David Luke, Professor in Practice and Strategic Director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at LSE, has won the Business Council for Africa (BCA) African Business Book of the Year for his book How Africa Trades. The book is published by LSE Press, LSE’s Open Access academic publisher.
The awards ceremony was held on 3 July 2024 at Dartmouth House in Mayfair, London. The event brought together authors, industry leaders and Africa watchers to honour exceptional contributions to business literature in Africa.
Professor Luke specialises in African trade policy and trade negotiations. He has decades of experience in policy advisory services, managing and catalysing research, building partnerships, training and capacity development for private sector and government. His book was recognised for its lucid storytelling, evidence-based research and its accessible writing style.
The winner, runner up and second runner up were chosen from a shortlist of eight books from across the African continent as well as suggested books by the editorial team of African Business magazine. As this year's winner, Professor Luke will receive $10,000 in prize money.
Professor David Luke said: “I'm delighted the book has been recognised in this way, and even more so that publication on an Open Access basis has made the book accessible to African readers.”
Niamh Tumelty, Managing Director of LSE Press, said: "At LSE Press we aim to promote the widest possible engagement with social science research through rigorously peer-reviewed, Open Access publications, so I am delighted that Professor Luke has won this award for How Africa Trades."
Arnold Ekpe, BCA chairman, said: “We launched the BCA Annual Africa Business Awards last year to encourage and promote serious discussion and analysis of businesses and economies in Africa. I strongly believe that it is important to have on record the stories of businesses and industries on the continent. We congratulate everyone who participated and who are contributing to telling African business stories.”
Read an overview of How Africa Trades here: https://www.lse.ac.uk/research/research-for-the-world/economics/understanding-african-trade-is-key-to-helping-its-development.
Read the full book Open Access here:https://press.lse.ac.uk/site/books/e/10.31389/lsepress.hat