The 20 Most Powerful People in African Business 2011 by Forbes Magazine

Africa means business. The past decade has seen an enormous number of mega-corporations emerge on the continent. However, a vast number of these companies are run by foreigners. For example, SABMiller, the world’s second largest beverages maker, is led by CEO Graham Mackay, an American. The head of AngloGold Ashanti (AU), the world’s largest gold producer, is Mark Cutifani, an Australian national. Safaricom, East Africa’s largest telecoms provider, is run by Bob Collymore, a Guyanese.

However, a new league of African businessmen is emerging. They are bold and fearlessly ambitious, building pan-African companies with regional and even global presences. They are influencers and change-makers. Their voices are never ignored within Africa’s business and political circles, and through their resolutions and actions, they shape the economic future of the continent. Here are the 20 most powerful men in African business:

Marius Kloppers
Nationality: South African
Job: C.E.O BHP Billiton
The world’s largest mining company, BHP Billiton (BBL) has ridden the crest of the biggest commodities boom in recent times. The company is set to announce a pre-tax profit of $30 billion in June, the largest in recent British corporate history. Kloppers spearheaded it all. His biggest problem: How to spend the money. Possible solutions: Massive share buy-back, strategic acquisitions, or increased dividend payout to shareholders.
Kloppers earned his MBA at INSEAD; worked at Sasol (SSL), Mintek and McKinsey & Co before joining Billiton in 1993. He became C.E.O in 2007.

Jacko Maree
Nationality: South African
Job: C.E.O, Standard Bank Group
The former Rhodes Scholar sits at the helm of affairs at Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest financial services conglomerate. The $26 billion (market cap) group operates in 33 countries (17 are in Africa). He led the bank through its aggressive global expansion, making key acquisitions in Turkey, Russia, Argentina and Jersey.
Maree currently serves as chairman of The Banking Association (S.A.) and is a former director of the International Monetary Conference.

Patrick Davies
Nationality: South African
Job: CEO, Sasol
Patrick Davies is CEO of Sasol (SSL), Africa’s largest energy company, headquartered in South Africa. The $34 billion (market cap) company is the continent’s leader in the commercial production and marketing of chemicals and liquid fuels. It is rapidly expanding into oil and gas exploration.
Davies is credited with driving the internationalization of Sasol’s gas-to-liquids technology. He has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Natal, South Africa.

Nicky Oppenheimer
Nationality: South African
Job: Chairman, De Beers Group
Oppenheimer, an Oxford grad and South Africa’s richest man, chairs De Beers Group, the world’s largest diamond producer, as well as its subsidiary, The Diamond Trading Company. He sold nearly 8% of his stake in AngloAmerican, the mining giant founded by his grandfather Ernest Oppenheimer in 1917. Now owns 2%. The passionate environmental conservationist owns the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, the largest private game reserve in South Africa. Avid cricketer.

Sifiso Dabengwa
Nationality: Zimbabwe
Job: CEO, MTN Group
Big job ahead: Sifiso Dabengwa was recently appointed the Group Chief Executive of MTN, Africa’s largest telecommunications firm. Company boasts 118 million subscribers in 21 countries. He has held several strategic managerial posts in the company, at one point manning the company’s Nigerian operations, its most profitable market. Prior to joining MTN, Dabengwa worked at South African electricity generator Eskom. Trained electrical engineer has an MBA from the University of Witwatersrand.

Cyril Ramaphosa
Nationality: South African
Job: Chairman, Shanduka Group, MTN
One of South Africa’s most respected business and political figures. In 2007, he was named by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people. A renowned boardroom guru, he chairs the board of telecoms giant MTN and serves on the board of Standard Chartered Bank. He is the founder and Executive Chairman of Shanduka Group, a pioneering Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Investment Holding company with substantial interests in energy, financial services, natural resources and property. Recently acquired the South African operations of American fast food giant, McDonald’s (MCD).

