African Leadership Magazine has announced the winners of the 16th edition of its African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026, recognising executives, institutions, and policymakers driving economic transformation across the continent.
The winners were selected through a four-stage process combining public nominations, editorial review, global public voting (accounting for 65% of the score), and final evaluation of measurable impact in governance, innovation, sustainability, and socio-economic contributions. The awards will be formally presented during a high-level ceremony at the House of Lords on 2โ3 July 2026.
Daniel McKorley, Executive Chairman of Ghanaโs McDan Group, and Sayyu Dantata, Founder and Chairman of Nigeriaโs MRS Holdings Limited, were named joint winners of African Business Leader of the Year. Other top honourees include Fatoumata Mbalou Sanogo, CEO of Petroci Holding in Cรดte dโIvoire, and Kapumpe Chola, CEO of First National Bank Zambia, who shared the African Female Business Leader of the Year award.
Celebrating Transformational Leadership
Now in its 16th year, the ABLA has established itself as a key platform for spotlighting African corporate excellence. Chaired by former Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the awards bring together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders, and investors to discuss strategies for deeper continental integration and global competitiveness.
Additional winners include:
- African Finance Minister of the Year: Cassiel Ato Forson (Ghana) and Nadia Fettah Alaoui (Morocco)
- Central Bank Governor of the Year: Eyob Tekalign (Ethiopia) and Emmanuel Tutuba (Tanzania)
- African Company of the Year: Dangote Group (Nigeria) and Orascom Construction (Egypt)
- African Brand of the Year: Ethiopian Airlines and Airtel Africa
- Lifetime Achievement Awards: Sam Jonah (Ghana), Jim Ovia (Nigeria), Adebayo Ogunlesi (Nigeria), and James Mwangi (Kenya)
Dr. Ken Giami, Founder and CEO of the African Leadership Organisation, described the winners as leaders whose work is โredefining what is possible for African enterpriseโ and inspiring the next generation.
Broader Significance
The awards come at a time when African economies are navigating reforms, digital transformation, energy transitions, and efforts to attract greater foreign investment. Recognising both private sector trailblazers and public sector reformers underscores the interplay between policy stability and business execution in driving sustainable growth.
Categories such as African Tech & Digital Economy Leader and CSR & Community Development Impact Award highlight growing emphasis on innovation, inclusion, and responsible business practices areas critical for addressing youth unemployment, infrastructure gaps, and climate resilience.
Looking Ahead
With the July ceremony approaching, attention will shift from voting and selection to the strategic conversations expected at the House of Lords. The gathering typically serves as more than a celebratory event, offering a forum for deal-making, policy dialogue, and partnership building between African leaders and international stakeholders.
As the awards enter their second decade, their credibility rests on the continued ability to identify leaders whose influence extends beyond individual companies to broader economic and social progress. The 2026 cohort reflects diverse sectors and geographies, signalling a maturing recognition of Africaโs multifaceted business landscape.
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