AEMA Black Prize honours African leaders for global impact

Three towering figures of leadership and impact were celebrated at the African Economic Global Convergence (AEGC) 2025 Summit, receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award – The AEMA Black Prize for their extraordinary contributions to Africa and the world.

Those honoured include: Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service; Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Former UN Under-Secretary-General & Special Representative of the Secretary General for Sustainable Energy and Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR, Former UN Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa, and Nigeria’s Former Chief of Staff to the President.

The awards were presented during the high-level gala at The Yale Club of New York City, on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80).

“These leaders exemplify Africa’s finest — they are architects of policy, champions of innovation, and bridge-builders who have shaped global conversations for decades,” said Mr. McEva Temofe, Convener of the AEGC 2025 Summit.

Bashir Adewale Adeniyi was recognised for his leadership in modernising Nigeria’s customs operations, facilitating trade corridors, and positioning Nigeria as a driver under the AfCFTA framework.

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Kandeh Yumkella was honoured for his global advocacy on sustainable energy, economic transformation, and Africa’s role in climate-smart development.

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, received the award for his decades-long service to diplomacy, governance, and Africa’s strategic presence in the United Nations system.

The AEMA Black Prize – Lifetime Achievement Award is one of Africa’s highest recognitions of global excellence, presented annually to individuals whose contributions have had lasting impact on development, peace, and prosperity across borders.

This year’s AEGC Summit brought together Heads of State, ministers, investors, and UN leaders under the theme, “International Summit on Security, Economy, and Investment in the Global Space,” with sessions on strategic investment, youth empowerment, and Africa’s pathway to global competitiveness.

As preparations begin for AEGC Malta and Beijing 2026, the recognition of these distinguished leaders underscores the Summit’s mission to spotlight transformational African and global leadership while fostering partnerships for a sustainable future.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.