TechnoServe, the Aspen Institute and the Letsema Foundation will formally inaugurate the Africa Leadership Initiative (ALI) in South Africa on Thursday, July 24, with a launch event including business, civil society and government leaders from six African countries who are participating in the Initiative. Barloworld -- the international industrial brand management company and corporate sponsor of ALI in South Africa -- is hosting the event at its corporate headquarters in Johannesburg.

The Africa Leadership Initiative is designed to foster a new generation of community-spirited business leaders in Africa and encourage them to play a more active role in promoting equitable social and economic development in their countries. Already underway in Ghana, Mozambique and East Africa (including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda), ALI is a joint program of two U.S. -based non-profit organizations - TechnoServe and the Aspen Institute – in cooperation with in-country partners like Isaac Shongwe, Chairman of the Letsema Foundation of South Africa. The Initiative is modeled on the Aspen Institute's highly successful Henry Crown Fellowship Program, a leadership program for young executives and professionals. Seventeen leaders from South Africa have been selected to participate in ALI. (Their names will be announced at the launch event.) Over a 36-month period, a total of 75 ALI "Fellows" in six countries will take part in a series of regular meetings and seminars, and each will also commit to undertake a leadership project to address a pressing social need.

Among the guests and speakers at the July 24 launch event are: William E. Mayer, Chairman of the Aspen Institute and a TechnoServe Board member; Tony Phillips, CEO of Barloworld; Isaac Shongwe, Chairman, Letsema Foundation and local partner for ALI in South Africa, TechnoServe Member and 2002 Henry Crown Fellow; Peter A. Reiling, President and CEO of TechnoServe, co-moderator of the ALI seminars in Africa and 1998 Henry Crown Fellow; Kenneth Ofori-Atta, Executive Chairman of Databank Financial Services, Ltd., 2000 Henry Crown Fellow, TechnoServe Member and local partner for ALI in Ghana; Romeu Rodrigues, Managing Director of CETA Construção e Serviços and local partner for ALI in Mozambique; Ali A. Mufuruki, Chairman and CEO of Infotech Investment Group of Tanzania, TechnoServe Member, 2001 Henry Crown Fellow and local partner for ALI in East Africa; ALI Fellows from all six countries; and other distinguished guests.

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TechnoServe, Inc.

TechnoServe, Inc.

TechnoServe is leading a movement that empowers people in the developing world to build businesses that break the cycle of poverty. Growing enterprises generate jobs and other income opportunities for poor people, enabling them to improve their lives and secure a better future for their families. Since its founding in 1968, the U.S.-based nonprofit has helped to create or expand thousands of businesses, benefiting millions of people in more than 30 countries. The Financial Times has rated TechnoServe one of the top five NGOs for corporate partnerships. Charity Navigator has also awarded its highest Four Star ranking to TechnoServe.

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