Lonrho and the Limits of Corporate Power in Africa, c. 1961-1973

This article focuses on the British multinational business Lonrho and the very real limits to its corporate power. In doing so it will examine the expansion of Lonrho, under its buccaneering chairman Roland ‘Tiny’ Rowland, from its Southern Rhodesian roots across the African continent. In addition, it will demonstrate how Lonrho's African businesses proved crucial in buttressing Rowland's control of Lonrho in an attempted boardroom coup during May 1973. While Rowland's ability to coerce African governments was negligible at best, his African relationships and networks provided a key component of his successful battle to retain control of the company. As such this article demonstrates the need to (re)-consider the multifaceted nature of corporate power during the period of decolonisation.