African African LLEGACY EGACYNews FFuellingAfrica’sRise,OneBusinessAtATime uellingAfrica’sRise,OneBusinessAtATime
RootedinTanzania,RisingAcross Africa:TheKOMGroupGrowthStory
With visionary leadership and deep-rooted With visionary leadership and deep-rooted values, KOM Group is laying the groundwork values, KOM Group is laying the groundwork for Africa’s industrial future. for Africa’s industrial future.
FROMCONTAINMENTTOCOMMAND, FROMCONTAINMENTTOCOMMAND, PCSISSETTINGTHESTANDARDFOR PCSISSETTINGTHESTANDARDFOR
AFRICA’SSMARTINFRASTRUCTURE AFRICA’SSMARTINFRASTRUCTURE
At the intersection of engineering and impact,
At the intersection of engineering and impact, PCS is enabling the critical systems behind PCS is enabling the critical systems behind Africa’s modern industrial economy. Africa’s modern industrial economy.
EDITOR Insights Powering Progress: Inside Africa’s New Industrial Age From engineered trust to visionary transformation, meet the companies rewriting the rules of African enterprise. This edition of African Legacy News highlights three enterprises whose contributions go beyond profit; they embody a quiet revolution in how Africa builds, sustains, and leads Process Containment Solutions (PCS), KOM Group of Companies, and Superb Tyres each play a vital role in shaping the continent’s industrial momentum, demonstrating that purposeful business is not only possible, it is already in motion
PCS, at first glance, may appear to be a conventional supplier of industrial products and services But scratch the surface and you’ll find a masterclass in engineered reliability Their systems power essential sectors where failure isn’t an option From IoTenabled pumps to Flowserve-authorised repairs, PCS isn't just supporting infrastructure, it’s engineering certainty Gareth Langton’s leadership signals a new kind of industrial stewardship: humble, high-impact, and human-centred.
Meanwhile, KOM Group is building more than a business, it’s crafting a legacy. Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi leads with clarity and conviction, steering KOM Group with a vision rooted in impact, industrial ambition, and a deep commitment to Africa’s selfsufficiency From agro-processing to mining, KOM doesn’t just operate across sectors, it links them into an economic ecosystem rooted in food security, local ownership and skills development
And then there’s Superb Tyres, steadily keeping Africa’s heavy industries in motion, where performance and uptime are non-negotiable Jerry David’s company is not merely selling high performance tyres; it’s providing uptime solutions for the continent’s most demanding environments
We also touch on two critical continental shifts: cybersecurity’s elevation to boardroom priority, and Africa’s positioning in an increasingly protectionist global trade arena The message is clear: Africa must protect its digital future and define its own trade destiny, through AfCFTA, unified leadership and bold execution
Not handed down by circumstance or dictated by external forces, but deliberately engineered with precision, stewarded through purpose, and led with unwavering intention and resolve Africa’s future will be shaped by those who roll up their sleeves, invest in people, build resilient systems, design solutions for African realities, and refuse to wait for permission to lead boldly
In all these stories, a single truth emerges: Africa’s future won’t be inherited, it will be built.
www africanlegacynews com
Michele van der Walt
Head of Editorial | African Legacy News
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Process Containment Solutions
How Process Containment Solutions Is Driving Africa’s Industrial Flow
KOM Group of Companies KOM Group's strength lies in how well its divisions complement one another.
Cybersecurity at the Top Cybersecurity is now a front-line concern for executive leadership
Superb Tyres
How Superb Tyres Powers Africa’s Heavy Duty Economy
African Trade Tariffs Africa’s Trade Test Begins
Africa stands at the center of a high-stakes trade gamble.
African Leadership Boldly Defined: Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi, at the helm of Tanzania’s most dynamic industrial conglomerate
GoNomad: Powering the Continent’s Global Gig Workforce
GoNomad, quietly building the digital passport for Africa’s remote workforce.
Process Containment Solutions
THEUNSEENFORCE. HOWPROCESS CONTAINMENT SOLUTIONSIS DRIVINGAFRICA’S INDUSTRIALFLOW Where technical excellence meets scalable impact, PCS stands at the forefront, transforming fluid management from a maintenance concern into a catalyst for industrial progress across Southern Africa.
In the complex machinery of a modern economy, some gears turn silently, yet their motion is foundational to everything else In Southern Africa, where innovation meets necessity at every turn, one such silent force is the movement of fluids, a process so fundamental it is often overlooked. From the lifeblood of their client’s water supply to the pulsating veins of industrial operations, the pump industry is the unsung hero, and in this critical space, no name has emerged as more than just a provider of solutions, but as a true custodian of progress: Process Containment Solutions (PCS)
Inaregiondefinedbyitsdynamic challengesandimmensepotential,the journeyofPCSisnotjustabusiness successstory;itisanarrativeof unwaveringcommitment,technical mastery,andanintimateunderstanding ofwhatittakestobuildasustainable future
Fordecades,thenamePCShasbeen synonymouswithexcellence,not throughmeremarketing,butthrougha legacyofperformancethatspeaksfor itself Theyhavebecomethemarket leaderintheSouthernAfricanpump industrybydoingonething exceptionallywell:containingthe process
THEBIGPICTURE Butwhatdoes“processcontainment” trulymean?Itismorethanjuststopping aleakorensuringasteadyflow.Itis aboutsafety Itisaboutefficiency Itis theassurancethatacriticalsystem willperformflawlessly,protectingboth theenvironmentandthepeoplewho relyonit
Itisthequietconfidencethata municipalwatertreatmentplantwill delivercleanwatertothousandsof homes,thatamine’sslurrywillbe managedwithoutincident,andthata chemicalplantwilloperatewith absoluteprecision Thisistherealm wherePCSoperates,anditisarealm wherethereisnoroomfor compromise
AttheheartofPCS’sdominanceisa fusionofglobalstandardsandlocal expertise Thesolutionstheyoffer,from robustcentrifugalpumpstoadvanced meteringsystems,arenotjustproducts; theyaretheculminationofrelentless researchanddevelopment,tailoredto theuniqueandoftenharshoperating conditionsofSouthernAfrica
Theyunderstandthatasolution designedforthefactoriesofEurope maynotwithstandtheabrasive conditionsofadiamondminein Botswanaorthecorrosiveenvironment ofacoastalrefineryinCapeTown This nuanced,on-the-groundintelligenceis theircompetitiveadvantage,turning
technicalspecificati real-worldvalue
AsGarethLangton,P SalesandMarketing
We’re not in the bu fluids, we’re in the empowering our cu safer, sustainable, industries.
PCS’s National Sales & Marketing Manager
It’sastatementthat company’sethosof excellenceandstrat
THEPCSMODEL TRUST,NOTJUS Intheworldwhereu andfailureisn’tano rewrittentheruleso isn’tacompanytha pumps PCSsellsre
Itengineerscontinuity Andindoingso, it’sredefinedwhatitmeanstobea vendorinoneofthemost infrastructure-criticalsectorsonthe continent
Atitscore,PCShasmasteredtheartof turningtransactionalbusinessinto enduringpartnership.Throughdecades oftechnicalprecisionandaftersale commitment,PCShasshiftedthe paradigmfromsuppliertostrategically Clientsaren’tjustbuyingequipment, they’rebuyingaccesstoanelite engineeringteam,comprehensive systemlifecyclemanagement,anda performanceguaranteethatextends wellbeyondinstallation
Thisfull-spectrumapproach,system design,real-timediagnostics,predictive maintenance,hasbecomethe company'scallingcard.It’samodelthat doesn’tjustsolveproblems.Itprevents them It’salsowhyPCSisembedded deepwithintheoperationalDNAof powerplants,miningoperations, petrochemicalfacilities,andwater treatmentplantsacrossSouthern Africa
Butifyouthinkthisisjustabout technicalcapability,thinkagain
technicianswhospendnightsinremote stationstroubleshootingmissioncriticalsystems.Theengineerswho reimaginewhat'spossiblewithevery installation
Theleadershipthatseesaround corners,bettingontechnologynotfor thesakeofnovelty,butformeasurable impact It’sthisquietintensity,thekind youcan’tfake,thatfuelsPCS’s momentum
What’smore,they’renotsimply adaptingtothedigitalfuture,they’re activelyshapingit PCSisoneofthe fewplayersintegratingsmart technologiesintopumping infrastructureatscale:remote diagnostics,IoTsensors,real-time analytics Thisisn’tfuturism It’s functionality,deployednow,inAfrican markets,byAfricanengineers Lookingahead,thesignalsareclear:as populationpressuresriseandindustrial demandsintensify,theneedfor scalable,intelligentfluidsystemswill becomeexistentialtoeconomicgrowth PCSisn’tjustpreparedforthatfuture
It’salreadybuildingit.
