Zimpapers Logo

Econet Wireless chief executive Mr Doug Mboweni (centre) receiving the 2014 African Leadership Award from the African Leadership Magazine at a ceremony held in Dubai at the end of last year.

Business Reporter
Zimbabwe continues to receive global recognition for its entrepreneurship, with Econet Wireless Zimbabwe CEO Douglas Mboweni recently receiving a top international award for business leadership.

Mr Mboweni received the 2014 African Leadership Award from the African Leadership Magazine in conjunction with the CEO Club, a prestigious network of chief executive officers from around the world.

He received the award at a ceremony in Dubai in December. Zimbabwe, together with Tanzania, came in for “special mention” for entrepreneurship at the event.

Mr Mboweni said Zimbabwe already has a strong reputation as a breeding ground for entrepreneurship, and this would continue as long as local businesses are encouraged to invest in their home country and thrive. “At Econet, we have invested over one billion into our economy.

The impact of that investment is not only in allowing Econet to lead the local market, it has also made the world take notice of what Zimbabwe can achieve,” Mr Mboweni said.

“I therefore, do not see this award as a personal award, or even one for Econet. It is in fact recognition for Zimbabwe as a whole.”

“We thank God for this award. It is testament to the hard work that all of us at Econet, and indeed in Zimbabwe, are putting in to bring honour to our wonderful nation, he added.”

Another recipient of the award was Mr Mohammed Dewji, a successful businessman from Tanzania.

“The recipients received the awards for their commitment and leadership to their respective countries for positive change in economic output,” the CEO Club said.

Speaking at the event in UAE, Dr Tariq Ahmed Nizami, the Founder and Chief Executive officer of the CEO Clubs Network, said: “As the club continues to grow and expand, it is crucial to recognise the achievements of leading businessmen in other parts of the world, he also mentioned special appreciation for having Montblanc as CEO Club’s exclusive category partner.

“Zimbabwe and Tanzania are countries that along with the rest of the African continent deserve special mention.”

Dr Nizami further stated that “the role of the CEO Clubs Network is to showcase and assist local members get connected with overseas markets from a trade and business point of view and we hope to continue to make a positive impact both locally and globally”.

The highlight of the event was the key topic presentation entitled “Sharing Sparkles In Strategy-Transforming the World by using UAE Paragons”.

Partners of the strategic consulting firm Confluent C shared perspectives on definition and implementation of strategy by referring to several case studies based on their international experience.

Mr Usman Ghani, Chairman, Mr Gerald Turner (USA Partner) and Mr Razi Ansari (UAE Partner) revealed first hand experiences of corporate strategy, both successful stories, including business models that have not worked and what could have been done to improve a company’s bottom-line.

The partners expressed a message that the use of metaphors is a strong and effective communicative tool to drive a company’s performance.