Dr. Rawaa Harati’s Post

Meet Lady Josephine Nwaeze, one of the remarkable women featured in the Leadership Lens Magazine: Leading Ladies Edition and the face of the magazine. Lady Josephine is a highly driven professional and the Managing Director/CEO of NEWS Engineering Nigeria Limited. Her career is marked by exceptional achievements in project management, operations, and business development. Known for her ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver complex projects on time and within budget, she has become a strategic leader and an inspiration in the field. Recognized as one of Nigeria’s “Super CEOs” by Inside Business Africa and counted among the 100 “Most Influential Women” by Nigeria Women Annual, Lady Josephine's impact is felt both in the engineering industry and beyond. She is also a passionate philanthropist, using her foundation, the Sir Cyprain Ojimadu Nwaeze (SCON) Foundation, to support education, poverty eradication, and empower emerging businesses. In her exclusive feature article, “Thriving as a Female Leader in a Male-Dominated Field,” Lady Josephine shares her experiences, insights, and strategies for succeeding as a woman in engineering. She discusses the challenges and the resilience it takes to break barriers, and the importance of paving the way for other women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated spaces. Get inspired by Lady Josephine’s journey and her vision for empowering women leaders. Download a free sneak peek of the magazine now using the link in the comments. To get a physical copy, call or send a DM to +234 815 791 9770 #gotnileadershipcentre #leadershiplens #leadingladies #womeninleadership #magazine #inspiringstories

Honored to be part of the discussion at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #30)! This past week, I got an invite to join a discussion at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #30). The summit, jointly hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)(Think Tanks) , brought together regional and global leaders to explore strategies for accelerating economic growth and development in Africa. I had the opportunity to contribute to an important discussion on "Digital Inclusion – Closing the Accessibility Gap." I highlighted the importance of conducting needs assessments to understand the unique challenges faced by communities before implementing digital literacy programs and interventions. This approach ensures that we can relate to their daily struggles and design solutions that truly address these complexities. The conversations also touched on key concerns such as collaboration, ownership, and de-risking partnerships for more effective policy implementation. I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for leveraging innovation, stakeholder involvement, and digital evolution to drive economic growth. Special thanks to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all the amazing global leaders who contributed to this milestone event. Together, we can accelerate Africa’s growth by focusing on people, institutions, and leadership. #NES30 #DigitalInclusion #EconomicGrowth #Collaboration #OrodataScience #Innovation #StakeholderInvolvement #Leadership

🌍🚀 At the Bridge Africa Summit in Morocco, 140 young African leaders from 25 different nationalities converge to embark on a transformative journey towards shaping the future of the continent. From the bustling streets of South Africa to the serene landscapes of Chad, and from the vibrant communities of Uganda to the bustling cities of Tanzania, the diversity of Africa's sub-regions is vividly represented. Hosted by the forward-thinking Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P) in the town of Ben Guérir, amidst its ongoing economic metamorphosis, this summit serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity for the next generation of African entrepreneurs and visionaries. Over the course of several days on the campus, these young leaders, spanning various sectors such as finance, energy, and technology, come together to share their experiences, insights, and solutions. Led by Khalid Baddou, the visionary behind the Bridge Africa concept, the summit revolves around three essential verbs: "inspire, involve, and act." It's not just about discussing ideas; it's about catalyzing tangible action towards sustainable development on a continental scale. With leading figures like the CEO of Diaspo4Africa and Lumen Financial Africa platforms guiding the discussions, the summit aims to provide young African leaders with the platform and resources they need to turn their ideas into impactful initiatives. Through workshops on strategic planning and pan-African leadership, as well as facilitated networking opportunities, these emerging leaders are poised to disseminate a shared vision within their communities and foster the South-South cooperation vital for addressing pressing challenges like climate change, food security, and beyond. Read the full article from our media partner AFRIK 21 here: https://lnkd.in/dAUv7yFm #BridgeAfrica #AfricanLeadership #InnovationImpact

The “Empower the Leader Within” event hosted by 100 Women In Finance Nigeria was indeed an exceptional gathering. Aruwa Capital Management was duly represented by Kusumi Said, Nofan Ojuba and Seye Kolawole (née Adebote) It was an inspiring evening filled with networking opportunities with accomplished women from various industries. The highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Opunimi Akinkugbe. Her subtle yet thought-provoking speech emphasised several crucial aspects of leadership and personal growth. Some key takeaways include: - Financial independence is crucial; it's not just for you, but for others who will become leaders through you. - Embrace discomfort as a sign of growth. Deliberately step out of your comfort zone and embrace change. - Build and utilise a strong support system. Relationships should be mutually beneficial so they can be sustained. - Embrace imposter syndrome as motivation for greater achievements rather than as a weakness. Kudos to the 100 Women In Finance Nigeria committee for putting together a great event. Aruwa Capital Management is committed to being at the forefront of conversations that seek to add value to women’s lives, starting locally and permeating the right communities. We believe in empowering women and fostering environments where they can thrive and lead. cc: Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes Saratu M. Kitchener Taiwo Okwor Opeyemi Okojie Timoni Akindolie Olivia Gao Abim Meshinoye, MBA Tumi Sekoni #aruwacapital #womeninfinance #leadership #empowerment #financialindependence #supportsystem #networking #100womeninfinance

