The African Business Chamber has announced the finalists and nominees for the AfBC African Business Awards 2026, highlighting some of the continent’s most influential business leaders, entrepreneurs, diplomats, innovators and organisations.
This year’s awards attracted more than 1,500 nominations, showing the growing depth of African talent and the increasing global recognition of African-led businesses and institutions. According to the Chamber, the nominations reflected strong levels of competitiveness, professionalism, leadership, innovation and measurable impact across industries.
Beyond celebrating individual success, the awards are expected to play an important role in promoting African business excellence, strengthening international partnerships, encouraging investment and showcasing Africa as a major force in global commerce. The awards also highlight businesses and leaders creating jobs, driving innovation, supporting trade and contributing to sustainable economic growth across Africa and the diaspora.
One of the major highlights is the Honorary Awards category, which recognises influential individuals and organisations that have made exceptional contributions to Africa’s economic growth, trade development and international business influence.
Recipients include H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); Zemedeneh Negatu, Chairman of Fairfax Africa; Prof Erinma Bell MBE, Founder of Erinma Bell Ltd; Arunma (AEEM) Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society and Keith Stokes-Smith, Founding Chairman of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association.
The awards also place strong emphasis on diplomacy and international cooperation through the African Diplomat of the Year Excellence Honorary Award. Finalists include H.E Johnston Busingye, Rwanda High Commissioner to the UK; H.E. Ms. Macenje Mazoka, Zambia High Commissioner to the UK; H.E Colonel Christian M. Katsande, Zimbabwe Ambassador to the UK; H.E. Biruk Mekonnen, Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK; H.E Dineo Mathlako, Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa to the UK and Ms. Patricia Kabuleeta, Minister Counsellor for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Uganda High Commission in London.
Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Take Centre Stage
The Top 100 Business Leader of the Year Award recognises executives and entrepreneurs driving growth and transformation across African and international markets. Finalists include Benedicto Bena Nkhoma, Group Board Chairman of Citrine Financial Group Holdings Plc, Kai Ojo CEO of Planisware UK&I, Dr Daniel McKorley, Chairman of McDan Group, Patty Karuaihe-Martin, Managing Director of NamibRe, Festus Mansaray, Founder & CEO of Pantum Group Ltd, Thabo Molekoa, hairman and Managing Director of Siemens Energy, and Joshua Siaw MBE, partner, White & Case LLP.
In the Entrepreneur of the Year Award category, finalists include Ashish J. Thakkar of Mara Group and Atlas Mara Limited, Abdenour Jbili of OCP Maintenance Solutions, Dr Adedotun Owolabi of ECO STEM AFRICA, Salim Aziz of Bakhresa Foods Products Ltd and Dr Issa Barro of AfrikBridge.
The Start-Up & SME Business of the Year Award highlights emerging businesses making strong commercial and social impact. Finalists include Paula Raubenheimer – Director, Martys Distribution, Dr. Charlene Makita – Founder, Natural Aura Hair Products, John Uwagboe – Group Product Director, Uwagboe’s Kitchen & Grill, Sidi Saccoh – Founder, Sidi & CO, Grant Uzoanya – Co-Founder, Afrishopa, Adanna Akinfenwa – Founder, Access Law Legal Services, Emeka Okorocha – Founding Partner, iStrat Consulting
Technology and innovation remain central to Africa’s economic future and the Technology & Innovation Excellence Award recognises leaders building impactful digital solutions. Finalists include Samrawit Fikru of RIDE, Ajibola Agbaje of Japaflex, O’Tega Temienor of BlueBow Group, Zekarias Amsalu Dubale of Africa Fintech Summit, Munir Duri of Kifiya Financial Technology PLC, Mehdi Alaoui of LaStartupStation, Fash Fasoro of HomePointr, DataKirk and Syncplex Lab and Ola Oyetayo of Verto.
