African Leadership Network announce judging panel for AAE

The panel is made up of five of African entrepreneurs and business executives with records in building businesses and promoting entrepreneurship. They represent four African nationalities and collectively, bring more than 150 years of senior-level business experience and unrivalled business knowledge in Africa.

The members of the judging panel are:

• Ahmed Heikal, founder and chairman, Citadel Capital - Egypt
  
• Chris Kirubi, serial entrepreneur and investor - Kenya
  
• Divine Ndhlukula, founder and CEO, Securico and AAE 2011 winner - Zimbabwe
  
• Adedotun Sulaiman, founder and chairman, Arian Capital Management - Nigeria
  
• Yvonne Ike, CEO, West Africa, Renaissance Group - Nigeria

Commenting on the announcement, Fred Swaniker CEO of the African Leadership Network (ALN), said "We are thrilled by their acceptance to serve as judges for the 2012 AAE and we commend their exemplary contribution to inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs in Africa. The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship are a powerful and prestigious platform to spotlight the best of the best among Africa's entrepreneurs."

The awards were previously owned and coordinated by the Legatum Group and are this year being managed by the African Leadership Network. The awards gala ceremony will be held on 11 October 2012, in Accra, Ghana at the African Leadership Network's flagship yearly event, the ALN Annual Gathering.

The awards will have four categories:

• Lifetime Achievement Award to be bestowed on a senior and iconic African business leader that has left an enduring legacy of decades of entrepreneurial success in Africa.
  
• Transformational Business Award to be awarded to an outstanding African entrepreneur who has built a company with revenues greater than US$50 million.
  
• Outstanding Mature Business Award for a remarkable African entrepreneur with a business that has made revenues between US$5 million - US$50 million.
  
• Outstanding Small and Growing Business Award to be given to a stellar African entrepreneur with a business that has revenues between US$500 000 and US$ 5 million.

Commenting on the announcement, Ndhlukula, a member of the judging panel, and the Overall winner for the Awards last year, said "With the African Leadership Network taking the lead in the management and hosting of the awards, the awards should serve as a focal point for recognising and rallying the next generation of entrepreneurs in Africa. In its sixth year now, it is essential to see more African women entrepreneurs recognised for their achievements and I encourage people to nominate outstanding women entrepreneurs for the Awards."

For more, go to www.AfricaAwards.com.