Aliko Dangote
Nationality: Nigerian
Job: President, Dangote Group
The former commodities trader is now a billionaire who heads the Dangote Group, a conglomerate with interests in sugar, flour and cement. Crown jewel: $12 billion (market cap) Dangote Cement. Already the continent’s largest cement manufacturer, the company plans to list on the London Stock Exchange before the end of the year. But investors are skeptical. The company’s stock is down 15% since listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange last year; yet to bounce back to IPO price. Dangote is a major financier of Nigeria’s ruling People’s Democratic Party.

Koos Bekker
Nationality: South African
Job: CEO, Naspers
South African media mogul is CEO of Naspers, Africa’s largest media conglomerate; also its biggest individual shareholder. The $12 billion (market capitalization) company owns stake in pay-TV giant DSTV; Russian Internet company Mail.ru; Brazilian publisher Abril and Chinese Internet service provider Tencent. He was also a founding director of MTN and served on the local organizing committee for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Also serves on the council of Stellenbosch University, his alma mater. Chief executive of Naspers since 1997.

Abdeslam Ahizoune
Nationality: Moroccan
Job: Chairman & CEO, Maroc Telecom
The Moroccan is the chief executive of Maroc Telecoms, one of the continent’s largest telecommunication companies (owned by French media giant Vivendi). Prior to the appointment, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medi1Sat, the Moroccan television channel now called Medi 1 TV. Still remains a Director. He holds an engineering degree from Telecom ParisTech (1977) and was appointed the chairman of the Moroccan Association of Telecom Professionals (MATI) in 2008. He serves as the President of the Royal Moroccan Athletic Federation.



Onsi Sawiris
Nationality: Egyptian
Job: founder, Orascom Group
Legendary patriarch of Egypt’s most powerful business dynasty. The Orascom Group which he founded has interests in telecoms, hotels and construction. The companies are all run by his three sons- Naguib, Samih and Nassef–all billionaires like Onsi.

Naguib Sawiris
Nationality: Egyptian
Job: CEO, Orascom Telecom Holding
Call him the ‘Peacemaker.’ After being a vocal critic of Mubarak regime, the Egyptian telecoms billionaire and eldest son of Onsi Sawiris offered to act as a mediator between the government and the opposition in implementing political reforms after Hosni Mubarak stepped down. Naguib heads Orascom Telecom Holding, which owns massive stakes mobile service operators across Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Europe and Canada.

Patrice Motsepe
Nationality: South African
Job: Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals
South Africa’s first black billionaire is Executive Chairman at African Rainbow Minerals Limited (ARM), a leading diversified mining and minerals company, based in Johannesburg. He is also the non-executive Chairman of Harmony and the Deputy Chairman of listed financial services firm, Sanlam. Ardent soccer fan owns South-Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club.

Wale Tinubu
Nationality: Nigerian
Job: C.E.O Oando
Trained lawyer bought up Unipetrol, a floundering government-owned petroleum marketing company; transformed into Oando, Nigeria’s largest indigenous integrated energy services provider; active in various West African countries. Oando was the first Nigerian company to achieve a cross-listing on the Nigerian and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Big ambitions: Looking to create Africa’s first oil major. Tinubu serves as co-chair of the World Economic Forum in Africa. Alumnus of the London School of Economics.

Naushad Merali
Nationality: Kenyan
Job: Chairman, Sameer Group
The reclusive Indian-Kenyan is one of East Africa’s most revered businessmen and dealmakers. He heads the Sameer Group – a $2 billion privately held conglomerate with interests in construction, engineering, energy, finance, transportation and software. Also chairs Bharti Airtel’s operations in Kenya. Has close links with country’s president, Mwai Kibaki.

Strive Masiyiwa
Nationality: Zimbabwe
Job: Chairman, Econet Group
The Zimbabwean telecoms visionary founded Econet Wireless, one of the pioneering providers of mobile phone services in Africa. Now seeking expansion outside Africa; company owns a 3G license in New Zealand. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at the Rockefeller foundation.

