Africa Prosperity Champions Awards (APCA) - Africa Prosperity Network

Recognising Africa’s Champions of Prosperity

The Africa Prosperity Champions Awards (APCA) & Gala Dinner represent a transformative commitment to shifting the narrative from poverty alleviation to fostering prosperity across the African continent. Bringing together over 400 influential individuals, including Heads of State, business leaders, and policymakers, the event serves as a platform to celebrate Africa’s remarkable achievements and unity.

Africa Prosperity Champions Awards & Presidential Gala Dinner

The prestigious APCA honours distinguished individuals from Africa and its global diaspora who are driving the continent’s transformation and fostering shared prosperity. These awards embody a bold step towards a future of ambition and progress, recognising exceptional achievements while inspiring continued success.

Beyond celebrating excellence, the APCA serves as a springboard for future accomplishments. It inspires the next generation of leaders to contribute to Africa’s ambitious vision for 2063, showcasing excellence and nurturing leadership that will propel the continent’s growth on the global stage.

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2026 APCA Winners

Dr Amany Asfour

(SPECIAL AWARD) WOMAN OF IMPACT

Dr Amany Asfour is one of Africa’s most influential voices in business leadership and a tireless champion for women’s empowerment and continental economic integration. As President of the Africa Business Council, she has consistently advanced bold, future-focused agendas that strengthen intra-African trade, elevate private sector participation, and position African enterprises for global competitiveness.

Afreximbank – Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX)

GLOBAL SOFT POWER AWARD

Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) strengthens Africa’s global influence by advancing the continent’s creative and cultural industries as engines of soft power.

Through targeted financing, infrastructure support, and capacity building, CANEX enables filmmakers, musicians, designers, publishers, fashion entrepreneurs, and digital creators to scale and access global markets. The initiative has expanded creative-industry financing to approximately US$1 billion, facilitated an estimated US$540 million in deals in 2024, and launched a US$1 billion Africa Film Fund.

Cellulant (Kenya / Pan-African)

EXCELLENCE IN DIGITAL IN DIGITAL INNOVATION AWARD

Africa’s economy is transforming rapidly due to significantly high adoption rates for fintech and digital innovation. Cellulant is a pioneering African fintech driving digital innovation through its flagship payments platform, Tingg, which connects banks, mobile operators, and merchants across more than 30 African countries.

Benban Solar Park (Egypt)

TRANSFORMATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AWARD

The Benban Solar Park in Aswan, Egypt, is one of the world’s largest solar power installations and a landmark example of transformational infrastructure in Africa. With an installed capacity of approximately 1.6 GW across 37 square kilometres, the project supplies clean electricity to over one million homes and businesses.

Ecobank

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP IN SMEs AWARD

Despite the importance of SMEs to Africa’s economy, they face significant constraints including lack of access to financing, particularly by vulnerable groups including women and youth, who make up the bulk of SMEs. Ecobank stands tall among the list of institutions helping to address this.

Ecobank is a leading pan-African financial institution advancing inclusive SME growth across more than 30 African countries. Through tailored SME loans, working capital solutions, supply-chain finance, and digital platforms such as OmniLite and the Ecobank Mobile App, the bank enables SMEs to transact, scale, and operate across borders.

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

MOST VALUABLE PROJECT FOR INTEGRATION AWARD

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is Africa’s largest hydropower project and a landmark of African-led infrastructure development. With an installed capacity of over 6,000 MW, the project is expected to more than double Ethiopia’s electricity generation, supporting industrialisation, affordable energy access, and long-term economic growth.

Sir Mo Ibrahim (Sudan / United Kingdom)

GLOBAL AFRICAN LEADERSHIP AWARD

Good governance and quality leadership are crucial to unlocking Africa’s vast economic potential. At the forefront of championing good governance and quality leadership on the continent is Sir Mo Ibrahim.

Sir Mo Ibrahim is a distinguished African business leader and philanthropist whose global achievements have elevated African leadership and governance on the world stage.

2025 APCA Winners

Herman Chinery-Hesse

(POSTHUMOUS) LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA

Herman Chinery-Hesse, a pioneer in the field of technology in Africa, was recognised globally for his innovation in software and fintech. Listed among Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers, he earned accolades including a GUBA Award, Ghana’s Millenium Excellence Award for IT and Mobile World Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, he co-founded theSOFTtribe Ltd, one of Africa’s earliest and premier software firms, delivering indigenous technology solutions to multinational companies and institutions such as the United Nations and Mastercard Foundation. His fintech innovations, including the “Sundiata” payment system, helped shape Africa’s digital economy.

