For all the young, black, talented individuals looking to leave their
mark on society in 2013, there are thirteen young African business and
economic leaders that you may want to pattern your success after. The
crowning glory of their success is that they are all under the age
of forty.
1.) Ladi Delano, Founder & CEO, Bakrie Delano Africa (BDA)
This Nigerian young man accomplished making his first million dollars
selling alcoholic beverages during his residence in China. At the
tender age of 22 in the year 2004, he started a business
called Solidarnosc Asia which specialized in manufacturing a premium
brand of Vodka called Solid XS. Delano did not
stop there, however. He
branched out his company to launch The Collection — a dining and
entertainment venue — which is obviously a smart move for someone who
owns an alcohol business.
2.) Clare Akamanzi, COO, Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
Here we have a brilliant young lady of Rwanda. The RDB is a
government organization which facilitates faster economic growth and
development within Rwanda. Akamanzi has been a member of this
institution since it was birthed in 2008. When she was 33 years of age,
she served as their Deputy Chief Executive Officer and then moved to
managing their Business Operations and Services branch.
How did this young lady who grew up in Uganda where her parents had
been taken as refugees during the genocide achieve this much success?
Perhaps her Masters Degree in Trade and Investment Policy cum
International Trade and Investment Lawyer was a good start.
3.) Ashish Thakkar, Co-Founder and CEO, Mara Group
Thakkar, a British-born Ugandan, co-founded Mara Group at the age of
29. This company is a Ugandan conglomerate offering services in hotels,
renewable energy, finance, technology, and manufacturing. Numerous
branches of business aside, it is also remarkable that Mara Group serves
regularly in 17 African countries. With CEO Thakkar at the helm, this
business has been able to clock about $100 million.
4.) Achumile “Ace” Majija, Group Lead for the Risk & Capital MI at Prudential Momentum Plc.
At the age of 28, Ace is the first African to serve on the Prudential
Momentum Programme. This organization is an international leadership
development program for the company Prudential Momentum Plc.. The
latter company operates in international financial services, personal
banking, insurance and pension products.
Also known as “young Obama from Africa,” this young man is a graduate
of the Nelson Metropolitan University with a degree in economics and
finance. In addition, he also has an MBA from the University of Leeds
Business School in the UK.
5.) Eniola Mafe, African Program Manager at Vital Voices Global Partnership
Eniola Mafe
Last but certainly not least, we have yet another young lady. We do
not know her exact age, but we do know that she is at least under the
age of 33. Because of her role as African Program Manager, Mafe was
recently dubbed a “Convener” in the Diplomatic Courier’s Top 99 under 33
for the year 2012. Vital Voices Global Partnership is an international
non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.. They work alongside
women leaders for the purpose of promoting women’s human rights,
political participation, and economic empowerment. Mafe says that her
role allows her to “bring people together in creative ways to address a
pressing international issue or enhance the foreign policy community.”