Andindoingso,it’sofferingsomething fewengineeringfirmscan,certainty.
STEWARDOFPURPOSE-DRIVEN ENGINEERING GarethLangton’spathintotheindustrial worldwasn’tbydefault,itwasby design Hepivotedintothetechnical trenchesofpumpsystemsand containmentsolutionswithaclear purpose:tofusehigh-stakes engineeringwithaclient-centricethos thatwouldreshapehowindustrial serviceisdeliveredinSouthernAfrica
Fromcoordinatingnationalsalesto shapingPCS’stechnicalbrand,hehas cultivatedaleadershipphilosophy groundedinimpactandintegrity.
Foundedin2013,PCSemergedtomeet agap:locallyengineeredfluid-handling solutionsforharshAfrican environments UnderGareth’sguidance, thecompanyhasgrownintoamultiregionaltechnicalpioneer
My drive is the impact. Knowing that the systems we install directly influence public health, environmental protection and operational safety
PCS’s National Sales & Marketing Manager -Gareth Langton
It’saleadershipstylethatmerges professionalhumilitywithambitious purpose
THEBUSINESSENGINEBEHIND PCS WhatexactlypowersProcess ContainmentSolutions?Peelbackthe layers,andyou’llfindfarmorethana catalogueofindustrialpumps
PCSoperatesatthenexusof engineeringprecisionandmarket necessity It’stheonlyFlowserve authorisedrepairfacilityinSouthAfrica, acredentialthatplacesitinaleagueof itsown Butthat’sjusttheentrypoint
Thecompanydeliversengineered pumpsupply,high-tolerance refurbishment,andmaintenance protocolsbuilttoglobal benchmarks.
Itsuppliescriticalcomponents: high-performancevalves, mechanicalseals,expansionjoints, andcutting-edgecontainment systems
Itstechnicalteamsprovidecustom sealrepair,testing,refurbishment, andmaintenanceservicestailored totheoperationalrealitiesof Africanindustries
PCSalsoofferspredictive diagnostics,skillstraining,andAPIcompliantsystemsdesignedto reducedowntimeandextend equipmentlifespans
Theclientlistreadslikeawho’swhoof essentialindustries:municipalwater systems,miningoperations, petrochemicalgiants,powerproducers,
andlarge-scalemanufacturers Yet PCS’sadvantageisn’tjustbreadth,it’s strategicdepth
“Ourroleisn’ttopushproduct,”explains GarethLangton “Weengineer confidence,solutionsthatfuseworldclasstechnologywithlocaloperating intelligence”
ThatmindsetinformsPCS’slonggame: tobecomethemosttrustednamein fluidhandlingandcontainment solutionsacrosstheAfricancontinent It’savisionanchoredbyregionalhubs, localmanufacturingcapability,anda firmcommitmenttoskillsdevelopment, oneproject,onetechnician,oneplantat atime
MARKETIMPACT& MEASURABLEMOMENTUM Everyenterprisehasitsinflection points,themomentsthatshifta
companyfromcomp credibility ForPCS,o early,deepintheoil Taskedwithdeliverin pressure,bothfigura theteamproveditco high-riskenvironmen wasmorethanatec signaltothemarket: Anothercamewitht expansionintoGaute thebusinessfroma intoanationalplaye groundworkforlong withmajorenergypr farms,chemicalplan sectorinfrastructure relationshipsthatno roleinstrengthening industrialbackbone
Whatbeganasatigh technicalexpertsha cross-disciplinaryop fieldtechnicians,R&
logisticsspecialistsallworkinginsync.Theiroperationalfootprintnowextends beyondSouthAfrica’sborders,withactiveclientsinNamibia,Mozambique, Botswana,andLesotho,coordinatedthroughacentralisedSouthAfricanhub
Thesearen’tjustcontracts Theyareproofpoints,markersofacompanynotjust executing,butshapingtheindustriallandscapearoundit
AskGarethLangtonaboutPCS’sproudestachievement,andhedoesn’tpointtoa balancesheetoraflagshipproject Instead,hespeakstosomethinglesstangible,yet farmorevaluable:
It’s the trust we’ve earned... being the partner of choice when system integrity, uptime, and reliability simply cannot be compromised.
PCS’s National Sales & Marketing Manager
-Gareth Langton
Thattrustisn’tself-declared,it’s hard-won PCSoperatesunder rigorousglobalstandards,holdingISO 9001:2015 andISO45001:2018 certifications ItisalsoaLevel1BBBEEcontributor,underscoringits commitmenttotransformationand inclusivegrowth
Addtothatitslongstanding partnershipwithFlowserve,oneofthe mostrespectednamesinfluidmotion andcontrol,anditbecomesclear:PCS doesn’tjustmeetexpectations;itsets thebenchmarkforothersinthe industrytofollow
WHAT’SNEXT?THEROADAHEAD PCSisn’tstandingstill Thecompany’s nextchapterreadslikeablueprint forAfrica’sindustrialevolution
Topoftheagendaisaboldexpansion intofull-servicesitesolutions,covering everythingfromscheduledshutdown supporttopredictivediagnosticsand long-termmaintenancecontracts.It’samove thatpositionsPCSnotmerelyasacomponent supplier,butasanend-to-endoperationspartner.
Simultaneously,thecompanyisdoublingdownon smartinfrastructure ThinkIoTenabledpumping systems,integratedremotetelemetry,andreal-time analyticsembeddeddirectlyintolegacyinstallations
We’re building a future, where PCS is the most trusted name in process containment on the continent
PCS’s Sales & Marketing Manager -Gareth Langton
Butit’snotjustabouttechnology
There’sapeoplestrategyinplaytoo PCSisinvestinginregionalcapacity throughapprenticeshipschemes, technicaltraininginitiatives,and partnershipswithlocalcolleges, developingnotjustsystems,butthe engineerswhowillonedayrunthem
ABLUEPRINTFORLEGACY
“AtPCS,wedon’tmovefluids,wemove industriesforward Safely Sustainably”
ThatlinefromGarethLangtonisn’ta slogan,it’sathesisstatement, capturingtheethosofacompany whosevalueliesasmuchinforesight asinfunction
TothenextgenerationofAfrican engineers,innovatorsandbusiness leaders,Garethoffersthis:
“Africa’schallengesareundeniable,but soisouropportunity Whatyoubuild,the principlesyouuphold,andtheexcellence youpursuewillshapethecontinent’s trajectoryfordecades”
PCSmayoperateoutofsight,its systemsburiedinmines,treatment plants,andindustrialcorridors,butits imprintisunmistakable Whatitdelivers isn’tjusttechnicalmastery.It’saquiet revolutioninhowAfricabuilds,sustains, andmovesforward,onitsownterms.
