Source: Legatum.
Kigali, November 19 — Legatum, a privately owned international investment group, in collaboration with the OTF Group and the S.E.VEN Fund (“Social Equity Venture Fund”), today
announced the winners of the 2008 Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity Africa Awards. The Awards program, developed by Michael Fairbanks, recognises and rewards business leaders in Africa who serve as role models to the continent’s aspiring entrepreneurs.
H.E. President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, presented the Grand Prize of USD 100,000 to Superflux International, a leading secure prints solutions provider based in Nigeria, at a ceremony dedicated to the late Sir John Templeton. The ceremony was also attended by H.E. President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya.
Five other winners were awarded a total of USD 250,000:
• AAR Health (Kenya)
• Safi Cleaning (Uganda)
• Africa Polysack Industries (Uganda)
• Gahaya Links (Rwanda)
• Integr8 Group (South Africa)
In awarding the prizes, Legatum Managing Director and panel judge Alan McCormick commented, “We congratulate the 2008 Award winners and each of the finalists who all represent a dynamic new wave of African entrepreneurs shaping the continent’s future. Each of them demonstrated the level of excellence, leadership and vision required to grow their businesses regionally and internationally. They are an inspiration to anyone in Africa who may be wondering if they can succeed in business. The answer is: yes, you can.”
Mr. Eric Kacou, Managing Director, OTF emphasized, “The 2008 Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity
Africa Awards has been a great success with 1,400 submissions received this year, growing from 450 in 2007. This year’s winners and finalists truly represent the business excellence and entrepreneurial spirit that are keys to the continent’s future prosperity.”
The winning entrepreneurs demonstrated world-class standards of innovation, ingenuity and
profitability, as judged by an international panel of leading business experts including:
• Alan McCormick, Managing Director, Legatum
• Ariff Shamji, CEO, AAA Growers (Kenya), 2007 Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity Africa
Awards Grand Prize Winner
• Andreas Widmer, Co-Director, S.E.VEN Fund
• Malik Fal, Business Marketing & Operations Group Lead for West-East-Central Africa,
Microsoft
This year’s Awards program was open to entrepreneurs from ten African countries including
Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and
Uganda.
For further information, please visit www.pioneersofprosperity.org
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