Ethiopian PM, Zambia’s President headline 100 Most Notable Africans Awards in Morocco

Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ethiopian Prime Minister  Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former African Union Commission Chairperson will be among African leaders and  honoured at the 2026 edition of the 100 Most Notable Africans Leadership and Business Summit scheduled to hold in Marrakech, Morocco.

Organisers announced that the three-day summit will take place from June 26 to  28, 2026, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès Marrakech, Mövenpick Hotel, Boulevard Mohamed VI, Marrakech, amid growing interest and participation from political leaders, business executives, investors, diplomats and development advocates across Africa and beyond.

The annual event is organised by the Davdan Peace and Advocacy Foundation and the 100 Most Notable Peace Icons Africa in collaboration with strategic partners.

Over the years, the summit has gained recognition as a platform that celebrates excellence in leadership and enterprise while fostering innovation, investment, cross-border collaboration and sustainable development across the continent.

Kingsley Amafibe, Project Director for Africa, said preparations for the 2026 edition were at an advanced stage, with a significant number of award recipients, delegates and institutional partners already confirming attendance.

According to the organisers, this year’s honours list features an array of influential leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and professionals drawn from different sectors of the African economy.

Among those slated for recognition are Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister  of Ethiopia;  Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia; Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma,

former African Union Commission Chairperson,  Vho-Midiavhathu Prince Kennedy Tshivhase, Head of the Tshivhase Traditional Council and Paramount Ruler of the Tshivhase Dynasty in South Africa; Paul  Tungwarara, Presidential Investment Advisor to Zimbabwe; and Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Chief Executive Officer of Sakunda Holdings.

The list also includes Asu Kunemofa, Director of Finance and Accounts at Nigeria’s Niger Delta Development Commission;  Sindiswa Mzamo, Global President of the Circle of Global Business Women in Lesotho; Zama Phakathi, Managing Director of Splendid Group, South Africa; Tendai Mhizha, Group Chief Executive Officer of Research Bureau International and Integra Africa, Zimbabwe; and Levi Maluvele, Founder and Creative Director of Fancy Africa, Mozambique.

Other honourees are Janet Osei-Boadi of Ghana, Abbas Devjani of Comoros, Ambassador Manasseh Mutfwang of Nigeria, Manji Obadiah, Imane El Rhalete, Chief Executive Officer of IRGT Consulting, Morocco, and Lugumi Saidi, Chief Executive Officer of Lugumi Enterprises Limited, Tanzania.

Additional award recipients expected at the summit include Yassin El Moussi of Morocco; Mohammed Tijjani Sabiu of Nigeria; Mohammed Kabbaj, Secretary General of Al Ihssane Association, Morocco; Mncedisi Dube, Group Chairman of River Valley Group, Zimbabwe; Sara Abdul, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Niger Green Farms; Eze Samuel, Chief Executive Officer of Luxuryprime Real Estate Nigeria; Benjelloun Benkacem, Chief Executive Officer of Amandes et Miel, Morocco; and Zarinah Tlale of Uganda.

The honours roll further recognises distinguished figures from the entertainment, technology, finance and development sectors.

Among them are Tanzanian music sensation Juma Jux, acclaimed Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, Nigerian technology entrepreneur Shola Akinlade, Zimbabwean businessman Emmanuel A. Fundira, former President of Afreximbank Benedict Oramah, and Reginald Max, Senior Advisor at the Trade and Development Bank Group, Kenya.

Others listed for recognition include Adaora Onyechere, Canon Otto,  Hamid El Amri of Morocco, Samuel Alabi, Chief Executive Officer of Seven Oceans Oil and Gas Limited, Nigeria, and the International Vaccine Institute.

Amafibe said previous editions of the summit had helped facilitate strategic partnerships, business collaborations and investment opportunities that continue to contribute to Africa’s economic growth and leadership development.

He noted that the 2026 gathering in Marrakech is expected to bring together some of the continent’s most influential voices for discussions on leadership, trade, investment and innovation, alongside networking engagements and the presentation of the prestigious 100 Most Notable Africans Awards.

The organisers expressed confidence that the summit would further strengthen continental cooperation and create new opportunities for business expansion and sustainable development across Africa.

Interested participants, nominees and partners have been encouraged to complete registration and obtain further information through the event’s official platform as preparations intensify for what organisers describe as one of Africa’s largest leadership and business gatherings of the year.