Healthcare innovation also features strongly in this year’s awards through the Healthcare Business Excellence Award. Finalists include Dr. Sedric Degbo of REMA, Prof Margaret Ikpoh of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Wellington Makala of NELFT NHS Foundation Trust, Godfrey Mushandu of Ultra Healthcare Solutions GMT Networks Ltd, Martina Chukwuma-Ezike of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Ms. Evelyn Mensah of London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Adam Mapani MBE of Moorfields Eye Hospital London and Dr Kayumba Chiwele, a mental health entrepreneur and clinical neuropsychologist.
The Creative, Media, Entertainment & Sports Excellence Award recognises leaders shaping African storytelling and media influence globally. Finalists include Manal Bernoussi of Leaders on Purpose, Juliet Njeri of BBC News, Eleni Giokos of CNN International, Roberta Naicker of CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa, Adeola & Ronke Jane Adelakun – Co-founders, Cultureville, Tiwa Adebayo of Bloomberg News, Will Mbiakop of the African Sports and Creative Institute (ASCI), Afua Hagan of News Central TV and Black Business Magazine and Ondiro Oganga of Bloomberg.
Trade, Finance and Sustainability Drive Africa’s Global Position
The Financial Services Excellence Award highlights leaders advancing banking, insurance, fintech and investment across Africa and the diaspora. This year’s finalists include Eihorere Wesigye, Vice President of Investments & Structuring at Gemcorp Capital; Rosalyn Aryee, Global Head of Operational Resilience at Santander Corporate and Investment Bank; Siphiwe Mungaraza, CEO of Ariel Financial Literacy Hub; Patrick Muzondo, Managing Director of Financial Markets Indaba; Gbite Oduneye, Managing Partner at ODBA; Tippie Malgwi, leading High-Net-Worth and Diaspora Mortgages Proposition at Afin Bank UK and Ololade Adesanya, Managing Director and Global Head of Insurance & Asset Management Audit at HSBC.
The Professional Excellence Award recognises individuals whose expertise, leadership, and influence continue to shape industries and inspire excellence across the continent and beyond. The finalists include Amine Naji, Senior Director of HR and Administration at Africa50 Group; renowned Chartered Management Consultant Dr Dipo Awojide; Dr Blessing Enakimio, CEO of BléGlobal; Monica Kambo, Group HR Director at Airtel Africa plc; Oluwaseyi Awosefaju, Founder and CEO of SEA-FAJ Consults Ltd; Sujata Jaffer, Managing Partner at Nexia Tanzania and Kenya and Dr Kalkidan Esayas, Sustainable Development Consultant, Advisor and Climate Action leader.
The African Women in Business (WIB) Excellence Award celebrates exceptional African women leaders and entrepreneurs who are transforming industries, creating opportunities and championing inclusive growth. Finalists in this prestigious category include Antonia Okonma Shittu, Founder and CEO of The A-List Lace Hair; Samiha Ali, Founder and CEO of Sazali & Co Ltd; Dr Naike Moshi, Founder of Women in Management Africa; Joy Wanjiru Machugu-Zenz, CEO of African Women In Europe and Africa Women In Trade; Timi Adegunwa, Founder of Black and Scot and Black Tech Scotland; Pearl Gborglah, Executive Director of AgroCrown West Africa Company Limited; Shalom Ijeoma Lloyd MBE, Founder and Managing Director of Naturally Tiwa Skincare; Mimi Kufuor, CEO of KoinKoin Ghana; and Aïssata Lynn Kaba, CEO and Founder of AILY NEGOCE INTERNATIONAL GROUP.
