Monday 7 April 2014
In March 2014, IASeminars CEO Marc Gardiner participated in a British Trade Mission to Nigeria, and took that opportunity to meet with some key clients and business associates in both Lagos and Abuja (see photos below). Marc then went on to South Africa to meet with other important contacts, including the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants with whom IASeminars has a collaboration agreement regarding professional education opportunities for SAICA's international members. He also met senior representatives from EY in Abuja, Lagos and Johannesburg in connection with the new global IPSAS training initiative - see below.
In 2013, sub-Saharan Africa surpassed the traditional IASeminars markets of North America and Europe to become our largest source of business. Clients came from the following countries to participate in our events last year (excludes North Africa):
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Togo
- Tanzania
- Ghana
- Liberia
- Mauritius
- Cameroon
- Zimbabwe
- Sierra Leone
- Guinea
Most of these African participants came to our courses on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), but also many others came from the governmental and non-profit sectors to attend our growing range of courses on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
IASeminars expects to be busy for many years to come in assisting African clients with their financial training requirements, whilst continuing to serve our traditional markets in North America and Europe. The continent of Africa has over 1 billion inhabitants (about 15% of the world total), with Nigeria being by far the largest country by population - some 180 million people, more than twice as many as the next most populous countries of Ethiopia and Egypt. Nigeria is also set to overtake South Africa in the near future as the largest economy in Africa. The Nigerian Stock Exchange had a market capitalisation of some $81 billion in late 2013.
Africa's population is also the youngest among all the continents; 50% of Africans are 19 years old or younger. This represents a future demographic dividend for the continent, which seems destined to grow and develop extensively over many years to come.
African education, training and vocational qualifications are therefore expected to be an important part of the IASeminars worldwide business in the future.
Lagos client: Trustfund Pensions Plc
From Left: Executive Director Operations, Mr. Olawale Wasiu Oluwo, Executive Director - Corporate Services, Mallam Musa Nasr, Managing Director / CEO Trustfund Pensions Plc, Helen Da-Souya and CEO IASeminars, Marc Gardiner; during a courtesy visit to Trustfund by Marc Gardiner in March 2014.
Abuja client: Securities and Exchange Commission
Deputy Director at Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria, Maryam Benjamin Sallau and CEO IASeminars, Marc Gardiner
