Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company and Dangote Group the largest manufacturing conglomerate in West Africa, have joined the Milken Institute’s Africa Leaders Business Council to provide insights into Africa’s dynamic business landscape.

The information follows the Milken Institute launch of the Africa Leaders Business Council on July 2, which aims at deepening the Institute’s network and engagement across Africa.

The newly established council will comprise of influential thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and experts from various sectors, including business, technology, finance, sustainability, and innovation, in order to be able to leverage the expertise of its members to provide insights into Africa’s dynamic business landscape, supporting the Milken Institute’s stakeholders in their efforts to expand their presence and impact in the region.

Apart from Flutterwave and Dangote group, other inaugural members of the council include: Africa Investment Forum, BES, CrossBoundary Group, Lateral Frontiers VC, Lions Head Global Partners, Prosper Africa, Proxima Legal, RisCura, Sabi, Symbion Power, Tofino Capital, Ubuntu Group, Unified State Group, Women’s World Banking, YAATRA Ventures

The Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola,  said based on Flutterwave’s role in enabling global multinationals, its participation in the council would greatly assist the Milken Institute in achieving their goal. He further expressed his excitement in working together with Milken institute.

Mr Agboola said “Flutterwave’s role in facilitating seamless market entry for global enterprises into Africa, alongside empowering local businesses, perfectly complements the Milken Institute’s focus on leveraging technology and expertise to drive sustainable economic growth across the continent. We are excited to collaborate with the Institute to foster innovation and inclusive development in Africa.”

Meanwhile, the establishment of the Africa Leaders Business Council highlights the Milken Institute’s endeavours to reinforce its dedication to the continent and complements the Institute’s ambition to strengthen its footprint in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The Executive Vice President who leads the international programme at the Milken Institute, Laura Deal Lacey, said,  “Amidst the rapidly intensifying geopolitical landscape, and given its tremendous demographic potential, Africa is poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in the global economy.”

Ms Lacey added, “We recognise the excellence in Africa’s innovation and ingenuity. We believe our Africa Leaders Business Council will play a key role in helping our stakeholders to navigate the continent and provide a fresh perspective in tackling issues shaping the global agenda across climate change, health, capital access, and energy transition.”

The Milken Institute which is a non-profit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life, has involved in various engagements in Africa which include the Global Financial Scholars Program, which aim to build the next generation leaders in financial policy and public financial asset management; the Milken–Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, which invites global innovators and entrepreneurs to advance technological solutions toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and Milken Institute’s work in advancing early warning systems for pandemic preparedness in Kenya and health innovation and cancer control in Nigeria.

The institute has disclosed that various events would be put together to engage and mobilize the council which include, a private investor dialogue on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, a Nigeria policy roundtable on debt sustainability pathways, engagements at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in December, as well as curated webinars and bespoke in-person and virtual discussions.