StepIntoTheFutu TrustPCStoenginee youroperations,a
wwwpcszacom
Process Con info@pcszacom
BUILTFORGREATN ENGINEERINGAFR KOM In a continent defined by possibility vanguard of industrial transformati energy, mining, and trading, the Gro reshaping Africa’s economic future
of Companies SISHOWKOMGROUPIS XTECONOMICCHAPTER vision, KOM Group of Companies stands as a ns spanning agro-processing, food manufacturing, uilt a formidable business empire, it is actively
Guidedbyamissiontoindustrialise, feed,andfuelthecontinent,KOM Group’sboldtrajectoryreflectsadeeper commitment:tounlockAfrican potential,empowercommunities,and inspirethenextgenerationofbuilders, leaders,andlegacy-makers.
THEARCHITECTUREOF AMBITION IntheheartofEastAfrica,where opportunityoftenmasqueradesas challenge,theKOMGroupof Companieshasbuiltabusinessempire brickbybrick,sectorbysector
Foundedinthelate1990sbyMhoja NkwabiKabalo,amanwhose entrepreneurialcharacterwasforgedin modestbeginningsandadeeplovefor hishomeland,KOMismorethanjusta commercialsuccessstory.Itisa manifestationofoneman'svisionto createlastingvalueforTanzaniaandits people
Kabalo’sjourneyfromahumbletrader toanindustrialistexemplifiesthe
essenceofAfricangritandambition Fuelledbyadesiretoseehisnationrise throughself-sufficiencyandsustainable industry,helaidthefoundationfora groupthatwouldonedaybecomea nationalandcontinentalforce.
Hislegacyisoneofpurpose-driven leadership,wherebusinessgrowthis notjustmeasuredinmarketshare,but inlivestouched,jobscreated,and infrastructurebuilt
Today,KOMGroupisadiversified powerhouseoperatingacrossagroprocessing,foodmanufacturing, industrialgoods,mining,andretail,but atitscore,itremainsanchoredin Kabalo’soriginaldream:tohelpgrowa prosperousTanzania,fromtheground up
Today,itsexpansionstoryisstewarded byDrJescaMhojaNkwabi,asharpeyedCEOwho’sredefiningleadershipin Africanboardrooms.Thisisnotmerely ataleofnumbersorbottomlines Itisa blueprintforwhatAfricanbusinesses canbecomewhenambitionisgrounded
inimpact,andwhen intention.
TRADINGDREAM Thestorybeginsmo
My father began a but he had a relen and an eye for ga
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi - CEO of KOM Group of Companies
In1998,KOMofficia businessKahamaIm andenteredtheTanz initiallyasanimport machineryandspare inacountrywhosee rootedinagriculture
Butitwasn’tlongbe sawanother,morep opportunity:oilproce In2002,KahamaOil launchingKOMGrou
continent’smosturgentchallengesand acriticalpartofitsfuturestability
“Today,ourbakeryhasthecapacityto produce100,000loavesperday,”Dr Nkwabinoteswithquietpride
INDUSTRIALMIGHTMEETS MININGMUSCLE WhileKOMGroup’srootslieinfoodand agriculture,itsbranchesnowextend intomanufacturingandmining,both essentialforbuildingAfricanselfreliance.
Thecompanyproducesplastic householdgoods,pipes,steelproducts, androofingsheets,essential componentsforhousingand infrastructure Butit’stheirentryinto theminingsectorthatsignalsabolder chapterinKOMGroup’sexpansion
We hold mining licenses for gold, graphite, lithium, uranium, gypsum, and precious stones including diamonds.
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi - CEO of KOM Group of Companies agro-processingspace Cottonbecame thebackbone,processedintolint,edible oil,andcottonseedcake
"Hesawwherethesystemfailedfarmers andlocalindustries,"Jescaexplains "So hebuiltacompanythatwouldbecome partofthesolution"
ASERIESOFSTRATEGICPIVOTS WhatdistinguishesKOMGroupfrom manyofitspeersisitscapacityto pivot Notreactively,butproactively,an entrepreneurialphilosophythathas underpinnedeverymovetheGrouphas madeformorethanthreedecades
By2008,thecompanyhaddiversified intoconsumerretailthroughRoyal Supermarket,anunexpectedleapfrom agro-processingbutonethatproved strategicallyastute Attachedtothe retailspacewasRoyalFoodCourt,a diningestablishmentthatevolvedintoa fully-fledgedfoodproductionhub
Thisindustrialfoodproductionfacilityis nowacoreassetforKOM’sambitions infoodsovereignty,oneofthe
Jescasays,“It’sastrategicdecision,we believetheseresources,when harnessedresponsibly,canfundand fuelAfricandevelopment”
Inacontinentwhereforeignextraction hastoooftenmeantvalueleavinglocal communities,KOMGroupisdetermined tochartadifferentcourse:local ownership,sustainableexploration,and long-termreinvestment
VISION2035:BUILDINGA LEGACYTHATLASTS “We’renotjusttryingtogrow,”DrNkwabi emphasises “We’reworkingtowards shapinghowgrowthhappensinAfrica.”
EdibleCottonCookingOil AluminiumRoofingSheets
PVC Pipes
Baked Products
HDPE Pipes
Inthenextfivetotenyears,KOMGr
ScaleAfrica’sFoodSovereigntyEngine Group’sfoodandagro-processingfoot continentalfoodsecurityandnourishc homegrown,high-qualityproduction
Establish a Global Command C Group on the world stage by la international headquarters tha voice in global trade and indus
ExportAfrican Goods:Deliver commodities, self-builtAfrica rootedinadap creation,andl
ExportAfricanIngenuity,No Delivermorethancommod resilient,self-builtAfricanb rootedinadaptability,value empowerment
Launch an Entrepreneurial Acade Future: Build a national platform equipping young Tanzanian inno tools, mentorship, and mindset t wave of Africa’s industrial and e
“Expansion is important,” Dr Nkwabi reflect success lies in how many others we empow
TheforthcomingKOMTrainingAcademyisn socialresponsibilityinitiative,it’sablueprint representsaboldinvestmentinAfrica’snext equippingyoungmindswithpracticalskills,i ofownership,andfosteringtheaudacitytoin continentontherise.
THEKOMDIFFERENCE:DIVERSITYAS WhatmakesKOMGrouptrulydistinctiveisit businessmodel Unlikesingle-sectorcompan commodityfluctuationsorshiftingconsume
operatesacrossfivehigh-impact verticals Thisnotonlycreates economicresiliencebutmultipliesvalue creationacrossthesupplychain
Jescaexplains,
We serve the farmer The trader The builder The retailer The miner But more than that, we serve the vision of an industrialised Africa
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi - CEO of KOM Group of Companies
KOMGroup'sstrengthliesinhowwell itsdivisionscomplementoneanother, importingagriculturalmachineryto servelocalfarmers,processingtheir harvests,distributingfoodproducts throughretail,andreinvestinginto infrastructureandmineraldevelopment It’stheecosystemeffect,onethatturns acompanyintoacatalyst
EMPOWERMENTFROMWITHIN Internally,KOMGroupismorethana workplace It’saleadershippipeline
“Weencouragenewideasandconstant learning,”saysDrNkwabi “From structuredtrainingtomentorshipand cross-functionalexposure,weinvestin ourpeoplebecausetheyareourfuture.”
Underherstewardship,theGrouphas alsoplacedemphasisonwomenin leadership,astancestillrareinAfrican industrialsectors
Whenaskedwhatdrivesher,she doesn’thesitate:
“Africadeservesbetter.And someonehastogofirst.”
AFRICA’S VOICE, LOUD AND CLEAR KOM Group is part of a wider continental movement, African businesses taking back the narrative
African businesses are rewriting history. Africa’s negative perception, painted for so long by Western countries, can no longer hold water African entrepreneurs are now paving the way Moreover, African youth now have role models they can look up to and follow in their footsteps to succeed.
-
African consumers are now demanding local solutions African businesses are delivering them. And in doing so, they are proving that African industrialisation isn’t a dream; it’s an unfolding reality.