Reginald Mengi
Nationality: Tanzania
Job: Chairman, IPP Group
Mengi is one of Africa’s most powerful media barons. Started out as an accountant; made first millions manufacturing ballpoint pens and selling them to big retailers. Today, he heads IPP Group, a diversified media conglomerate active in East Africa. Assets include 9 newspapers, 2 television stations and 3 radio stations. Also owns a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Dar-es Salaam.

James Mwangi
Nationality: Kenyan
Job: CEO, Equity Bank
Charismatic Kenyan banker turned around a moribund microfinance company into East Africa’s largest financial services provider. Equity bank now serves millions of customers all over East Africa. Remains largest individual shareholder. Represents Africa in the presidency of the Global Economic Network and also serves as an advisor to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) on commercialization of microfinance in Africa. Member of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Sam Jonah
Nationality: Ghanaian
Job: Executive Chairman, Jonah Capital
The former president of AngloGold Ashanti was instrumental in transforming the mining company into a multinational corporation; increased gold production from 240,000 ounces per annum to over 1.6 million ounces in ten years. Also spearheaded company’s listing as the first African company on the New York Stock Exchange. Currently serves as CEO of Jonah Capital, a South African based investment holding company. Jonah, a prominent boardroom guru seats on the board of several companies including Transnet, ArcelorMittal SA (MT), and the Standard Bank Group.

Chris Kirubi
Nationality: Kenya
Designation: Chairman, Haco Tiger Industries
One of the most vocal advocates for trade and economic reforms in East-Africa, Chris Kirubi founded privately-held Haco Tiger Industries, the region’s largest manufacturer of household consumer goods. Other assets include Kenya’s landmark International House building; largest shareholding in Centum, a Nairobi Stock Exchange-listed investment firm with interests in everything from insurance to Coca-Cola bottling plants, telecoms and energy. INSEAD alumnus.

Donald Kaberuka
Nationality: Rwandan
Job: President, African Development Bank
The Rwandese economist is the current President of the African Development Bank. The 78 country-member financial institution provides loans and grants to African governments and private companies operating within the regional member countries in Africa. ADB commits at least $3 billion to African governments annually. Kaberuka has a PhD in economics from Glasgow University, Scotland.

Credit: http://blogs.forbes.com/mfonobongnsehe/2011/04/15/the-20-most-powerful-people-in-african-business/

***I thank God for Sam Jonah’s life because I was beginning to think that there were no Ghanaians on the list. Honestly, I know we Ghanaians are very private, and know from personal experience that its very possible to sit next to a Ghanaian millionaire and be non the wiser -but I’m guessing that the real reason theres only one Ghanaian on this list, -is because we are not very good at expanding/exporting our businesses to other African countries, -never mind globally.

I’m sooo not surprise, as from my little experience working with Ghanaian businesses/talents/services via my Ghana Rising Blog, I’ve learnt that we Ghanaians can be very lazy. Emails from individuals/buinesses comprising only two lines about their products/services/talent and a link to their YouTube accounts or Facebook pages -demanding that I do the research and write about them/their products/talents etc, -without so much as a website or blog or whatever! Some have even used what I have written, copied and pasted it -without a thank you unto their facebook pages, -personally, I find this cheap, tacky and sad. You just can’t do business like this. I’ve also found that many Ghana based businesses are happy to just sit in their shops/kiosks/whatever and wait for passing trade -and have no idea that the world has become a smaller place, a global village even, and websites are not only essential but are now shop windows unto world. So now your customers are not only your neighbours or Pa Kwesi in Tema but Mrs X who is looking forward to her first trip to Accra/Ghana next week.


Ghana based businesses also seem happy/content with so little trade, -and know nothing of promoting their wares beyond their regular customers. This will only breed mediocre businesses that are only patronised by a limited clientele or the few locals who know of its existence.


