Unilever chief says Africa to drive global business

By FREDRICK OBURA

The shift of global economic growth from developed countries to developing and emerging markets has placed African countries in the driving seat of world economy.

 Unilever Executive Vice-President for Africa and Middle East Frank Braeken (pictured) says as investors flock into Africa in search of new opportunities, and that the continent should take advantage to supply the needed personnel to drive these businesses.

He said colleges should work with industry to produce graduates relevant to the changing business environment, fuelled by globalisation and technology.

 “Foreign investors are establishing companies in developing markets, including Kenya, and need global leaders,” he said.

“Global companies opening and operating in Kenya, for example, would need Kenyans who are striving towards being leaders who can shape the global agenda.”  Speaking at Kenyatta University, where he gave a speech on Leadership in a Changing Environment, Braeken urged young people to model themselves as global business leaders. 

The visit is part of a series of talks organised by Unilever for colleges as it moves to bridge the gap between industry and academia.

 Breaken said the rebalancing of resources and global economic power is impacting on future leaders. “Even local leaders are increasingly dealing with business in other parts of the world,” he said.

He said six African countries are among the 10 fastest growing economies in the world, adding that Africa will play a bigger role in the global economy for years.

“Consumption is also shifting,” he said. “Africa was a supplier of resources and now it is a consumer. By 2020 most consumption will be in developing and emerging markets.”