Chocolate City Group, Abuja, Nigeria, and Pepperoni Foods, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, each won $50,000 at the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship on Thursday, this week. First Atlantic Semiconductors and Microelectronics Nigeria Limited from Nigeria was also one of the 10 finalists in the competition, though they weren't part of the participants that won $50,000. The following participants were the 10 finalists in the competition, out of which Zimbabwe’s SECURICO came out tops and won the grand prize of $100,000:
- Cellular Systems International, Senegal
- Pepperoni Foods Limited, Nigeria
- Chocolate City Group, Nigeria
- SECURICO, Zimbabwe
- Expand Technology (Holding) Limited, Mauritius
- soleRebels, Ethiopia
- First Atlantic Semiconductors and Microelectronics Nigeria Limited, Nigeria
- Unique Solutions Company Limited, Gambia
- InvesteQ Capital Limited, Kenya
- Victoria Seeds Limited, Uganda
The ten finalists underscore the diversity of entrepreneurs in the competition, representing eight countries including Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The top ten, which includes three woman-owned businesses, work in a range of industries, from software to entertainment to agribusiness.
“The winners of the 2011 Africa Awards represent a diversity of backgrounds, industries, and geographies, but they also share a common determination in building and scaling a successful company,” said Matt Bannick, Managing Partner of Omidyar Network. “We congratulate each of the winners, and welcome them to the Awards’ growing network of business leaders who are fostering innovation, job creation, and positive social impact from within Africa.”
To determine the winners, finalists gathered in Nairobi to present to a prominent jury of African business leaders and investors. The panel was chaired by Malik Fal, Managing Director of Endeavor. The jury also included some of Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs and investors, including Kamal Budhabhatti, CEO of Craft Silicon and Grand Prize Winner of the 2010 Africa Awards; James Manyika, Director of the McKinsey Global Institute; Ayisi Makatiani, the CEO of Fanisi Capital; and Tokunboh Ishmael, co-founder and Managing Director of Alitheia Capital. The winners were evaluated on profitability; return on investment and growth; long-term business strategy; leadership, culture and values; investment in employees; innovation to address market needs; and contribution to the community.
The grand prize winner, SECURICO, based in Harare, Zimbabwe, provides guarding services and electronic security solutions, and is the first security company in Zimbabwe to be ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) certified. SECURICO has more than 3,400 employees, 900 of which are women, making it the largest employer of women in the private sector. The company exemplifies the vital role played by entrepreneurs in creating economic growth, prosperity, and realising opportunity in Africa.
A record 3,300 companies from 48 African countries submitted entries to compete for the Grand Prize of US $100,000, and six additional prizes of US $50,000 each, including the new Coca-Cola Award for an Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur, granted to Victoria Seeds, an agribusiness based in Kampala, Uganda. The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship recognizes and rewards business leaders who embody the entrepreneurial spirit and qualities required to succeed in business and who are the inspirational role models for the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
Congratulations to all the winners, and we give big kudos to Chocolate City Group, Pepperoni Foods and First Atlantic Semiconductors and Microelectronics Nigeria Limited for doing Nigeria proud at the competition.
To determine the winners, finalists gathered in Nairobi to present to a prominent jury of African business leaders and investors. The panel was chaired by Malik Fal, Managing Director of Endeavor. The jury also included some of Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs and investors, including Kamal Budhabhatti, CEO of Craft Silicon and Grand Prize Winner of the 2010 Africa Awards; James Manyika, Director of the McKinsey Global Institute; Ayisi Makatiani, the CEO of Fanisi Capital; and Tokunboh Ishmael, co-founder and Managing Director of Alitheia Capital. The winners were evaluated on profitability; return on investment and growth; long-term business strategy; leadership, culture and values; investment in employees; innovation to address market needs; and contribution to the community.
The grand prize winner, SECURICO, based in Harare, Zimbabwe, provides guarding services and electronic security solutions, and is the first security company in Zimbabwe to be ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) certified. SECURICO has more than 3,400 employees, 900 of which are women, making it the largest employer of women in the private sector. The company exemplifies the vital role played by entrepreneurs in creating economic growth, prosperity, and realising opportunity in Africa.
A record 3,300 companies from 48 African countries submitted entries to compete for the Grand Prize of US $100,000, and six additional prizes of US $50,000 each, including the new Coca-Cola Award for an Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur, granted to Victoria Seeds, an agribusiness based in Kampala, Uganda. The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship recognizes and rewards business leaders who embody the entrepreneurial spirit and qualities required to succeed in business and who are the inspirational role models for the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
Congratulations to all the winners, and we give big kudos to Chocolate City Group, Pepperoni Foods and First Atlantic Semiconductors and Microelectronics Nigeria Limited for doing Nigeria proud at the competition.
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