Dangote Foundation and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have collaborated to boost capacity-building and economic growth across Africa.
As a result, the Dangote Foundation said 13 out of the 17 Africans recognised as the Young Global Leaders in 2015 by the WEF would benefit from Dangote Fellowship, a programme instituted by the foundation.
The African youngsters were part of the 187 young leaders from 66 countries honoured for leadership and service to the society by the WEF.
Dangote Fellowship, created by the WEF and the President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, was designed to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders across the continent, a statement by the foundation said.
The statement quoted Dangote as saying that the fellowship award was meant to contribute to the intellectual development of exceptional young Africans.
The Director and Head of the Young Global Leaders community at the WEF, Mr. John Dutton, was quoted as saying, “The World Economic Forum has announced the leaders under 40 who are shaping the future of industry and society. About half of the new class of YGLs come from emerging economies with 17 from sub-Saharan Africa.
“The list of the YGLs has a strong representation from women leaders and is split 50-50 between business and non-profit sectors (academia, arts and culture, civil society, policy and government, media and social entrepreneurs).”
The class of 2015 joins a community which has been growing in significance since it began 10 years ago. Current and former YGLs include 11 heads of state and government, 10 heads of Fortune 500 companies, 15 United Nations goodwill ambassadors, six Guinness world record holders, four Oscar winners, three Olympic gold medalists, two Nobel Prize winners and an astronaut.
“The YGLs include the world’s most pioneering, next-generation leaders who have developed in their journey to produce positive, tangible impacts in their countries, industries and societies, Dutton added.
The class of 2015 includes 23 people from East Asia, 17 from Greater China, 39 from Europe, 13 from Latin America, 16 from the Middle East and North Africa, 44 from North America, 18 from South Asia and 17 from sub-Saharan Africa.
The candidates were evaluated according to specific criteria including their proven track record and commitment to the society.
