Camels, not Unicorns: Lessons from ALU’s Global Leadership Program (Silicon Valley Hub)

This past summer, I had the privilege of immersing myself in the bustling heart of Silicon Valley. Collaborating closely with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, I served as the Faculty Lead for The African Leadership University‘s Global Leadership Program(Silicon Valley Hub). Our goal was to provide a group of 20 ambitious students from our two campuses in Rwanda and Mauritius with unparalleled exposure to the entrepreneurial ecosystem that has made Silicon Valley the global technology and innovation epicentre. Over an enlightening four-week journey, our students visited industry giants such as Google, X, The Moonshot Factory, Intel Corporation, Amazon, Uber, OpenAI, Cohere, Coursera, Verily, IDEO and Netflix, not only to gain insights into their operational methodologies and innovation strategies but also to glean valuable lessons that could be applied to tackle pressing challenges within the healthcare, education, and agriculture sectors.

However, as the faculty lead for this program, my most profound realization was not rooted in the technological marvels of Silicon Valley or its groundbreaking innovations. Instead, it was in the stark contrast between Silicon Valley’s unicorn-driven mindset and what Africa truly needs – camels.

Silicon Valley, known for creating billion-dollar startups (or “unicorns”), often emphasizes rapid growth and scalability with minimal workforce investment. The objective is clear: achieve a billion-dollar valuation with as few employees as possible. This formula, while impressive, may only be somewhat suitable for the African entrepreneurial landscape.

Africa presents a unique canvas of challenges and opportunities. Financial resources, often taken for granted in Silicon Valley, are scarce. The African entrepreneur doesn’t always have the luxury of vast venture capital funds or angel investors waiting with open chequebooks. However, Africa’s real wealth lies in its people and its untapped potential. Instead of chasing the unicorn dream, African entrepreneurs should adopt a camel mindset: resilient, adaptable, and able to traverse the challenging terrains of the continent with limited resources.

In this analogy, Camels signify enterprises that prioritize impact over instant valuation. These businesses focus on creating the most jobs, fostering local innovation, and driving positive societal change, even when resources are limited. They are the enterprises that ensure sustainability and longevity by contributing meaningfully to their communities and economies.

The lessons from Silicon Valley are invaluable. They offer a window into what’s possible and inspire innovation. But, as we guide the next generation of African leaders and entrepreneurs, it’s crucial to underscore the importance of relevance. Africa’s journey to prosperity will be carved not by unicorns but by resilient camels, ready to make the most of every oasis and determined to traverse every desert.

At the end of the program, our students returned not just with knowledge of Silicon Valley’s achievements but with a renewed vision for Africa – one where camels lead the charge, embodying resilience, impact, and sustainable growth.

A special shoutout is in order to the remarkable team that brought this program to life and made my learning possible. To Laura Mapstone, Tselot Aklilu, Manuelito Biag, Lauren Miller, Shaheen Beeharry, Thokozile Zimba, Kate Ryan Reiling and the entire Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching staff who hosted us.

To our amazing masterclass hosts, panellists, and all contributors: Your valuable insights, expertise, and willingness to share your experiences have made a lasting impact on our students. Your collective contributions have not only facilitated a program but have also ignited passions, fostered dreams, and paved the way for transformative leadership. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for being an integral part of this journey. Your impact goes beyond the four weeks and will resonate with our students as they shape the future of Africa.