Sixteen companies from five African countries considered pioneers, disruptors and innovators were named “global growth companies” at the World Economic Forum underway in Abuja, PremiumTimes reports.
They were chosen based on their ability to become future global leaders, the report said. Six of the companies are South African, six are Nigerian, two are Kenyan, and one each is from Mauritius and Uganda.
Selected Kenyan companies include Nation Media Group; and Bidco Oil Refineries Limited. From Mauritius, GML was chosen; and from Uganda, Simba Group.
The selected Nigerian companies include Nagode Group; UAC of Nigeria Plc; Computer Warehouse Group; Interswitch Limited; Notore Chemical Industries Limited; and Seplat
Petroleum Development Company Plc.
The South African companies selected include Growthpoint Properties; Capitec Bank Holdings Limited; Webber Wentzel; KZN Oils; Net1 UEPS Technologies, Inc; and Tekkie Town.
The companies were recognized as the continent’s most dynamic and high-growth — trailblazers, shapers and innovators committed to improving the state of the world, PremiumTimes reports.
The companies were drawn from a spectrum of industries including financial services, retail, media, chemicals and energy.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Growth Companies community consists of more than 360 companies from around the world. The 16 selected African companies share in common a track record of leadership in corporate citizenship, exceeding industry standards in revenue growth and promotion of innovative business practices, the report said.
“These 16 champions … are at the forefront of driving responsible economic growth, job creation and entrepreneurism in Africa,” said David Aikman. “We look forward to the active and dynamic role they will play at our meeting in Abuja, working with the region’s leaders to foster inclusive, sustainable growth in the region.”
The co-chairmen and co-chairwomen of the World Economic Forum meeting include Dominic Barton, managing director of McKinsey & Company, U.K.; Jean-François van Boxmeer, CEO of Heineken, Netherlands; Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote Group; Bineta Diop, president of Femmes Africa Solidarité, Switzerland; Jabu A. Mabuza, chairman of Telkom Group, South Africa; Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman of Bharti Enterprises, India; and John Rice, vice chairman of GE, Hong Kong.
