Inclusive Capitalism AND Business with Dr. Mo Ibrahim

01/14/25 • 33 min

AND is the Future - Making Businesses Sustainable AND Profitable

According to top business leader and philanthropist Dr. Mo Ibrahim, “You have to be profitable in your business, but you also have to try to do good as well.” Dr. Ibrahim implemented this belief by making all his employees business partners or shareholders within the companies he ran. As he would say, “Either we succeed together or we fail together!” Ilham sits down with Dr. Ibrahim for a fascinating discussion about what it means to be sustainable AND profitable in business, the importance of inclusive capitalism, the fight against climate change and the role Africa plays, the important work of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and so much more.

Timestamps
1:37 - Upbringing and the making of a leader
3:59 - An accidental businessman
6:08 - The important work of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
10:47 - Africa and the fight against climate change
13:31 - Sustainability AND profitability
19:21 - The importance of inclusive capitalism
29:05 - Leadership advice
30:35 - Recharging the batteries

Dr. Mo Ibrahim is a great businessman, philanthropist, and climate justice advocate. He is the founder and chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which improves lives by advocating for good governance and exceptional leadership in Africa. He founded two major companies, Mobile Systems International, a world leading cellular consulting and software provider, and CellTel International, one of Africa's leading mobile telephone companies. As a business leader, who does so much good in the world, he is a perfect example of the power of AND.

For additional details about the podcast, show notes, and access to resources mentioned during the show, please visit https://www.syensqo.com/en/podcast

For additional details about the podcast, show notes, and access to resources mentioned during the show, please visit https://www.syensqo.com/en/podcast

Previous Episode

Re-Release! Net Positive AND Thriving with Paul Polman, former Unilever CEO

We appreciate the fabulous response to AND is the future and wanted to re-share one of our favorite episodes from Season One, especially for our new listeners. This episode features Paul Polman, one of the foremost sustainable businesses leaders.
Is the world better off because your business is in it? Paul Polman speaks with Ilham about what it takes to build a Net Positive company; how leaders can unlock a company’s soul; why empathetic leadership is the key to success; the power of partnerships; the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, and so much more.
Paul Polman is the former CEO of Unilever and one of the foremost leaders in the effort to create sustainable and profitable businesses. While at Unilever he increased his shareholders' returns by 300% while ensuring the company ranked #1 in the world for sustainability for eleven years running. He now runs an organization called Imagine, which advocates for businesses becoming a true force for good. Paul is also the author of Net Positive How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take.
This episode was released as part of Season One in October 2022.

Timestamps
1:22 - Background and passion for sustainable business
5:10 - How to be a Net Positive company
8:42 - Purpose: unlocking a company’s soul
13:36 - Power of partnerships
19:07 - Empathetic leadership
25:30 - Leaving a better world for the next generation
27:32 - What can business learn from the arts?

Next Episode

Antarctica AND the tipping point with Eric Goens, award-winning director of 2050

You may know Eric Goens for his many hit shows in Belgium such as Conclave, but did you know his passion is Antarctica? In this episode, Eric talks about his masterpiece, a documentary called 2050 that takes us on an expedition to Princess Elizabeth Station. Ilham and Eric have a fascinating discussion about experiencing the beauty of Antarctica, seeing the effects of climate change there, and how businesses can play a big role. As Eric puts it “We are the very first generation that knows the problem and has the solution.” Watch for the film in theaters near you in March 2025!

Timestamps

1:31 - Where his love of filming came from
2:42 - The inspiration for 2050
7:50 - Experiencing the beauty of Antarctica
10:50 - Antarctica as the barometer of the planet
14:19 - Film as an answer to the state of the climate
19:46 - How businesses can be more effective in fighting climate change
21:50 - Antarctica and its special connection to Belgium
26:24 - Filming in an unforgiving landscape
30:15 - Following his passion
32:32 - How to watch the 2050 documentary

Eric Goens is a Belgian journalist, reporter, filmmaker and entrepreneur. He is the owner of Bargoens, a production company, and known for many hit television programs in Belgium such as Het huis and Het conclave to name just a few. Eric Goens is about to release a masterpiece called 2050, a documentary that follows renowned scientists as they explore and conduct experiments from Princess Elizabeth Station. Syensqo is proud to be the only sponsor of this incredible film.

For additional details about the podcast, show notes, and access to resources mentioned during the show, please visit https://www.syensqo.com/en/podcast

AND is the Future - Making Businesses Sustainable AND Profitable - Inclusive Capitalism AND Business with Dr. Mo Ibrahim

Transcript

Ilham Kadri00:00:35.890

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Mo Ibrahim, who is truly a great businessman, philanthropist, and climate justice advocate to the podcast.

Ilham Kadri00:00:47.810

He is the founder and chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which improves lives by advocating for good governance and exceptional leadership in Africa. He founded two major companies, Mobile Systems International, a world leading cellular consulting a