A new partnership between Murdoch University in Western
Australia and the South African-based Kingdom Business Network (KBN) took a
first step towards formation after a visit to Perth for Africa Week by a
delegation of five of its members.
According to a release by APO
Group, made available to OpenLife, the
KBN is a programme created and funded by the South-African diversified
investment company, the Beryl Group, to inspire entrepreneurs to create and
acquire sustainable wealth, enabling them resources and training to build and
develop their communities and positively impact their generation.
Murdoch hosted KBN Chief Executive Officer,
Joarina Matthys and four of its entrepreneurs to participate in a panel at the
9th Annual Africa Australia Research Forum and meet with Murdoch Alumni,
members of the Perth African diaspora and entrepreneurial community.
The KBN was founded 10 years ago by Neverl and Beryl Kambasha and has a goal to
empower 1,000 entrepreneurs across Africa by 2022.
“We are passionate about developing quality entrepreneurs who will have a
positive impact on their communities,” Ms Matthys said.
“After 10 years of operation in South Africa we have made the decision to
expand our reach, to other parts of Africa and to seek partnerships within
Australia, including with Murdoch.”
Murdoch University Africa Research Group Chair David Doepel said Murdoch was
keen to understand what structures facilitated creative and innovative
thinking, and to harness the formidable African brain power globally.
“This is absolutely critical to Africa’s participation in the creation of the
4th Industrial revolution,” Mr Doepel said.
“Our digital interconnectedness holds great promise, but it only works if we
have the human networks formed to leverage the digital ones.
“We have been exploring how we can be more embedded with each other to ensure
the success of this burgeoning phenomena on the continent.”
Mr Doepel said there were 314 tech hubs in Africa in 2016, which had grown to
more than 618 in 2018.
“More than 50 per cent of those tech hubs have incubators with in-kind support
for idea and early stage start-ups, developing innovations in agtech,
healthtech and fintech focused on African solutions for African opportunities.
“Coming together to ensure the success of these entrepreneurs, and finding ways
to straddle continents with ideas that lead to businesses that solve problems,
exploit opportunities, create jobs and deliver inclusive growth, is the work we
must support.”
Ms Matthys said the KBN could also provide a trusted partner for companies
interested in investing in African companies or your partners in Africa.
“A key role we play is developing and maintaining strategic partnerships to
create a web of networks for our entrepreneurs as well as for people looking
for opportunities in South Africa and Africa generally.
“We understand how government and local systems work; if you don’t know who to
trust we are the place to come to.”
About Author
