AABLA East African finalists announced

These finalists have been selected for their game-changing contributions to the East African business landscape, and will contend for the opportunity to enter the national round for the title of Africa's most ground-breaking business person in their respective fields.

"This year we received a great deal of entries from all countries across East Africa. We saw an increase in the number of entries, especially in the categories for Business Woman of the Year and Young Business Leader of the Year. The quality of entries has also greatly improved compared to last year and is a good indicator of the quality of leadership in East Africa," says Mary Waceke, chief judge of the East Africa round of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards.

The ceremony will be featured in a special broadcast on CNBC Africa on 16 September at 10pm CAT. The Johnnie Walker Blue Label CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards acknowledge true pioneers in several diverse fields of business on the African Continent, and countries chosen for this year's regional ceremonies include Nigeria (West Africa), Rwanda (East Africa) and South Africa.

The finalist's for each category in East Africa are:

Business Leader of the Year

• Jonathan Ciano - CEO and group managing director, Uchumi Supermarkets
  
• James Gatera - CEO, Bank of Kigali
  
• Duncan Kibui - CEO, Chase Bank

Business Woman of the Year 2013

• Joanne Mwangi - founder and CEO, Professional Marketing Services Group
  
• Nasim Devji - Group CEO, Diamond Trust Bank
  
• Priya Budhabatti - head of Human Resources, Craft Silicon Kenya ICT and Craft Silicon foundation Kenya.

Entrepreneur of the Year 2013

• Peter Nduati - founder and CEO, Resolution Health East Africa, Ltd.
  
• Zafrullah Khan - group managing director, Chase Bank
  
• Patrick Bitature - founder, chairman and Group CEO, Simba Telecoms Group of Companies, East Africa.

Young Business Leader of the Year 2013

• Kamal Budhabatti - founder and CEO, Craft Silicon ICT Kenya
  
• Gachao Kiuna - CEO and managing director, Trans-Century Group
  
• Joshua Oigara - Group CEO, Kenya Commercial Bank

"As judges, we are looking for leaders who have made a significant and distinctive contribution in their respective sectors. Across all categories, the winner has to exemplify outstanding leadership in business by demonstrating innovation, best business practices and accountability, together with intangible qualities such as integrity and a shared vision," adds Waceke.

The winners from each region will automatically become finalists in the grand finale to be hosted in the city of Durban, South Africa, later this year.

For more, go to www.aabla2013.com.