Empowering Africa’s Future through Responsible Business
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 31, 2024/APO Group/ —
Calling all international and continental business leaders, both established and growing, whose expansion and new market strategies include the African continent. Join us at the groundbreaking 2024 Africa Shared Value and ESG Summit (www.AfricaSharedValueSummit.com), taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, from October 24th to 25th.
This inaugural event is more than just a conference—it’s a call to action for organisations operating in Africa or planning to enter this vibrant market. The summit will provide a unique platform for leaders to engage in meaningful discussions about integrating Shared Value principles with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, all aimed at fostering sustainable economic transformation across the continent.
Responsible Business
Responsible Business is about more than just reporting or adhering to governance and compliance regulations. Businesses have an enormous responsibility towards society and the environment and need to consciously and deliberately create prosperity for all their stakeholders, not just their shareholders. The summit will explore topics such as how companies can profitably address societal and environmental issues through their core business to create a positive impact and report credible and authentic data and information in their ESG Reporting.
Creating Shared Value is a revolutionary way of thinking in the business-society relationship, marrying society’s social goals with business in a profitable manner, triggering innovation, wealth redistribution, and growth for humanity and business. Prof. Michael Porter and Prof. Mark Kramer, the creators of the Shared Value Business Management model, further build on the practices and principles and how companies can create shared value through reconceiving products and markets, redefining productivity in the value chain, and building supportive industry clusters at the company’s locations (Odia, 2018).
Africa’s Economic Outlook:
Africa is on the rise, with a burgeoning middle class, rapid urbanization, and increasing consumer spending. According to the African Development Bank, Africa’s real GDP is expected to grow by 4.1% in 2024, outpacing the global average. This growth is driven by sectors such as technology, agriculture, and renewable energy, presenting ample opportunities for businesses looking to make a positive impact.
In the words of the CEO and Founder of the Shift Impact Africa Group, which consists of Shift Impact Africa and the Shared Value Africa Initiative, and Head of the Organizing Committee of the 2024 Africa Shared Value and ESG Summit: “Africa is where we are building the global future.”
The economic outlook for Africa from 2024 onwards appears promising, with several forecasts indicating a positive trajectory. Growth in Central Africa is expected to moderate to 3.5% in 2024, with a projected recovery in private consumption and increases in mining investment. In countries such as South Africa, fiscal constraints are anticipated due to weak revenues and rising debt-servicing costs, but the overall outlook remains optimistic. The continent’s growth is expected to rebound to 4% in 2024, with broad-based improvements supported by government efforts across various countries. Moreover, Africa’s economic growth is projected to outpace global forecasts in 2023 and 2024, despite challenges faced in 2022. Overall, the continent’s economic outlook for the coming years is cautiously optimistic, with continued growth and development expected across various sectors.
Africa is where we are building the global future
Why Participate as a Brand?
The need to grow markets is a given for any brand, and the summit provides an opportunity for brands and leadership to step onto the stage and share their strategic plans for expanding into the African market. It is an opportunity for an organisation as a funder and/or sponsor to shine the light on your work and to connect with like-minded organisations and individuals who believe in Africa’s potential and are willing to collaborate in building the prosperous future we envision for the continent.
Why Attend the 2024 Africa Shared Value and ESG Summit?
Network with Industry Leaders: Connect with influential business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders who are shaping Africa’s future.
Gain Insights on Sustainable Business Practices: Learn how integrating Shared Value and ESG principles can drive profitability while addressing social and environmental challenges.
Explore Opportunities for Growth: Discover new avenues for business expansion and investment in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.
Join us as a Sponsor:
Join us at the 2024 Africa Shared Value and ESG Summit and be part of a movement that is redefining business success in Africa. Together as a collective, we can create a sustainable future that benefits all stakeholders.
Register Now:
Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of business in Africa. Register now to secure your spot at this landmark event.
For more information and registration details, please visit our website.
We look forward to welcoming you to Nairobi and embarking on this journey towards shared prosperity in Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Shared Value and ESG Summit.
Women in leadership takes centre stage as Azentio welcomes Aarthi Ramesh and Emma Foley
SINGAPORE, Singapore, July 4, 2024/APO Group/ —
Azentio Software (“Azentio“) (https://apo-opa.co/3XVs4JH)- a leading end-to-end software company specializing in the BFSI sector, today announced the appointment of Aarthi Ramesh as Chief Customer Officer and Emma Foley as Chief Marketing Officer.
Ramesh joins Azentio with over two decades of experience in the IT industry, both within the services and SaaS space. Most recently she served as Vice President at Freshworks, managing a large portfolio of strategic accounts across Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. During this time, she contributed significantly to the company’s growth, including as Head of GTM Operations, where she played a pivotal role in scaling the operations function and aligning it with the company’s IPO objectives. Prior to Freshworks, Aarthi had a long successful stint with Cognizant as global COO for a large business unit.
At Azentio, Ramesh will primarily be focused on delivering excellence in customer success. In her role, Aarthi will ensure customer satisfaction and retention by overseeing all customer-facing activities. This includes managing customer success teams, support services, and customer experience strategies to ensure seamless onboarding, adoption and ongoing engagement with Azentio products suite.
Aarthi and Emma are both driven and effective leaders who bring a wealth of experience, vision and innovation that will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Azentio
Commenting on the announcement, Aarthi said, “I am delighted to join Azentio and lead our efforts towards achieving complete customer centricity. With my extensive background in both product and services and my dedication to driving customer success, I am confident I can significantly benefit both our business and our customers.”
Foley brings with her over 20 years of B2B marketing experience primarily focused on the tech space in the MEA, APAC and European markets. Most recently serving as the Head of Marketing for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Temenos, Foley is immersed in building high performing teams to drive transformative marketing models. Her expertise in leveraging data analytics to enhance marketing efficiency and effectiveness is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Azentio’s marketing strategies into the future.
Her primary focus will be in ensuring Azentio’s value propositions are clear, compelling, and simple for customers as well as supporting the business in its strategic growth plans throughout the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia, with a significant focus on digital marketing technology as well as data-driven marketing initiatives.
Speaking about her appointment Foley commented, “I am thrilled to join Azentio, a company I have known and regarded highly for its cutting-edge solutions and customer-first approach. I look forward to leveraging my experience to contribute towards the company’s growth, driving marketing strategies that resonate with our customers and set new standards in the industry.”
Sanjay Singh, CEO at Azentio added, “Aarthi and Emma are both driven and effective leaders who bring a wealth of experience, vision and innovation that will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Azentio. As our company continues to grow, I am confident that both of these leaders will help us to achieve Azentio’s vision and growth ambitions while championing innovation and a customer first mindset.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Azentio Software Private Limited.
By integrating innovative technologies and forming strategic partnerships, PANA Infrastructure provides sustainable solutions that support Nigeria’s growth across a range of industry sectors
ABUJA, Nigeria, July 3, 2024/APO Group/ —
Siemens (www.Siemens.com) and PANA Infrastructure announce a strategic collaboration to tackle Nigeria’s Electrical Infrastructure sector; The initiative aims to enhance power stability and create job opportunities in Nigeria; Combining expertise, they aim to enhance Nigeria’s power sector.
Siemens, a leading global technology company, and PANA Infrastructure, a Nigerian conglomerate with an increasing footprint across Sub-Saharan Africa, have formally announced a strategic partnership aimed at modernizing and upgrading Nigeria’s electric power infrastructure through the provision of grid automation, and smart infrastructure solutions across Nigeria. This collaboration, solidified through a formal agreement signifies a pivotal step towards addressing Nigeria’s pressing electricity challenges while fostering economic growth and technological advancement in the region.
“This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable development and advancing technology in Nigeria,” stated Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa. “By combining Siemens’ expertise in smart grid technologies with PANA Infrastructure’s deep market insights, we aim to ensure a reliable power supply and drive economic progress in the region.”
