Life lessons from African CEOs

The recently concluded Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, brought together over 2000 CEOs, business leaders and policy-makers from all over Africa. We caught up with a few of them for some advice.

Ojoma Ochai, Managing Director of Co-Creation Hub (CC-Hub)

Lesson: Always work for the next job you want

I always tell people in employment that I never just do the job that I am doing. I work as though I’m working for the next job I want to do. This means that at every point in time, I am doing extra because I won’t get my next job doing what I did in my last job.

For instance, I worked in the British Council for 14 or 15 years. I worked eight or nine different jobs, and each of them was progressively senior. When I joined, I was an assistant. When I left, I was a regional director for one of the three programme areas and I was on a global committee.

The secret was that if I were a project associate, I would be volunteering for the things that managers are doing so that when the next vacancy for manager comes up, you’re not wondering whether I can be a manager. You already know because you’ve seen me do it.

When I am moving from manager to assistant director, you’re not wondering if I can do it because I have volunteered, I have contributed, and you know that I can do the job. So anybody who is applying with me is wasting their time because they haven’t done the work I have.

It may sound cliche, but there is no alternative to hard work. Yes, some people get lucky and win the lottery or are born rich, but most of us have to work hard for everything we have. And it’s not just in big things. If you work hard on small things, the big things will come.

When I say work hard, I mean both work hard and work smart. Learn as much as you can and apply yourself as much as you can.

Mathieu Friedberg, CEO of CEVA Logistics

Lesson: Don’t delay in making decisions while waiting for perfect conditions

Don’t wait for all the lights to be green to get things done. In life and when you run a business, sometimes you have to make decisions in scary situations.

It’s like jumping with a parachute. Nobody will sign a paper telling you it’s 100 per cent secure and that nothing will ever happen, because there is always a risk. Life is risky. If you wake up in the morning, there’s a risk. So you need to be able to take risks. 

You can think, reflect on things, and take advice, but at some point, you will have to make a decision and you need to move forward because otherwise you get stuck and things don’t get done, and yet people that depend on you are waiting for your decisions.

You also need to say yes to opportunities when they arise. Sometimes it’s not 100 per cent clear, so there has to be a bit of willingness to take up the adventure.

Finally, respect people because the more you grow in your company, the more it becomes about having the right people. You can’t get the job done by yourself. You’re only one person and it takes a lot of people to succeed, so you need to find the right people and respect them.

You also need to give them a sense of what you are trying to do.

George Asamani, MD, Sub-Saharan Africa, Project Management Institute

Lesson: Adapt to Meet Changing Demands

The skills and competencies needed for success today differ significantly from those of earlier generations. Today, many older graduates are often unprepared for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market that values problem-solving, adaptability, and digital skills.

In contrast to the previous century, 21st-century skills encompass a broad set of abilities crucial in a globalised, information-enabled, and increasingly AI-driven society.

These include critical thinking and problem-solving, collaboration, agility and adaptability, communication skills, an analytical mindset, and curiosity.

If you are part of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, you need to have a career-long learning mindset. Unlike previous generations, you are entering a world where professional roles evolve rapidly, and new industries are born from technological advancements.

This means you must keep learning, as the trajectory of professional qualifications is evolving rapidly.

A single degree might have sufficed for career entry and progression in the past, but as we move further into the 21st Century, the criteria for job readiness and advancement are shifting dramatically. This change is largely driven by the pace at which technology and globalisation are transforming industries.

Traditional degrees are still valuable and will continue to be so in the future, but a range of specialised certifications and micro-credentials will likely supplement them. These credentials prove your ongoing commitment to learning and mastery in specific skill areas.

As a result, preferred resumes will not just list degrees and work experience but become dynamic portfolios of certifications demonstrating competency and expertise. This shift towards certification-rich resumes reflects a broader trend where employers value diverse skills and adaptability.

Building your career will mean accumulating diverse skills, demonstrating a commitment to career-long learning, and adapting to new challenges. 

Chilyufya Mutale, CEO of PremierCredit

Lesson: Be a learner and network

Always try for continuous learning and networking. Networking will move you from point A to point B even within one year when it might have taken longer without it. Always be the learner in the room, in the office, at home – always be the learner in every area of your life.

There is no such thing as “I have learned everything and I know enough.” When your mind is open to learning new things and you develop the habit of putting yourself out there to network, your career is going to be elevated.

Seeking mentorship when I was first appointed as a CEO, along with the experience itself, not only expanded my skillset but opened doors for new opportunities and now we have PremierCredit, Zambia’s leading fintech, which I co-founded.

Some of those mentors were my angel investors when I started my fintech because they groomed me. They had seen what I was able to do for others and they were confident in investing their own money into my new venture.

If you want to be an entrepreneur, you need to keep in mind that starting and growing a business is a marathon and not a sprint. There will be highs and lows, trials, crying and celebrating, but it is your passion and your vision, which will keep you going.

When I co-founded Premier Credit, there were moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome but ultimately it was our belief in our mission that kept us motivated and we eventually succeeded, to where we are now an award-winning platform.

You also have to have empathy. You can’t build a successful business without it being meaningful for people. So if you have empathy for the people you are serving, you are going to create a service or a product that will solve their problems and needs.

You have to have a heart for doing something that makes people’s lives better and makes the world better.

As long as you are doing something you are passionate about that also creates value for others, you can’t fail. People will always come to support you.  

Phil Karanja, CEO of Phil-It Productions Limited

Lesson: Develop resilience and be adaptable

One key lesson I have learned in my journey as an entrepreneur is the power of resilience. In the early days of my career, I faced challenges that made me question whether I was on the right path.

However, I refused to give up and instead viewed each obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow. One particular anecdote that highlights this lesson is when we launched our core business venture, Philittv.com.

Despite facing initial rejection from investors and encountering unexpected operational hurdles, we persevered with unwavering determination. Eventually, our resilience paid off, and my business began to thrive, proving that resilience is indeed a vital trait for success in entrepreneurship.

Several personal qualities have been instrumental in my journey to where I am today. First and foremost is resilience, as mentioned earlier. Additionally, I attribute much of my success to my adaptability and willingness to embrace change.

In the dynamic landscape of business in Africa, being able to pivot and innovate in response to evolving circumstances is crucial.

Moreover, I believe that maintaining a strong sense of integrity and ethics has helped me build trust and credibility within the business community.

Finally, a relentless work ethic and a passion for what I do have been fundamental in driving me forward, even during the most challenging times.