Post by Itziar de Ros Raventós

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. That was my main takeaway from a recent discussion on #Philanthropy, #ImpactInvesting, and leadership in Africa. Too often, the narrative focuses on needs. This conversation shifted the lens toward what truly drives long-term progress: investing in people, strengthening institutions, and building partnerships grounded in mutual respect. This is where initiatives like the IESE Africa Initiative play a critical role. Because beyond developing individual leaders, the real opportunity lies in strengthening the ecosystem: • management education • local institutions • global partnerships connecting talent, capital, and opportunity A few ideas stayed with me: 1️⃣ Africa cannot be approached only through aid - the continent is rich in talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial energy. 2️⃣ Philanthropy and impact investing are not opposites - in many sectors, they must work hand in hand. 3️⃣ Local partnerships are essential - impact requires trust, proximity, and shared ownership. 4️⃣ We need to shift the narrative - from risk to opportunity, from constraints to scale. Grateful to Tobias T., Katharina Klohe, and Anton Hieber for bringing real, on-the-ground perspective to the discussion - to Prof. Thomas Maximilian Klueter for guiding such a rich and nuanced conversation - and to Heike Maria von Joest for her generous hosting and for setting the tone from the outset. A strong reminder that management education can be a true force multiplier. Africa’s future will not be shaped only by capital, but by the quality of its leaders, institutions, and partnerships. #Leadership #Africa #ImpactInvesting #ManagementEducation #Governance #Partnerships #SustainableDevelopment