Ecobank’s Arnold Ekpe for top African business award

On the day hundreds of personalities will be decorated with the now seemingly controversial National Honours, Africa's topmost business leaders and other company representatives will also gather at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London for the African Business Awards 2008.

Designed to celebrate the great strides the continent has made in the world of business, the African Business Awards according to the organisers is also an opportunity “to contribute to the acceleration of the rapidly transforming business landscape in Africa by celebrating entrepreneurial excellence, promoting world-class best practices in business.”

Organised by the African Business Magazine under the patronage of the Commonwealth Business Council and supported by the African Development Bank, the awards ceremony is expected to create global visibility for Africa's business brands.

Among the potential honours list would be the Group Chief Executive of the Ecobank Group, Arnold Ekpe who has been nominated together with five other equally deserving business leaders for the African Business Leader category.

As Chief Executive of Africa's foremost and largest regional banking group, Mr. Ekpe is in the reckoning for the topmost award. The Ecobank is not only operating in 22 African countries now, but has also under Mr. Ekpe's leadership grown into one of Africa's leading financial institutions and brands.

Also nominated for the 2008 African Business Leader Award are Aliko Dangote of the Dangote Group, Tony Elumulu (UBA Bank), Patrice Motsepe (African Rainbow Minerals), Issad Rebrab (Cevital) and Nassef Sawiris (Sawiris Group/Orascom Group).

The African Business Leader Award is intended for a business leader who has shown particular skill in taking their business forward. He or she may be from a large organisation which has required guidance and leadership during a period of expansion or hardship or an entrepreneur who has managed to turn an idea into a dream, overcoming tough hurdles on the way.

The criteria also includes the “development of new markets, especially where these meet the needs of ordinary citizens and poorer consumers at the bottom of the pyramid, addressing new challenges and opportunities in market conditions, and ensuring high standards of good corporate citizenship in the companies which he/she has led through personal leadership and example.

The CBC-African Business Awards 2008 will be graced by Heads of government, Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Corporate Directors, Policy Makers, Legislators, Government Officials, Diplomats and many more.

The only Ghanaian entity nominated for an award is the Association of Women in Development Experts – Ghana. They have been nominated in the Leader in Social innovation category, which recognises an individual/organisation which is making lasting change to the community through business initiatives.

The Awards ceremony is sponsored by Zenith Bank.

2008 African Business Awards Nominees' shortlist

Business Leader of the Year

Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group)
Arnold Ekpe (Ecobank)
Tony Elumulu, (UBA Bank)
Patrice Motsepe (African Rainbow Minerals)
Issad Rebrab (Cevital)
Nassef Sawiris (Sawiris Group / Orascom Group)

Recognition of Leading Contribution From Business woman

Sylvia Banda (Sylva Food Solutions)
Cecilia Ibru (Oceanic Bank)
Wendy Luhabu, (IDC)
Nku Nyembezi-Hweita (CEO ArcelorMittal SA)
Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke (Nigeria Stock Exchange)
Evelyn Oputu (Bank of industry)

African Business of the Year

Celtel (Zain) (Pan-African)
Ecobank (Togo)
MTN (South Africa)
Orascom Construction Industries (Egypt)
Poulina Group (Tunisia)
Safaricom (Kenya)

Best Global Business in Africa

Anglo-American Coca Cola
Diageo
Dubai World
Renaissance Capital
Tata

Best SME

Africa Invest (Malawi) Afsat (Kenya)
Good African Coffee Company (Uganda)
Innoson (Nigeria)
Jem Afrik creations (Uganda)

Telecoms Company

Celtel (Zain) Gateway
Glo
MTN
Orascom Telecom
Safaricom

Airline of the Year

Afriqiyah Ethiopian Airways
Kenyan Airways
Royal Air Maroc
South Africa Airways
Virgin Nigeria

Brand of the Year

Celtel (Zain)
Ecobank
MTN
Zenith Bank

Best Corporate Citizenship/Social Responsibility

Bamburi Cement Debswana
Diageo
Standard Chartered
Fidelity Bank

Leader in Contributing to Achieving MDG

Anglo-American Diageo
IDC
MyC4

Leader in social innovation

Al Nafeza - Egypt
Association of Women in Development Experts – Ghana
COBATI (Community Based Tourism Initiative) – Uganda
Small Enterprise Foundation – South Africa

Award for Gender Sensitivity

Access Bank Anglo-American
Banque Populaire pour la Promotion de la femme
Goldman Sachs
Standard Chartered Bank

Leader in Reducing Digital Divide

Afsat Regenersis
Submarine Cable
Unido & Microsoft

Award for Technological Innovation

Ecobank
CMC
Malaria Engage
Microsoft
My C4