Championing Africa: A Year in Review

As we reflect on 2024, it's clear that it was a year marked by significant personal growth, profound impact, and unwavering resilience. Despite the challenges that faced our continent, we persevered, innovated, and emerged stronger. From scaling our operations to empowering the next generation of African leaders, we've made strides that will shape the future of African business.

One of the most significant milestones we achieved in 2024 was to drive the transformation of one of the continent’s oldest angel communities, allowing it to step back up into the limelight it deserves, before transitioning it to a new leader who can continue to take it to the next level. This achievement, along with many others, contributed to our overall growth and impact.

A Year of Growth and Impact

This year, ZER Consulting Africa kicked off its mission to empower African businesses to thrive on the global stage. We were fortunate to work with a diverse range of clients, from innovative startups to established corporations. One particularly rewarding experience was partnering with Casava as their Board Advisor where we act as a sounding board to their CEO Bode Pedro on various business, leadership and executive talent concerns.

Here are some of the other key highlights from 2024:

1. Celebrating a Year of Growth:

Last month, we commemorated a significant milestone: our one-year anniversary. To celebrate this special occasion, we hosted a virtual three-continent-wide cocktail party, bringing together almost 30 guests from eight different countries.

Also attended by some very special guests Michael Adewumi , Theo Bouts , and Val Ojumah , this virtual gathering was more than just a celebration; it was an opportunity to reflect on our journey, share insights, and express gratitude. We highlighted key achievements, showcased inspiring stories, and unveiled exciting plans (more on this to come). The vibe was electric as the attendees' true type-A personalities were revealed during the quiz competitions.

One of my key takeaways from the event was to experience up close the impact of leveraging one's purpose to build a strong and powerful network focused on a similar goal. The valuable insights and connections forged during the event will inform our strategic direction for the next year, as we continue to drive African excellence across the continent.

To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn and visit our website.

2. Expanding Our Reach and Impact:

We’ve been resolute in our mission to expand our footprint across the African continent. This first year, we’ve already strengthened our presence in key markets such as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. By forging strategic partnerships with renowned organizations like AfriFindInvest (AFI) , Cornerstone Consultancy, FEOFIN , Manwood James , Shared Value Africa , and Westwood Investment Consultancy Services , we’re empowered to deliver even greater impact and value to our clients. These strategic collaborations enable us to leverage local expertise, tap into diverse networks, and provide comprehensive solutions tailored to the unique needs of each market.

3. Empowering the Next Generation:

We’ve been dedicated to nurturing the next generation of African leaders. This year, we’ve actively contributed to their development through various initiatives:

• Mentorship: We’ve served as mentors for organizations such as African Diaspora Network and VC4A , and on advisory boards for Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University and Oryx Impact .
• Knowledge Sharing: We’ve shared insights at various podcasts and webinars, from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State ‘Following The Gong’, to The Spotlight Podcast , to Access Bank’s Africa Fintech Foundry , empowering aspiring leaders with practical knowledge and strategic thinking.
• Recognizing Talent: We’ve participated as judges for prestigious programs like Africa's Business Heroes , highlighting and supporting exceptional African talent.

By actively engaging with the next generation, we aim to inspire and equip them to drive positive change across the continent.

4. Driving Sustainable Development and Social Impact:

We've remained steadfast in our commitment to promoting sustainable development practices and social impact initiatives. Our partnership with Shared Value Africa (SVA) has been instrumental in advancing this goal. Together, we've launched Shared Value Nigeria (SVN), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering a thriving ecosystem of shared value businesses.

By enabling businesses to create positive social and environmental impact, we’re driving sustainable growth and building a more equitable future for Africa. The recent Africa Shared Value & ESG Summit last month was a resounding success, with Safaricom PLC kicking it off with the launch of their annual sustainability report and ending with the news that the next Summit would be hosted in Nigeria in 2026!

By combining our expertise in business strategy and sustainable development, we aim to drive positive change and create a more sustainable future for Africa.

5. Delivering Impact Through Our S.C.A.L.E. Framework

We've been privileged to partner with a diverse range of clients, from dynamic startups to social enterprises and even established corporations. Our collaborative approach, coupled with our S.C.A.L.E. framework, has enabled us to deliver impactful solutions across various sectors.

Our S.C.A.L.E. framework is unique in its focus on building African excellence. This allows us to deliver comprehensive and tailored solutions that drive long-term value. Through our collaborative approach and deep industry expertise, we are committed to empowering African businesses to achieve their full potential.

To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn and visit our website.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As I reflect on the past year, I'm filled with gratitude for the incredible team we've built. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in our success. I'd also like to extend my sincere thanks to our valued clients and partners for their continued support and belief in our vision.

Last Friday, we hit a significant milestone: 1,000 LinkedIn followers! This is a testament to the growing interest in our work and the impact we're making. Thank you to everyone who has followed us and supported us on this platform.

What's Next?

As we look ahead to 2025, we're excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We'll share more details about our plans in our next newsletter, including the publishing date for our upcoming book, "Afro-Optimism Unleashed". This groundbreaking book will delve into the power of African optimism and explore strategies for driving sustainable growth across the continent and globally.

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Quote of the month: "The ultimate measure of a (wo)man is not where (s)he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where (s)he stands at times of challenge and controversy." – Martin Luther King Jr.