AABLA 2024 Comes To Sandton – 12 Years Of Honouring The Best In African Business

The All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA), in partnership with CNBC Africa, is set to once again recognise and celebrate the continent’s finest business leaders this month.

Over the past 12 years, AABLA has become a premier platform for spotlighting Africa’s stories of resilience, innovation, success, and accountability.
The event honours those who push the boundaries of business excellence.
In 2024, the prestigious event continues its legacy of showcasing Africa’s top talent and visionary leadership in business.
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At the core of the AABLA mission is the celebration of African business leaders who exemplify perseverance, creativity, and innovation. Since its inception, the awards have grown to become a signature event that honours entrepreneurs, business moguls, and corporate giants who have significantly contributed to Africa’s economic landscape.

Bringing their charisma and experience to the event once again will be Fifi Peters and Alexander Leibner, two seasoned MCs known for their engaging hosting style. Fifi Peters, an award-winning financial journalist and senior anchor on CNBC Africa, is no stranger to covering business stories across the continent. Fifi’s deep understanding of the financial world adds gravitas to the evening.

Sharing the spotlight with Fifi will be Alexander Leibner, Founder and Managing Editor of The Sandton Times and host of The Sandton Times Hour, an award-nominated podcast and radio show on Mix 93.8. With a BCom in Communications from Bond University and an Executive MBA from Henley Business School Africa, Alexander brings charm, wit and warmth to the event. Dressed by Tailor Me of Rosebank, who specialise in bespoke tailoring, Alexander will exude the refined sophistication, alongside his co-host, which the event has come to be known for.

The event’s reputation for prestige is reinforced by its credibility and rigorous selection process. The AABLA maintains high standards with the help of its “Research and Validation” partners, ensuring that all nominees are fairly and thoroughly assessed.

Our involvement in providing independent verification of the awards process is essential in supporting the AABLA prestige and status, confirming that a fair and consistent process was applied.

// Director and Head of Business Consulting at SNG Grant Thornton, Omar Hassan

Henley Business School Africa has also played a vital role in the awards for the past seven years.

Through rigorously vetting nominees, we are proud to contribute to the awards’ reputation as a trusted platform for applauding African business excellence. This commitment to quality aligns perfectly with our mission of fostering exceptional business leaders to catalyse positive change on the continent.

// Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa, Jon Foster-Pedley

This year’s finalists and guests will gather at a spectacular gala awards ceremony on Wednesday, 24 October 2024, at the Sandton Convention Centre. The evening will celebrate African entrepreneurship and business excellence across various categories, including:

Young Business Leader of the Year
Innovator of the Year
Business Woman of the Year
Business Leader of the Year
African of the Year
Philanthropist of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award

The winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of 11 judges from across Africa, each of whom cast their votes independently without knowledge of their fellow judges’ final scores. This year, the judges have continued to look for leaders who not only demonstrate remarkable business acumen but also contribute meaningfully to societal development.

We want to know if nominees comply with regulations and if they’re making a social impact because development is all about people. Ultimately, there is so much that Africa can offer to itself and to the global economy.

// Head Judge and Non-Executive Director of The ABN Group, Sam Bhembe

Beyond the glittering awards night, the celebrations continue with the CNBC Africa Corporate Golf Challenge, which will take place at the Houghton Golf Course on Friday, 25 October 2024. This annual event, held in aid of the ABN Education Trust, allows business leaders to network in a relaxed setting while supporting education and empowerment initiatives across the continent. Alexander will once again be hosting the CNBC Africa Corporate Golf Challenge dinner and charity auction. With his engaging personality and expertise in the business world, he is sure to add a dynamic and entertaining touch to this high-profile gathering.

Being at the forefront of telling Africa’s success stories through both our print and broadcast platforms, we are in a unique and fortunate position to identify trailblazers, innovative thinkers, and industry visionaries. This, in turn, allows us the opportunity to recognise businesses that have dared to break the mould and pay tribute to their significant contributions and achievements at Africa’s largest premier business awards, the AABLA.

// Managing Director of The ABN Group, Roberta Naicker

For 12 years, AABLA has honoured the best in African business, and this year’s event promises to continue its legacy of excellence. The continent’s business leaders will gather, once again in Sandton, to celebrate the future of African enterprise, a future brimming with potential, impact, and global influence.

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