The Biruch Research & Education Center welcomed the first group of students and graduates from four African countries for the Ubuntu Leadership, or Empathic Leadership, program. Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Burundi representatives visited the Belgorod Region.
The program featured lectures and practical sessions in psychology, sociology, neurophysiology, systems management, and analytical design. During the technology module, attendees explored the latest trends in foodtech and biotechnology. EFKO specialists developed all relevant methodological materials. Representatives from Sber and Yandex facilitated a module on artificial intelligence and digitalization's future vision and potential.
The program's main focus was on the research & education center's developments on 2nd type of empathy – the ability to empathize and experience another's pain as one's own. In a corporate culture, this is a key personal competency of the leader.
"Everyone feels 'ubuntu' but it's rarely discussed, particularly in leadership," Yvonne Mose, an entrepreneur from Kenya, shares. "In all the programs I've attended, I've been advised to learn to conceal empathy as it's considered a weakness. Here, it's the complete opposite. You have managed to explain, starting from neurophysiology, how it works for us, when it hinders us, and when it helps us. It's incredible, but in Russia, I feel like I've discovered family".
"Ubuntu-human in today's competitive world, where the strong has the power to destroy the weak, is like 'grass' to the unempathetic Anglo-Saxon world," Obed Biringiro, a student at Rwanda Polytechnic College, says. "When I heard that, I got goosebumps all over. Because it's true. We won't be told about it anywhere else. We are too dependent on the West's money."
"Harmony is the main thing I saw here," Kenny Habuwiwe from Burundi says. "The way things look around here, the way the material is explained and presented, and what is being done. All happens in perfect harmony. It's amazing! All the leadership courses I've attended before seem bland and superficial now."
"But first, seek what you can do for others, and all other things will be given to you as well." This quote from Sergey's story about the Costa Rica conference shocked me," Israel Smart, a Nigerian student at the African Leadership University, shares. "I am Orthodox, and my family is very religious. And my mom always repeats the bible version of that saying. When I moved to the capital city, I learned to hide the fact that I am religious, and here a representative of such a big business is not afraid to talk about God."
"I am amazed by Russia, and Moscow is the city of the future," Agnes Wachira, a representative of the program to promote high-impact entrepreneurship in Africa, says about her impressions. "Everything we learned at Sber and Yandex is simply incredible!" And it seemed as though we could see into the future at the EFKO facilities. I never experienced such warmth from everyone we met anywhere else. May you be repaid seven times more with all that you invest in us!"

EFKO Executive Director
Starting the Institute is the first step in the implementation of our corporate "African Project." The primary emphasis is on socio-cultural studies, as the African philosophy of "Ubuntu" closely aligns with the empathic-community base of our cultural code. This cultural code similarity can serve as a solid foundation for developing a talent pool for the company's upcoming projects in Africa".
Besides continuing and broadening training programs, the Africa Research Institute by EFKO intends to study local consumer preferences. Considering the continent's increasing population, this is a key area where Russian products, including biotech products, will be in demand in the coming decades. On the other hand, Africa supplies raw materials, including oilseeds. Strengthening business contacts will contribute to cooperation between Russian companies and local agricultural producers.