Talent for Africa

Convened by the Global Business School Network and its first corporate member, Ecobank Academy, this virtual forum was born out of the belief that no sector—business, government, education, or non-profit—can make meaningful progress alone, especially in a such an incredibly diverse, complex, and dynamic environment as Africa.

Indeed, we view collaboration between the sectors as absolutely necessary to achieve the future that Africa wants. The space between the sectors holds the greatest potential for innovative solutions. This unique, virtual forum highlighted the monumental importance of leadership, management, and entrepreneurship across sectors and across the continent. The forum aimed to explore the challenges of building education and development capacity and aligning it with the needs of a rapidly changing continent. The conversations were designed to review new opportunities for innovation and collaboration—especially across business and business schools—to overcome these challenges.

While the forum was focused on building the capabilities of Africans for Africa, it is intentionally global in three ways.

Africa invites the world—especially its business schools and company-based learning and development professionals—to participate meaningfully in its development.

Africa plays a pivotal role in the future of global society and the planet – it must assert its rightful place in the world.

Africa is an inspiration and catalyst for innovation and change around the world. The rest of the world can learn from what Africa does.

While specific topics vary across the webinars in the series, there are several underlying themes.

The importance of Pan-African solidarity and solutions. Economic integration and international cooperation are essential, especially as it relates to the mobility of workers, learners, and ideas.

The central role of technology. It is the primary driver of change and its biggest enabler, specifically in the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It also raises important questions about inclusion and sustainability that must be addressed.

Markets alone cannot achieve the vision for Africa—market failures can and do exist and government involvement and support are necessary.

This exciting and paramount series consisted of five sessions. The first explores the changing global landscape for talent and the special challenges that Africa faces when it comes to developing leadership, management, and entrepreneurship talent. In each of the three sessions that follow, we will address (a) transformative innovation and entrepreneurship; (b) digital transformation and labor market changes; and (c) the business of sustainability. The fifth and final session returns to the world to consider Africa’s future a global power. 

The first session aims to explore the changing global landscape for talent and the special challenges that Africa faces when it comes to developing leadership, management, and entrepreneurship talent. In this kickoff session, panelists will touch on the broad range of pressing talent challenges that will be had throughout the series and provide a bird’s eye view of how these relate to Agenda 2063, and the Africa that Africans want.  Join us as we address issues such as Pan-African integration in a de-globalizing world, harnessing a youthful African workforce in an aging global society, AI and the impact of automation everywhere, developing relevant educational opportunities for African business, and so much more.  Africa in the Context of the world invites the rest of the global community to hear from African leaders, themselves, and how we can work cohesively to truly create the future of the continent.

Africa’s Talent Challenges in a Changing World

Transformative Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Future Workforce – Learning and Development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Business of Sustainable Development

Powering Digital Transformation