GE Africa gets new president, CEO

Since 2007, Ireland, 56, has led GE Asset Management, a global investment firm with about US$120 billion in assets under management, including portfolios for institutional investors around the world as well those of GE's US employee pension and benefits plans. Prior to that, he was president of NBC Universal Television Stations and Network Operations. Previously, he served as CFO of GE Plastics, a business the company sold in 2007.

"Jay brings a wide range of leadership experience that will help to grow our presence and businesses in sub-Saharan Africa, which we believe offers strong potential for long-term growth." said Rice. "He will be able to draw on his knowledge of GE and global business to build the team and resources we need to serve the region."

In this new role for GE Africa, he will join Nabil Habayeb, who leads the company's operations in the northern African countries and the Middle East. The GE team across the sub-Saharan countries includes more than 800 professionals.

"Nabil Habayeb's leadership has been essential to our successes in Africa, particularly with building partnerships and expanding regional footprint," Rice said. "With two strong leaders, GE is poised to accelerate growth through a wide range of solutions that will support Africa's rapid infrastructure transformation across northern and sub-Saharan Africa."

In November 2010, GE named Rice, who is also a vice chairman, head of the newly created Global Growth and Operations structure to accelerate GE's efforts to meet customer needs with the company's leading technology and services. GE sees substantial opportunity in Africa to work with governments, companies and organizations to deliver cleaner energy and water and affordable healthcare.