GE boss is named leader of the year

General Electric Africa chief executive has been named the continent’s business leader of the year.

Mr Jay Ireland was conferred with the title during the African Investor Business Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg last week.

“Africa’s investment profile has seen a historic turnaround in the last 12 months. The leadership awards have also increased confidence in the continent to compete internationally,” said Mr Hubert Danso, chief executive officer of Africa Investor at the event.

Earlier, Mr Ireland had been named the employer and Human capital Investor of the year during the World Bank Annual meetings in Washington DC, United States.

GE is headquartered in Kenya. The company has supported the country’s infrastructure growth in the energy sector, power, healthcare and aviation. Its key clients are Safaricom and Kenya Airways.

Under his leadership, the company’s investment in Africa increased immensely in Nigeria, Angola and Ghana.

Mr Ireland said the company was awarded because of its efforts in bridging infrastructure gaps in the continent across critical sectors like Healthcare, Energy, Transportation and Aviation.

“I am delighted because we are involved in developing a pipeline of African talents whose contribution is critical to developing the continent,” Mr Ireland said.

The Africa Investor Business Awards is the longest-standing international award in Africa.