GE Africa, ALA to invest $5 million in developing Africa’s future leaders

President and CEO General Electric (GE) Nigeria, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo

GE Africa in partnership with the African Leadership Academy (ALA) has announced a $5 million partnership which aims at identifying, developing and connecting the next generation of African leaders. This is part of its multi-sectoral local content development initiative for Africa.

The academy, located in Honeydew Johannesburg admitted its first students in 2008, and has become the leading pan-African institution focusing on youth entrepreneurial leadership development. ALA has about 550 young leaders in its network and its scholars have won bursaries/scholarships to study at leading global universities such as London School of Economics in the UK, Harvard, Stanford and Duke in the United States and the University of Toronto in Canada.

“We are excited about this unique partnership with ALA. ALA’s mission is very much aligned with GE Africa’s commitment to developing leaders not just in Africa for Africa, but for GE (worldwide) and Africa. This initial investment is just the beginning. We will pilot this initiative first in Angola and plan to expand throughout Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Tamla Oates-Forney, Senior Executive –Human Resources.

In a statement by the President and CEO for GE Africa, Jae Ireland, he reiterated GE’s commitment to develop human capacity in the continent in order that resources on the continent can be better harnessed by Africans. “This is an investment in a future generation of African leaders and in skills development for this continent,” he said.

Continuing, the President stated, “These are bright young people who will have the opportunity to acquire the skills and academic qualifications to pursue long-term careers at General Electric.”

Frank Aswani, ALA Vice President and Director of Strategic Relations welcomed the partnership with GE saying “We thank GE for their commitment to Africa’s prosperity and for investing in Africa’s biggest asset; its youth. This will enable us to expand our operations, select and admit additional students, and support their lifelong growth and development. In so doing, we shall be fulfilling our mission of transforming Africa by identifying, developing and connecting the next generation of African leaders.”

GE’s investment includes funding participation in ALA’s flagship two-year pre-university programme, gap year programme, and further studies at approved tertiary institutions. GE will also provide internship and post-graduate employment for their scholars and other ALA graduates to give them much needed work experience.