Gearing up for the 2014 AABLA finale

The winners of the regional rounds will vie for the title of Africa's most exemplary business trailblazers in their respective fields, ranging from Business Leader of the Year to Young Business Leader of the Year; Business Woman of the Year; Entrepreneur of the Year; and the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

"The AABLA awards strive to acknowledge the pioneers of the African economy at the highest level, to honour their contributions, tireless dedication and vision. The nominees in this year's Finale are truly of a superlative standard," says Jeff Milliken, director of brandhouse.

Finalists

The Business Leader of the Year category will see three consummate professionals contending for the honour of being recognised as Africa's premier leader. Southern Africa's Asher Bohbot, CEO of EOH Holdings Limited, will compete against east Africa's Dr. Reginald Mengi, CEO of IPP Limited, and west Africa's Atedo N.A. Peterside, Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC.

Africa's Young Business Leader of the Year title will see three of Africa's most promising young leaders contending. Southern Africa's Gil Oved and Ran Neu-Ner, Group CEOs of The Creative Counsel, will stand against east Africa's Patrick Ngowi, CEO of Helvetic Solar, and west Africa's Chude Jideonwo and Adebola T. Williams, co-founders and managing partners of Red Media.

Two dynamic leaders will contend in the Business Woman of the Year category, which celebrates the continent's most impactful female pioneers. East Africa's nominee is Tabitha Karanja, CEO of Keroche Breweries Limited, while west Africa will be represented by Arunma Oteh, the Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria.

The three nominees in the Entrepreneur of the Year category are southern Africa's Fred Robertson, Chairman of Brimstone Investment Corporation Limited; east Africa's Manoj Shanker, CEO of IPP Limited; and west Africa's Tayo Oviosu, founder and CEO of Paga.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Johnnie Walker Blue Label, applauds the most consistent visionaries in the African business landscape. The nominees are southern Africa's Phuthuma Nhleko, east Africa's Dr Reginald Mengi, and west Africa's Otunba Subomi Balogun. These three leaders have made indelible impacts on the future of African business, and this category celebrates the point where boldness and rare character meet.

"The CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards Presented By Johnnie Walker Blue Label have celebrated excellence across the African continent, in this, the fourth season of the award. As Africa's foremost business media company, we congratulate those who have conquered their regions and now look forward to recognising Africa's ultimate business visionaries who have made a noteworthy impact on the continent as a whole," says Roberta Naicker, managing director of the ABN group.