“Multinationals must now compete with us,” she says “Not the other way around ”
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi
CEO of KOM Group of Companies
A MESSAGE TO AFRICA’S DAUGHTERS Towardtheendofourinterview,we asked,whatshehopesayounggirl readingthismighttakeawayfromher journey
You are destined for greatness. Learn Master your craft Be exceptional Even if the journey is lonely, the right support will come And when it does, it will lift you higher than you ever imagined. But remember to reach back and lift others too
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi - CEO of KOM Group of Companies
DrJescaMhojaNkwabidoesn’ttalklike aCEOchasingquarterlyearnings.She speakslikeastateswomanof enterprise,someonewhounderstands thatinAfrica,businessismorethan profit,it’spolicy,it’semployment,it’s dignity
KOMGroupofCompaniesisnotjustproducinggoods.Itis confidence It’smanufacturingnotjuststeelandbread,but Africanexcellenceisn’ttheexception,it’stheexpectation.
ForAfricanLegacyNews,thatistherealstory,andthereas Groupisn’tjustacompanytowatch,it’salegacyinmotion.
KOM Gr
Cybersecurity at the Top. The Silent Crisis Threatening Africa’s Corporate Future In boardrooms across Africa, a reckoning is underway. Cy once relegated to the IT department, is now a front-line co executive leadership.
Amid rising digitalisation, the growth of mobile finance, a expanding cloud adoption, African businesses are confro dramatic surge in cyberthreats that are no longer theoret financial, reputational, and operational, and they’re alread
FromLagostoNairobi,Johannesburg toDakar,CEOs,CIOsandCISOsare learningasimpletruth:youcan’tlead whatyoucan’tprotectCybersecurity hasbecomeaboardroomimperative, onethatdefinesnotjustrisk,butlongtermresilience
THETHREATLANDSCAPEIS SHARPANDESCALATING
AccordingtoINTERPOL’s2025African CyberthreatAssessment:
Cybercrimenowaccountsforover 30%ofallreportedcrimeinsome regions
Ransomware,businessemail compromise(BEC),phishing,and databreachesarethemost prevalentanddamagingthreats. Themosttargetedsectorsare finance,healthcare,energy,public services,andincreasingly,SMEs
Cybersecurity is no longer a siloed function It’s an enterprise-wide responsibility and a leadership issue African businesses cannot scale sustainably without digital trust
Confidence Staveley, - Founder of CyberSafe Foundation
LEADERSHIPUNDERPRESSURE, ABOARDROOMAWAKENING
Africanexecutivesarebeginningto recognisethescaleandseverityof cyberthreats,withmanyinitiatingpolicy reviews,appointingCISOs,andinvesting inbasicprotections,butprogress remainsunevenand,inmanycases, dangerouslyslowcomparedtothepace andsophisticationofevolvingattacks
A2024KPMGsurveyfoundthatonly 38%ofAfricanCEOsreported havingcyber-riskfullyintegrated intoboard-leveldiscussions
Lessthanhalfhadatestedcyber incidentresponseplan
Meanwhile,thefinancialsectorin SouthAfricaalonefaced ransomwarelossesexceeding R400millionin2023,accordingto TrendMicro’sAfricareport
“Everycyberattackisnotjustatech failure,it’saleadershipfailure,”warns KendiNtwiga,GlobalHeadof MisrepresentationatMetaandformer MicrosoftKenyacountrydirector.“CEOs mustownthecyberagenda”
INTERSWITCH, NIGERIA, EMBEDDING CYBERSECURITY INTO THE CORE OF FINTECH LEADERSHIP
Segun Aina, Chairman of Interswitch Group, exemplifies executive foresight in the realm of digital risk management
Underhisleadership fintechpowerhouse cybersecurityasaco growthstrategy
In2024,thecompan proprietaryinternalC System,integratingi productdevelopmen fraudpreventionme
Thisforward-thinking astrategicunderstan cybersecurityisnotm complianceobligatio differentiatorandav
inAfrica’sincreasinglydigitised financialecosystem
CLOSING THE HUMAN GAP. TRAINING CORPORATE LEADERS AND TEAMS TO STRENGTHEN CYBER RESILIENCE
Africanenterprisesremainacutely vulnerabletocyberthreatsduetoa criticalshortageofcybersecurity professionals,estimatedatfewerthan twoper100,000peopleacrossmostof
thecontinent,alongsidelowdigital awarenessamongnon-technicalstaff andinadequateinvestmentintraining andendpointprotection Inresponse,awaveofstrategic initiativesisemerging.
InKenya,Safaricomisleadingthe chargebyofferingcyberboot campstailoredspecificallyfor boardmembers,recognisingthe needfortop-downcyberliteracy MTNGrouphasinstitutionalised cybersecuritydrillswithinitsannual
executiveretreats,reinforcing executiveaccountability
Meanwhile,Ghana’sCyberSecurity Authorityiscollaboratingwiththe privatesectortorolloutsectorspecificdigitalhygienetraining programmes,markingashiftfrom passivecompliancetoactivecyber readinessacrossindustries
REGULATORYMOMENTUMAND COMPLIANCEPRESSURE
Newlegislationisforcingcorporate hands,compellingAfricanbusinesses tomovefromvoluntarycybersecurity measurestomandatorycompliance frameworks Acrossthecontinent, governmentsareenactingrobustdata protectionandcybersecuritylawsthat arefundamentallyreshapingcorporate accountability
KeylegislationincludesSouthAfrica’s ProtectionofPersonalInformationAct (POPIA),Nigeria’sDataProtection Regulation(NDPR),Kenya’sData ProtectionAct,Ghana’sCybersecurity Act,andMorocco’sLawNo.09-08on theprotectionofpersonaldata Eachof theseframeworksimposesstricter requirementsonhowcompanies collect,store,process,andprotect sensitiveinformation
Theselawsdomorethanintroduce compliancechecklists,theycarrysteep financialpenalties,mandateproactive governance,andrequireorganisations todemonstrateclearstrategiesforrisk assessmentandincidentresponse In SouthAfrica,forinstance,non compliancewithPOPIAcanleadto finesofuptoR10million,withpersonal liabilityextendingtodirectorsincertain cases
Asenforcementtightens,the consequencesofnon-complianceare nolongertheoretical Finesare mounting,andreputationaldamage frombreachescanresultinlasting erosionofcustomertrust,investor confidence,andbrandvalue Cybersecurity,therefore,isnolonger justatechnicalconcern,ithasbecome
afiduciarydutyforexecutivesandboard members Leadersarenowexpectedto possessaworkingunderstandingof theirorganisation’scyberpostureand toensurethatadequatesafeguards, governancestructures,andreporting mechanismsareinplace Inthis evolvingregulatoryenvironment, inactionorignoranceisincreasingly regardedasnegligence,inboth boardroomsandcourtrooms
“We’re moving from persuasion to enforcement. Leaders who wait for a breach to act are failing in their governance responsibilities
Dr. Bright Gameli Mawudor, - Head of Cybersecurity at MARA
THERISEOFTHECISO Themostforward-thinkingAfrican businessesarenolongertreating cybersecurityasasiloedITfunction, they’reelevatingittotheheartof strategicleadership Agrowingnumber oforganisationsareappointingChief InformationSecurityOfficers(CISOs)to theirexecutiveteams.
InprogressivefirmssuchasVodacom, FirstRand,andAccessBank,CISOsare notjustguardiansofdigital infrastructure,they’rebecoming architectsoflong-termresilienceand digitaltrust Theseleadersarenow gainingauthorityovercybersecurity budgets,securingaseatatthe executivetable,andreportingdirectlyto theCEOorboardofdirectors Thisshift signalsabroaderrecognitionthat cybersecurityisnolongerjusta technicalsafeguard,butastrategic pillarofenterprisestability,customer confidence,andregulatorycompliance
CALLTOACTION,FROMRISK MANAGEMENTTODIGITAL STEWARDSHIP Theplaybookformoderncorporate leadershipinAfricaisbecoming increasinglyclear,andnon-negotiable First,board-leveleducationisessential
Cybersecuritymustbecomeastanding itemoneveryboardagenda,with directorsequippedtounderstandnot onlytherisksbutalsothestrategic implicationsofdigitalthreats.Acyberliterateboardisbetterpositionedto makeinformeddecisionsontechnology investments,governanceframeworks, andriskappetite.
Second,cybersecurityfundingmustbe prioritised.notsimplyasacompliance cost,butasacompetitiveadvantage In anerawherecustomerdata,intellectual property,andoperationalcontinuityare constantlyatrisk,organisationsthat underinvestinsecurityexpose themselvestofinanciallosses, reputationaldamage,andregulatory penalties Companiesthattakesecurity seriouslysignaltrustworthinessto partners,investors,andclientsalike Finally,trustmustbeembeddedatthe coreofthebusiness Thismeans
integratingcybersec ofproductdevelopm userdataisprotecte meanstrainingcusto handledatarespons brandmessagingwi transparencyanddig marketplace,trustis strategicassetthatd securesloyalty,and volatiledigitalecono
DIGITALTRUSTS Africa’sdigitalecono butsoareitsvulnera continent’sleadersh Organisationsthatth decadewillbethose this:trustisnotaby itisthefoundationo
Inthisnewera,cybersecurityis leadership.
SUPERB TYRES South Africa’s standout commercial tyre specialist is delivering uptime, durability and scale to industries that move the continent.
Superb Tyres KEEPINGMACHINESINMOTION Onaheavyhaulroute,afleetofhaul truckspausesformaintenance Amid roaringenginesanddustcoated vehiclesstandsSuperbTyres’smobile serviceteam,removingwornOTRtyres, fittingreplacements,andgettingrigs backtoworkwithprecision Thisscene capturestheessenceofSuperbTyres:a trustedpartnerinensuringproductivity foroperationswheredowntimecosts millions.
AsAfricanLegacyNewsprofilesthis robustSouthAfricanbusiness,itstands asproof:specialisedenterprisesrooted intechnicalmasteryandservice integritycandriveimpactacross Africa’sindustrialheartlands.
Fromminingbeltstoagricultural regions,frommajorlogisticscorridors toremoteconstructionsites,Superb Tyresishelpingtokeepthecountry’s economyinmotion,onedurabletyreat
atime SpecialisingexclusivelyinOTR (OffTheRoad),truck,tractor, earthmovingandindustrialmachinery tyres,SuperbTyresservessectorssuch asmining,construction,agriculture, logistics,agricultural,andindustrial Inacontinentacceleratingintra-African tradeandurbaninfrastructurebuildout, itsservicesarevitaltokeepingvital supplychainsmoving
FROMGRITTOGEAR JerryDavidfoundedSuperbTyresover twodecadesagowithasingularvision: tobecomeSouthAfrica’strusted partnerincommercialandindustrial tyresolutions Drivenbyavisionto bridgegapsinservicereliabilitywithin industrialtyresupport,Jerrysetoutwith onebranchandaconviction:heavyduty sectorsdeserverobustcare,notjust productdelivery.
Underhisleadership,thecompany expandedfrommanualstock managementandreactiveservicetoa fullsuiteofonsitemaintenance,tyre repair,solidtyrepressingandrim
supply Growthwa purposeful,eachm elevatinginstitutio
If machines keep A moving, then tyres engines of enterpri Superb Tyres to ma machines never sto
BUSINESSMODE PRECISIONMEE
WhatSuperbTyres
Suppliesnewan secondhandty tractors,mining excavators,fork skidsteers,grad Offersonsiteb maintenancean includingstripp Providessolidt andrimsupply, RemaTipTopre
- Founder of Superb Tyres
SuperbTyreshasearneditsreputation throughtrustedallianceswithsomeof themostrespectednamesintheglobal tyreindustry Thecompanysuppliesa widerangeofcommercialandindustrial tyresfromleadingbrandsincluding AustoneTires,Dunlop,Bridgestone, Michelin,Tercelo,Goodyear,and Yokohama
Butitistheirstatusasanauthorised dealerofJKTyrethatpositionsthem uniquelywithintheAfricanmarket.This strategicpartnershipwithJKTyre,a globalpowerhousewithdeeprootsin performanceengineeringand innovation,givesSuperbTyresa competitiveedgeindeliveringhigh-load, high-performancetyresolutionstailored forAfricanterrainsandindustries
Thecollaborationbringsnotonly premiumproductstomarketbutalso sharedtechnicalexpertise,rigorous qualitystandards,andacommitmentto long-termvalue Together,SuperbTyres andJKTyrearebuildingarobustsupply pipelinethatmeetsthedemandsof Africa’srapidlyevolvingindustrialand logisticssectors
VISION&STRATEGICFOCUS Jerryframesthecompany'smissionas ensuringuptimeforoperatorswho powerAfrica’sindustrialbackbone,with scalablereliability,on-site responsiveness,andproductbreadth thatindustriestrust
Growthstrategyemphasisesdepth, advancingmobileserviceinfrastructure, developingB2Bfleetpartnerships,and offeringpredictivemaintenance insightsviadigitaltools,ratherthan overextendinggeographicreach
MARKETIMPACT SuperbTyres’simpactisfeltacross multiplesectors:
Mining&Industrial:criticaltyre supportforhaultrucks, undergroundvehicles,andmining machinerywithcomplextyre specifications
Construction:loaders,graders, concretetruckfleetsacrossAfrica
Agriculture&MaterialHandling: tractortyres,skidsteertyres,forklift solutionsforfarmsandlogistics hubs
Solidreputationincontracting, warehousing,andfleetoperations requiringuptimeassurance.
Withovertwodecadesintheindustry, SuperbTyresservicesavastnumberof
unitsannually,maintainssteadyB2B retention,andhasbuiltpartnerships withglobalbrands.
SuperbTyresisalsoproudtobean authorisedagencyforLasZirh,a globallyrecognisedbrandrenownedfor itsheavy-dutytyreprotectionchains. OriginatingfromTurkeyandwitha legacyspanningmorethanfour decades,LasZirhhasbecome synonymouswithdurability,safety,and innovationinindustrialenvironments
Theirprotectionchainsa theworld’stoughestwork wheretyrepreservationis
InAfrica,whereindustria faceunforgivingterraina workloads,LasZirhhasp roleinextendingthelifeo (off-the-road)tyreswhile safetyandmachineuptim
Bybringingthispowerful underitsdistributionumb Tyresenhancesitsvalue offeringclientsnotonlyp productsbutalsoworld-c systemsthatmitigatewe performanceinthemost applications.
Thisstrategicagencycem Tyres’positionasatotal withinSouthAfrica’sand industrialsectors.
Clientsuccessstories,su roundforminingfle onalpeaks,undersco ility.
ghprivatelyheldand putationoutpacesm etitorsthankstosp icalcapability,andt
ROADAHEAD:SC BILITY
rbTyresisnowpois ct:
Expanding mobile tyr serve remote logistics corridors, and agricul
Exploring partnership hubs and trade corrid aligned with AfCFTA and booming industri
Withinthenext3–5years aimstobecomearegion supplyofpremiumcomm industrialtyres,expandin neighbouringcountriesw thetrustandreliabilitytha
ROLLING WITH PURPOSE ForJerryDavid,SuperbTyresismore thanasupplier,itisapledgeto purposefulreliability
Africa’s industrial future demands scale, but scale without service is just noise. We choose to lead with both performance and trust Hismessagetoemergingleadersand policymakers:inheavyindustry, excellenceisoperational,andintyres, everylayermatters Ifthemachinesthat buildAfricarestuponwhatkeepsthem rolling,thencompanieslikeSuperb Tyresdeservecentrestage
AsAfricanLegacyNewsprofilesthis dynamicenterprise,itstandsasproof: specialisedcompaniesbuilton technicalmasteryandserviceintegrity canshapecontinent-wideimpact,one tyreatatime
+27(0)118153238
jerry@superbtyrescoza wwwsuperbtyrescoza
Heads or Tail, with Africa on the Line
WhileWashingtondefendsthetariff hikesasacorrectivemeasureto addresstradeimbalances,thefallout forAfricahasbeenswiftandsevere In Lesotho,atextilefactoryonce supplyingmajorUS retailersshuttered operationsamidpolicywhiplash,tariffs spikedto50%,thendroppedto15%,but bythenthedamagewasdone Orders werecancelled,confidenceevaporated, andthousandsofjobswerelost SouthAfrica,meanwhile,nowcontends withsteepUS dutiesthatthreatento erodehard-wonadvantagesunderthe AfricanGrowthandOpportunityAct (AGOA),theU.S.tradeinitiative launchedin2000tospureconomic developmentthroughduty-freeaccess Inresponse,Pretoriahasscrambledto deploytradediplomacyandestablish exportsupportmechanismstoshield vulnerablesectors
Thisgeopoliticaltraderupture crystallisesastarkreality:Africacanno longerstayneutralintechstandards, supplychains,climatetechnologyor investmentflowsasglobalblocsviefor influence
ATESTOFAFRICA’STRADE INDEPENDENCE ARhetoricalPressureTest
Africandiplomatsnowfacediplomatic pressureto“picksides”instandards, 5Gecosystems,investmentnormsorAI governance Yetrealpowerliesin collectivenegotiationunderAfrican ContinentalFreeTradeArea(AfCFTA), notinreactivealignment
AfCFTAasNegotiationLeverage WamkeleMene,thefirst SecretaryGeneraloftheAfCFTA Secretariat,hasconsistently emphasisedthatthecontinent’sunity undertheAfCFTAismorethan ideological,itiseconomicleverage madetangible
Inafragmentedworldorderwhere smallereconomiesareoftenforcedto acceptthetermsofdominantpowers,
Africa’scollectiveframeworkoffers somethinglongdenied:negotiating powerthroughscale,coherence,and clarityofpurpose
“Wearenolongerattheperipheryof globaltradeconversations,”Menehas stated “Weareatthetable,witha mandatethatreflectstheaspirationsof 14billionpeople”[source:World EconomicForum,2024]
TheBrookingsInstitutionestimatesthat Africa’sexportscouldriseby32%by 2035duetoAfCFTA-enabledtrade diversification Morecompellingstill, foreigndirectinvestment(FDI)could increasebyasmuchas159%,a reflectionofrisinginvestorconfidence inapredictable,rules-basedcontinental market
YetthepromiseofAfCFTAisnotselfexecuting Realisingthistransformation demandsanunflinchingfocuson implementation Thatmeansbuilding technicalandregulatorycapacity acrossallmemberstatestoenforce rulesoforigin,soonlygoodsgenuinely madeinAfricaqualifyforpreferential treatment,anessentialguardrail againsttradedeflectionfromexternal economies
Italsorequiresthed tariffbarriers,fromd proceduresandbord incompatibleproduc silentlychokecrossWithoutstreamlined harmonisedcertifica mutualtrustbetween dreamofafluid,con remainspaper-thin
Digitalinfrastructure Ase-commerce,digi cross-borderfintech movedecisivelytoe digitaltradeprotoco cybersecurityframew merelyaboutcatchin shapingglobaldigita fromanAfricanpers Finally,Africamuste forumswithaunified mandate,backedby consensus Dividedv G20summitsdilute influence Aconsolid alignedwiththeAfric 2063,givesAfricath muscletosecurebe everythingfromclim rulestotechnologyt investmentprotectio
Inessence,AfCFTAoffersthe architecture,butbuildingAfrica’strade destinywilldependonpoliticalwill, cross-sectorcoordination,and institutionalintegrity Anythingless risksallowingthecontinent’smost ambitioustradeagreementtobecome anothermissedopportunity
EXPERTVOICESONTHESTAKES AccordingtoProfessorKenIfe(quoted viaAllAfrica),theintensifyingUSChina tariffescalation,markedbyretaliatory dutiesashighas85%,“couldhave severeconsequencesforNigeriaand otherAfricaneconomies,”especiallyas supplychainscontractandAfrica remainslargelyimportdependent.
Economistsandtradeobserverswarn thataprotractedtradewarthreatens Africanexportsandcleantechnology supplychainsalike,undermining manufacturingandenergytransitions
DEFININGAFRICA’SOWNTRADE DESTINY Tradeindependencestartswitha collectivevoice Africamust leverageAfCFTAtonegotiatetrade rulesandnotwaitforthem
Diversifybeyondextractives Scalingmanufacturingandregionalvaluechains underAfCFTAcanreducesensitivitytogeopoliticalshocksandtariffdisruptions
Engageasone.AUleadership,ledtodaybyPresidentJoãoLourençoand CommissionChairMahamoudYoussouf,needstoconveneanextraordinary Africanatradestrategysummit,framingcontintentwidepositionsfornegotiating withtheUS,EUandChina
Proposemutuallybeneficialtradearchitecture Africashouldreframetradewith theU.S.notascharitybutasstrategic,givenitsimportanceincriticalminerals, laboursupplyandcleanenergyvaluechains
AGENCYOVERALLIANCE ThisisAfrica’smomenttostepoutoftheroleofpassivepassengerintheturbulence ofglobaltradewarsandintothepositionofmasterbuilder,designingtheblueprint ofitsowneconomicdestiny
Fortoolong,tariffshocksandshiftingmarketpreferenceshavedictated Africa’stermsofengagement Thatcyclemustend Thefuture liesinengineeringacontinentaltradearchitecturethatis anchoredinunity,drivenbyindustrialambition,andcalibrated forglobalparity.
Truesovereigntyintradeisnotgranted,itisearnedthrough strategicpositioning,boldnegotiation,andtheabilityto saynowhenthetermsarenotinAfrica’sfavour AfCFTAprovidesthescaffolding,butitwilltake disciplineandvisiontoturnitintoafortressof economicresilience
Inthisgeopoliticalrealignment,theAfricannations thatwillthrivearethosethattreattradediplomacy asacorestatecraftskill,buildingAfCFTA sufficiency,cultivatingdiversifiedexportportfolios, andpresentingaunitedcontinentalfrontinevery globalforum
Thechoiceisclear:Africacanbeastageonwhich othersactouttheirpowerplays,oritcanbethe architect,scriptwriter,anddirectorofitsown economicfuture
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP REDEFINED BOLDLY Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi
Tanzania’s Industrial Pathfinder Building an Agro-Empire Rooted in Local Solutions and Global Vision.
Atjust33yearsold,DrJescaMhoja Nkwabistandsatthehelmofoneof Tanzania’smostdynamicindustrial conglomerates:theKOMGroupof Companies.
Fromitsearlyfocusonedibleoil processingtoadiversifiedportfolio spanninginfrastructurematerials,agroprocessing,andretail,KOMnow operatesacross26regions,employs morethan400staff,andmodelswhat
African-grownindustrialstrategycan looklikeinaction
ArmedwithaDoctorateinBusiness Administrationandgloballeadership credentials,DrNkwabihasusedher technicalinsight,commercialforesight, andpeople-firstethostorepositionKOM asaself-sustainingindustrial ecosystem Hermantra:“Expansion,yes Butcapacitybuildingisthetruemeasure ofoursuccess”
ROOTEDINLEGAC VISION Raisedinafamilywh wasmorethanalive ofthinking,DrJesca’ wascultivated,notha
Observingherparent howtospotmarketg risks,andbuildwithl
Butshedidn’tmerely sharpenedit Heraca includeaDBAfromt WestofScotland,aM InternationalBusines DeMontfortUniversi leadershipprogramm Harvard
Eachsteppreparedh beyonditsorigins W executiveleadership, continuation,itwast restructuringthebus expandingitssectora introducingamindse
FROMMANUFACT MOVEMENT.KOM PAN-AFRICANVIS UnderDrJescaNkwa Grouphasevolvedin diversifiedmanufact group.
