Africans vie for the corporate spotlight

News Release

Africans vie for the corporate spotlight

June 2009

Global giants including

Barclays, Chevron, Gauteng Shared Service Centre, MTN, Standard Bank, Tigo, Vodafone and Zain congregated in London to secure talented professionals for their operations across Africa at the Careers in Africa Recruitment Summit from May 22 – 24.

Charles Hoyt, Manager Facilities Engineering at Chevron Angola was thrilled with the outcomes of the Summit, “I made twelve formal offers and received ten confirmations on the spot, with one more likely to be received this week. These were to a variety of engineering candidates – fresh graduates and experienced professionals. The other teams also made multiple offers.”

With more than 10,000 initial applications from candidates the Summit continues to be the largest recruitment event for Africa worldwide. Companies such as Acergy, Altech, Aurecon Group, Coca Cola Sabco, ECCBC, Engen, Ernst & Young, Guaranty Trust Bank, GE, Kenya Commercial Bank, Lafarge, Nelson Mandela Bay, Oando, Puma Energy, Transocean and Vernon were among those seeking to shore up their workforces

with experienced professionals possessing international experience.

As the global economy shows signs of strain, Africans working in the Diaspora displayed their inclination to come back home and develop their careers in a region still experiencing growth. Over 850 such professionals possessing global experience and an in-depth understanding of Africa gathered at the Summit in a bid to secure roles back home.

Lawrence Mbugua, a Kenyan Management Consultant based in London is one such professional. “The Summit presented a great opportunity to meet with decision makers from top multinationals and to learn about the job market in Africa. It was also a good occasion to network with my peers of African professionals whom I look forward to keeping contact with.”

Rupert Adcock, Managing Director at Global Career Company (GCC) believes this is the most effective recruitment channel for companies with diverse and significant talent requirements, “GCC is utilised by leading employers in Africa to tap into the exceptional talent pool that is resident overseas. With career opportunities increasing across the region, Africans are considering moving home more than ever to further their careers and contribute to their local economies”.

Dr. Stianeth Nunes Phd., an Angolan Chemical Engineer is clear on how useful the Careers in Africa Summit has been to her career: “Following my acceptance of an offer from Chevron, I am really looking forward to taking my skills back to Angola.”
Kabeho Solo, Chief Human Resources Officer at Tanzania’s biggest bank – National Microfinance Bank – said, “This event continues to be a source of high calibre talent from diverse backgrounds.”

Global Career Company will be launching the Careers in Africa Recruitment Summit in Johannesburg on 31 Jul-2 Aug 2009. This is the first initiative of its kind in South Africa and GCC’s first event in Africa. It has been established in response to demand from clients looking to recruit Africans working or studying in South Africa who are looking for a career move across the continent.