nation builders,” emphasizing that private sector leadership is the primary driver for turning Africa’s demographic potential into actual progress.
The “Builder” Panel Highlights
| Leader | Key Takeaway |
| Adedotun Sulaiman (Parthian Partners) | Strategy must be coupled with the resilience to survive unpredictable environments. |
| Olumide Soyombo (Voltron Capital) | Investment should focus on founders who move with intent and execution. |
| Kathleen O’Connor (LBS Professor) | Continuous executive education is vital for navigating complex global shifts. |
| Bolaji Balogun (Chapel Hill Denham) | Financial prudence and depth of experience are non-negotiable for scale. |
The Final Word
The experts agree that 2026 will be a year of pathfinders. While conditions remain dynamic and occasionally volatile, builders who maintain a consistent commitment to excellence and build structures of accountability are the ones who will shape the market for generations to come.
