By Stanley Opara

Global financial services firm, Ernst & Young, has said it will invest over $150m in Africa over the next few years on human capacity development.

The firm said the move would make its clients to realise their potential, leveraging a team with deep professional know-how.

The firm’s Area Managing Partner, Europe, Middle East, India & Africa, Mr. Mark Otty, who visited Nigeria, told newsmen that the investments were calculated efforts targeted at maintaining the firm’s position as a global player in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.

Otty said, “Our mission is to provide very quality services to our clients. Nigeria is very important in the global economy and that is why we are here today.”

He also said, “In my role as the area managing partner, EMEIA, I travel around the world. I have never seen such level of interest like in African countries. There is increasing level of interest in the African continent from the international community. For us, it is a real level of enthusiasm.”

According to him, the African region is very important to Ernst & Young, which is the reason the firm is making investments to support local businesses to grow, while also assuring that the firm will continue to invest greatly in human capacity to grow the African market.

The Regional Managing Partner, West Africa, Ernst & Young, Mr. Henry Egbiki, however, said, “Otty’s visit to Nigeria is exciting for us in terms of the way we integrate our business in EMEIA,” stressing that the Nigerian market contributed significantly to the firm’s overall global performance.

In the same vein, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, Africa, Mr. Ajen Sita, described Nigeria as one of Ernst & Young’s top three markets in Africa.

 

Source: Punch