While the continent boasts a young and vibrant population it does not have sufficient catalysts to transform the available talent into human capital assets.
In several global surveys, Africa-based companies have reported major challenges in attracting and retaining the talent they need to run and grow their businesses.
This reality can be turned around.
Live online sessions with high tech and interactivity, plus productive ‘coffee break’ chats.
Detailed assessments and technical evaluation to build self-awareness.
Industry leading content designed by experienced, innovative practitioners.
Real-world business challenges that allow you to apply learning to genuine issues.
Highly respected local and global thought leaders across the faculty.
The chance to forge long term friendships with like- minded peers.
Perfectly timed online learning delivered to minimise disruption to your work.
Coaching and mentorship from Silicon Valley pros with priceless experience.
Insightful reference material such as case studies and toolkits.
Real-world top-level guest lecturers such as CEOs and leading industry experts.
In 2019, Blue Haven Initiative (BHI), a Boston-based impact investment office, set out to empower African organizations by investing in human capital management. Partnering with Kenya’s Human Performance Dynamics Africa (HPDA), they developed a leadership curriculum for professionals across the continent.
The Continent is seen as the next global frontier of growth. According to a 2019 Brookings Institute Report, Africa’s population of about 1.2 billion people is projected to reach 1.7 billion by 2030. The World Economic Forum also estimates that by 2030, Sub-Saharan Africa will be home to 20% of the working-age population, expanding its workforce by more than the rest of the world combined.
The 4th Industrial revolution has brought about a global convergence of physical and virtual environments and unleashed a new age of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA), rendering unpredictable socio-economic outcomes and tenuous workplaces that have new and changing requirements. As the ultimate responsibility for organisations coping with the challenges of VUCA lies with its leaders, particularly those charged with the responsibility of stewarding the human capital management function, the spotlight fell on these functional leaders who must be equipped to be anticipatory game changers …..those who must navigate ambiguity and complexity and never lose focus on employee engagement and productivity.
Not all leaders of the function are equipped to adapt or demonstrate requisite agility. Indeed, despite the evolutions the HR function has gone through over the last several decades, doubts about the value it adds to organizational performance remain. Global studies suggest HR departments may be poised for impact, but require additional support to re-configure their work and add value in the new dispensation. A 2020 BHI commissioned survey of over 400 CEOs, HR and other functional leaders in Africa suggested that HR leaders demonstrate certain technical and soft skill capability gaps that prevent them from unleashing the power and potential of the function.
Over a period of 2 years from 2019-2021, BHI sponsored the development of a clearly articulated Curriculum conceived by former Fortune 50 CHRO, Susan Wakhungu-Githuku with the support of a glocal founding Advisory Taskforce.
A total of 38 global organizations were provided the Terms of Reference and invited to bid for the development of the Curriculum. Amongst them were such noted institutions: Wharton, INSEAD and University of California Berkeley. Exell Intel, a UK-based strategic consulting company founded by former Accenture and Coca-Cola Talent Executive Deborah Exell won the tender and subsequently developed the programme.
Blue Haven Initiative
The lead investor and RIKA founding partner. Blue Haven is an innovative family office with a focus on positive social and environmental change. Blue Haven Ventures has invested in some of the most exciting mission-driven companies in Sub Saharan Africa.
EXELL Intelligence
Curriculum design and delivery partner. With world class human capital, communications, research and data science capabilities, the Exell Intelligence team has 25 years’ experience delivering change for some of the world's most admired companies.
HPD Africa
The Africa delivery unit and RIKA founding partner. Human Performance Dynamics Africa is a leading human capital consulting group that helps forward-looking organisations to optimise their performance.
Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR)
A global leader in HR upskilling, the Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR) brings world-class expertise in HR Analytics, data literacy, and digital agility. With a proven track record of empowering HR professionals worldwide, AIHR equips leaders with the skills to leverage data strategically and drive organizational success. Through this collaboration, learners will gain the ability to analyze organizational data, apply data storytelling techniques, and make informed, strategic decisions.
The Blue Haven HR Taskforce was formed in 2019 to serve as an Advisory Board to RIKA. It is comprised of CEOs and CHROs in Africa. Current members are:
