Dubbed ‘Global CEO Africa programme’, it was launched on June 28th 2018 and designed for top-tier African Business leaders seeking to globally expand their organisation’s reach.
The launch attracted top CEOs in Rwanda including Betty Sayinzoga, CEO Saham Assurance and Hannington Namara, CEO Equity Bank Rwanda among others.
The programme runs under the theme {{‘Leveraging on Regional Integration for Economic Growth}}.’
The launch took place soon after the signing of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agreement by 44 African Member States on 21st March 2018. The CFTA brings together an estimated 1.2 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of more than USD$ 2 trillion.
The draft agreement commits countries to removing tariffs on 90% of goods. This momentous milestone illustrates a positive trajectory towards making intra – African trade attractive and affordable.
“It is time we came together for true social transformation. To build partnerships that will build an integrated Africa. At the heart of social capital transformation, is the education system,” said Dr. George Njenga, Dean – Strathmore Business School.
Rwanda has identified and curved a niche in developing an economic comparative advantage. On average, formal intra-African trade accounts for about 14% of total African trade. 46% of which is linked to manufactured products.
Speaking at the launch, Equity Bank’s Hannington Namara explained that intra-African trade is an illustration that the country has great potential in the development of supply chains across the continent.
He said, supplemented with increase in productivity and competitiveness, the continent can create enough jobs for its young and urbanized population.
“The journey must begin now, to think big and to create initiatives from Rwanda that go beyond Rwanda. If there is a Rwanda Agaciro (sovereign fund), why can’t we spread it to be an African Agaciro,” said Mr. Namara.
The Global CEO program serves as a platform for African CEOs to strategically step back from the rapid pace of daily business to reflect on issues facing their companies, while engaging with seasoned executives from distinct backgrounds, industries, and cultures.
The program is delivered in collaboration with IESE Business School and Lagos Business School.
Saham’s Betty Sayinzoga encouraged the CEOs to actively engage in unearthing the prospects the continent has.
‘’African challenges can only be addressed from an African perspective, and it is through this that we raise awareness on the opportunities that lie in Africa for Africans,” she said.
The discussions at the launch highlighted the recent and future opportunities for the Rwandan business landscape, through innovative strategic thinking.
Rwanda’s steady economic growth continues to rank the country as a key frontier in the continents economic growth. In line with Strathmore Business School’s vision of building a premier business School across Africa that responds to the Leadership and Management needs of the continent, SBS seeks to support Rwanda’s efforts by building local skills and competencies.
Through the Rwanda Leadership Development Academy, Strathmore Business School focusses on building transformational leadership aimed at developing businesses and promoting individual skillsets. The business school provides executive education through corporate and individual training.
{{About Strathmore Business School }}
Strathmore Business School provides training programs on business, agribusiness, public policy, healthcare and education.
The center for agribusiness currently has 8 executive training targeting investors in various value chains as well as the master of management in agribusiness. Strathmore Business School seeks to enable investors to develop practical business applications in agribusiness and provides a platform for the investors to generate a return on their investments while addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector.
SBS captures these themes in one business concept: Developing Great Business Leaders. This is in perfect harmony with the founding principle of Strathmore University: that of leading society to greater development through service to all people without discrimination.
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