The Group Executive Chairman of the KGL Group of Companies, Alex Apau Dadey, has called for a deliberate and strategic continental agenda aimed at building strong African enterprises capable of competing globally while driving sustainable economic transformation across the continent.
Speaking at the 10th Ghana CEO Summit 2026 before a distinguished gathering of chief executives, policymakers and business leaders, attended by President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Dadey stressed that Africa’s future growth depends not only on entrepreneurship but also on the intentional development of resilient institutions anchored on visionary leadership, discipline and long-term planning.
Delivering an address on the theme, “Raising African Champions: Leadership, Resilience and Industrial Scale – Lessons from Ghana’s Business Transformation,” he noted that Africa’s immense potential can only be realised through the establishment of enduring institutions, industrial capacity and sound governance systems capable of sustaining long-term economic competitiveness.
“Potential alone has never transformed any nation. Africa therefore faces a defining choice: either remain a market for the ambitions of others or build enterprises capable of shaping global economic outcomes ourselves,” he stated.
Mr. Dadey emphasised that while accountability and regulatory compliance remain necessary, indigenous African enterprises should not be viewed with suspicion simply because they attain significant scale and influence.
According to him, no country can successfully industrialise while weakening its own productive capacity or undermining responsible local businesses.
“If Ghana does not protect and nurture its responsible indigenous enterprises, who will build the continental champions we aspire to?” he questioned.
Touching on leadership and governance, he described leadership as Africa’s “missing infrastructure,” arguing that industrialisation and economic transformation cannot thrive where leadership is weak or short-sighted.
He called for leaders who are prepared to think beyond political cycles, quarterly profits and immediate gains toward institution building and long-term national development.
Mr. Dadey also highlighted the importance of preserving wealth across generations through proper institutional structures, succession planning and reinvestment strategies.
According to him, much of Africa’s wealth disappears within a generation because it is consumed rather than institutionalised to create lasting economic value.
He further commended President John Dramani Mahama for his advocacy for local ownership, indigenous participation and the strengthening of Ghanaian enterprises as critical drivers of sustainable national development.
In a major announcement during the summit, Mr. Dadey unveiled a strategic partnership between KGL Group and CNBC Africa to establish a CNBC Africa country office in Ghana, to be hosted by KGL Group.
He explained that the partnership seeks to amplify African business stories, deepen conversations around investment and enterprise development, and position Ghana more prominently within the global economic landscape.
The 10th Ghana CEO Summit 2026 continues to serve as one of Africa’s foremost platforms for strategic business dialogue, policy engagement and thought leadership focused on industrial transformation, economic growth and the future of African enterprise.
