Winners of the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) 2012 have been officially announced with Kenya rising up to claim 4 out of 7 honours. According to a press release from CNBC Africa, the ceremony took place on the 25th of October, 2012 at the Vodadome in Midrand, South Africa.
“I founded these awards in 2011 as a derivative of the Business Leaders Awards that are held by CNBC all over the world,” said the Founder of the ABN Group, Rakesh Wahi. “These awards are a tribute to those Captains of Industry who have made a qualitative difference to the companies, industries and communities that they serve,” he added, noting that African leadership would eventually create and preserve the wealth that belongs to its people.
Equity Bank CEO Dr James Mwangi scooped the Business Leader of the Year Award. Comcraft Chief Executive, Dr Manu Chandaria was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award while Scangroup CEO, Bharat Thakrar won the Forbes Africa Advertising leader of the Year Award. Ogilvy & Mather Africa, a subsidiary of Scangroup, won Forbes Africa Agency Network of the Year.
Entrepreneur of The Year went to Jannie Mouton, CEO of PSG Group, South Africa. Business Woman of the Year was claimed by Funke Opeke, CEO at Main One Cable Company, Mauritius.
The Young Business Leader of The Year Award went to Jack Kayonga, Managing Director at Rwanda Development Bank.
The vetting process was officiated by a panel of judges which included the likes of Dr George Njenga, former Dean at Strathmore Business School.
Also on the panel were Josphet Mwaura, Senior Partner at KPMG East Africa and Mary Waceke, Inspirational Leader and Business coach.
Contendors
Below is a list of the Finalists (and now official winners) according to Biz Community:
Business Leader of the Year:
- Phakamani Hadebe, CEO, Landbank
- James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Bank
- Mitchelle Elegbe, CEO and MD, Interswitch
Entrepreneur of the Year:
- Jannie Mouton, CEO, PSG Group
- Vimal Shah, CEO, Bidco Group
- Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, CEO and president, Nestoil
Business Woman of the Year:
- Jennifer Barassa, CEO, Top Image Ltd
- Funke Opeke, CEO, Main One Cable Company
Young Business Leader of the Year:
- Jack Kayonga, MD, Rwanda Development Bank
- Elikem Nutifafa MD, Oxford and Beaumont
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:
- Lauritz Dippenaar, non-executive chairman, Firstrand
- Manu Chandaria, Comcraft
- Tayo Aderinokun
“I’m humbled to have met all these great business leaders with amazing stories,” said Waceke, one of Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 Women, on her Twitter page.
AABLA is Africa’s most prestigious awards ceremony, bringing together the continent’s most notable financial movers and shakers. The 2012 event will be broadcast on the 30th of October, 2012 at 9 pm. It will air on CNBC Africa, DStv channel 410.