Ms Bridgete Motsepe-Radebe

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AWARD

Ms Bridgete Motsepe-Radebe, a pioneering South African mining entrepreneur, defied apartheid-era laws to become the country’s first black female mine owner. Born into an entrepreneurial family, she was denied entry to one of South Africa’s premier universities to study law because of guidelines on racial segregation but persevered to establish Mmakau Mining, which holds stakes in platinum, coal and chrome. She played an important role in shaping South Africa’s mining legislation and championing empowerment models across Africa.

Dr Rakesh Wahi

EXCELLENCE IN PAN-AFRICAN MEDIA AWARD

Dr Rakesh Wahi is a visionary entrepreneur with over 35 years’ experience in early-stage investment across emerging markets. As the Chairman of CMA Investment Holdings, he oversees operations in 15 countries. He co-founded and chairs the ABN Group, which includes CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa, and leads Transnational Academic Group, which runs Curtin University Dubai and Lancaster University Ghana.

Mesfin Tasew

LEADERSHIP IN CONNECTING AFRICA AWARD

Mesfin Tasew was appointed Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines in March 2022, bringing nearly four decades of experience in aviation to the role. He joined the airline in 1984 as an associate engineer and rose steadily through the ranks, serving in key technical and managerial roles. In 1999, he became Chief Information Officer, later holding positions as Vice-President of Maintenance and Engineering (2006) and Chief Operating Officer (2010-2021).

Dr Sidi Ould Tah

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

Dr Sidi Ould Tah was elected President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in 2015, assuming office on 1 July. A former Minister of Economy and Finance in Mauritania (2008-2015), he previously advised both the Mauritanian President and Prime Minister and played critical roles in national economic policy, including chairing the National Statistics Council and serving as a board member of the Central Bank.

Wode Maya

EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM PROMOTION FOR AFRICA AND GLOBAL AFRICA

Wode Maya (born Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon) is a Ghanaian content creator and digital influencer reshaping global perceptions of Africa. With over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, he spotlights African innovation, entrepreneurship and culture, challenging negative stereotypes and offering an authentic narrative of the continent. What started as a personal mission to present a more uplifting view of Africa has evolved into a movement bridging the diaspora and inspiring young Africans to embrace their heritage.

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

CHAMPION OF THE AFRICA WE WANT AWARD

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was born in Natal Province on 27 January 1949 and is a distinguished anti-apartheid activist, medical doctor, politician and diplomat. She has served in every post-apartheid South African cabinet since 1994, holding key portfolios including Health under Nelson Mandela, Foreign Affairs under Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, and Home Affairs under Jacob Zuma. Under Cyril Ramaphosa, she has led multiple ministries, most recently Cooperative Governance during the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2012 to 2017, she served as the first female Chairperson of the African Union Commission, where she spearheaded Agenda 2063, Africa’s transformation strategy.

H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo - Addo

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION AWARD

At the heart of his transformative agenda was the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy, a groundbreaking initiative that has provided millions of Ghanaian children so far with access to secondary education, regardless of their financial background. The policy, introduced in 2017, has increased enrolment significantly, ensuring that no child is left behind because of economic constraints. By prioritising education as a catalyst for national development, President Akufo-Addo strengthened the foundation for a more skilled and empowered youth population.

2024 APCA Winners

Rt Hon Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal

Global Africa Champion Award

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC is the 6th Commonwealth Secretary-General. She is the second Secretary-General from the Caribbean and the first woman to hold the post.

Mohamed M. Abou El Enein

Industrialist of the Year Award

Mohamed M. Abou El Enein is a renowned Egyptian businessman, investor, public figure, and accomplished politician. He is the founder and chairman of Cleopatra Group, a company that has established many major projects spread all over Egypt. He is also Deputy Speaker of Egypt’s House of Representatives.

Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali

Global Africa Leadership Award

The ninth President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in as Guyana’s executive president on 2 August 2020.

H.E. Alassane D. Ouattara

African Statesperson Award

An economist by profession, H.E. Alassane Ouattara was sworn into office as President of the Ivory Coast in 2010. Prior to being sworn in, he worked for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Central Bank of West African States ( Banque Centrale des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, BCEAO)

Prof Benedict Okechukwu Oramah

Financial Leadership Award

Prof. Benedict Oramah assumed the position of president and chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) on 21 September 2015.

Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade (Mr Eazi)

Young Entrepreneur Award

Better known by his stage name, Mr Eazi. Eazi is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns.