Why IMD chose Cape Town for its innovation hub and what it sees in Africa's talent and potential

Stephen Grootes interviews Professor David Bach, President of IMD Business School and Nestlé Professor of Strategy and Political Economy about why IMD chose Cape Town for its innovation hub and what he sees in Africa's talent and potential.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below.

Cape Town has been selected as the home of International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Business School’s new innovation hub, a move that reflects Africa’s growing importance in the global business landscape.

IMD sees Africa as a region rich in opportunity, driven by entrepreneurs who tackle real-world problems with ingenuity and resilience, and learning to thrive and adapt despite various challenges.

This resilience, combined with the continent’s fast-growing markets, places the continent in a unique position to navigate the complex global economy.

Professor David Bach, President of IMD, says the investment in Africa will tap into local talent, and provide access to a dynamic market of that shows immense potential to grow and overcome the current challenges.

Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, Bach says the innovation hub is designed to connect forward-thinking companies with Africa’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"We have about 10% of our staff now based in Cape Town. They are technologists, web developers, they support us with many of our online programs. We're just really excited about the talent, not just the technical skills, but also the entrepreneurial mindsets," says Bach.

"The opportunity is there. Africa is absolutely pivotal. Its youthful population. Its resources. The opportunities for expanding trade within Africa in this current context, but for that government, business and civil society must work together," adds Bach.

Scroll to the top of the article to listen to the full interview.