ABH Heroes at Alibaba headquarters

Traveling is said to be an expansive experience, and I couldn't agree more. Our time in Hangzhou was more than travel; it was an immersion into a world of innovation, culture, and community. This city, the home of Alibaba, offered us a unique chance to delve deeply into its culture, work ethic, and global influence.

In China, everything operates on an enormous scale. For instance, building for hundreds of millions and considering the needs of over 1.4 billion people (17.8% of the global population) is the norm. Landing in Hangzhou felt like stepping into the heart of innovation. This is where Jack Ma founded Alibaba in June 1999, and in the past 25 years, the company has grown into one of the world's biggest and most influential tech companies. Experiencing the emotions, stories, and milestones of the company's meteoric rise felt nothing short of miraculous.

The objectives of the ABH 2024 Immersion and Exchange Program were clear and ambitious:

• To connect with and learn from the Alibaba innovation ecosystem;
• To offer opportunities for partnership with the ecosystem and present Africa's vision from African entrepreneurs;
• To strengthen the connection among Africa's Business Heroes finalists who form an ever-growing community of leading African entrepreneurs.

I am confident that all these objectives, and more, were achieved. Everyone learned a lot and not only networked with influential figures and peers but also formed bonds that will last a lifetime.

My goal is to share a brief yet inspiring reflection, infuse a bit of FOMO, and hopefully provide some “Hey, I didn’t know that” moments through this recount.

Remember these three C's: Content, Culture, Community.

1. Let’s start with Content. We were immersed in the cutting-edge technology Alibaba is pioneering in Cloud, AI, and Robotics and we gained mind-expanding insights. We learned about unique business models that have led to various business units’ success while also enabling them to focus on leading the next generation of businesses. The leadership sessions, which were discussion-based, were particularly inspiring. These sessions were informative and also highly interactive, allowing us to engage directly with each other and Alibaba’s experts.

On our first day, for example, we had an opportunity to engage with Mr. Randy Ou, Alibaba Group Treasury Vice President. What stuck with me from Mr. Randy was his belief that great leaders are much harder to find than great managers. Their people development strategy focuses on attracting and empowering these rare leaders when they do find them. This insight emphasized the importance of leadership in driving innovation and growth.

Mr. Randy Ou, Alibaba Group’s Treasury Vice President engages with Africa’s Business Heroes

1. The second C is Culture. We experienced Chinese and Hangzhou culture through local cuisine and sightseeing. Touring Hangzhou's beautiful ancient West Lake, famous across China, was a highlight. West Lake is where Jack Ma used to be a tour guide for foreign tourists, fostering his global mindset. On that lake, we learned about Hangzhou's history as one of the ancient Chinese capitals and listened to traditional poems. Beyond Chinese culture, there was also a lot to learn about Alibaba Group’s corporate culture. We interacted with team members who shared their experiences and insights, giving us a deeper understanding of the values that drive global tech businesses like Alibaba Group. There was a clear sense of shared success woven into the culture. A leader’s success is defined by how many other leaders they build. The culture emphasizes, "How can I make others successful?" The business units are set up with a high degree of autonomy and are self-directed in alignment with the company's vision.

Africa’s Business Heroes Welcome Dinner

1. The final but essential C is Community. Sitting in every session with like-minded African entrepreneurs was the heart of the experience. Meeting, discussing, and sharing in this environment was invaluable. The room reflected perspectives from all corners of Africa—West, East, South, and North. Entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, such as health, finance, and education were present. The diversity was also clear in the age range, which spanned over 20 years from the youngest to the eldest, and in the gender parity. The ABH team created a space for vulnerability and connection, fostering lasting bonds and valuable allies in building the continent. Throughout our sessions, several pieces of wisdom echoed through the conversations. One participant emphasized, "Your health is fundamental; take care of it as a founder," underscoring the importance of well-being in our entrepreneurial journeys. Another shared, "Enter niche markets to dominate them," highlighting strategic approaches to business growth. The advice to "work your network" resonated strongly, reminding us of the power of connections.

ABH Heroes taking a Tai-chi lesson from Mr. Randy Ou, Alibaba Group Treasury Vice President

Key Takeaways

• Massive Partnership Opportunities: there is tremendous potential for partnerships between Africa and China. Both regions have unique strengths and resources that can complement each other to drive growth and innovation. Building more bridges between these two regions can unlock vast possibilities, making the future brighter together.
• Inspiring Journey: witnessing Alibaba's 25-year journey and scratching the surface (even) briefly was awe-inspiring. This understanding cannot be gleaned from a textbook. Alibaba Group’s evolution and growth can also happen in Africa. In fact, now is Africa's time - we are the ones we've been waiting for.
• Future of Innovation: The future belongs to those deeply invested in creating new technological value and applying technology in novel ways. Solving real problems and ultimately improving the well-being of many people will be the hallmark of successful innovation.

Africa’s Business Heroes exploring Hangzhou and West Lake

In conclusion, the ABH 2024 Immersion and Exchange Program in Hangzhou was a transformative experience. It provided us with invaluable insights, cultural richness, and a sense of community that will continue to inspire us as we build the future of Africa. This journey reinforced the belief that we are capable of achieving great things and that the future is ours to shape.

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