Rwandan President honoured African business leaders in London
Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot

Accra, July 9, Ghanadot - At an awards ceremony organised by African Business magazine and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), President Paul Kagame together with African government officials and top leaders from all regions of Africa celebrated the achievements of prominent businessmen and women driving growth and development in the Continent.

Paul Kagame presented the Lifetime Achievement award to Pascal Dozie, who was honoured for his outstanding contribution to the development of the private sector in Nigeria. African Business of the Year went to Equity Bank while Cyril Ramaphosa, Executive Chairman of Shanduka, won the Business Leader of the Year. Maria Ramos, CEO of Absa received the Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year award from Baroness Amos. Another exceptional leader, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) received the Special Recognition for Outstanding Public Service.

Rama Sithanen, Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, picked up the Award for Most Improved Investment Climate on behalf of his country. Two new awards, Best Agricultural Development and Tourism Destination of the Year went to Malawi and Morocco respectively for their exceptional performances. Finally the Award for Improvement in Good Governance went to Lagos State in Nigeria.

Airline of the Year went to Ethiopian Airlines and Telecoms Company of the Year to MTN. Diageo won the Best Global Business in Africa while Standard Chartered Bank was honoured with the award for Best Corporate Citizenship / Social Responsibility.

The event was co-hosted by African Business magazine and the CBC, and sponsored by BHP Billiton, Ecobank, IGI and Laurent Perrier. In line with its mission to bolster Africa’s economic development, the Awards were also partnered with the Alliance for a Green Revolution (AGRA) and supported by the African Development Bank. A distinguished panel of judges selected winners in 8 categories from a pool of nominees that came from all over the African continent. The winners of the four remaining categories were selected by the advisory board comprising of the editorial team of African Business magazine, various associations and experts from the CBC.

One of the nominees commented: “It was very competitive since most of Africa’s top players in business are here tonight. I am truly honoured to have been recognised by the prestigious African Business magazine in front of this impressive international audience!”

Omar Ben Yedder, Associate Group Publisher of African Business magazine, the organiser of the event said: “We had here in London tonight an impressive gathering of African leaders, from business, government, investors, Africa watchers as well as members of civil society. We have celebrated the good and the great of Africa and it is encouraging that this list is getting longer and the pool of talent from which to choose larger, year on year.”

Dr. Mohan Kaul, CEO of the CBC, stressed the importance of these Awards: “At a time of economic turmoil and uncertainty, awards such as these become even more important. The African Business Awards contribute to the reappraisal of Africa’s economic potential through a competition that recognises business innovation and achievement, and offers role models for aspiring entrepreneurs.”

Afif Ben Yedder, publisher of African Business added: “Investments in Africa are safe and very profitable. The opportunities for the private sector are limitless in all sectors of the economy and not only in telecoms or banking. Africa continues to grow at a fast rate despite the slowdown. The African Business Awards have become a major event to promote the continent and give a greater visibility to the most successful business leaders and best enterprises of the year in Africa.”

Ghanadot

IC Publications holds two annual awards ceremonies. The next one will be the African Banker Awards which will coincide with the IMF-World Bank meetings, which this year will take place on the 5th October 2009 in Istanbul.

Ghanadot