East Africa's business excellence celebrated at AABLA

The winners of the East African regional 2015 All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in Partnership with CNBC Africa were announced at a stylish ceremony held at the dusitD2 Nairobi, Kenya on September 15.

CNBC Africa will bring the highlights of this ceremony to its viewers on September 23 at 21h15 CAT.

The East African winners will go on to contend other regional winners from West and Southern Africa to determine Africa's most respected business game-changer at the All Africa AABLA Finale, to take place in November.

Known for identifying excellence in business on the continent, the All Africa Business Leaders Awards in Partnership with CNBC Africa recognise the challenges and diversity of the African business arena, and the East African awards, supported by IPP Media, highlight those who have shaped the regions business sector.

The title of Young Business Leader of the Year – East Africa went to Edha Nahdi, CEO of Amsons Group. Having started in early 2006 as an importer of bulk oil and petroleum products under the Camel Oil Tanzania retail brand, the business diversified into cement, inland container depots, real estate and bulk grain storage to name a few. Nahdi was up against Eric Kinoti of Shade Systems, Danson Muchemi of Web Tribe Ltd. and Barclay Paul Okari of Impact Africa Group.

Julian Kyula, CEO and Founder of Mode walked away as Entrepreneur of the Year – East Africa Presented by Sea Harvest, for his work in the mobile technology space, contending fellow finalists Heril Bangera of Flame Tree Group and Bimal Kantaria of Elgon Kenya Limited.


The Business Leader of the Year – East Africa Presented by Bosch saw three experienced business magnates competing for the coveted title, which was ultimately awarded to James Mworia, CEO of Centum Investment Company Limited. Mworia was nominated in this category alongside Mohammed Dewji, Group CEO of MeTL Group and Dr. Benson Wairegi, Group Managing Director of Britam.

The title of Business Woman of the Year – East Africa went to Gina Din-Kariuki, Chair of Gina Din Group for her achievements in the public relations sector, running against Dr. Jennifer Riria of Kenya Women and Iza Irame of African Alliance.

Tanzanian businessman, Mohammed Dewji, Group CEO of MeTL Group received the newly added Philanthropist of the Year – East Africa award. The category was introduced at the 2015 AABLA to recognise those who seek to promote the welfare of others and to encourage more benevolence on the continent. Dewji was nominated alongside Damaris Too-Kimondo of Shrand Promotions and Ashok Shah of Apollo Group.

Dr. Benson Wairegi of Britam became the first in AABLA history to be named Industrialist of the Year for East Africa. As a new category to the AABLA, set on promoting beneficiation and manufacturing on the continent, the category winner was selected by the judges as a key contributor to driving economic growth.

At the pinnacle of a magnificent night was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award for East Africa, awarded to Jennifer Riria of Kenya Women whose lifelong commitment to supporting women enterprises in East Africa, made her the first female recipient of this extraordinary AABLA title.

Guests took the opportunity to view Jaguar Land Rover's latest offering, with the 2015 AABLA host Bonney Tunya looking dashing, dressed by Carducci.

The AABLA will travel on to Southern Africa, celebrating the region’s business leaders on September 30 in Johannesburg, before the final regional round takes place in West Africa on October 22 in Lagos.