It is Ironically that people who have Ideas have no Power and people who have power have no ideas but the affinity in Africa lies with the people who have power and have no ideas. This is the affirmation of the kind of practices and doctrine in.Africa. The problem of Africa has remained problem of leadership and over the years these challenges have ripped this great continent so.many development transformation. Leaders are obessed with powers regardless if they have the ideology to rule or not, all they want is to get hold of power. The Machiavellian theory which advocates power acquisition at all cost stating further how the end justifies the means encourages putting aside private morals that judges one's conscience and putting forth public morals that does not care about morals which only cares about the acquisition and the use of power. This leadership method is what African leaders have adopted over the years and this has done more harm than good to the society at large For Africa( Nigeria) to grow to compete favorable with other nations of the world, we must get it right with the election of our leaders. A good leaders drives a country to achieve socio-economic Innovations even within a very short period of time as far as the leaders have been equipped with ideas, skills and principles of leadership. A group of sheep ruled by a lion and a group of lions ruled by a sheep is the best illustration to describe the leadership problem in Africa( Nigeria).This goes further to justifies how far can be achieved once there is a sound and productive leadership. A leader MUST be a lion and fox and must be ready to blend the these two characters of lion and fox if he/ she must lead well. For a nation to.advance technologically economically to attain sustainability in development, Social Inclusion, Equality, literacy eradication of poverty, zero hunger, gender main streaming, economic empowerment and literacy in the following thematic areas, that nation must pay attention in electing individuals who are passionate and intentional in both characters and learning with ideologies to drive and transform the nation into prosperity and growth.

The highly anticipated annual Africa CEO forum officially kicked off yesterday, with the opening speech given by Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame. Over 2000 business leaders and policymakers are in attendance to discuss how Africa can secure its place among tomorrow’s leading powers. Key takeaways from Day 1 of #AFRICA CEO Forum 2024: - Unity is Key: President Paul Kagame emphasized that a more united Africa strengthens partnerships. This #integration creates larger markets and fosters a more competitive African business community, allowing Africa to be a stronger player on the global stage. - Private Sector Leads #Development: The annual summit gathers African and international business leaders, investors, and policymakers. This gathering underscores the private sector's crucial role in driving the continent's development. - Shaping Africa's Future: Held under the theme "At the table or on the menu?", the forum presents a critical opportunity to discuss strategies for leveraging #Africa's private sector for the continent's future development.

Tomorrow: The Africa for Africa Pre-Summit! As Emerging Leaders Foundation moves closer to the Inaugural #Africa4AfricaSummit, I am so excited to share that the Pre-Summit event is just one day away! This event is dedicated to a crucial mission: 'Empowering #YoungAfricans to lead the Charge in Transforming #PublicService and #Governance across the continent. We’ll be diving into bold conversations led by young professionals committed to positive change from #Kenya, #Liberia, #SierraLeone, #Ghana, #Malawi and #SouthAfrica, among other nationals. Why are sessions like these essential? Africa needs a youth-led, innovative approach to public service. The youth’s perspectives, solutions, and drive are key to tackling challenges with fresh, innovative approaches. We’ve seen the need for transparent, accountable systems that serve all Africans. Young leaders bring forward the energy and integrity needed to champion ethical governance. Lastly, technology is a game-changer for efficiency and inclusivity in public service, and it’s young leaders who are pushing for a digital revolution that will make services better, faster, and more accessible. If you’re a young professional, public servant, or simply passionate about Africa’s future, this summit is for you! Join us tomorrow as we strategize, collaborate, and take meaningful steps toward a stronger, youth-empowered Africa. (See the Registration link in the Comment section) #AfricaForAfricaSummit

