The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur, Mr Kumbirai Chipadza, has been honoured as one of the 40 young African and German business leaders in a pioneering programme called the African German Young Leaders in Business (AGYLE).
Mr Chipadza is based in Germany.
Born in Zvishavane, Mr Chipadza is the founder of Deutsch Connect, a Germany-based Afrocentric consultancy that links African and German businesses.
AGYLE, in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the German Agency for Business and Economic Development announced the list on their social media networks.
“Today we present the 40 outstanding personalities from Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda and Germany who have been selected by a jury of experts from over 300 submissions as the first year of the new African-German management program, ‘AGYLE – African German Young Leaders in Business’,” the awards citation reads.
Speaking from his base in Germany, Mr Chipadza said he was humbled to be part of the selected youths.
“For a boy who grew up in Zvishavane, this is quite a long way from home and I am proud to be lifting the country’s flag and to carry the hopes of our people as part of such an outstanding group of achievers.
“It is time for action and not words in order to increase economic cooperation between Africa and Germany as equals.
“The fact that trade between Africa and Germany is only two percent of Germany’s overall trade is proof that more action needs to be done in order to fulfil the Marshall Plan for Africa. I am not only representing Africa but Southern Africa,” he said.
Mr Chipadza said the heart of the programme is a Virtual Design Thinking Lab, and the benefits for participants include exclusive access to an international business network and new, long-term corporate contacts and business relationships, as well as development of innovative ideas and new business models.
