Oliver Cann, Director, Media Relations, Tel.: +41 79 799 3405; Email: Oliver.Cann@weforum.org
Cape Town, South Africa, 2 June 2015 – The World Economic Forum today announced its selection of Global Growth Companies (GGCs) regional finalists for Africa. The four companies have been given the opportunity to join the larger GGC community at the World Economic Forum on Africa, taking place in Cape Town on 3-5 June. This is the first stop on their journey towards the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in September, in Dalian, People’s Republic of China, where the Forum will recognize and honour the selected 2015 class of GGCs.
GGCs are fast-growing companies with the potential to become global economic leaders. Representing a broad cross-section of industry sectors, the nominees share a track record of exceeding industry standards in revenue growth, promotion of innovative business practices and demonstration of leadership in corporate citizenship.
The regional finalists for Africa are:
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia) – The national flag carrier of Ethiopia, serving more than 80 international destinations.
Meikles Limited (Zimbabwe) – One of the largest conglomerates in Zimbabwe, with over 100 years of history.
PPC Ltd (South Africa) – The leading supplier of cement and related products in Southern Africa.
Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited (Nigeria) – An indigenous fast-growing petroleum producing company.
“The World Economic Forum is proud to recognize these four companies, which are at the forefront of driving responsible economic growth, job creation and entrepreneurship in Africa. We look forward to the active and dynamic role they will play at our meeting in Cape Town, working with the region’s leaders to foster inclusive, sustainable growth in the region,” said David Aikman, Managing Director and Head of New Champions at the World Economic Forum.
Together with Social Entrepreneurs, Technology Pioneers, Young Global Leaders, Global Shapers and Young Scientists, GGCs make up the New Champions, a World Economic Forum community of pioneers, innovators and creative disruptors.
Selection as a Global Growth Company gives enterprises an opportunity to join the existing GGC community. These companies contribute to the Forum’s meetings, projects and knowledge products, which in turn support them on their path to achieving responsible and sustainable growth.
The World Economic Forum recognizes new GGCs through a rigorous selection process. Candidates are drawn from a pool of highly qualified companies following a worldwide nomination process. Individuals with a strong understanding of companies that might qualify as a GGC are invited to submit nominations for the next selection cycle. To nominate a company, please complete the online form here.
Regional finalists for Africa will join the GGC community in Cape Town on 3-5 June. Convening under the theme Then and Now: Reimagining Africa’s Future, the 25th World Economic Forum on Africa will convene more than 1,000 regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society to take stock of progress over the past 25 years, share insights on the present landscape and identify innovative approaches to accelerate inclusive growth, while bringing about sustainable development in the future.
The Co-Chairs of the World Economic on Africa are: Antony Jenkins, Group Chief Executive, Barclays, United Kingdom; Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Undersecretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN), USA; Patrice Motsepe, Founder and Executive Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals, South Africa; Paul Polman, Chief Executive Officer, Unilever, United Kingdom; and Sir Michael Rake, Chairman, BT Group, United Kingdom.
Notes to Editors
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