Driving Corporate Innovation: Leadership Insights from Africa’s Top CEOs
Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, joins Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers South Africa; President Ntuli, Managing Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise South Africa; Ian Merrington, Group CEO of UVU Africa; and Aasiyah Adams, Founder of Abaguquli4IR, to discuss the role of corporate innovation in driving economic growth, fostering digital transformation, and positioning Africa as a global hub for technology and talent.
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How African Businesses are Leading Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
As Africa stands on the brink of a digital revolution, corporate leaders are at the forefront of shaping innovation, business transformation, and industry growth. But what does it take to drive meaningful innovation in a rapidly evolving market?
At Africa Tech Festival 2024, some of Africa’s top CEOs came together to share insights on innovation, policy challenges, and the future of business leadership on the continent.
Key takeaways from the discussion:
- The importance of visionary leadership in driving innovation
- How African businesses can move faster rather than being slowed by policy changes
- The disconnect between government policies and business realities
- Scaling African startups by improving access to funding and corporate partnerships
- How leaders balance long-term innovation with short-term business objectives
Innovation in Action: How AI, Digital Skills, and Connectivity are Driving Growth
Africa is no longer just adopting global innovations—it is creating them.
"AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation present Africa with an opportunity to leapfrog other markets," said President Ntuli, Managing Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise South Africa.
However, while technology has exponential potential, Ntuli stressed that Africa must move faster:
"We don’t have to go through the same pains that Europe and America went through. The tech is here. The corporate willingness is here. But we need to stop just talking and start doing."
Leaders from Naspers, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cassava Technologies, and UVU Africa all agreed that the continent needs to create an ecosystem where innovation thrives—not just within large corporations, but across entire economies.
The Role of Leadership: Moving from Policy to Action
Africa has no shortage of ideas or policies. But is policy moving fast enough to keep up with business innovation?
Hardy Pemhiwa, CEO of Cassava Technologies, criticised the slow-moving policy landscape:
"Africa’s biggest challenge isn’t a lack of ideas—it’s execution. We need to stop attending conferences and start implementing. If we don’t move fast, we risk falling further behind."
Panelists emphasised that while governments play a critical role, business leaders must take ownership of driving innovation:
- Collaboration between corporate and startup ecosystems needs to be more accessible
- Policies should focus on practical implementation rather than excessive bureaucracy
- The private sector must proactively engage with governments to shape innovation-friendly environments
Bridging the Gap Between Corporates and Startups
African startups are fueling innovation, but are corporates doing enough to support them?
"Startups need access—not just to funding, but to corporate supply chains," said Aasiyah Adams, Founder of Abaguquli4IR.
Despite the growth of tech hubs like Silicon Cape and the Kenyan Savannah, many African entrepreneurs struggle to scale due to:
- Lack of access to corporate partnerships
- Limited funding for early-stage startups
- A culture that fears failure rather than embracing experimentation
"We need to open up supply chains to African startups. Too often, big companies keep innovation within closed circles," Adams stressed.
Similarly, Pemhiwa pointed out the importance of lowering the barrier to failure:
"Silicon Valley thrives because failure is part of the process. African entrepreneurs often don’t get a second chance. We need to change that mindset."
How African CEOs Balance Innovation with Business Demands
While long-term innovation is critical, leaders must also deliver results today.
"Being a visionary is great, but businesses need profitability. The challenge is integrating innovation while keeping operations running smoothly," said Pemhiwa.
Panelists highlighted key strategies for balancing innovation and business demands:
- Empowering teams with the right mix of creative disruptors and structured problem-solvers
- Encouraging a mindset shift where failure is a learning experience, not a setback
- Aligning innovation with business strategy to ensure long-term sustainability
"Innovation doesn’t always mean groundbreaking technology—it means solving real problems in a scalable way," said Ian Merrington, Group CEO of UVU Africa.
Final Thoughts: Why Leadership Matters for Africa’s Innovation Ecosystem
Innovation is not just about technology—it is about leadership, execution, and action.
Panelists agreed that:
- Africa must speed up digital transformation by bridging the gap between policy and execution
- Public-private partnerships must be more than just talk—they need actionable implementation
- Startups and corporates must collaborate to create scalable African innovations
- Skills development and digital literacy are crucial for Africa to compete globally
"Technology alone won’t fix Africa’s challenges. It takes leadership, commitment, and real investment in people," concluded Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers South Africa.