Naikuni among business leaders to watch in 2015

Former KQ CEO Titus Naikuni is among business leaders to watch in 2015, according to a new list by African Business Magazine.

The publication is looking at key game-changers and pioneers to watch in this year and Naikuni, now chairman Airtel Kenya, has been listed in the January issue among other 14 CEOs likely to rattle the corporate scene.

Naikuni is sharing the platform with other business figures like Aliko Dangote (the Dangote Group) and Tony Elumelu (Heirs Holdings). Dangote remains one of Africa’s most influential business figures, as he continues to grow and expand his operations.

“What makes Dangote interesting is how the master strategist applies his long-term dictum to turn ‘challenges into opportunities.’ Every year he continues to surprise us,” explains Anver Versi, Editor of African Business Magazine.

The list also includes Sim Shagaya, Founder and CEO of konga.com – a Nigerian start-up currently dominating the e-commerce scene. In this edition, African Business highlights how Sim Shagaya managed to raise over $25 million in 2014 – the single largest amount by any start-up in Africa – after attracting the attention of international venture capitalists. Nigerian, Kenyan, and South African CEOs feature heavily on the 2015 list.

A surprise is Laurence Do Rego, Group Executive Director of Finance at Ecobank. In 2014, Do Rego was suspended from the bank for whistle-blowing, yet overcame these challenges and was vindicated for her stance on professional integrity. Moving forward from what was a whirlwind 2014 for the Ecobank Group, her role will be critical in keeping one of Africa’s great success stories on the right track and she is touted to replace Albert Essien when his terms ends this year.