From the beginning, the tone was unmistakable. The summit was officially opened by His Excellency Frederic Landshoft, German Ambassador to Ghana, together with AHC partners German Investment Bank (DEG), African Development Bank (AfDB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), demonstrating a united commitment to increasing the visibility, credibility and scale of African businesses from within.
“For two and a half days, we had the opportunity to reflect among our members on what the future of business expansion looks like in Africa. These are the leaders from the periphery who are actually the driving forces driving the economy of the entire continent forward.” – Yasmin Kumi, Co-Founder, African Hidden Champions
Through reflections, strategic dialogue and on-the-ground insights, the summit explored what it truly means to build lasting institutions in Africa. Participants delved into themes such as legacy, systems, leadership maturity, and the discipline required to scale their organizations.
B20 South Africa Sherpa Kas Coubadia was also welcomed to the summit as a B20 network partner. It was an honor for his presence to highlight the importance of Africa’s institutional voice in the global economic debate and facilitate dialogue with AHC companies to bring their common ideas in support of the B20 recommendations.
The crucial clues were revealed through the Coaching Insights session “Building Beyond Ourselves” facilitated by Dzigbordi Kwaku-Dosoo. She reminded the founders:
“Size is a product of the continued growth of structures, systems and people. Technology alone does not scale organizations; people scale…Africa’s rise will be led by organizations that align ambition with humanity.”
There is no doubt that Africa’s rise will be led by the business leaders who attended the summit, including Menna Shams El Din of Edita Food Industries, Andrea Barry of Papkewicz Group of Companies, Richard Rugendo of Kevian Kenya Limited, Michael Bizenu East African Holding, Sangu Dere of CarePoint, and Hany Bahi El Din of Sechem Group. Through on-site visits to two of our key member companies in Ghana, Jospong Group of Companies and NICHE Cocoa Industry Ltd, participants experienced real-world excellence and witnessed the operational depth and ingenuity that strengthens African institutions that are already expanding on a continental and global scale.
Member reflection reinforced the shift toward building from within. Umnia Mahgoub, Head of Strategic Development at Mahgoub Sons Group said:
“Since joining AHC, I have learned a lot about what it means to build from within…If we don’t do this ourselves and work together to build Africa from within, through Africans and with Africans, it won’t happen.”
Usman Abdallah Muhamed, Managing Director of El Araby West Africa Co., added: “Building from within means taking your own personal experience, building a vision, direction and mindset, and embedding it into your broader team and network…especially when you reach a scale where you are looking to expand beyond the country and even the region.”
Edmund Poku, CEO of NICHE Cocoa Industry Ltd, reflected on the importance of the platform itself: “Being part of African Hidden Champions gives you a platform to raise your profile. The network is incredible…Whether it’s financial institutions or people giving you consulting advice, it’s invaluable. And that’s what makes African Hidden Champions the perfect platform to be a part of.”
The closing meeting culminated with the signing of the Partnership Declaration, formalizing a unified commitment to strengthening and elevating Africa’s built institutions from within.
Africa@Scale 2025 closed with a clear understanding that Africa’s advantage is institutional. It lives in a company that has been quietly, consistently, and purposefully established over the years. It lives in founders who have moved from shouldering the burden alone to building systems that will outlast them. It lives in a collective realization that Africa’s growth story will not be written elsewhere…by organizations rising from within.
Africa@Scale 2025 marked a moment of agreement among founders, partners, and the broader ecosystem that the institutions shaping Africa’s economic future are already here, and their global ascent is underway.
Africa Hidden Champions Partner
About the German Investment Agency (DEG)
For nearly 60 years, DEG has been a trusted partner for private companies operating in developing and emerging market countries. With a portfolio of approximately 9 billion euros in approximately 80 countries, DEG is one of the world’s largest private development finance institutions. DEG provides its clients with tailored solutions, including the financing, promotional programs and advice they need to develop successfully and sustainably, while adding local value and creating qualified jobs.
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s leading development finance institution. The organization is made up of three different entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigerian Trust Fund (NTF). With a presence in 44 African countries and an office in Japan, AfDB contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member countries.
About the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
The EBRD works across three continents to support the transition to a successful market economy. The EBRD is committed to further progress towards “promoting a market-oriented economy and private and entrepreneurial initiatives”. They focus on delivering prosperity by enabling the private sector to operate soundly and sustainably develop. They achieve this with a unique business model that combines financing, advice and policy innovation. In its historic role, it has gained unique expertise in driving change, with a particular focus on private sector development and green investment. To date, the Bank has invested more than 210 billion euros in more than 7,500 projects.
