Driving Africa’s economic growth, leading payments technology firm Flutterwave and West Africa’s industrial giant, Dangote Group, have joined the Milken Institute’s newly established Africa Leaders Business Council.
This collaboration seeks to leverage the expertise of well-known business leaders to offer deep insights into Africa’s dynamic market.
The announcement follows the official launch of the Africa Leaders Business Council by the Milken Institute on July 2, an initiative designed to strengthen the institute’s engagement across the continent by bringing together influential figures from diverse sectors such as technology, finance, sustainability, and innovation.
Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, noted that Flutterwave’s role in facilitating market entry for global businesses into Africa aligns perfectly with the Milken Institute’s mission to drive sustainable economic growth.
Agboola emphasised Flutterwave’s mission to empower local businesses and facilitate innovation.
“Flutterwave’s ability to enable seamless expansion for global multinationals, along with our support for local enterprises, mirrors the Milken Institute’s objectives of leveraging technology to enhance economic development in Africa,” Agboola said. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Milken Institute to further these goals.”
The involvement of Dangote Group, outstanding in manufacturing, emphasises the council’s focus on leveraging industrial and economic expertise to address Africa’s business challenges.
The group’s wide experience in sectors like cement, oil and gas, and consumer goods is expected to provide invaluable insights.
Laura Deal Lacey, Executive Vice President at the Milken Institute, highlighted the timing of the council’s formation amidst global economic shifts. She pointed out that Africa’s demographic potential and innovative expertise make the continent a key player in the global economy.
“Africa is on the cusp of significant economic transformation,” Lacey said. “The Africa Leaders Business Council will guide our stakeholders through the complexities of the African market, offering new perspectives on issues like climate change, health, capital access, and energy transition.”
The Milken Institute, known for its work in promoting financial and social progress, has a history of engaging with Africa through various initiatives.
These include the Global Financial Scholars Program, the Milken–Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, and efforts to improve pandemic preparedness and health innovation in countries like Kenya and Nigeria.
The Africa Leaders Business Council aims to capitalise on these initiatives by enabling deeper connections and facilitating high-impact projects across the continent.
Upcoming events to engage the council include a private investor dialogue alongside the United Nations General Assembly, a policy roundtable in Nigeria focused on debt sustainability, and the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit scheduled for December.
Integrating the strengths of its diverse members, including other notable organisations such as Africa Investment Forum, BES, CrossBoundary Group, and Women’s World Banking, will enable the council to bolster Africa’s business industry and drive sustainable growth.
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