The 20 Most Powerful People In African Business 2012
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They are the African business leaders, empire builders, moguls and high-flying chief executives of multinational corporations who possess continental clout and wield the most widespread influence in Africa’s business and economic circles.
These are the corporate titans and leaders who set the African economic agenda. Their voices are much listened to within Africa’s business and political circles, and through their resolutions and actions, they shape the economic future of the continent.
This is admittedly a subjective list, but I believe it to be accurate. Meet the 20 most powerful people in African business for the year 2012.
Nationality: South African
Kloppers, 50, is the head of BHP Billiton, the world’s largest mining company. Born in South Africa, Kloppers studied chemical engineering at the University of Pretoria, earned his MBA at INSEAD and completed his Doctorate at MIT. He worked atSasol (SSL), Mintek and McKinsey & Co, before joining global resources giant BHP Billiton in 1993. He became C.E.O in 2007. A few weeks after taking the reins of the company, Kloppers launched an audacious takeover bid for rival mining giant Rio Tinto. The deal fell through, but Kloppers has performed remarkably well nevertheless: Last year, the company posted a $22.5 billion profit. BHP extracts resources like aluminum, coal, nickel, iron ore, oil, gas, copper and uranium from mines and facilities located on 6 continents.
Aliko Dangote President, Dangote Group
Nationality: Nigerian
Africa’s richest man is also one of its most influential business leaders. The Nigerian-born commodities tycoon is founder and president of theDangote group, West Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate, with manufacturing interests in sugar, flour and cement across West, East and South Africa. His listed Dangote Cement accounts for more than a quarter of the total market capitalization of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He is looking to list the company on the London Stock Exchange next year. Last year, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan conferred the tycoon with the national award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, (GCON), the country’s second highest national honor.
Brian Joffe, CEO, Bidvest Group
