Francophone Africa members of MGI Worldwide with CPAAI & Mackrell International meet via Zoom
Amidst the turmoil and disruption that the global pandemic has brought to 2020, it has been encouraging to also see new opportunities emerging as businesses are forced to rethink the ways they communicate and interact.
For members of MGI Worldwide with CPAAI the pandemic has meant a noted increase in online activity with firms connecting virtually, across borders and around the world, as never before.
In a call held on 25 August, MGI Worldwide and CPAAI member firms from Congo, Benin, Madagascar and Tunisia had a valuable discussion with Mackrell International members from Tunisia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire and their Belgian ‘Africa Desk’.
The discussions were held in French and lead by Keith Heddle Managing Director of Mackrell International, with support from Clive Bennett, CEO at MGI Worldwide with CPAAI, who both speak French.
Building relationships across French-speaking Africa
The meeting opened with individuals introducing themselves, their firms and the type of work they do, their specialisations and their clientele. Lawyers and accountants from the same country – and from countries which traditionally work closely together - took the opportunity to identify areas where they can collaborate in future.
“It was great to meet members from our sister law network and we hope to build positive relationships with them” said, Kais Ben Hamadi of La Generale d'Audit et Conseil CPAAI member firm in Tunisia.
The call was lively and went on longer than planned as the firms found common ground, connections and shared experience through the pandemic – both challenges and some opportunities. With 2021 looking to be challenging across Africa, understanding and support for one another and each other’s clients could prove very beneficial.
Daddy Nkuvu Wena of MGI Strong NKV and MGI's International Committee (IC) member for the Africa Region said. "I was pleased with the meeting and thank the members who participated and look forward to similar meetings in the future to further strengthen the MGI with CPAAI & MI position in the continent."
It was agreed that firm contact details and other pertinent information be shared amongst the attending members to further ongoing communication and connectivity.
MGI Africa is part of MGI Worldwide with CPAAI is a top 20 ranked global accounting network and association with 10,000 independent auditors, accountants and tax experts in some 460 locations in almost 100 countries around the world.