African Hidden Champions Hosts First Regional Event in Nairobi

African Hidden Champions (AHC), an initiative that promotes African companies, held its first regional event in Nairobi.

The event provided a platform for AHC to share its vision with business executives from the region.

The Nairobi reception marked the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) first official engagement with AHC as a new co-partner in the initiative with Africa Foresight Group (AFG) and DEG, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (The German Development Finance Institution)

Since its inception in 2020, AHC has identified more than 20 high-performing Hidden Champions working throughout Africa in a range of industries, including services, manufacturing, energy, retail, medicines, cars, and education.

The founders of AHC are fiercely committed to growth via excellence, ingenuity, and a strong 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 begin our 2023 engagements here,” says Yasmin Kumi, AHC Co–Founder and CEO of Africa Foresight Group.

“With these engagements, our intention is to exchange ideas and network with key stakeholders as we explore ways in which we can contribute to the growth of African businesses. We believe that by creating an atmosphere where different business leaders meet, we will be able to create lasting solutions and partnerships,” he added.

The AHC effort aims to increase public awareness of the distinctive role that AHC enterprises have played in their home markets and how they are developing the muscle for success across the continent and beyond through a variety of media, case studies, regional events, and its annual summit.

“As DEG we are committed to support the sustainable growth of African businesses as they expand beyond their borders and into the global market. We are aware of the direct link between successful home-grown companies and the rise of a country’s GDP,” said Franziska Hollmann, Director Industries & Services Africa & EMECA – DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (The German Development Finance Institution).

As it continues to identify and disseminate more hidden heroes, the AHC plans to host regional receptions in additional important African cities.

“The African Development Bank has consistently committed funds and technical expertise to African companies and governments in order to fast-track the continent’s industrialization. Our experience lends to this worthwhile AHC initiative the opportunity to expand to more markets, Thomas Viot,” Chief Investment Officer at the Bank Group said.