Itscoreoperationssp processingfromcott sunflower,animalfee andHDPEpipeextru aluminiumroofing,a manufacturingofpla furnitureandhouseh
Complementingitsin alsooperatesretailo supermarkets,bakeri restaurants,position aproducerandprovi chainsacrossTanza
Herstrategicleaders integrationatthecor processingwithretai logistics,andenginee capitaldevelopment
This transformation wasn’t accidental, it was architected And today, KOM operates not just as a supplier, but as a national contributor to job creation, selfsufficiency, and East Africa’s industrial resilience
Our business is designed to respond to Tanzania’s needs, but it is built with Africa’s future in mind.
Dr
Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi - CEO of KOM Group of Companies
LEADERSHIPINACTION: STRUCTURE,INNOVATION, ANDSCALE OneofDrNkwabi’sfirstimperativesas CEOwastorebuildtheorganisation’s backbone,upgradingoperationswith technicalexperts,skilledengineers,and state-of-the-artequipmentsourced globallybutlocalisedforTanzanian conditions.
Ratherthanscalingforvolumealone, herstrategyfocusedonquality, consistency,andtrust KOMinvested heavilyinpackagingtechnology,food safetysystems,andprocessefficiency tomeettheevolvingneedsofboth commercialandhouseholdclients
Asaleader,shebalancesdata-driven decision-makingwithapeople-centered managementstyle,creatinga workplaceculturethatnurtures ownership,continuousimprovement, andaccountability
GLOBALTHINKING,LOCAL IMPACT DrNkwabi’svisionextendsfarbeyond Tanzanianborders Sheseestrade diplomacyandregionalintegrationas essentialleversforAfrican industrialisation
HerparticipationintheTürkiye, TanzaniaBusinessForuminApril2024 reinforcedherfocusoncross-border partnershipsinconstruction,agromanufacturing,andmining KOM’sgrowthroadmapincludes regionalexpansionintoZambiaand
Rwanda,withfutureambitionstocreate satelliteproductionhubsacrossthe continent
“Africacan’taffordtooutsourceits valuechains Ourfutureliesin producing,processing,packagingand distributingrighthere,withAfrican skills,brands,andownership”
LEGACYTHINKING:DEVELOPING AFRICA’SNEXTINDUSTRIALISTS Truetoherbeliefininclusivegrowth,Dr Nkwabiisdeeplycommittedto mentorshipandyouthempowerment
ThroughplatformslikeLionessesof Africa,YoungWomenEntrepreneurs, andWomenEmpowermentNetwork, DearNewFounderandLetustalk businesswithDr.JescaNkwabishe sharesherjourneyandopensdoorsfor aspiringAfricanfounders.
Furthermore,sheisaneducationand businessconsultant.Throughher consultingbusinessFrazmo Consultancyshehelpsstudentstoget admissionabroadandsheoffers researchandbusinessadvisory services
Herideaoflegacyisnotdefinedby companysize,butbythemultiplier effectshecancreate
When a woman leads in manufacturing, she doesn’t just change her balance sheet, she changes her community.
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi - CEO of KOM Group of Companies
Herleadershipmodelcentreson systemsbuilding,successionplanning, andensuringthebusinessremains adaptable,relevant,andresilientinthe decadestocome
DrJescaMhojaNkwabiisnotmerelya CEO,sheisabuilderofindustries, institutions,andfutures Herleadership redefineswhatAfricanmanufacturing canbe:intelligent,inclusive, infrastructure-led,andunapologetically local
WITH PURPOSE. AFRICAN-MADE, GLOBALLY RESPECTED
SECTORvsCOREOFFERING Agro-Processing;Cookingoil,animal feedInfrastructureManufacturing:PVC &HDPEpiping,steeltubing,aluminium roofingConsumerPlastics:Basins, buckets,chairsRetail:Supermarket, bakery,restaurants,pharmacies.
StaffEmployed:400+ RegionalPresence:26regionsin Tanzania
RECENTACCOLADES CO-winnerAfricanFemaleBusinessLeader OftheYear,ABLA2025
YoungAfricanBusinessLeaderoftheYear, ABLA2024
YoungBusinessLeaderoftheYear2024
ManufacturingGroupCEOoftheYear, Tanzania
Runner-Up,YoungAfricanLeaderoftheYear, ALMPOTY2024
WHATSETSDRNKWABIAPART?
TransformationalStrategy:Fromniche processingtocross-sector manufacturing
Evidence-BasedDecisions:Academic rigourmeetscommercialinsight CapacityDevelopment:Prioritising skilledteamsandknowledgetransfer. LocalisationwithScale:Regional production,global-qualitysystems MentorshipMindset:Investinginthe nextgenerationofAfricanleaders
Fromcottonfieldstoconstruction corridors,fromfoodsecuritytogender equity,DrNkwabiembodiesthekindof leadershipAfricaneeds,visionary, strategic,andboldlydefined ThisistrulyAfricanLeadershipBoldly Defined
HOWGONOMA Digital Springboard for Africa’s Independent Talent
Africantalenthasalwaysbeenglobal,just askthethousandsofdesignersinNairobi servingSiliconValley,orLagos-based developersbuildingappsforLondon startups.Butuntilrecently,whatthey didn’thavewerethetoolstotransact globally.Toissueprofessionalinvoices. Toreceiveinternationalpaymentsswiftly. Tooperatewithinthelaw
That’schanging.Fast.
AttheheartofthisshiftisGoNomad,a Nigerian-foundedfintechplatform
MEETGONOMAD:TURNING SOLOPRENEURSINTOGLOBAL OPERATORS Foundedin2021byUkeEnunJnrand histeam,GoNomadhasbuiltafullstackdigitalplatformthatallowsusers to:
IncorporateaUSorUKbusiness (completewithEIN,bankaccount, andvirtualaddress)
Sendmulti-currencyinvoicesand paymentlinksviaGoNomad Commerce™
Filetaxes,registerIP,andaccess compliancetools,automatically
GoNomadStart™iswhattheycallthe “entryvisa”intoglobalcommerce With it,userssidesteptheclunkyprocesses ofregisteringoverseasbusinesses, openingforeignbankaccounts,or decodingtaxrules
Morethanjusttech,it’sapositioning tool:suddenly,agraphicdesignerin GhanacanissueaVAT-compliant invoicetoaDutchclient,whilea copywriterinRwandacanpitchto Americanagenciesasanincorporated business,notabanklessPayPaluser hopingforaworkaround
ANEWDIASPORACOMMERCE PLAYBOOK “Talentisabundant,yes.Butaccessis stillconstrainedbyoutdatedsystems, ” notesKemiAdebayo,aLagos-based fintechadvisor “Theinfrastructureto invoice,toprotectIP,tostaycompliant acrossborders,that’swhereplatforms likeGoNomadarefillingthegap. ”
BUILDINGBORDERLESS INFRASTRUCTURE:GONOMAD ISN’TALONE GoNomadisoneplayerinanemerging ecosystemoftoolstailoredforAfrica’s globalisedgigeconomy Amongits peers:
AFRIKABAL:Builtonblockchain,it allowsagri-entrepreneursand farmerstotradeacrossborders withsmartcontracttraceability.It’s digitisingAfrica’sinformaltrade sector,startingwithagricultural supplychains
CDIALAI:TheIndigenius-powered platformoffersAItoolsthat translateover180African languages It'snotjustakeyboard, it’sabridgeforglobalservice providersandlocalprofessionalsto collaborateseamlessly,evenacross languagebarriers
ThestoryGoNomadistellingisn’t isolated,it’spartofalargerdiaspora commercerevolution,wheretoolsbuilt forAfricanrealitiesareunlockingglobal markets
quietlybuildingwhatcouldbecomethe digitalpassportforAfrica’sremote workforce Byofferingbusiness incorporationinjurisdictionsliketheUS andUK,professionalinvoicingtools, andcompliantpaymentreception, GoNomadenablesAfricanfreelancers tofunctionlikeinternationalenterprises, withouteverleavingthecontinent
GoNomad exists so African entrepreneurs can build global businesses on African soil
Uke Enun Jnr - CEO and co-founder of GoNomad
AccordingtotheWorldBank,Africa’s digitalservicestradeissettosurpass $1trillionwithinthenextdecade The freelanceeconomyaloneisexploding: platformslikeUpworkandFiverrreport triple-digitgrowthintalentacquisition fromcountrieslikeKenya,Nigeria,and SouthAfrica
Butthere'sacaveat.
