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What are the region-specific
challenges when implementing
new technologies in Africa?
When we look at Africa, it’s easy to
see how fast we are moving forward.
By 2050, it is estimated that Africa will
boast a US$29 trillion economy.
It will have the largest youth labour
market in the world that, if empowered
through the correct education and skills
development initiatives, could be the
engine that propels the future global
economy. Africa is modernising at an
unmatched rate.
The challenge will be to train our youth and
have them prepared for what many are
calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
see AI as ‘amazing innovation’ and not
an ‘anxiety index’. AI-powered ‘no collar’
workers will undeniably change the nature of
work and some jobs are likely to disappear.
Africa needs to embrace AI in pursuit of
productivity in non-differentiating areas of
the business so that human talent can be
directed towards activities such as building
customer relationships, solving complex
problems and creating new opportunities –
all things which AI cannot do.
How do you deal with stress and
unwind outside the office?
I can strike a balance between my career
and my family, with thanks to a loving
husband and two daughters. Quality family
time and entertaining friends and loved ones
over a good meal is how I break away from
the pressures and stress of work life. I also
love to travel.
If you could go back and change one
career decision what would it be?
Every choice and decision I have made
in my career, good or bad, has led me to
where I am today. Occasionally I wonder,
‘what if I had chosen differently or fate
had dealt me a slightly different hand?’
but where I stand today, working for an
amazing international organisation and
surrounded by creative, driven and caring
colleagues, I am more than fulfilled with my
career and happy with the choices I have
made to be where I am today.
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INTELLIGENTCIO
What do you currently identify as
the major areas of investment in
your industry?
The word ‘experience’ has taken over the
software market, and for good reason.
The customer experience is a driving force
behind SAP’s own Digital Transformation
efforts and is of the highest priorities
for success in building a seamless digital
journey for our customers.
As we’ve delved deeper into SAP’s Digital
Transformation, we’ve been laser focused on
championing a customer-centric ethos and
being available to our customers wherever
they are.
“
EVERY CHOICE
AND DECISION I
HAVE MADE IN MY
CAREER, GOOD
OR BAD, HAS LED
ME TO WHERE I
AM TODAY.
What changes to your job role have
you seen in the last year and how
do you see these developing in the
next 12 months?
The most significant change I have seen
is the heightened importance of building
trust. In the last few years we have seen
a convergence of change happening
across Africa and in our industry at a pace
that is staggering.
Strategies around digitisation and what
many are calling the Fourth Industrial
Revolution plus the acceleration of cloud
offerings are some examples of the changes
taking place in our industry.
What advice would you offer
somebody aspiring to obtain C-level
position in your industry?
Aspiring to the C-Level position means one
needs to take more risks and be prepared to
take on more challenging roles.
One of the greatest obstacles we face is
staying in the C-suite. By default, if you can
get there, you need to stay there, and then
reach back and inspire others to follow suit.
Surprisingly, one of the key challenges
I have seen over the years is a lack of
support. My belief is that we need to
support and empower each other much
more, laying the foundation for our
progress through our work. n
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