Johannesburg, 18 Nov 2014
The 2014 winners of the CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards Presented by Johnnie Walker Blue Label (AABLA) were announced at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, on Friday 14 November.
In a process that began over two months ago, with regional finals in west, east and southern Africa, the pioneering and innovative business leaders of Africa in their respective fields were finally whittled down to just five game-changing individuals.
"With the continent hosting eight of the world's fastest growing economies, Africa is internationally perceived as the next great business frontier, which is both exciting and inspiring," says Jeff Milliken, Director of brandhouse.
"As such, in the AABLA, it has been both rewarding and heartening to survey Africa's corporate landscape and discover so many exceptional men and women who are making their indelible contribution toward the progress of the continent into a globally competitive entity with a strong internal business sector."
The ceremony presented the coveted title of Young Business Leader of the Year jointly to Group CEOs of South Africa's leading activations agency, The Creative Counsel, Gil Oved and Ran Neu-Ner. The two were recognised for using their collective charisma and entrepreneurial spirit to build the company into the top-ranking marketing, media and advertising group in the country.
For his sustained success and bold contribution to solutions-based business and IT strategies across multiple platforms for companies of varying sizes, Asher Bohbot (South Africa), CEO of Enterprise Outsourcing Holdings (EOH), was named Business Leader of the Year.
The prestigious accolade of Entrepreneur of the Year went to Executive Chairman of JSE-listed brokerage, Brimstone Investment Corporation, Fred Robertson (South Africa). Robertson was honoured for his demonstrated leadership on both the national and international business stages and, in particular, through his directorship and co-founding of numerous leading black economic empowerment (BEE) companies.
Founder of Keroche Breweries, the first ever brewery to be owned by a Kenyan, Tabitha Karanja, was singled out as Business Woman of the Year.
The award recognised her unfailing resilience and matchless business sagacity over nearly two decades in growing a company that now employs over 300 people and gives back to the community by educating the country's youth.
Finally, the special honour of the Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on Tanzanian pioneer of corporate social responsibility, Dr Reginald Mengi, CEO of IPP, for his commendable contributions to worthy causes for positive change in underprivileged communities, education, health and environmental conservation.
"With individuals of such extraordinary calibre at the helm of the progress of the African business world, there is no doubt that the state of the continent's economy and corporate sector are in safe hands as it continues to grow from strength to strength," adds Milliken.
The AABLA Finale partnered with BMW South Africa to ensure the awards finalists and judges were transferred to and from the event in style and comfort. The Finale was also supported by the IDC and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
The CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards Presented by Johnnie Walker Blue Label now looks ahead to 2015, anticipating the emergence of new industry leaders and the continued success of business stalwarts on the continent.