Midddleman:Focusedon procurement,thisGooglefor StartupsAcceleratoralumnushelps AfricanSMEssourceproducts directlyfromChina,managing everythingfromsupplierverification tocustoms
Together,thesetoolsformapowerful infrastructurestack.Notjustdigital tools,butenablersofscale,legitimacy, andglobalreach
REALSTORIES,REALSHIFTS: FROMINFORMALHUSTLETO GLOBALBRAND
TakeTemi,aNigerianvirtualassistant who,beforeGoNomad,reliedon piecemealpaymentplatformsand
WhatsAppinvoices “Itwasexhausting andunprofessional,”shesays “One clientaskedifIwaslegit Thatstung” Today,TemioperatesunderaUKregisteredentity,invoicesinpounds, andevenholdsacompanydebitcard issuedthroughGoNomad Heraverage projectvaluehastripled.“Clientsnow takemeseriously I’mnolongerjusta freelancer,I’mabusiness.”
MultiplyTemi’sstorybythousands DevelopersinKampala.Architectsin Accra ConsultantsinAbidjan These arenolongerisolatedcases Theyare theearlychaptersofanewAfrican businessnarrative
BREAKINGTHROUGH TRADITIONALPAINPOINTS ThechallengesGoNomadandits ecosystempeersaddressaredeeprooted:
Traditionalbanksoftenblockor delayforeignpayments,citing complianceorpaperwork.
GlobalplatformslikePayPalor Striperestrictaccessinmany Africancountries
Legalambiguityaround internationalinvoicingandIP protectiondiscourageslong-term growth.
Perceptiongapsmakeitharderfor Africanfreelancerstocharge premiumrates
Thesefrictionscollectivelydiminish Africa’sshareoftheglobalfreelance economy,notduetolackofskill,but duetolackofinfrastructure
GoNomadistacklingthesebottlenecks systematically:providinglegitimacy, simplifyingcompliance,andunlocking trustedpayments
FROMLAGOSTOTHEWORLD: INVESTORCONFIDENCEIS GROWING GoNomad’sinclusionintheGooglefor StartupsAcceleratorAfrica2025, alongsideotherfuture-forwardstartups likeMidddleman,underscoresits significance Selectedfromover1,500 applicants,thesestartupsarenotjust “buildingcoolapps”Theyaresolving foundationalproblemsthatlimit Africa’seconomicparticipation
Googleisoffering cloudcredits,alo support,investor advocacy.Thisis ontheinfrastruct economy.
Andit’sabettha
THEPOLICYPATHAHEAD: WHATMUSTHAPPENNEXT
Forthisdigitallea broadersystems Policymakers,reg bodiesmust:
Harmonisebu frameworksa countries. Enablediaspo andtaxsyste Investindigit innovation,an interoperabili
Failuretodosor waveofAfricanf newkindofinform time,butjustasl
EXPERTVOICESFROMTHEFIELD “Thisisn’tjustfintech.It’sinfrastructure.It’seconomic freedom,”UkeEnunJnr,CEO,GoNomad
“Thebiggestfrictioninremotecollaborationisn’tmoney, it’strust ToolslikeGoNomadhelpbuildthattrust,one invoiceatatime”NanaMensah,Ghanaiansoftware entrepreneurandremoteworkadvocate
“Languageshouldneverbeabarriertobusiness WithAI toolslikeCDIAL’sIndigenius,we’reunlockinguntapped talentacrossthecontinent”YinkaIyinolakan,Founder, CDIALAI
NOBORDERS,NOLIMITS Africa’sworkforceisnolongerdefinedbywhereitlives, butbywhatitcando ToolslikeGoNomadarenotjust enablingpayments Theyareenablingpresence, professionalism,andpossibility
FromLagostoLondon,KigalitoKualaLumpur,Africa’s gigworkforceissteppingontotheglobalstage,notas underdogs,butasundeniableplayers
WelcometoAfricawithoutborders.Notjusta futurebutastrategyalreadyinmotion.
THEAFRICANBUSINESSEVENTSFORE KeyExposDrivingGrowthandPartnersh WHXCAPETOWN(FORMERLY AFRICAHEALTH)
Africa’sleadinghealthcareandlab expo,showcasinginnovationsacross imaging,diagnostics,infrastructure,and wellnessthroughconferencesand networkingforums.
2–4September2025
CapeTownInternationalConventionCentre (CTICC),SouthAfrica
MEETINGSAFRICA2026
PremierMICE(Meetings,Incentives, Conferences,Exhibitions)tradeshow, includingaBusinessOpportunity NetworkingDayandprogrammingon emergingtrendsintheeventssector.
23–25February2026
SandtonConventionCentre,Johannesburg,South Africa
AFRICA’STRAVELINDABA2026 Broad-basedtourismtradeshow featuringB2Bnetworkingandregional tourismproductshowcases.
11–14May2026
InkosiAlbertLuthuliInternationalConvention Centre,Durban,SouthAfrica
AGRITECHWESTAFRICA2025 Apremieragribusinessand agri‑technologytradeexhibitioninWest Africa,providingacomprehensive showcaseacrosstheagriculturalvalue chain
19–20September2025
AccraInternationalConferenceCentre(AICC), Accra,Ghana
WORLDADVANCED
MANUFACTURING&LOGISTICS EXPO
AdvancedManufacturing&Logistics expoencompassingrobotics,supply chainautomation,EVs,AI,andgreen technologies.
20–22January2026
FoireInternationaledeCasablanca,Casablanca, Morocco
AFRICAAEROSPACE&DEFENCE EXPO(AAD2026) Biennialaerospaceanddefencetrade expocombinedwithanairshow, attractingregionalandglobal stakeholders.
16–20September2026
AFBWaterkloof,Centurion,SouthAfrica
LAGOSINTERNAT FAIR(LITF) WestAfrica’slargesttradefair, spanningdiversebusinesssectorswith B2Bmatchmakingacross10days. BeginsfirstFridayofNovember2025
TafawaBalewaSquare,Lagos,Nigeria
COSMETICAALG Leadingbeautyandpe showcasingskincare,salonsupplies, rawmaterials,andhygieneproducts.
21–24January2026
CentralPavilion,PalaisdesExpositions(SAFEX), Algiers,Algeria
THEDESIGNSHO Theexposhowcasesfurnitu flooring,façades,sanitaryfittings, landscaping,andsmartdesign solutions,alongsidepaneldiscussions, livedesigntalks,andnetworking sessions.
14–16May2026
EgyptInternational ExhibitionCenter(EIEC), NewCairo,Egypt
MHS Plant & Equipment
