AFRICAN Risk Capacity Limited (ARC Ltd) chief executive Lesley Ndlovu, who hails from Zimbabwe, has been named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders in Business for 2024.
ARC Ltd is a hybrid mutual insurer and financial affiliate of the African Risk Capacity Group. The organisation expressed delight at the recognition.
“This prestigious acknowledgment underscores his unwavering commitment to enhancing Africa’s resilience against climate change. “Under Lesley’s visionary leadership, ARC Ltd has pioneered the use of parametric insurance to provide swift financial support to African Union member states facing climateinduced disasters.
“This innovative approach ensures rapid payouts to communities affected by droughts, floods, and cyclones, enabling timely and effective responses without the delays of traditional damage assessments,” ARC Ltd said.
ARC noted a recent US$11,7 million partnership with the United States government to enhance food security and strengthen African climate resilience over the next three years as a demonstration of Ndlovu’s dedication to climate resilience.
“This collaboration underscores the critical role of innovative financial solutions in disaster preparedness and response,” ARC said. “His inclusion in Time’s 2024 list of influential climate leaders is a testament to his impactful work in transforming disaster risk management in Africa.
“His leadership continues to inspire and drive meaningful change, fostering a more resilient and sustainable future for the continent.” This comes as Ndlovu was also recently appointed to the board of Zimbabwe’s sovereign wealth fund, the Mutapa Investment Fund, as vice chairperson.
He was born in Filabusi, Matabeleland South, and is an international financial services executive with experience in corporate finance, investment management and insurance and has worked in Bermuda, Singapore, France, United Kingdom and South Africa.
“The recognition is the culmination of the tremendous work that has been undertaken by the African Risk Capacity. Although it has been awarded to me personally I view it as the recognition of an outstanding team effort,” Ndlovu said. —Wires
