The eagerly awaited 100 Most Notable African Leadership and Business Summit at the Marriot Hotels in Kigali, Rwanda, concluded with resounding success.
The summit, themed “Fostering collaboration and networking among business, governance, and security stakeholder leaders across the African Continent,” drew highly influential Nigerian leaders.
Among the prominent figures were former President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by Prince Godswill Edward, Founder of The Prince 7 Youth Development Initiative, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, and Dr. Nabhit Kapur, among others.
In his address, Jonathan underscored the importance of unity among African nations, stating that unity is fundamental for progress in business, governance, and security. He emphasized, “Without unity, nothing works.”
Governor Lawal delivered an extensive discourse on the significance of developmental collaborations and flexible networks among African leaders and stakeholders. He elaborated that Africa could achieve self-sufficiency more swiftly through reliable collaborations and adaptable networks.
The event’s convener, Ambassador Kingsley Amafibe, officially opened the summit, highlighting its importance to African nations, particularly for those in political, traditional, and religious leadership roles. Ambassador Amafibe remarked that the 100 Most Notable African Leadership and Business Summit serves as a beacon for realizing the African dream through innovative business ideas and responsible leadership.
The summit, which featured notable personalities from across Africa, included a lineup of activities such as panel discussions, plenary sessions, and award presentations.
Targeted at revolutionizing Africa’s business and leadership ecosystem, the summit honored several individuals for their contributions. Governor Lawal was recognized as a Transformational Political Leader in Africa, while Dr. GD Singh, Founder and Chairman of the Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) and President of the World Peace and Diplomacy Organisation (WPDO), received the Global Award for Excellence in Business Development.
Additional honorees included Mr. Melody Fidel Okwuazu, Founder of Stability & Sustenance Limited UK, who was named Africa’s Inspiring Impact Maker, and Adeniyi Victor, CEO of Ivydealz Enterprise Nig LTD, who received the Africa Rising Star Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. George Emeka Okoh, CEO of Staten Projects and Construction Limited, 100th Energy Services Limited, and Brickwell Alliance Limited, was awarded the Emerging Africa Innovation and Leadership Award, while Rene Iloma Okpara, Executive Director Operations at Fairmont Petroleum Limited, was recognized with the Africa Emerging Award for Excellence in Leadership and Community Development.
Other notable awardees from the 100 Most Notable African Leadership and Business Summit included Dr. Kate Effiong (PhD), a Model Analyst and Founder of KMI Diamonds, who was named Emerging Africa Inspiring Change Maker, and Princess Farida Ahmed, CEO of Raisa Palms Ltd, who received the Emerging Africa Inspiring Woman of the Year award. Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Economic Development & Investment Promotion, was recognized with the Emerging Africa Award for Excellence in Development, and Peter Asiimwe, CEO of Petrelli Group of Companies, was honored as Africa’s Young Emerging Entrepreneur in Business.
Further recognitions were given to Hon. Dr. Aplonia, Zimbabwe’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Mashonaland East, who received the Award for Excellence in Community Development, Dr. Dominic Oduro Antwi, President of the Ghana India Trade Advisory Chamber, who was honored with the Award for Excellence in International Relations, and Charles Ananti, CEO of Ace Academy, HIP-City Ent. & TTB Cyber Homes, who was named Africa’s Emerging Entertainment Entrepreneur.
Additional awardees included H.E. Professor Smelly Dube, Group CEO of Rivervalley Group of Companies in Zimbabwe, who was recognized as Emerging Africa Business Woman of the Year, and Hon. Anastancia Ndhlovu, Zimbabwe’s former Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and Director of Economic Affairs for ZANU PF, who received the Africa Excellence Award for Economic Development. Dr. Saadatu Adamu, Founder of Secure The Future International Initiative (SDF), was honored as an African Inspiring Woman in Advocacy for Mental Health.
Further accolades were bestowed upon HRM Queen Vickylextar Okang-Sowah of Omanye Royal Kingdom (ORK), Canada, as Emerging Africa Inspiring Woman of the Year, and Dr. Angel Josephat Natianota, Founder/CEO of HR World Limited Tanzania, who was recognized as Africa’s Outstanding Business Team Leader of the Year. Agness Suleiman Kahamba, Founder and President of Sauti Foundation and Ambassador of the Child Abuse Prevention Program in Tanzania, was honored as Africa’s Inspiring Change Maker.
