The Group Executive Chairman of the KGL Group, Alex Apau Dadey, has called for a deliberate continental agenda to build strong African-owned enterprises capable of competing globally and driving sustainable economic transformation across the continent.
Speaking at the 10th Ghana CEO Summit 2026 before a distinguished audience of Chief Executives, Business leaders and policymakers, including President John Dramani Mahama, Mr Dadey stressed that Africa’s future prosperity would depend not only on entrepreneurial ambition, but also on its ability to build enduring institutions anchored on visionary leadership, sound governance and long-term strategic thinking.
Delivering an address on the theme: “Raising African Champions: Leadership, Resilience and Industrial Scale; Lessons from Ghana’s Business Transformation,” he said Africa’s vast potential would remain unrealised unless countries intentionally developed industrial capacity, resilient institutions and governance systems capable of translating that potential into lasting economic influence and global competitiveness.
“Potential alone has never transformed any nation. Africa 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 argued that while accountability and regulatory compliance are essential for business growth, successful indigenous enterprises should not be viewed with suspicion simply because they have achieved scale.
According to him, no country has industrialised by 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 asked.
He described leadership as Africa’s “missing infrastructure,” warning that industrialisation cannot thrive where leadership is weak or short-sighted.
He called for leaders who are prepared to look beyond election cycles, quarterly profits and immediate political interests to focus on institution-building and long-term economic transformation.
Touching on wealth creation and business continuity, Mr Dadey highlighted the need for stronger trans-generational enterprise development across Africa.
He observed that significant wealth on the continent often disappears within a generation because it is consumed rather than institutionalised.
To address this challenge, he advocated stronger corporate governance systems, effective succession planning and long-term reinvestment strategies to preserve productive capital and sustain businesses across generations.
Mr Dadey also commended President Mahama for his consistent advocacy for local ownership, indigenous participation and the strengthening of Ghanaian enterprises, describing these as critical pillars for sustainable national development and economic transformation.
In a major announcement at the summit, he unveiled a strategic partnership between KGL Group and CNBC Africa that will establish a CNBC Africa country office in Ghana, to be hosted by KGL Group.
He said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to amplifying African business success stories, deepening conversations on enterprise and investment, and positioning Ghana more prominently within the global business landscape
The 10th Ghana CEO Summit continues to serve as one of Africa’s premier platforms for strategic business dialogue, policy engagement and thought leadership, bringing together key stakeholders to explore solutions for industrial transformation, economic growth and the future of African enterprise.
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