African Hidden Champions Hosts First Regional Reception for 2023 in Nairobi | African Development Bank

African Hidden Champions (AHC), an initiative that promotes dynamic African companies and helps them on their path to global leadership, held its first regional event of 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. The event provided AHC with a platform to share its vision with business leaders from the region.

The reception in Nairobi marked the first official engagement of the African Development Bank with AHC, as a new co-partner in the initiative with Africa Foresight Group (AFG) and DEG, the German investment and development company.

Founded in 2020, AHC has so far selected more than 20 high-performing hidden champions across Africa, operating in a variety of industries from services, manufacturing, energy and retail to pharmaceuticals, automotive and education. The founders of AHC share an intense commitment to growth through performance, innovation and a solid foundation.

“We are excited to kick off our regional engagements in Nairobi. Having selected some of our hidden champions from Kenya, it was only fitting for us to start our 2023 commitments here. With these engagements, our intention is to exchange ideas and network with key stakeholders as we explore how we can contribute to the growth of African businesses. We believe that by creating an atmosphere where different business leaders meet, we can create sustainable solutions and partnerships, said Yasmin Kumi, co-founder and CEO of AHC Africa Foresight Group.

Through various media, case studies, regional events and the annual summit, the AHC initiative seeks to raise awareness of the unique role AHC companies have played in their home markets and how they are building the strength for success across the continent and beyond.

“We are committed in supporting the growth of African companies as they expand beyond their borders and into the global marketplace. By supporting these companies, we recognize the direct link between successful homegrown businesses and a country’s GDP growth,” said Franziska Hollmann, Director Industries & Services Africa & EMECA – DEG.

“The African Development Bank has consistently committed funds and technical expertise to African companies and governments to accelerate the industrialization of the continent. Our experience gives this valuable AHC initiative the opportunity to expand into more markets, Thomas Viot, Chief Investment Officer at the Bank Group, noted.

The AHC plans to hold regional receptions in other key African cities as it continues to select and share new Hidden Champions.

About AFG

Africa Foresight Group (AFG) is a women-led company founded in 2016 with a mission to build African people and businesses into world champions. The company provides top professional services to African companies across the continent through a flexible talent platform called Peralta. Founded in 2016, the company has grown to support businesses in over 20 African markets and work for over 100 clients from Africa and around the world. The company started in Ghana and has offices in Accra, Johannesburg and Lagos.

For more information: www.africaforesight.com

About DEG

For nearly 60 years, the DEG has been a trusted partner to private sector companies operating in developing countries and emerging markets. With a portfolio of approximately EUR 9 billion in approximately 80 countries, the DEG is one of the world’s largest private development financiers. The DEG offers clients tailor-made solutions, including financing, promotional programs and advice, which are necessary to develop successfully and sustainably while generating local added value and creating qualified jobs.

For more information: www.deginvest.de