Africa, General Electric (GE) Africa and African Leadership Academy
(ALA) has launched a $5 million partnership that will help identify,
develop and connect the next generation of African leaders.
ALA is a pan-African institution founded by Ghanaian-born
entrepreneur, Fred Swaniker. It educates some of the most talented
youngsters on the African continent. It has about 550 young leaders in
its network and its scholars have won bursaries and scholarships at
leading global universities.
GE's investment in the Johannesburg-based institution includes funding
participation in ALA's flagship two years pre-University programme,
gap year programme and further studies at approved tertiary
institutions. The company will also provide internship and
post-graduate employment for ALA scholars and graduates – to give them
the much needed work experience.
Speaking on the development, GE's Senior Executive Human Resource,
Tamia Oates-Forney said GE is "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 initiative is just the beginning. We will pilot this
initiative first in Angola and plan to expand throughout Sub-Saharan
Africa," Oates-Forney added.
While reiterating the company's commitment to human capacity on the
continent, President and CEO of General Electric in Africa, Jae
Ireland, said: "This is an investment in a future generation of
African leaders and in skills development for this continent."
Meanwhile, in commending GE for its commitment to Africa's prosperity
and its biggest asset –the Youth; ALA Vice President/ Director of
Strategic Relations, Frank Aswani said GE's partnership will "enable
us (ALA) expand our operations, select and admit additional students
and support their lifelong growth and development. In doing this, we
shall be fulfilling our mission of transforming Africa by identifying,
developing and connecting the next generation of African leaders."
In a related development, GE said it is going to provide 2400 jobs in
its biggest platform in Africa – Nigeria. 300 of the jobs will be
direct hires while the remaining 2000 will be created through GE
suppliers that will support its expanded operating plan.
