COMMENT
Caterpillar puts its
weight behind Africa
A
s Africa continues to grapple with a chronic
shortage of skills and generally high rates of
poverty and unemployment, US construction
equipment maker Caterpillar’s investment plans for the
continent make for some good news.
In recent weeks, Caterpillar announced plans to
expand its footprint and workforce development
programme in countries throughout Africa, by way of a
USD1-billion investment over the next five years.
In addition to expanding and improving its parts
distribution capacity across the continent and building
new Certified Rebuild Centres, Caterpillar’s investment
will also add new dealer branch locations and grow
the company’s “Technicians for Africa” online skills
development programme.
“Technicians for Africa” is a free programme that
teaches important technical skills needed to pursue a
career as an equipment technician. Caterpillar plans
to expand this programme from three to 15 countries
across Africa, in what could be a truly significant skills
development effort.
Currently, Caterpillar employs about 15 000 company
and dealer workers on the continent through the
Caterpillar Foundation.
Since 2010, the Caterpillar Foundation has invested
approximately USD50-million to support projects in
Africa that are focused on impacting those living in
poverty (specifically girls and women), using training,
policy work, entrepreneurial programmes, and more.
This Illinois-based company claims these investments
are benefiting hundreds of thousands of people with
access to education, energy, clean water and sanitation,
and microfinance. Building on these investments,
the Caterpillar Foundation says it will also commit
an additional USD15-million by the year 2020 to
organisations working to improve lives across Africa.
“For 90 years, Caterpillar machines have helped build
critical infrastructure projects throughout Africa.
Today, we bring not only construction machinery to
the continent, but also traditional and renewable power
generation solutions, diesel-electric locomotives, marine
engines, and mining equipment,” Caterpillar chair and
CEO Doug Oberhelman noted recently.
“We are proudly confirming our plan to make a
long-term investment to help build, develop and power
communities, and serve as an education and training
partner to broaden and strengthen local workforce talent
and expertise.”
To enhance its involvement in Africa further, the
company also announced that Resource Industries’
group president, Denise Johnson, has been named to
the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in
Africa, in the US.
“It’s an honour to be named to this council dedicated
to improving trade and business opportunities between
African countries and the United States,” said Johnson.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside my industry
peers to share Caterpillar’s decades of experience in
Africa and to provide counsel to the president as we seek
to bolster those relationships.”
According to Caterpillar, Johnson’s appointment
strengthens the company’s voice in providing
information, analysis and recommendations on US–
Africa trade and investment priorities. It is certainly good
to see massive corporations like Caterpillar putting their
money where their mouth is. This will hopefully serve as
an example to others hoping to make a difference. n
Martin Czernowalow - Editor
@martinczern
Plant Equipment & Hire
[email protected]
AUGUST 2018
1