"Eric Kacou is passionate about growing the pool of African leadership, management and entrepreneurial talent,” says Guy Pfeffermann, CEO of GBSN.  “His strong belief in the power of business education to promote shared growth will inspire conference participants to think about new models for success, not only in Africa but in all developing countries.”

Kacou's book is timely, given the theme of this year’s conference focusing on generating new leadership and talent in emerging markets.  

"A new approach is required to meet basic unmet human needs, harvest opportunities, and respond to challenges," explains Eric Kacou.  "This approach will require that managers embrace a new level of leadership. Equipping business leaders with the skills needed to bridge the leadership gap is a key to successful businesses and ultimately to unleashing a virtuous cycle of prosperity." 

In 2010, Eric was honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. Eric was also selected as an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Associate by the African Leadership Initiative.

Prior to starting ESPartners, Eric served as Managing Director of OTF Group, a competitiveness consultancy focused on emerging markets. An expert in post-conflict economic reconstruction, he led the Rwanda National Innovation and Competitiveness (RNIC) Program, an initiative sponsored by President Paul Kagame. The RNIC is credited with helping revitalize Rwanda’s economy and fuelling the growth of entrepreneurship and exports. Eric also co-founded the Academy of Leadership in Competitiveness and Prosperity (ALCP), a Rwanda-based program for young leaders with more than two hundred and fifty graduates.

Beyond Rwanda, Eric has also served leaders of numerous low-income nations including Haiti, Uganda, and Southern Sudan as well as development partners such as World Bank, IFC and USAID.

For more information on the GBSN 2011 Annual Conference, please visit www.gbsnonline.org/2011