Africa’s business leaders and visionaries finally had the opportunity to meet in person after a two-year pandemic hiatus for the 10th edition of the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in partnership with CNBC Africa. Held at The Sun City Superbowl on Friday, 3 June, the prestigious awards’ ceremony paid tribute to some of the most influential personalities on the continent.
“I’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the 2022 award winners and nominees. It was great that we were able to celebrate their accomplishments in-person this year, and take a moment to acknowledge the sterling work being done, despite the incredibly challenging circumstances,” said Roberta Naicker, managing director for the ABN Group. “The quality of leadership and talent in Africa is extensive, so I’d also like to say a big ‘thank you’ to our esteemed judging panel. The task of assessing every nominee was, no doubt, incredibly difficult. We truly appreciate the level of professionalism and expertise you brough to the 2022 AABLA’s.”
The 2022 AABLA judging panel welcomed an esteemed line-up of professionals headed up by Sam Bhembe, Founding Director ABN Group. Also tasked with judging this year were:
• Geoffrey Qhena: Non-Executive Independent Member of Investec
• Godfrey Mutizwa: Editor-in-Chief CNBC Africa
• Renuka Methil: Managing Editor Forbes Africa
• Jon Foster-Pedley: Dean and Director of Henley Africa
• Dr Stavros Nicolaou: Group Senior Executive, Strategic Trade for Aspen Pharma Group
• Prof Sarah Chiumbu: Associate Professor Department of Communication and Media School of Communication University of Johannesburg
• Diane Karusisi: CEO Bank of Kigali Group
• Biola Alabi: CEO of Biola Alabi Media
The panel engaged in an open roundtable discussion, covering the merits of each entry in relation to the category brief. Entries were scored by consensus against judging criteria to achieve a verdict.
The 2022 AABLA winners
1. All Africa Business Leader of the Year
Mxolisi Mgojo: CEO of Exxaro
2. All Africa Business Woman of the Year
Shirley Machaba: CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Southern Africa
3. All Africa Young Business Leader of the Year
Theo Baloyi: CEO of Bathu Shoes
4. All Africa Chief Financial Officer of the Year
Boipelo Lekubo: Financial Director of Harmony Gold
5. All Africa Industrialist of the Year
Portia Mngomezulu: Founder of Portia M Skin Solutions
6. All Africa Company of the Year
MTN Group
7. All Africa Innovator of the Year
Yoco South Africa
8. All Africa Philanthropist of the Year
Tsitsi Masiyiwa: Co-founder and Executive Chair of Higherlife Foundation
9. All Africa Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Reuel J Khoza: Chairman of Aka Capital
10. 2022 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Impact in Leadership Award
Naseem Lahri: Managing Director of Lucara Diamonds, Botswana
The 2022 All Africa Business Leaders Awards are proudly presented in partnership with CNBC Africa, FORBES AFRICA, SNG Grant Thornton, Henley Business School Africa, the Gautrain and Olivia Jones Communications. Thanks to sponsors Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) for the Business Leader of the Year Category; Industrial Development Corporation of SA (IDC) for the Industrialist of the Year Category; Transnational Academic Group (TAG) Young Business Leader of the Year Category; and associate sponsors Gautrain and Glenfiddich.
CNBC Africa hosted its 15th annual Corporate Golf Challenge at the Lost City Golf Course on Saturday, 4 June. This formed part of the group’s fundraising efforts for the Africa Business News (ABN) Education Trust, which helps young people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds pursue an education in commerce, media, or business journalism.
For more information regarding the All Africa Business Leaders Awards, please visit
http://aablawards.com.
