The writing

Essays for people building beyond the next quarter.

Notes on Africa’s political economy, natural resources, investing, technology, culture, leadership, and the patient work of institution building.

12 published essays

The One Percent We Should Refuse to Accept

There is a number I have not been able to put down this week, and I think you should sit with it too. According to the World Economic Forum, Africa captures less than one percent of the total economic value of the green technologies our own minerals make possible.

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Cobalt to Consciousness: Insights from my 2024 Reading List

In the quiet moments between business calls, deal negotiations, and strategic planning sessions, I found solace in a collection of books that shaped and refined my understanding of leadership, economics, and human potential throughout 2024. Each selection represented a deliberate step toward exploring the intricate interplay between personal growth and

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Infrastructure of Trust: A Foundation for the AfCFTA

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking on a panel about Market Access, Trade Facilitation, Export Promotion, and the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ) at the Manufacturing Indaba in Johannesburg, South Africa. The session was moderated by Duncan Bonnett from Africa House, and I shared insights alongside remarkable

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Facing Fear and Leading with Courage

In our spheres of influence—whether we are building businesses, leading teams, contributing to societal change, or making career leaps—we must remember that fear can either paralyze or galvanize us.

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Jërëjëf Senegal

In August, I left Dakar, Senegal with a full and content heart—deeply enriched by a retreat that fostered profound connections, thoughtful introspection, a ton of laughter, and invaluable lessons in doing hard things. This experience was shared with my African Leadership University School of Business ( ALUSB ) Class of

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Daring to Dream: A Call to Courage for Africa's Future

Below is a speech I delivered as student representative for the African Leadership University School of Business Class of 2019 at our graduation ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda. In many ways, the speech was a seminal moment for me as it culminated in me joining another great network of like-minded

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15 of my favorite books from 2022

In 2022, I surpassed my goal of reading 30 books, with a total of 45. My aim on this journey was to explore various topics and industries, as well as the personalities and businesses which have had a major role in global affairs. As I share 15 of my favorite

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Welcome friends!

I'm Mulumba M. Lwatula, a technologist and investment professional based in Lusaka, Zambia. On this site, we will explore the beautiful continent of Africa and the ways we can harness the interplay between our natural resource wealth, people, and technology to solve some of our continent's

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