Zim entrepreneur selected for German business exchange programme

ZIMBABWEAN entrepreneur Kumbirai Chipadza has been nominated to join 40 other young Africans and German business leaders in a pioneering programme dubbed African German Young Leaders in Business (AGYLE).

Chipadza is the founder of Deutsch Connect; a Germanbased Afrocentric consultancy that links African and German businesses.

AGYLE organisers said: “Today we present the 40 outstanding personalities from Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda and Germany who have been selected by a jury of experts from over 300 submissions as the first year of the new African-German management programme AGYLE.

“The participants cover a broad spectrum from start-ups and new technologies to media companies, agriculture and tourism industries are represented. We launched the programme and the establishment of a long-term business network together with Agentur für Wirtschaft & Entwicklung (AWE) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development with the aim of intensifying the economic potential of African-German relations and accelerating the development of new business models.”

Chipadza said he felt humbled and honoured to be part of the group.

“For a boy who grew up in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, this is quite a long way from home. I am proud to be lifting the flag and hopes of our people as part of such an outstanding group of achievers. It is time for action and not words in order to increase economic co-operation between Africa and Germany as equals.

“The fact that trade between Africa and Germany is only 2% of Germany’s overall trade is proof that more action needs to be done in order to fulfil the Marshall Plan for Africa. I am not only representing Africa but moreso southern Africa,” Chipadza said.

The heart of the programme is a virtual design thinking laboratory and the benefits for the participants will include exclusive access to an international business network and new, long-term corporate contacts and business relationships, development of innovative ideas and new business models, professional and interdisciplinary collaboration at eyelevel with experts, mentors, participants, exchange of experience with other young leaders from participating countries and positioning as a representative of the home country.