…awards ceremony scheduled for 2 -3 July 2026 at the House of Lords, London

London, United Kingdom | 28 April 2026

Nominations are now open for the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026, the flagship recognition platform of the African Leadership Magazine, with entries accepted from 28 April to 5 May 2026. The awards ceremony will be held on 2–3 July 2026 at the House of Lords, London, United Kingdom, where leading business executives, policymakers, and institutions will be recognised for excellence in leadership, corporate performance, and transformational public service across Africa and the diaspora.

Now in its 16th year, the African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) has evolved into a defining benchmark for excellence in African leadership and enterprise, recognising individuals and institutions whose work is shaping markets, strengthening governance systems, and advancing sustainable economic growth across the continent. The Awards honour demonstrable impact across corporate performance, policy innovation, investment promotion, and transformational leadership, reflecting the priorities driving Africa’s economic progress and global competitiveness.

Individuals and organisations across Africa and the diaspora are eligible for nomination, including business executives, government officials, regulatory institutions, and private sector companies. Entries may be submitted either by third parties or directly by the nominees themselves, and must include a brief statement outlining key achievements, measurable impact, and relevance to the selected award category.

The selection process will follow a structured, four-stage evaluation framework designed to ensure transparency and merit-based outcomes. This includes:

1. Open nominations, inviting submissions from across Africa and the diaspora;
2. Editorial screening and shortlisting of qualified entries;
3. Public voting, allowing stakeholders to participate in the selection process; and
4. Final editorial board review, where winners are determined based on voting results, supporting evidence, and overall impact.

Award Categories and Eligibility Criteria

The Awards recognise high-impact leaders and institutions shaping Africa’s economic and social progress, with nominees assessed on the scale of influence, measurable outcomes, and contribution to sustainable development.

1. African Business Leader of the Year — Open to Founders, Group CEOs, and Chief Executives of market-leading, multinational or pan-African enterprises, demonstrating sustained revenue growth, cross-border expansion, job creation, and broad economic value creation
2. African Female Business Leader of the Year — Open to female Founders, Chief Executives, and senior C-suite leaders of multinational or pan-African organisations, driving enterprise growth while advancing women’s leadership, inclusion, and access to opportunity
3. African Finance Minister of the Year — Open to serving Finance Ministers delivering fiscal stability, improved revenue mobilisation, and policies that support inclusive economic growth and national development
4. Central Bank Governor of the Year — Open to serving Central Bank Governors, ensuring price stability, strengthening financial systems, and preserving public confidence in the economy
5. Business-Friendly Governor of the Year — Open to State or Regional Governors implementing reforms that enhance ease of doing business, attract investment, and stimulate enterprise growth and employment
6. African CEO of the Year — Open to Chief Executive Officers of leading multinational or pan-African enterprises, delivering profitability, innovation, and sustainable value creation for stakeholders and communities
7. African Company of the Year — Open to market-leading companies demonstrating strong financial performance, sector leadership, and significant contribution to economic development and value chains
8. African Brand of the Year — Open to iconic African brands with dominant market presence, strong consumer trust, and consistent delivery of value to customers
9. Industry Personality of the Year — Open to influential leaders shaping industry growth through innovation, policy influence, and sector-wide advancement
10. Trade & Investment Minister of the Year — Open to serving Ministers responsible for trade and investment delivering export growth, strategic partnerships, and expanded economic opportunities for businesses and citizens
11. Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of the Year — Open to high-performing agencies facilitating significant investment inflows and enhancing investor confidence and national competitiveness
12. African Regulator of the Year — Open to regulatory authorities strengthening compliance, transparency, and protecting market integrity and stakeholders
13. Young Business Leader of the Year — Open to Founders or Chief Executives aged 40 and below leading high-growth enterprises that demonstrate innovation, scalability, and job creation potential
14. African Tech & Digital Economy Leader of the Year — Open to technology leaders, founders, or institutions driving digital innovation and expanding access to technology-enabled services and opportunities
15. CSR & Community Development Impact Award — Open to organisations delivering measurable, scalable, and life-improving outcomes for communities
16. Africa Business Integrity Leader Award — Open to organisations demonstrating strong governance, ethical leadership, and trust-building practices across stakeholders
17. Capital Market / Stock Exchange of the Year — Open to stock exchanges and capital market institutions enhancing market depth, liquidity, and listings, while improving access to capital for businesses and investors
18. African Diaspora Business Leader of the Year — Open to African founders and business leaders in the diaspora with global success and active contribution to investment, trade, or knowledge transfer to Africa
19. Lifetime Achievement Award — Open to distinguished leaders with enduring contributions to Africa’s economic growth, institutional development, and societal progress over time

Nominations are now open and will close on 5 May 2026.

Submissions should include:

• Nominee’s full name, title, and organisation
• Selected award category
• A brief statement outlining key achievements and impact

Nominations may be submitted by third parties or as self-nominations.

Entries may be submitted via:

• Email: info@africanleadership.co.uk
• Social Media: Using the official hashtag #ALMABLA2026

About African Leadership Magazine

The African Leadership Magazine, published by the African Leadership Organisation (UK), presents the best of Africa to a global audience—telling the African story from an African perspective while advancing practical solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenges. For over 18 years, we have championed impactful leadership and promoted African opportunities worldwide through an integrated ecosystem of Afro-positive content, trade facilitation and market-entry support, high-level networking platforms, and targeted public-sector training and advisory services.

CONTACT:

The African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) Selection Committee

African Leadership Organisation

3rd Floor, The News Building,

3 London Bridge Street,

London SE1 9SG United Kingdom

Email: info@africanleadership.co.uk

Join the conversation online using #ALMABLA2025 and follow us for updates. Let’s honour those leading Africa into the future.