It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the just-concluded BusinessDay CEO Forum 2024, which focused on the compelling theme of "Leadership in Tough Economic Times." The forum convened key stakeholders, to deliberate on the future of Nigeria’s private sector through lessons in leadership, innovation, and transformation. One of the highlights was listening to Dr. Patrick Njoroge's (the immediate former Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya) keynote speech titled "Africa’s Moonshot to 2050—Adapt and Innovate." His insightful address touched on the significant number of new jobs created annually in Africa and the pressing absorption gap. Currently, Africa creates 3.7 million jobs annually, but needs to create 10 to 12 million jobs each year to keep pace with the growing young labor force. This gap emphasizes the urgency of our collective actions. Dr. Njoroge's call to action resonated deeply: we must focus on quality job creation, investing in human capital, and fostering an environment where innovation and technology can thrive. His words serve as a powerful reminder that achieving sustainable, inclusive growth requires concerted efforts from both the public and private sectors. Urgent, action-oriented collaboration between public and private sectors is essential to closing the absorption gap and ensuring equitable growth on our continent. Let's work together to create a brighter future for Africa! #BusinessDayCEOForum2024 #Leadership #Innovation #SustainableGrowth #AfricaMoonshot #Collaboration

✨👊🤔Redefining Power: Empowering Every African to Drive Transformation"✨🤔 In the recent Mail & Guardian article published on October 18, 2024, Prof. Harsh Pant, Vice President of Studies and Foreign Policy at Observer Research in New Delhi, urges African leaders to "come together around a shared vision and identity." He advocates for a united approach to build our continent’s capacity, especially in digital technology. I agree wholeheartedly with him. He rightly notes that Africa needs visionary leaders who can "navigate both past legacies and current impediments to development." But Can we afford to place all responsibility for transformation on leaders alone? No! We cannot! This mindset keeps us waiting, expecting someone else to lead us to change. It leaves us in a dangerous state of dependency, waiting for a “baas” to show us the way. It puts us at risk of overlooking our own strength. This is a story that has held many of us back. We can change it. Africa’s transformation requires each of us. We cannot wait for a certain type of leader to guide the vision to prosperity. As I share in my book, Unleash Prosperity in Africa, true change begins within. Real transformation is personal - ignited by purpose it spreads from one heart to another, from one community to the next, and it’s only then that it ripples across nations. This movement calls for the force I call Afriternergy™️—a fierce drive in every African to step forward with accountability, courage, and action to transform our beloved continent from poverty to prosperity. Our continent’s power lies within each of us. Imagine the impact if every African embraced this energy and responsibility to shape our future, leading the change from wherever we are. The transformation of Africa needs all of us, not only those with titles, but everyone willing to redefine power by stepping up. Together, we can bring our vision to life and make prosperity our legacy. Catch Afriternergy™️ Do you catch it. #unleashprosperityinafrica #afriternergy #purposemasters ##UnleashProsperity #transformation

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐩! 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 #𝐀𝐂𝐅𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 Just like last year, the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali from May 16-17 was a great success. It’s always a pleasure and a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with so many African leaders in one place. This year’s theme was incredibly timely given the major geopolitical challenges impacting Africa: “At the Table or On the Menu? A Critical Moment to Shape a New Future for Africa.” Discussions centered around AI, leadership, and the common market. Here are my three key takeaways from this major event for the continent: 𝟏. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: The achievements of various countries and companies showcased during the forum highlighted the indispensable role of strong leadership. It was inspiring to hear from leaders like President William Samoei Ruto, PhD, President Paul Kagame, Amir Ben Yahmed and Aliko Dangote. Their insights reaffirmed that sustainable progress is impossible without visionary leadership. 𝟐. 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: To realize our ambitions, we must cultivate champions across the continent. For years, I've emphasized that Senegal needs more private sector champions and that the government must do more. We need more figures like Aliko Dangote across Africa. He was a standout for me at this forum. Hearing him passionately express his optimism and love for Africa was moving. His achievement in growing his company's revenue from $5 billion to $30 billion in just 5 years and his commitment to making Africa self-sufficient in hydrocarbons and fertilizers with his $20+ billion refinery built by his own team were truly inspiring. 𝟑. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐂𝐅𝐓𝐀 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Significant progress has been made since the establishment of the AfCFTA, but much work remains to achieve our goals. Aliko Dangote’s remark about needing 35 visas to travel across Africa was met with laughter, but it highlighted a serious issue. I hope African leaders, beyond those present at the forum, recognize the urgency of facilitating the free movement of people and goods. Achieving this will also require substantial investment in developing our infrastructure sustainably. In conclusion, this event is a reminder that no one else will develop our continent for us. Each of us, regardless of our location or position, must ask: 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙢 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖’𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩? 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩’𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨? 𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙙𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨. Only this shared commitment will transition us from "𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧" 𝐭𝐨 "𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐢𝐬," as envisioned by our esteemed elder Makhtar Diop, who makes us all proud. I am looking forward to next year's gathering in Abidjan. Hopefully, by then, we will have made significant progress. CPCS Jeune Afrique IFC - International Finance Corporation