Fintech giant Flutterwave and the Dangote Group have been named members of the Milken Institute’s Africa Leaders Business Council.
The newly formed council comprises influential thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and experts from various sectors, including business, technology, finance, sustainability, and innovation.
According to a statement from the institute, the council aims to deepen the Institute’s network and engagement across Africa. Their collective expertise is expected to provide valuable insights into Africa’s dynamic business environment, supporting the Institute’s efforts to deepen engagement across the continent.
Together with other members of the Council, Flutterwave and Dangote Group are poised to play pivotal roles in advancing the Institute’s initiatives. They will leverage their extensive reach and influence to foster sustainable economic growth and innovation within Africa and beyond.
Why Flutterwave and Dangote were selected:
The Milken Institute identified the key roles these two Nigerian companies have been playing as business leaders on the African continent.
“Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, plays a pivotal role in enabling global multinationals such as Uber to expand seamlessly into African markets. Additionally, Flutterwave facilitates remittances from the African diaspora worldwide, supporting family, business, and other needs.
“Dangote Group is the largest manufacturing conglomerate in West Africa and one of the largest in Africa, with interests in oil and gas, cement, sugar, salt, etc.,” the Institute stated.
Commenting on Flutterwave’s selection as a member of the Council, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, said:
“Flutterwave’s role in facilitating seamless market entry for global enterprises into Africa, alongside empowering local businesses, perfectly complements the Milken Institute’s focus on leveraging technology and expertise to drive sustainable economic growth across the continent. We are excited to collaborate with the Institute to foster innovation and inclusive development in Africa.”
Other Members of the Council:
According to the Institute, other members of the Council include:
- Africa Investment Forum
- BES
- CrossBoundary Group
- Lateral Frontiers VC
- Lions Head Global Partners
- Prosper Africa
- Proxima Legal
- RisCura
- Sabi
- Symbion Power
- Tofino Capital
- Ubuntu Group
- Unified State Group
- Women’s World Banking
- YAATRA Ventures
The Milken Institute said the establishment of the Africa Leaders Business Council reinforces its commitment to Africa, aligning with its strategic expansion across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Laura Deal Lacey, Executive Vice President leading the international program at the Milken Institute, stated that
“Amidst the rapidly intensifying geopolitical landscape, and given its tremendous demographic potential, Africa is poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in the global economy. Africa’s innovation and ingenuity are unparalleled, positioning the continent to play a pivotal role in the global economy. Our Council will provide crucial guidance on navigating regional challenges and addressing global issues such as climate change, health, and energy transition.”
Lacey further disclosed that scheduled events aimed at mobilizing the council include a private investor dialogue coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly, a policy roundtable in Nigeria focusing on debt sustainability pathways, participation in the upcoming Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in December, alongside a series of curated webinars and tailored in-person and virtual discussions.
What you should know:
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, the Institute brings together the best ideas and innovative resources to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next.
