Winners have emerged in the four categories of the prestigious Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship (AAE) 2015 identifying sector leaders with significant socio-economic impact in Africa.
The winners emerged from beverages, telecoms, IT infrastructure networks and non-governmental organisations sectors among others.
The award organised by African Leadership Network (ALN), a membership community of the most dynamic and influential new generation leaders in Africa held in Marrakech, Morocco.
The winners emerged from a shortlist of 11 finalists chosen from four categories after a thorough due diligence exercise carried out by professional service firm PwC.
The awards were inaugurated to reward some of the continent’s most innovative entrepreneurs and this year’s top 11 finalists were narrowed down from a list of more than 500 contestants and represent a broad spectrum of sectors across Africa, including amongst others, beverages, telecoms, IT infrastructure networks and non-governmental organisations.
Tabitha Karanja (Keroche Breweries, Kenya), emerged winner of the Transformational Business Award category. The award is given to a notable business leader who has created significant socio-economic impact in Africa by building a business with revenues greater than USD $50 million.
Munyaradzi Gwatidzo (Astro Mobile, Zimbabwe) came top among other contestants for the Outstanding Mature Business Award, which is given to a business leader who has built a company with revenues between $5 million and $50 million.
Tayo Oviosu (Paga, Nigeria), was declared the winner of the Outstanding Growing Business Award which is given to a young remarkable African business with revenues between USD $500,000 and USD $5 million.
Amina Slaoui (Groupe AMH, Morocco) emerged the winner of the Outstanding Social Entrepreneur Award category and winner of a USD $50,000 prize awarded to an organization that demonstrates outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship while sustainably addressing the double bottom line.
According to the organizers, Amina Slaoui (Groupe AMH, Morocco) was rewarded for demonstrating annual revenues of between USD $150,000 and USD $2.5 million in the last financial year, while remaining primarily focused on social returns.
Ayesha Bedwei, PwC Partner and Coordinator for the PwC/AAE process, PwC, said that PwC decided to support the awards because they believe that the road to growth passes through entrepreneurship.
Speaking on the screening process conducted by PwC, she said that the due diligence process focused on the soundness of the business model, financial health, as well as the integrity of the finalists business practices.
She added: “Africa as a continent is a breeding ground for talent and innovation. Companies have to think entrepreneurially in order to survive and strive. The chosen finalists have grown successful multi-faceted businesses which have catapulted them into the African spotlight gaining them continental recognition. The leadership positions that these companies hold inspire many others to emulate their success”.
Uyi Akpata, Regional Senior Partner for PwC West Market Area and a judge at this year’s awards on his part affirmed that entrepreneurship is a strong driver of wealth creation in Africa.
Modestus. Anaesoronye
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