AFC CEO Urges African Leaders to Leverage Networks

During a leadership series at Lagos Business School, Samaila Zubairu, the CEO of African Finance Corporation, called on African business leaders to leverage strong corporate governance and build pan-African networks to facilitate business expansion beyond their countries of origin. He spoke at the Pan African Leadership Series, part of the Global CEO Program, emphasizing that companies should focus on their core strengths and avoid diversifying into unrelated businesses.

Zubairu advised entrepreneurs to reinvest earnings rather than prioritize short-term gains, stressing the importance of creating value. He encouraged business leaders to develop bold continental ambitions and to build strong professional networks.

The program, which has already yielded results, aims to foster a pan-African business community. Notably, two Nigerian companies from previous cohorts established subsidiaries in Kenya within a year, showcasing the potential for cross-border business opportunities.