Africa’s 9 best business leaders were celebrated at the 2016 All Africa Business Leaders Awards in Partnership with CNBC Africa (AABLA), at the exclusive All Africa Finale, held in Johannesburg on Friday 11 November 2016, attended by prominent businesses leaders from across the continent, ambassadors and the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura.

The winning business leaders triumphed at the All Africa Finale after an 11-month long journey in Africa’s leading business award, which recognizes Africa’s bold leaders and change-makers of business in East, West and Southern Africa.

As the pinnacle of the AABLA, the All Africa Finale drew an audience from across the continent and the world, with attendees from as far afield as the United States, Australia, Scotland and India.

Vice Chairman and Founder of the ABN Group, Rakesh Wahi, opened the evening with the launch of his book ‘Be A Lion’, a memoir of his life as an entrepreneur and business leader in emerging markets. Guests were then welcomed with a keynote address by the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura followed with an address by Kgosi Pilane of Bakgatla Ba Kgafela.

The AABLA presented trophies to the 9 All Africa category winners:

East Africa’s Darshan Chandaria of the Chandaria Group won the All Africa Young Business Leader of the Year presented by Lancaster University and Transnational Education Ghana.



West Africa’s Sola David-Borha of Stanbic IBTC Holdings was singled out as the All Africa Business Woman of the Year presented by WIPHOLD.



WATCH her talk about how she feels after bagging the award:

Representing West Africa, the All Africa Innovator of the Year title went to mPedigree Network’s Bright Simons.

West Africa’s Abdulsamad Rabiu, the founder of BUA Group was named Industrialist of the Year presented by the IDC



All Africa Philanthropist of the Year trophy went to West Africa’s Aliko Dangote of the Dangote Foundation.

Pieter Fourie, the CEO of Dangote Cement South Africa, received the award on behalf of Aliko Dangote

South Africa’s Discovery earned the notable title of All Africa Company of the Year with CEO, Adrian Gore, also named All Africa Business Leader of the Year presented by Bosch.

The prestigious accolade of All Africa Entrepreneur of the Year presented by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, went to South African, Stephen Saad, CEO of Aspen Pharmacare.



Finally, the special honour of the All Africa Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon South African Brian Joffe, for his exceptional accomplishments over the period of a lifetime.

The All Africa Finalists were chauffeured to the award in style by the Official Vehicle Partner Jaguar Land Rover. The AABLA recognise Africa’s bold leaders of business in East, West and Southern Africa and once again are partnered by Bakgatla Ba Kgafela to bring Africa’s leading business award to the continent.

For more information, go to www.aablawards.com and follow the 2016 All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in Partnership with CNBC Africa on Twitter: @aablawards and #AABLA2016.

The 2016 AABLA Finale was supported by Bakgatla Ba Kgafela, Lancaster University and Transnational Education Ghana, Bosch, IDC, the GGDA, WIPHOLD, Jaguar Land Rover, WITS Business School, Independent Newspapers and Forbes Africa. The event was proudly produced by ABN Event Productions.

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