Lets do our research and really up our game -and promote our businesses not just locally but globally…Paulina Opoku-Gyimah

Words of wisdom: Frances Mensah Williams

***I've just finished reading the following -entitled 'Let's Be Grown-ups about Africa' by Frances Mensah Williams -the founder of ReConnect Africa and just had to share it....Enjoy

[Africans and their continent would benefit more from a change of mindset from the West than from the tales of woe used to fill those rattling charity tins.]
Dear Non-Africans,

Forgive me if you honestly believe the following does not apply to you. But if any of the points below do hit home, please take them on board. The truth is that we Africans are fed up - and for good reason. So, on behalf of my fellow citizens of our great continent, here are some rules we would like you to observe in your future dealings with us.

1.Change your mindset. As we have (inevitably) proven false those among you who thought Africans could never host a World Cup and that FIFA should put a contingency plan in place, can you now get over yourselves and realise that it wasn't a fluke but based on careful thought, serious investment and meticulous long-term planning.

2.Be prepared to have adult to adult conversations with us instead of the adult to child approach that so usually dominates your thinking. In short, no more talking down to us, please, and no more not-so-subtle dismissals of our traditions and ways of doing things. If you don't complain about our vuvuzelas, we won't complain about your football rattles, rude chants, drunkenness and hooliganism.

3.Please take the look of surprise off your face when you hear us speak English just as well as (and, dare I say, sometimes better than) you. We are not necessarily gifted or unique because we speak your language fluently; English is the lingua franca of many African countries previously colonised by Britain and, besides, many of us are actually pretty well educated.

4.Quit looking astonished that we have successful world-class businesses and enterprises that thrive; it's not surprising to us given the level of originality, entrepreneurship and ingenuity we see around us all the time. And, don't worry; Gatwick Airport is in safe hands.

5.Do stop damning us with faint praise and lose the condescension. It has strong overtones of that whole 'noble savage' era; it's getting old, and does neither of us any favours.

6.Please get the facts before you voice your opinions. No, you can't comment on countries that you've had no experience of except through the writings of lazy commentators who are happy to repeat other people's misconceptions. And if you did visit Africa 5, 10, 15 years ago (or even last week), it still doesn't make you an expert.

7.When you get it wrong, please put in just as much effort on putting it right. Okay, so we might be just a little optimistic with this one, but here's hoping.

8.By all means, give us your opinion about the governance failings of our leaders – believe me, we have our own criticisms of some of them too! But (see point 2. about adult to adult conversations) don't get defensive when we point out the failings of your own elected officials and parliamentarians or reveal how it is your corporations that are paying many of the bribes to said failing leaders.

9.Do remember that we are a continent of 53 countries with different cultures, languages, foods and customs, and not one entity. We don't consider Greece's economy to be the same as Germany's, so can we ask you to start distinguishing us from each other. Use the names of the particular country or countries you are discussing, rather than the convenient shorthand of 'Africa'. We enjoy our diversity and would like you to appreciate it too.

10.Let's have a balanced approach to immigration and trade (see point 2. again). Here's the deal; we won't come after your state benefits if you don't come after ours. Agree fair terms with us on trade for our gold, diamonds, oil and minerals and we'll have less incentive to access your assets. On the subject of immigration (by the way, why are we immigrants when we come to your country but you are ex-pats when you come to ours?), let's agree that if you'd like us to know how to speak your language if we decide to come to your country, you will learn to speak our language when you 'ex-pat' to ours.

If you can observe these rules, there's a real chance that we can forge a new relationship that benefits all of us - before we give up trying and start learning Mandarin.

