"My plan is to establish a factory because I like to live in Lagos, " he says.

CNN: The Africans looking to make it in China

Incidentally, Smith won his way onto the fast track at GM by working with Toyota Motor Co. to establish a joint factory in California, and also by running GM Europe.

FORBES: General Motors Third Quarter Results Show GM Needs To Get More Global: Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Labor and human-rights groups have been calling on apparel brands and retailers to sign on to the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement, which would establish a system of independent factory inspections whose recommendations would be binding.

WSJ: Dozens Die in Bangladesh Building Collapse