CBC-African Business Awards 2008 winners
LONDON: The inaugural CBC-African Business Awards took place on Thursday evening, 3 July 2008 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Just under 500 government, business and media leaders from Africa, Europe, Asia and the USA attended the event. The awards were presented at the glittering ceremony, which was co-hosted by the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) and African Business magazine, and sponsored by Zenith Bank, Ecobank, IGI and the private sector arm of the African Development Bank. A distinguished panel of judges, chaired by Omari Issa, selected winners in 16 categories. The nominees came from north, south, west and central Africa.
Ephraim Inoni, Prime Minister of Cameroon; Bethuel Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho; Senator Daggash, Nigeria's Minister of National Planning; Neville Isdell, Chairman of Coca Cola; and other prominent diplomats and businessmen presented the awards to the winners during a festive and memorable African night.
Omar Ben Yedder, associate group publisher of African Business magazine, the event organiser said, “We are thrilled to honour these exemplary men, women and businesses that truly embody African excellence in the world markets. The nominees and winners of the African Business Awards 2008 are a shining example to their peers and the global business community. There are success stories in Africa which need to be recognised and celebrated. This year we wanted to hold the ceremony in London, the financial centre of the world, and give both the nominees and winners a platform in front of a diverse and international crowd.”
Mo Ibrahim won the Lifetime achievement Award for changing the telecoms landscape in Africa and also his contribution in changing the perception of doing business in Africa. Arnold Ekpe, CEO of Ecobank, won African Business Leader of the Year. His group has become the premier pan-African multinational. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, director general of the Nigeria Stock Exchange won African Businesswoman of the Year for her inspirational work in Nigeria and also in other African countries.
The other big winners on the night were MTN, Ecobank and Anglo American. Anglo American won three Awards: Best Global Business, Contributor to MDGs and Gender Sensitivity. Ecobank won two Awards: Technological Innovation and Business Leader of the Year. MTN also won two Awards: Brand of the Year and Best African Business.
Afif Ben Yedder, publisher of African Business added: “I am delighted to congratulate all the nominees and winners from across the African business community. Tonight we recognise and pay tribute to world class business leaders and enterprises in Africa. This is just the beginning of a great leap forward for the continent business sector. Tonight I see a new future for Africa, new energy, talent, and success. With almost one billion people in the continent, the new generations will make this century, the century of Africa.”
Paul Skinner, chairman of Rio Tinto and chairman of the CBC said, "The forum and the CBC-African Business Awards are a demonstration of the strong interest of business in Africa. The enthusiasm and confidence of investors and business leaders in Africa is palpable. The optimism is immediate and for the long term."
Afif Ben Yedder announced that the 2nd African Banker Awards 2008 to honour Africa's top bankers and banks will be held in Washington on 13 October to coincide with the World Bank annual meeting.
CBC-African Business Awards 2008 winners:
- Best Efforts towards Improving Investment Climate: Ghana
- Award for Technological Innovation: Ecobank
- African Businesswoman of the Year: Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke OON, Director General, Nigeria Stock Exchange
- African Brand of the Year: MTN
- Best Corporate Citizenship/Social Responsibility: Bamburi Cement, Kenya
- Lifetime achievement: Mo Ibrahim, Founder of Celtel and Chairman, Mo Ibrahim Foundation
- Award for Gender Sensitivity: Anglo American
- Leader in Reducing Digital Divide: Submarine Cable, Nepad e-Initiative
- Leader in Social Innovation: Small Enterprise Foundation - South Africa
- Leader in Contributing to Achieving MDGS: Anglo American
- Best SME: Africa Invest, Malawi
- Telecoms Company in Africa: Celtel (Zain)
- Airline of the Year: South African Airways
- Best Global Business in Africa: Anglo American
- African Business Leader of the Year: Arnold Ekpe, CEO, Ecobank
- African Business of the Year: MTN
