Event Inspires Business Leaders to Contribute to Africa’s Future
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Africa Region of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), the world’s premier peer network of chief executives and business leaders, held its second Africa Ignite Summit in Johannesburg, gathering 130 YPO members together to discuss opportunities for entrepreneurship in Africa.
The YPO Africa Region provides networking and educational opportunities for more than 700 members in 21 chapters representing 17 countries across the continent. Globally, YPO today provides 23,000 peers and their families in 130 countries with access to alliances with leading institutions, and participation in specialised networks to support their business, community and personal leadership. Around the world, YPO member-run companies employ more than 15 million people around the world and generate US$6 trillion in annual revenues.
“Africa is rising, and YPO members are uniquely poised to make a positive contribution to the future of the continent,” says Gabriel Malan, group managing director of Unlimited Group (Pty) Ltd and the chair of YPO’s Africa Region. “The Africa Ignite Summit connected and inspired attendees, preparing them to embark on new journeys in the business world.”
While many parts of the world are still struggling to grow after six years of global recession, Africa’s GDP continues on a robust growth trajectory. According to IMF, the trend will continue for the foreseeable future, with a predicted growth of Sub-Saharan Africa at 5.57 percent by 2018. African entrepreneurs and startups are playing a significant role in this growth, pioneering new home-grown innovations across the continent.
The event featured keynotes from seven YPO members, who are among those leading change across Sub-Saharan Africa. Member entrepreneurs imparted their success stories from industries such as ecotourism, technology and manufacturing, all serving to inspire and create passion for strengthening Africa.
Of the presenters, Darshan Chandaria, CEO of Chandaria Industries and a YPO member from Nairobi, shared his experiences with the auto manufacturing company Mobius Motors, which launched Kenya’s first mass market vehicle. To view his presentation, visit https://vimeo.com/128901399.
Participants also heard from Calum Philp, managing director of Pro Brands and a YPO member from Harare. Calum started his fast-moving consumer goods company at the age of 18 during the height of Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation era and discussed how he succeeded by conquering monopolies during a recession. Today, Pro Brands is one of the top 10 suppliers in the country.
Other member presenters included: Chijoke Dozie, managing director of Kaizen; Adam Riley, managing director of Rockjumper; Gil Oved, co-CEO of Creative Counsel; Rob Sussman, CEO of Integr8 IT; and Themba Baloyi, executive director of Discovery Insure.
About YPO
YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) is a not-for-profit, global network of young chief executives connected through the shared mission of becoming Better Leaders Through Education and Idea Exchange(TM). Founded in 1950, YPO today provides 23,000 peers and their families in 130 countries with access to unique experiences, extraordinary educational resources, access to alliances with leading institutions, and participation in specialised networks to support their business, community and personal leadership. Altogether, YPO member-run companies employ more than 15 million people around the world and generate US$6 trillion in annual revenues. For more information, visit www.ypo.org.
CONTACT: Young Presidents’ Organization, Inc.
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