Acha Leke, chairman of McKinsey’s Africa region, is probably the most connected person in Africa that’s a technocrat, not a politician.
Two decades working with one of the world’s best consulting firms across 20 African countries has seen the Cameroonian accomplish great heights in assignments that have shaped how business is done on the fastest growing continent.
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Leke has won numerous awards across Africa over the years and recently released a book he co-authored on “Africa’s Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World’s Next Big Growth Market”.
Here are 10 reasons why you should follow McKinsey partner Leke on twitter:
Sources: McKinsey, OZY, Publishers Weekly, Twitter @achaleke
Leke is tapped into Africa’s business world and has consulted for businesses and investors looking for opportunities across the continent’s diverse markets. It’s with this knowledge that he teamed up with two other consultants from McKinsey to convey the sheer adventure of navigating the continent’s markets in their latest book, released in November 2018. Where better to get a front-row seat on understanding how to do business in Africa than on his Twitter handle?
What a fantastic read……This book teaches you to look at Africa from a totally different lens….Thoroughly enjoyed it!!How insightful #Africanow@McKinseyAfrica @achaleke @amadougallofall @mutsa_chironga @Georgesdesvaux @ceochieng #Africasbusinessrevolution pic.twitter.com/JLZKe6S0Sm
— Sharon Allela (@Allelaodawa) December 19, 2018
In his line of work over the years Leke has connected with top business and governance personalities in Africa, from Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Nigeria’s former Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. And he’s not just name-dropping.
Book signing with @achaleke at #Africa2018 #YED2018 pic.twitter.com/hQeexXDCil
— KASI Insight (@kasiinsight) December 8, 2018
Before he joined McKinsey, Leke toyed with the idea of launching a startup but chose a consulting internship. His work has however seen him become an angel investor for a dozen of African startups.
Leke earned his bachelor of electrical engineering degree, with a minor in economics, summa cum laude from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was the first Black valedictorian in the school’s history. He later graduated from Stanford University with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. He did doctoral work on dynamic bandwidth optimization for multicarrier systems.
#AfricaBizRev https://t.co/ZihEhMLFTw
— Acha Leke (@achaleke) November 16, 2018
Leke’s first job for McKinsey was in Uganda where he came face-to-face with the devastating effect of HIV infections. At the time Uganda had one of the highest rates of infections. With a team of consultants, he came up with a scheme that slashed prices on antiretroviral drugs without diluting pharmaceutical companies’ core market or hurting Uganda’s health care system.
Leke once owned a club and is no stranger to the hip and fun that runs in the blood of Africa’s youth.
at the south african premiere of #blackpanthersa … what an amazing… https://t.co/QllTgsJlQQ
— Acha Leke (@achaleke) February 17, 2018
Leke’s work transcends private-sector clients and global corporate scenes and jumps right into the public and social sectors where he has worked with governments and aid agencies to make their service to the people more efficient and impactful. One of his options when he leaves Mckinsey after a stellar performance would be to join the public sector.
Go eddy! .. too many of us shy away from the public sector .. we need more eddy's!!!! let's support him and make history happen .. @ALAcademy https://t.co/QnKqJLaANk
— Acha Leke (@achaleke) September 26, 2018
According to his assistant, Leke is not the kind to turn down an opportunity to engage with literally anyone. He is generous with his time and will share some of it on Twitter with his followers.
https://twitter.com/achaleke/status/1054863481500037120
When asked by OZY if he would consider running for president of Cameroon, Leke’s response was “That’s not me. I’m a technocrat, not a politician.” As a technocrat, he believes he can engage with both the leaders and the people better.
As usual an intense and effective day in #Kigali .. lots of progress made in implementing the reforms .. a number of additional recommendations to further strengthen the @_AfricanUnion will be made to all heads of state at the extraordinary summit in 2 weeks .. @AuReforms https://t.co/w52Eod6nZO
— Acha Leke (@achaleke) November 4, 2018
Leke partnered with Fred Swaniker to start the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg that has enrolled pupils from 46 African countries, most on full scholarships. They also launched the African Leadership University, with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda, and the African Leadership Network, a Davos-esque gathering of influencers from across the continent.
”440 companies in #africa have revenues that exceed 1bn” - @achaleke @McKinsey @USChamberAfrica pic.twitter.com/tXhPvzdUhm
— Eliot Pence (@EliotPence) November 27, 2018