News


SA energy entrepreneur takes 7th place in African think-tank rankings

October 2022 News


Linda Mabhena-Olagunju.

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, founder and CEO of DLO Energy Resources Group, which owns the largest wind farm in South Africa, has been ranked seventh out of 100 contenders in the prestigious Choiseul 100 Africa listing. This makes her the only South African, and one of only four women, included in the ranking. It is also her fifth consecutive appearance on the list.

Mabhena-Olagunju is listed in the top 10 alongside formidable women such as Leila Bouamatou, managing director and board member of Générale de Banque de Mauritanie; Amrote Abdella, general manager for Amazon Web Service in sub-Saharan Africa; and Anta Babacar Ngom Diack, managing director of Sedima Group.

The Institut Choiseul was founded in 2010 and is a highly influential body acting as an independent think-tank focusing on economic governance and leadership. The Choiseul 100 Africa ranking was launched to highlight the talent of Africa’s young economic leaders and create a network for the young leaders who embody the dynamism of an entire continent. The annual study, carried out independently by the Institut Choiseul, selects and classifies work over the course of several months in consultation with experts and specialists on the continent.

Specific conditions must be met for an individual to be eligible for the ranking:

• Citizen of one of the 54 African states.

• 40 years old or younger as of 31 December 2021.

• Active contributor to the economic development of Africa.

To rank the selected profiles, several weighted criteria are considered, such as the reputation, background and skill of the applicant; their function, influence and networks; potential and leadership. The total score obtained in the different categories determines the position of each laureate in the final ranking. The methodology is dedicated to representing all the African regions and as many countries as possible to identify an elite cohort from across the continent and from all value-creating sectors.

“I am humbled to be listed for the fifth consecutive year and I am equally impressed to at least see four women in the top 10 rankings. The target now is to have the top five occupied by more qualified and deserving women, and hopefully I can get to that number one spot for South Africa,” said Mabhena-Olagunju.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
Two weeks to go: AATF 2025 welcomes Africa’s industrial future
News
With less than two weeks to go, the countdown to Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 is on - and there’s never been a better time to register.

Read more...
Groundbreaking renewable energy skills platform
News
South Africa’s renewable energy sector has taken a significant leap forward with the launch of PowerUp. A South African first, this online platform is designed to equip the country’s workforce with the skills required to meet industry demands.

Read more...
Innomotics wins Platinum TITAN Brand Award for Best Corporate Rebranding
News
Innomotics has been awarded with the Platinum TITAN Brand Award for Best Corporate Rebranding. The international jury honoured Innomotics’ efforts to develop a powerful and recognisable brand after the carve-out of Innomotics from the Siemens Group in 2023.

Read more...
Unlocking Africa’s hydrogen potential
News
Africa is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the global green energy revolution, with hydrogen emerging as a critical commodity of strategic and national importance across the continent. Namibia is putting ambition into action by having already reached a number of key milestones towards final investment decision on up to five projects.

Read more...
Fuchs doubles sales volume
News
An aggressive growth strategy in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade has resulted in Fuchs Lubricants South Africa achieving a CAGR of 6% in volume sold since 2015. The result of this is that sales volume has nearly doubled in this time.

Read more...
High-quality sensing and automation equipment
News
The Turck Banner Demo Van is showcasing the company’s latest products and solutions.Turck Banner sells directly to end users and OEMs in a broad range of industries and applications.

Read more...
SA company uses AI to break the language barrier
News
Helm has a unique approach to AI that allows it to automate customer communication in any of South Africa’s 11 official spoken languages.

Read more...
From ground to compound: the journey of crude oil
Wearcheck News
You’re in for a ‘crude awakening’ when you download WearCheck’s latest Technical Bulletin. You will be treated to an in-depth explanation of the processes of producing oil, fuel and other petrochemical wonders that power our modern lifestyle.

Read more...
2025 – a year for growth, amid industry challenges
News
Automation is rapidly emerging as a catalyst for industrial transformation, enabling businesses to meet sustainability targets, enhance productivity and drive economic efficiency.

Read more...