Winners of East African AABLA announced

These regional winners will go on to compete against finalists from across the continent for recognition as the ultimate game-changer in their respective fields.

The continent's most prestigious business awards, the AABLAs recognise innovators and pioneers in a variety of categories, reflecting the diversity of the African business environment.

Winners

• The Entrepreneur of the Year: Peter Nduati, the founder and CEO of Resolution Health East Africa. Resolution Health has presented several advances in the industry, and Nduati is known as a ground breaker in his field. Contenders for Entrepreneur of the Year were Patrick Bitature, the founder, CEO and chairman of the Simba Group of Companies, and Zafrullah Khan, the group managing director of the Chase Group of Companies.

• Businesswoman of the Year: Priya Budhabhatti, head of Human Resources at Craft Silicon. She heads the Craft Silicon Foundation, which looks to inspire Kenya's youth into careers in the Information Technology sector, signifying her vision of a vibrant future for African business. Her contenders were Professional Marketing Services Group CEO and founder, Joanne Muthoni Mwangi, and Nasim Devji, group CEO of Diamond Trust Bank in East Africa.

• Young Business Leader: Dr. Gachao Kiuna for his work as the CEO and managing director of the Trans-Century Group. The category's runners-up were Joshua Oigara, group CEO of the KBC Group, and Kamal Budhabhatti, founder and CEO of Craft Silicon.

• Business Leader of the Year: Visionary businessman and CEO of Bank of Kigali, Dr. James Gatera. Throughout his tenure at Bank of Kigali, the Bank has won several international awards, and Dr. Gatera has been highly instrumental in the Bank's development. The category's other contenders were group CEO of Uchumi Supermarkets Limited, Dr. Jonathan Ciano, and Duncan Kabui, CEO of Chase Bank Kenya.

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Late business leader, Dr. James Mulwana, was honoured for his iconic contribution to African business in the Lifetime Achievement Award category. As chairman of the Standard Chartered Bank Uganda and several other boards, and the founder of several businesses, Dr. James Mulwana was an example of truly enlightened business leadership and practice.

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards travels next to Johannesburg for the Southern African round on 19 September.

The finale will take place in Durban, South Africa, on 8 November, as the definitive leaders of African business are named and applauded for their contribution to the continent's success.

For more, go to www.aabla2013.com or to apply for media accreditation go to www. celebsa.com.