African Hidden Champions (AHC) will host an exclusive gathering on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Johannesburg to convene and celebrate entrepreneurial spirit with top African founders taking on the global stage. The event will also feature a private concert with award-winning South African artist, Ami Faku.
This event, dubbed “Proudly Local, Boldly Global,” is also supported by British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and Impact Investor.
The evening will feature opening addresses by Chairman of Aspen Pharmacare and AHC Ambassador, Kuseni Dlamini; Regional Director for Southern Africa at DEG, Anne Keppler; and Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, Chris Chijiutomi. It will include a fireside chat with AHC Company founder, Dare Okoudjou, founder and CEO of Onafriq.
Emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving long-term goals on the, AHC Co-Founder and CEO of Africa Foresight Group, Yasmin Kumi said: “Investing in Africa’s businesses goes beyond just capital; it’s about believing in our potential to lead on the global stage. This Soirée is our testament to the world: Africa is not just rising; it is ready to lead.”
African Hidden Champions, a co-partnership of Africa Foresight Group, Germany’s development finance institution DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft and the African Development Bank (ADB), was founded in 2020 and now has more than 25 dynamic African firms in its network. It works to support companies to move to global expansion through visibility, technical assistance, innovation, talent, and investment support. This event, dubbed “Proudly Local, Boldly Global,” is also supported by British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor.
In addition to engaging in discussions and networking opportunities, attendees to the event will be treated to a private concert by Faku, showcasing the continent’s vibrant spirit and cultural richness.
According to the Chief Investment Officer at the African Development Bank Group, Thomas Viot,: “Intentional investments and empowerment of African companies create value far surpassing what individuals can achieve alone. This Soirée is a celebration of what we can accomplish together and a look forward to the boundless possibilities ahead to be proudly local and boldly global.”
Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, Chris Chijiutomi said: “As Africa’s first DFI, we have been supporting private sector growth and innovation across the continent for over 75 years. This celebration reflects our commitment to empower local businesses that are critical to drive forward a prosperous and sustainable economic future for Africa. This includes increasing our focus on black-owned and led businesses and funds across our portfolio.”
AHC embodies the entrepreneurial mindset of African homegrown businesses believing in their global potential, which is underlined throughout the initiative’s work, spanning visibility, support services and events. Once a year, new member companies sign the AHC declaration to commit to the same spirit. Together, the 25+ member companies generate revenues surpassing $8.3 billion, provide employment to a 78,000-strong workforce, and extend their reach across 14 African nations.
