Africa investor Agribusiness Investment Awards 2011 winners announced

Johannesburg, London, Beijing, New York, Lagos, Nairobi South Africa; 23 November
2011: Africa investor (Ai), a leading international investment research and communications group, today announced the winners of its prestigious 2011 Africa investor Agribusiness Investment Awards to the global agribusiness investment community.

The Awards are the first of their kind to internationally recognise Africa's agribusiness investment leaders improving the continent's agribusiness investment profile. The Ai Agribusiness Investment Awards recognise achievements across the main agriculture sectors and reward the personalities transforming Africa's agribusiness investment climate.

Commenting on the Award winners, Hubert Danso, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, Africa investor, said: “Private sector innovation and partnerships are critical to developing investable agribusiness transactions and stimulating job creation. We are delighted to have received such great interest in these awards from both public and private sector institutions, committed to showcasing their success stories. The calibre and innovation of the winning individuals and institutions will go a long way towards establishing African agriculture as an internationally competitive investable asset class.”

Several projects took top honours this year. Standard Bank was recognised for its continuing efforts in the agribusiness sector, and was awarded Structured Trade Finance Deal of the Year for its initiative to provide US $100 million to farmers in Uganda, Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania. African Trade Insurance Agency walked away with Export Credit Initiative of the Year, Development Finance Initiative of the Year went to the Industrial Development Corporation for investing $30m in Agribank, Zimbabwe, and South African paper giant Sappi was awarded Agro-processing Initiative of the Year.

Agribusiness Investment Initiative of the Year went to Phatisa for its innovative approach to supporting the development of the agribusiness sector across Africa. Phatisa is being honoured for their establishment of the $100m-plus African agriculture fund (with key development finance institutions), which encompasses a much needed facility for technical assistance and SME-led projects. In accepting the Award, Sean Moolenschot, Partner at Phatisa, stated that he was delighted that private equity has been recognised in this food-related space.

This year's Award winners represent leading institutions within Africa's agribusiness industry. Trade Finance Bank of the Year was awarded to African Export-Import Bank and Agricultural Commodities Initiative of the Year was awarded to the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX), which has pioneered the way forward for other African commodities exchanges. Eleni Gabreh-Madhin, CEO of ECX, in thanking Africa investor for the recognition, said; “I am honoured that the exchange had been recognised.”

Uganda's Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development was recognised with Biofuels Initiative of the Year, and Agricultural Development Bank of Ghana was awarded with Agribusiness Development Bank of the Year. Futuregrowth Asset Management walked away with Agribusiness Fund of the Year. James Howard, manager of the fund, said; “It is lovely to be recognised for the amount of effort put into launching the fund and we appreciate the recognition.”

One important individual was also recognised. South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Tina Joemat-Petterson, was awarded African Minister of Agriculture of the Year for her investment efforts to drive agricultural investment and development in the country. In accepting the Award from Africa investor CEO Hubert Danso, the Minister said; “[This Award] is such an encouragement as we have been doing a lot of work in climate-smart agriculture, which is now on the COP-17 agenda for the first time. I am really humbled by this honour.” She also commended Africa investor for pioneering these Awards.

The Agribusiness Investment Awards 2011 Winners:
Structured Trade Finance Deal of the Year
Standard Bank

Export Credit Initiative of the Year
African Trade Insurance Agency

Development Finance Initiative of the Year
Industrial Development Corporation

Agro-processing Initiative of the Year
Sappi

Agribusiness Investment Initiative of the Year
Phatisa

Minister of Agriculture of the Year
Honourable Tina Joemat-Petterson, Minister of Agriculture, South Africa

Trade Finance Bank of the Year
African Export-Import Bank

Agricultural Commodities Initiative of the Year
Ethiopia Commodity Exchange

Biofuels Initiative of the Year
Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development

Agribusiness Development Bank of the Year
Agricultural Development Bank of Ghana

Agribusiness Fund of the Year
Futuregrowth Asset Management