AABLA winners to be crowned this week

The AABLAs have travelled through three regional rounds in West, East and Southern Africa to applaud the pioneering men and women who had an invaluable impact in shaping the continent's business landscape in 2013. These rounds celebrated the epic achievements of Africa's business visionaries across five categories, and these regional winners now walk on to the illustrious finale to vie for the title of Africa's most exemplary business trailblazer in their respective fields.

The mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Cllr James Nxumalo is honoured that Durban is host city of this prestigious event. "With our strategic geographic location on Africa's east coast and with both the continent's busiest seaport and now with the advent of direct air connectivity, coupled with its wonderful year-round weather, Durban has emerged as a key business, tourism and investment destination."

Finalists and categories

Business Leader of the Year:

This category sees three professionals contending for the honour of being recognised as Africa's foremost leader. West Africa's Jean-Louis Ekra, the chairman and president of the African Export-Import Bank, will compete against Dr. James Gatera, CEO of Bank of Kigali in East Africa, and Michael Jordaan, CEO of First National Bank, from Southern Africa.

Business Woman of the Year:

Africa's leading businesswomen have been lauded through the three regional rounds, and these female leaders now vie for the grand title of Business Woman of the Year. This category sees West Africa's Biola Alabi, managing director of Mnet Africa, East Africa's Priya Budhabhatti, head of Human Resources at Craft Silicon, and Southern Africa's Mizinga Melu, CEO and managing director of Standard Chartered Bank competing for the title.

Entrepreneur of the Year:

This category presents Africa's most dynamic game-changers, who have blazed their own trail in business. Sim Shagaya of West Africa, the founder and CEO of Nigerian online shopping portal, konga.com stands in the running. Alongside him, is East Africa's Peter Nduti, founder and CEO of Resolution Health, and Southern Africa's Francis Grogan, the CEO of Zambeef, one of Zambia's largest integrated agri-businesses.

Young Business Leader of the Year:

This category will see three promising and exemplary young leaders contend. Jason Njoku, the CEO and co-founder of Nollywood's biggest distribution portal, iROKO TV, will contend against Dr. Gachao Kiuna, the CEO and managing director of the Trans-Century Group of East Africa. Southern Africa's Rob Stokes, the CEO of digital Agency, Quirk, will also vie for the award.

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards will pay homage to those who continue to enhance Africa's prominence on the global business stage.

The finale will be viewable via a special broadcast on CNBC Africa on 19 November at 9.30pm (CAT).