The International Trade Excellence Award honours organisations and leaders driving cross-border trade, investment and international partnerships that strengthen Africa’s role in global commerce. This year’s finalists include Fuad Mohammed Abubakar, Managing Director of Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company UK Ltd; Perez Ochieng, CEO of Sacoma; Serigne Mansour, President of the UK Senegal Business Council and Senegal UK Chamber of Commerce; Gwen Mwaba, Managing Director for Trade Finance & Correspondent Banking at Afreximbank; Busie Matsiko, President of the New York Africa Chamber of Commerce and co-founder of Africa Sisters NYC; Bolaji Sofoluwe MBE, Founder and Managing Director of ETK and DBT Export Champion; Kennedy Mwedziwendira, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zimbabwe UK Business Chamber; Cham Etienne Bama, Country Director for Cameroon & Gabon at the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and Titus Nampala, CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
Rooted in the spirit of “I am because we are,” the Ubuntu Social Enterprise Excellence Award recognises social entrepreneurs and organisations creating sustainable impact while empowering communities. Finalists include Dr Chikondi (Lisimba) Mpokosa, Founder and CEO of Youth Action For Sustainable Development (YA4SD); Dr Leonard Besong, Co-Founder of EmpowerHerLife Foundation; Nothando Jama-Mpala, Founder and CEO of InspireHERGlobal; Cannelle Maricaux, Founder of Big Sister Africa; Dr Gbola Adeleke, Global Ambassador and Envoy at AfrikLink; Dr Carolyne A. Opinde, Founder and CEO of The NGO Whisperer® Centre For Social Impact and Dr Christine Locke, Founder and CEO of Diversity House.
The Global Diaspora Excellence Award highlights individuals and organisations using diaspora networks, skills, and investment to support economic growth. Finalists include Temwa Gondwe, Director of Creatives and Diaspora at Afreximbank; Faith Abudu, Founder of DIIC Diversity & Inclusion In Construction CIC; Ema Ojiako, People Director at Newmedica; Ambassador Uzo Owunne, Chairman of the African Ambassadors and Diaspora Interactive Forum (AAIF); Dr Olushola Adeborode Kolawole (OAK), Chair of the African Business Association Yorkshire; Winfred W. Warui, specialist in International Banking & Cross Border Payments at Equity Bank Uganda; Precious Ama Kwartemaa Oduro, Global Growth Manager at RemFI; Ronah Kabue, Senior Manager for Diaspora Banking at NCBA Group; and Linda Wayoe, Deputy Head of Payment Services at Ghana International Bank and Executive Council Member of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce.
The International Business Excellence Award recognises outstanding individuals and organisations making significant contributions to business, investment, trade and economic development across Africa, the UK and the diaspora. The finalists include Gizeshwork Tessema, Founder and CEO of GIZE PLC Logistics Expert; Kavita Doshi, Managing Director of Innova Properties; Abiola Dabiri, Vice President of Corporate Secretariat at Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Farouk Khailann, CEO of Premium Africa Holdings and Founder & Partner at StartBank Africa and Paul Akwaboah, Corporate Executive and Strategic Advisor specialising in event management across the UK and Africa.
The Impact Investing, Sustainability & ESG Excellence Award recognises organisations and leaders championing sustainable investment, climate financing, clean technology and responsible business practices. This year’s finalists include Nyasha Gwatidzo, Founder of World Impact Capital; Zain Latif, Founder and CEO of TLG Capital; Bea Hackula, CEO of WBOA Investment Holdings and President of Africa for Africa Women; Tania Eyanga, CEO of ExcelsumVentures Group and Founding Chair of the Central Africa Markets Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CAMPEA); Dr Oluwatoyin Sanni, Founder of Emerging Africa Group; Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director at British International Investment (BII) and Tony Tiyou, Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of Renewables in Africa (RiA).
The prestigious Business of the Year Award celebrates established organisations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, resilience and measurable impact within African and global markets. Finalists for the 2026 award include Ethiopian Airlines, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Afreximbank, Equity Bank and RemFi.
The winners across all categories will be officially honoured at the prestigious AfBC African Business Awards Gala 2026, bringing together influential business leaders, entrepreneurs, diplomats, investors and changemakers from across Africa and the global diaspora. The highly anticipated awards ceremony will take place on 29 May 2026 from 18:00 to 23:00 BST at The Royal Lancaster London, where finalists will be celebrated for their outstanding contributions to business, innovation, leadership, trade, sustainability and economic development.
Those wishing to attend the event and celebrate alongside Africa’s leading business figures are encouraged to register for the AfBC African Business Awards Gala 2026 in London.