Sincerely
Frances Mensah Williams

***For nore information about Frances Mensah Williams and ReConnect Africa visit: www.reconnectafrica.com

[Credit: http://www.reconnectafrica.com/July-2010/editorials/lets-be-grown-ups-about-africa.html]

Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn: The Queen Bee of the 'winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca'

“In 1997, Sally’s strong desire to become a top notch in Arts and Theater performance, made her travel to Europe, precisely Switzerland, a country famous for its first class banking and good standard of living in the world. TRAINING IN SWITZERLAND By the end of 1997, Sally Kanbonaba, chalked another success, she graduated from Lugarno; the world’s famous dancing school as a professional dancer.” Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn www.montecarloghana.com

I remember running away to Zurich (Switzerland) a hundred years ago –to get over a broken heart and stumbling across the world of wannabe 'winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca’. I had gone to chill-out with a family friend [I will call her Jan] –and was so disappointed to find this [very] beautiful sister stressed and joyless [and even though she was the life and soul of the party in London; –in Zurich, she was positively cold –stone cold]. Thankful she decided to introduce me to some of her friends –and one of the ladies happened to be her hairdresser [let’s call her Cinthy].

Cinthy -it transpired was the beginning and the end of ‘Black Switzerland’. The first black woman to have her own hairdressers in the centre of Zurich’s chichi fashion district [no small feat ooO], – my fellow Ghanaian sister had the type of contacts, the Mafia would be jealous of. And what Cinthy didn’t know about the good people of Zurich –wasn’t worth knowing. As her salon was the only Hot black hairdressers, –she was privy to ‘gosssssssip-p-p [the type, the Bible warns you about] and did not spare me -any details. I spent the last week and a half in her salon –and there was never a dull moment. In those days Zurich was all about Ghanaian; Cameroonian, Nigerian and Senegalese women [and a handful of Costa Rican and Brazilian ladies] –and fierce ‘Third World’ ambition….

Fabulous days filled with ‘Hot African Gossip’ [there’s no gossip quiet like African gossip -folks] –and nights spent in clubs like, The Petite Prince –and bars like the Rex [a cigar bar] – have all left an indelible mark. I remember sitting in sister Cinthy’s salon one hot afternoon –and watching in awe as an uber skinny Cameroonian woman [nobody eats in Zurich] –jumped out of her turbo [4x4] –and walk into the salon [catlike] in all her ‘I-am-in-Europe’ glory [all tight polyester top and trouser combo] –carrying a large leather travel bag. With her 'winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca' beauty [paid for red skin, big weave-on, ‘God-will-see-me-through’ nails and ‘mummy-needs-medicine’ red lipstick etc], - she walked into the salon [African stylee], -crouched on the floor and emptied the bag – creating a mountain out of fresh, crisp Swiss notes [no coins for this cat!]. Well I never! In her broken Franglais she told her story [I was the only one who didn’t understand] -and the rest of the women smiled [and what a sight, because apart from Cinthy -none of the other sisters smiled]. Some time later Cinthy explained that our uber thin sister [you alone be winner ooOO] had paid a visit to her [special] friend [all special friends in Zurich are old white men] –and he had given her some money to go shopping [nudge, nudge, wink, wink] –and thus my lessons in the workings of the wannabe 'winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca' had begun. But it was not all about special friends; –the sisters, Cinthy and I -had some serious fun.

I have fond memories of myself, Cinthy and some of the others dancing in one hot night club –and an old [white] gentleman coming up to dance with me, –and me giving him the ‘please-leave-me-alone’ look. –And Cinthy and the others scolding me, -telling me to be a “clever girl” and “dance with him” –and “didn’t I know -he was a rich man”! –Of course I’m older now –and sometimes I wish I had danced with that old man [hehehee] –but back then, as a British born Ghanaian gal, –I had none of their needs. I didn’t have to send money back home; I didn’t have to pay school fees, or buy medicine or feed an entire family… and I sooo didn’t need ‘anybody’ to save me [well not then, and certainly not an old white men]. I did meet a very wealthy young Jewish guy who –later became a bit more than a friend but that’s another story –for another time [heheheehe].

I have on a number of occasions wondered what would have happened if I had become that ‘clever girl’ -Cinthy and the others wanted me to be! Would I have my own magazine -now? And it was whilst I was pondering this very question last week, -that I stumbled across the latest photographs of Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn –and I just had to celebrate her.

Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn is fierce! -And if Madame Chantel Biya is the ‘First lady’ of ‘winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca' –then Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn is the Queen Bee of 'winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca' [please refer to past post about Madame Chantel Biya].

Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn is a formidable, focused and ambitious lady. With her ‘winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca' beauty; her ‘I-can-afford’ dress sense, -Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn is the very embodiment of Queen Bee of 'winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca'. Sally lived for some time in Switzerland, –and I provably bumped into her -on a number of occasions on my many nights out in Zurich [because after my first trip –I went back and forth for years [staying for months at a time with my ‘new’ friends, –dossing about as we put it in north London] but like all ‘winning-woman-of-Africa-ca-ca' she doesn’t have a past.

As a business wow-man, Sally owns a fashion boutique, a restaurant and of course, -the infamous ‘Monte Carlo’ Night Club in Accra, Ghana, West Africa -and yes, the name of the night club says it all, -sister Sally and her husband also reside in Monte Carlo. Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn is part of the ‘I-can-afford’ classes of Ghana. And even though she has the ubiquitous European name of the Ghanaian upper-class [i.e. Casely-Hayford, Spio-Garbrah, DeGraft-Johnson etc] Kleyn I’m afraid is not one of them. No, -Africa’s Queen Bee de jour is very much part of the nouveau riche, the new ‘what-is-happening-to-Ghana/Nigeria/Senegal’ class. Our Sally; does, wears, says whatever she wants –because unlike ordinary women in Africa –the ‘winning-women-of-Africa-ca-ca' are in a class of their own. And even though our sally might have the ubiquitous European husband, the humble beginnings [our Sally hails from northern Ghana, the driest, poorest and most deserted part of the country] and dresses the part [how do these women manage to make designer dresses look like that?] –Sally, like Madame Chantel Biya is a winner, -the winner of all winners.

*Note, if you were privy to Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn’s story, -you too would marvel at her triumph. You too would wonder how in the name of fashion -did a young Sally manage to leave Ghana, –travel to Switzerland as her, “strong desire to become a top notch in Arts and Theater performance, made her travel to Europe, precisely Switzerland, a country famous for its first class banking and good standard of living in the world” etc. -Yes we must celebrate her! We must celebrate Sally as she continues to shock conservative Ghana [a country full of ‘butterflies and Peacocks] –with her wealth; her vast array of cars [a Hummer, Range Rover, Mercedes, an Escalate and counting] and her love of all things expensive,” "unfortunately or fortunately I developed very expensive taste for fashion. Everything to do with things around me, from furniture to clothes is authentic and expensive,” –including her love for Christian Dior, Gucci, and Roberto Cavalli et al.

Personally, I love Sally Kanbonaba Kleyn [we both have an ‘ex Holland friend’ in common]. I am excited by her ambition. Her need to win, her need to give back to the people [she has, “adopted a maternity ward at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where I have relieved some of the mothers who are not able to pay their medical bills”] and her need to be at the forefront of Ghana"s hospitality industry – helping to promoting tourism in Ghana. You go girl xx

Art: Akan Terracotta Funerary Head at African Art

"Most Akan terracotta images were made by women. The people of most areas recognises these terracotta heads as portraits. Until recently, many ethnic groups in the southern parts of this area commemorated deceased family members and royals with terracotta figural sculpture. Heads such as these, often broken from full figures, or from vessels with figurative elements, all had funerary contexts."(African art .com)

For serious collectors of Ghanaian Art [like Zetha Annan -a tireless promoter and collector, -and myself...very soon!!] -why not visit African art .com. They have a unique collection of Akan Terracotta Funerary Heads -and prices start from £295.00 [for newer pieces]. Please visit: www.forafricanart.com

Please note, these Terracotta Funerary Head were not randomly created -but were made in the image of the deceased, -and are therefore -accurate depictions of our ancestors,-and so very important, -historically. I just hope that we have enough of these beautiful, delicate, historic pieces in our museums [in Ghana] -before we start selling 'the family Silver' to foreign private buyers....................xx