London: Airtel Africa Group CEO-designate,
Segun Ogunsanya, has been named the African Business Leader of the Year in the
2021 African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA). The awards are organized by
African Leadership Magazine, a flagship, pan-African, leadership-focused
publication.
Ogunsanya topped the category ahead of
runner-up, Standard Bank Group CEO, Simphiwe Tshabalala. According to the
organizers, Ogunsanya, who also won the Africa Industry Personality of the Year
in 2020, was selected in a keenly contested three-step points-based process
that included a call for nomination; online voting for shortlisted nominees;
and the editorial board’s final review of nominations and voting submissions.
Online voting accounted for 65% of the
final outcome, with supporting evidence contributing 35% in the final selection
process. The awards attracted over 300, 000 entries on the website and across
social media platforms, as well as submissions via email and physical posts
from Africans across the continent and in Diaspora.
Ogunsanya, an engineer and chartered
accountant, has over 30 years of cognate experience garnered across multiple
geographies, organizations and diverse sectors such as telecoms, consulting,
Banking and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). He joined Airtel Nigeria in 2012
and his appointment as Airtel Africa Group CEO comes into effect on 1st October
2021.
All award winners and runners-up will
be presented with an award trophy and formally decorated with instruments of
the honour at the 6th Invest in Africa Summit (Virtual), scheduled for
September 16 – 17, 2021, from 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm (GMT) daily, with the theme:
Africa 4.0: Redefining Growth, Sustainability, and Innovation.
Alongside the African Business Leader
of the Year award category, winners in the 11 categories of the 2021 ABLA were
unveiled by Dr Ken Giami, Publisher of the Africa Leadership Magazine, who expressed
gratitude to everyone who submitted nominations and participated in the voting
process.
Commenting on the awards, Dr Giami
said the awards celebrate grit, purpose, and impact in Africa’s business
environment, especially in what continues to be a difficult period for most
people due to the impact of coronavirus. He further added that the leaders who
have emerged winners in the various categories have exhibited these celebrated
attributes in admirable capacities and are deserving of great accolade.
