- Unique partnership designed to continue to develop future leaders in Africa for Africa
- Partnership with African Leadership Academy will administer GE Africa's Scholars Programme and provide opportunities for promising scholars across Africa to not only acquire entrepreneurial leadership skills at the Academy, but also explore long-term careers at GE
- GE Africa Scholars Programme will provide financial support for African scholars to attend tertiary institutions, while providing professional development and employment opportunities
- African Leadership Academy is a pan-African institution which aims to transform Africa by identifying, developing and connecting the next generation of African leaders.
GE Africa has announced a partnership worth up to $5 million (R50million) with the Johannesburg-based African Leadership Academy (ALA), which aims to transform Africa by identifying, developing and connecting the next generation of African leaders.
The academy, located in Honeydew Johannesburg admitted its first students in 2008, and has become the leading pan-African institution focusing on youth entrepreneurial leadership development. ALA has about 550 young leaders in its network and its scholars have won bursaries/scholarships to study at leading global universities such as London School of Economics in the UK, Harvard, Stanford and Duke in the United States and the University of Toronto in Canada.
"We are excited about this unique partnership with ALA. ALA's mission is very much aligned with GE Africa's commitment to developing leaders not just in Africa for Africa, but for GE (worldwide) and Africa. This initial investment is just the beginning. We will pilot this initiative first in Angola and plan toexpand throughout Sub-Saharan Africa," said Tamla Oates-Forney, Senior Executive –Human Resources. "This is an investment in a future generation of African leaders and in skills development for this continent," said Jay Ireland President and CEO for GE Africa.
"These are bright young people who will have the opportunity to acquire the skills and academic qualifications to pursue long-term careers at." Frank Aswani, ALA Vice President and Director of Strategic Relations welcomed the partnership with GE. "We thank GE for their commitment to Africa's prosperity and for investing in Africa's biggest asset; its youth. This will enable us to expand our operations, select and admit additional students, and support their lifelong growth and development. In so doing, we shall be fulfilling our mission of transforming Africa by identifying, developing and connecting the next
generation of African leaders."
GE's investment includes funding participation in ALA's flagship two-year pre-university programme, gap year programme, and further studies at approved tertiary institutions. GE will also provide internship and post-graduate employment for their scholars and other ALA graduates to give them much needed work experience.
About GE:
GE is an advanced technology, services and Capital Company with the scale, resources and expertise to take on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in the areas of energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE is committed to leadership, partnership and human progress.
GE has more than 300 000 employees globally, of which 1 500 are in Africa. GE is committed to growing its Africa leadership base by investing in young leaders.
About Africa Leadership Academy:
ALA is the leading pan-African youth entrepreneurial leadership development institution. ALA has attracted more than 19 000 applications from across Africa and has admitted some 550students since inception in 2008.
Media Contacts:
Thulisile Phiri
Media Relations Manager – Africa
GE Corporate Africa
Tel: +27.11.237.0019
M: +27.79.885.0530
thulisile.phiri@ge.com
Faith Abiodun
Communications Associate
African Leadership Academy
Tel: +27.11.699.3087
M: +27.78.644.2649
fabiodun@africanleadershipacademy.org