Other distinguished honorees included Dr. Simon Adozi, MD/CEO of Adozillion Homes and Realty Limited, who was named Emerging Africa Real Estate Investment Management Company of the Year, and Amb. Yusuf Shehu Tijani, Chairman of Techno Group Limited, who was recognized as Africa’s Business Investment Chairman of the Year. Hon. Dr. Dubem Oguegbu, Executive Director of Gustavo Cubana Enugu, received the Africa Emerging Business Personality of the Year award, and Hon. Ahmed Bashir, Former Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was named Emerging Africa Inspiring Change Maker.
Gambo Manzo, CEO of GB-View Consulting Limited, was awarded the Africa Excellence Award in Leadership and Community Development, while Amb. Mohammed Tijjani Sabiu, CEO of Impeccable Impressions Nigeria Ltd, was recognized as Africa’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Amb. Chinedu Raymond, CEO of Primesmart Ltd, received the Rising Star Africa Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, and Hon. Yar Telar Ring Deng, Member of Parliament of South Sudan, was honored with the Africa Leadership and Social Change Award. High Chief Higgins Peter, Founder/Chairman of Opal Global Communication, received the Africa Excellence Award for Corporate Leadership, while Amb. Tricia Obi-Abu, CEO of Patreva International Limited, was recognized with the Pioneer Faith-Based Initiative Excellence Award.
H.E. Amb. Adeniran Michael Timothy, Special Emissary to the United Republic of Tanzania and Director of Funmilayo Health Foundation Africa, was named Africa’s Renewable Inspiring Youth Advocate and Community Development Leader, while Mr. Hero Chinedu Usiagwu, MD/CEO of Zioncity Innovation Services Limited and ZionStar Global Solution Services, was honored as Africa’s Innovation and Entrepreneur Team Leader of the Year.
Further honorees included HRH Eze Dr. Ken O. Nwala KSC JP, Ugo 1 Of Etche Land, Onye Ishi Agwuru III of Ulakwo/Umuselem Kingdom, who received the Award for Excellence in Peace and Community Development in Africa, and Lady Sylvia Nduka, Founder of Seed Foundation, who was named Emerging Africa Inspiration Woman of the Year. Dr. (Engr.) Dallaji Noah Nuhu, Founder/President of the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), received the Africa Excellence Leadership and Visionary Award, and Abdelhak Najib PhD, former Vice President of the African Global Health NGO and journalist specializing in Africa, was honored with the Africa Corporate Award of Excellence in Social Responsibility. Dr. Daniel Moses, Founder & CEO of Property Wealth Education Ltd in the United Kingdom, received the Africa Excellence Award for Real Estate Development.
Prof. Nicaise Ndembi, Senior Advisor to the Africa CDC’s Director General and Professor at the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA, received the Africa Award for Advocacy and Community Development. Dr. Dahiru Muhammed PhD, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Transfer of Technology, was recognized with the Africa Leadership and Impact Award, and Dr. Nabhit Kapur, President of World Leaders for Mental Health, India, received the Global Africa Best Community Engagement Award.
Samson Abiodun Toye Ph.D, Head of Business Development at ALJ Group, TV host at Delfi Lithuania, and Senior Lecturer at SMK University of Applied Science, was honored with the Innovation Award for Excellence and Leadership. Dr. Kamaldeen T. Kuku, CEO of Redkam Technologies Ltd, received the Emerging Africa Creativity Award for Innovation and Technology, while Dr. Imane Kendili, Psychiatrist, addictologist, and President of the African Global Health NGO, was recognized with the Africa Woman Excellence Award.
Amb. Dr. Victor Okon, CEO of Wrightlinks Group, was named Africa’s Emerging Peace Icon and Community Development Leader, while Dr. Abdulrazak Mohammed, MD/CEO of Baracai Group, was recognized as Emerging Africa Business Personality of the Year. Dr. Hauwa Babura, CEO of Teach Africa Today, received the Emerging Africa Woman in Advocacy for Positive Change award, and Amb. Isimbi Alliance, CEO of Lomemo Tours and Travel, was honored as Africa’s Emerging Woman in Advocacy for Change and Entertainment Entrepreneur. Other distinguished individuals such as Dr. Samira Buhari (Founder of Daurama Foundation), Zainab Sabo Mustafa, Reneiloma Okpara, and Jesse Denfa Cheto were also acknowledged for their significant contributions.
