Zim to host African business summit

Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE will tomorrow host the inaugural African Business Leadership (ABL) Summit in Harare.
The summit, which will bring together international business leaders, scholars, policymakers and industry experts, is expected to equip the local private sector with the relevant skills, technologies and processes that would help grow their organisations and contribute to the advancement of their national economies.
The summit will be running under the theme “Leadership with a global outlook: How African businesses can secure their niches in the global market”.
The summit organiser, Mr David Chakombera, said this summit would benefit the local sector.

“We are upbeat about the meeting as it will help instil the relevant strategic leadership skills critical in improving the competitiveness of the local private sector,” he said.

He added that high-profile delegates will grace the event including Mark Moody-Stuart, former chair of Anglo-American Plc and Royal Dutch Shell and Professor Eric Werker from Harvard Business School will be among the key speakers at the summit.

“The former chair of Anglo-American plc and Royal Dutch Shell, the largest company in the world in terms of revenue, will share his insights on how relatively small economies can latch onto opportunities at global levels with specific reference to businesses in the mining, oil, energy and banking sectors where he has worked.

Professor Werker is expected to bring the famous Harvard Business School knowledge and experience by leading delegates through a case study discussion that captures lessons on the confluence of emerging markets and globalisation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Chakombera said that there is need to invest in strategic leadership. “Given the under-performance of many firms as well as low foreign direct investment, there is need to invest in strategic leadership and sound corporate governance to enhance the competitiveness of the local private sector,” he said.

Other speakers at the summit include Ms Nothando Ndebele, who serves as the Head of Research in Africa for Renaissance Capital, and Dr Iyabo Obasanjo, a research fellow at Harvard University.