We are committed to addressing Nigeria’s critical power infrastructure with the use of advanced low voltage, medium voltage, and smart grid management technologies
According to Mr. Daere Akobo, Chairman of PANA Holdings, “this strategic collaboration with Siemens is a pivotal opportunity to transform Nigeria’s power sector. We are committed to addressing Nigeria’s critical power infrastructure with the use of advanced low voltage, medium voltage, and smart grid management technologies. This collaboration is in alignment with the transformation agenda in the power sector by the Nigerian government to significantly improve power supply in the country, in a manner that translates to economic progress for all Nigerians.”
The agreement signed between Siemens and PANA Infrastructure, focuses on enhancing grid reliability and stability, deepening electrification rates to meet the rapidly growing demand for electricity in Nigeria.
Simultaneously, recognizing Nigeria’s potential for substantial investments in industrial modernization, the partnership will concentrate on unlocking Nigeria’s potential in the industrial power sector. This initiative aims to revolutionize Nigeria’s industrial landscape by harnessing the power of advanced technologies and solutions to enhance productivity, efficiency, and quality. Through local capacity development, enhancing employees’ skills and capabilities, Siemens and PANA Infrastructure will pave the way for a new era of industrial excellence in Nigeria.
“Siemens reaffirms its commitment to Nigeria, with a focus on identifying and developing strategic business opportunities within the region. By leveraging a go-to-market strategy that includes knowledge platforms, collaborative business strategies, integrated sales and marketing teams, and global support, Siemens strives to bring significant business value to the Nigerian market,” says Sabine Dall’Omo.
Meanwhile, PANA Infrastructure has positioned itself as a key player in understanding and envisioning the needs of industry stakeholders and local communities. By integrating innovative technologies and forming strategic partnerships, PANA Infrastructure provides sustainable solutions that support Nigeria’s growth across a range of industry sectors.
This strategic collaboration between Siemens and PANA Infrastructure represents the convergence of proven expertise and application know-how, ensuring the highest quality of solution implementation for Nigeria’s industrial power sector. By addressing key challenges in Nigeria’s power and industrial sectors, including electricity losses, rural electrification, capacity building, local production, technology transfer, and quality standards, this partnership aims to drive sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.
Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya was elected to replace Mr. Aliyu Ahmed
CAIRO, Egypt, July 3, 2024/APO Group/ —
African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank” or the “Bank”) (www.Afreximbank.com) is pleased to announce the following Board changes which took place at the Bank’s 31st Annual General Meeting held recently in Nassau, The Bahamas,
Board Changes
Class “A”
Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya was elected to replace Mr. Aliyu Ahmed. Mrs. Jafiya is the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mr. Amadou Hott was elected to fill the position of the African Development Bank nominated board seat. Mr. Hott is currently the Special Envoy of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group on the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Hott was Senegal’s Minister for Economy, Planning and Cooperation.
Class “B”
We look forward to their support and insight as we strive to build a prosperous Global Africa
Mr. Noël Mekulu Mvondo Akame was elected to replace Mr. Jean-Marie Mani. Mr. Mekulu Mvondo Akame is currently the Director General of the National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS) of Cameroon.
Class “C”
Ms. Yu Wen was elected to replace Ms Lili Yang. Ms. Yu Wen currently serves as the General Manager of the International Department at the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM).
Increase in Authorised Share Capital
The shareholders of the Bank also approved an increase in the authorised share capital from US$5 billion to US$25 billion. The increase recognizes the rapid growth of the Bank in response to the challenges facing the African continent. It also creates capacity for the Bank to support the growth and development envisaged for the African continent in line with its mandate to promote the continent’s trade and affirm its relevance on the global stage.
Commenting on these significant developments, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank remarked:
“Afreximbank is most grateful to departing Board Members for their services to the Bank and Africa. They were for many years, part of a formidable team, that made significant contribution to the Bank’s vision for Africa, created alliances, and assisted Africa in navigating major headwinds. We welcome our new board members. We look forward to their support and insight as we strive to build a prosperous Global Africa. Together, we will restore dignity and pride to Africans around the world.”
He added: “the overwhelming endorsement by Shareholders of the historic increase of the Bank from US$5 billion to US$25 billion reflected their firm belief and trust in the Board and Management of the Bank and in the Bank’s mission. This move gives us the necessary headroom to mobilise the capital we need to create a bank that serves all Africans.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
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