The African Leadership Network (ALN) has announced the 12 finalists for the 2013 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship (AAE).
In its seventh year since establishment, AAE is today one of the most distinguished Africa-focused awards programme, that each year gives over $ 200 000 in prize money to outstanding African entrepreneurs who demonstrate business excellence and social impact.
The finalists represent eight African countries and eight different industries including manufacturing, information technology, education, agribusiness, food and beverages, retail, ICT and aviation.
Making the announcement, ALN CEO, Isaac Kwaku Fokuo Jr., comments:“I would like to congratulate these outstanding entrepreneurs for their tremendous achievements. These are among the finest, most dynamic and resilient entrepreneurs at the forefront of Africa’s economic transformation. At ALN, we believe that these entrepreneurs are the leaders that will secure Africa’s prosperity. This is the seventh consecutive year that we are holding the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, which we use to spotlight and distinguish exceptional entrepreneurs as role models for young entrepreneurs in Africa.”
Transformational Business Award
- Interswitch Limited (Nigeria) : An integrated payment and transaction processing company that provides technology integration, advisory services, transaction-processing and payment infrastructure to government, banks and corporate organizations – www.interswitchng.com
- Haggar Holdings Company Limited (Sudan): One of Sudan’s largest Fast-Moving Consumer Goods & Information and Communications Technology conglomerates – www.haggarholding.com
- Chemi & Cotex Limited (Tanzania) : A leading East African fast-moving consumer goods company, and the leading distributor of beauty product in Tanzania – www.chemicotex.com
Outstanding Mature Business Award
- MODE (Kenya): One of the most innovative technology company that provides mobile value-added services to mobile network operators in 12 African countries – www.mo-de.co
- QuantumNet (Gambia): Gambia’s first and largest Internet Service Provider (ISP), leading distributor of global technology brands and luxury vehicles, with business operations in Gambia and Sierra Leone – www.gbos.gm
- Pygma Communication (DRC): An integrated communication services company offering advertising, Sims audio/visual production, public relations, event management, and media strategy services in the DRC – pygmacomms.com
Outstanding Small and Growing Business Award
- Guanomad (Madagascar): A company that produces and supplies natural fertilizers and organic manures from bat droppings in Madagascar’s caves for use in organic agriculture –www.guanomad.com
- VIA Aviation (Tanzania): The first of a kind private jet logistics firm in Tanzania that provides clearance permits and ground handling services for companies and individuals that own and operate private jets – viaaviation.com
- Koko King Ltd (Ghana): A business that provides traditional breakfast meals that has grown exponentially from providing 20 meals from a taxi in 2007, to having over 200 employees, and 100 outlets in Ghana and 200 employees – www.kokoking.com.gh
Outstanding Social Entrepreneur Award
- Golden Baobab (Ghana): An awards programme that recognises and awards the most talented writers and illustrators on the African continent with a cash prizes to encourage the creation of captivating books to inspire the imagination of African Children – www.goldenbaobab.org
- Akili Dada (Kenya): A leadership incubator investing in high-achieving young African women from underprivileged backgrounds who are passionate about social change – www.akilidada.org
- Sustainable Development For All (Kenya): A a company that aims to improve livelihoods and education in areas without electricity, by providing households with solar energy –sustainabledevelopmentforall.org
The winners will be announced during the Awards Gala Ceremony on October 4th in Mauritius.
