Siemens CEO, Sabine Dall’Omo appointed Vice Chairperson of NEPAD Business Foundation 

Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa, was recently appointed Vice Chairperson of the NEPAD Business Foundation (NBF) at a Board Meeting on 10 March 2021. She took over from Andile Sangqu, former Executive Head for Anglo American South Africa.

“One of our core priorities at Siemens is to play a constructive role in Africa’s success story by helping to shape an inclusive future through our technologies and expertise. We believe that through partnerships with various stakeholders in the public and private sector, as well as with international organisations we can positively impact a country’s economic growth,” says Sabine.

In her new role as Vice Chairperson of the NBF, Sabine will be responsible for mobilising private sector resources towards development activities. This will include coordinating the efforts of businesses in alignment with the post-COVID economic recovery plans by African governments.

“The NBF was envisioned as a collective of businesses willing to engage with African governments to form collaborations for developing the region and growing economies. Our mission is support government endorsed initiatives by using private sector capabilities,” says Dr Reuel Khoza, NBF Founding Chairman (now retired) and current NBF Patron. 

As a neutral body, the NBF is one of Africa’s prominent platforms for bringing governments and businesses together. It has facilitated numerous successful development interventions in key sectors including infrastructure, energy, mining, water, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.

“Sabine was the logical choice for Vice Chair of the NBF,” says Geoff Rothschild, Chairman of the NBF. “Having worked with Sabine in her capacity as a member of the NBF Board, I have no doubt of her ability to further catalyse multi-sectoral high-impact development initiatives.”

The NBF is currently working with the SADC Secretariat on the SADC Regional Gas Masterplan which is in line with Siemens’ focus on reducing carbon emissions in Africa.  Also, the NBF is the current host of the SADC Business Council, a platform that is instrumental in developing SADC Regional Value Chains in mining, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals as well as Trade Facilitating through Non-Tariff Barriers workshops.

In addition, the NBF 2021-2022 strategy will also concentrate on mobilising private sector support for key initiatives including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Infrastructure South Africa (ISA). Further activities will involve launching new interventions in the areas of Digital Infrastructure and Agriculture as well as continuing with the progress on corridor development through the North-South Rail Corridor project.

“I am ecstatic about my appointment and look forward to contributing to the vision of the NBF. With our aligned goals, I am confident that we, as a company, together with our partners and   customers, are well positioned to help drive economic transformation and make a positive impact through our technology, our people and our diverse initiatives,” ends Sabine.