Tycoon Bitature wins the 2023 African Industrialist of the Year Award
Drake Nyamugabwa
The African Leadership Magazine, published by the UK-based African Leadership Organization is set to present the winners of the African Leadership Persons of the year 2023 awards including Ugandan Businessman Dr. Patrick Bitature as the receiver of the “African Industrialist of the Year” Award.
The presentation ceremony is slated for 22nd to 23rd February 2024 at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the headquarters of the African Union. The winners and their runner-ups will also formally be presented with instruments of honour during the awards ceremony.
The Chairman the African Leadership Organisation and publisher of the African Leadership Magazine, Dr Ken Giami while congratulating the winners said
“The winner of the 2023 edition of the ALM Persons of the Year Awards made significant strides and remarkable contributions to the African renaissance in the year under review, especially in driving sustainable development, fostering economic growth, and promoting peace and political stability across the continent”.
He asserted that “their sacrifices, policies and actions have bolstered regional peace and cooperation, improved healthcare and education, and laid the groundwork for substantial progress, economic growth and human capital development across Africa”
Dr Patrick Bitature the Founder and Chairman of Simba Group, expressed gratitude to the award organizers and voters while attributing the victory to the dedication of the team at Simba Group.
“I am incredibly honored to receive the esteemed title of African Industrialist of the Year from the African Leadership Magazine. This recognition is not only a personal triumph but a testament to the dedicated team at The Simba Group. I also extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who voted for me” he said
According to the African Leadership Organisation, the winners were largely based on results from the online poll, which attracted vote entries from across Africa and the globe.
The Africa Leadership Magazine’s Awards are Africa’s premier vote-based endorsements, annually reserved for leading Africans contributing to the continent’s progress, positively altering its perceived negative image. The 2-step selection process offers an opportunity for Africans from across the globe to be part of the process to celebrate leaders contributing to Africa's growth and development.
The key highlights of the award ceremony, which the Ethiopia Custom Commission will co-host shall include the unveiling of the special POTY Edition of the African Leadership Magazine, Africa’s Leading Customs & Ports Administrators’ Yearbook 2024, as well as global third-party commendation awards and multi-dimension high-level networking session.
Below is the complete list of winners and runners-up/joint-winners in the 10 categories of African Persons of the Year Awards 2023:
1. African of the Year
· H.E William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya- Winner
· Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President & Chairman, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)- Joint-winner
2. African Female Leader of the Year
· Naseem Lahri, Managing Director, Lucara Botswana - Winner
· Hon. Justice Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya – Joint-winner
3. African Educationist of the Year
· Prof. George L. Openjuru, Vice Chancellor, Gulu University, Uganda- Winner
· Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Media, Arts and Communication, Ghana – Joint-winner
4. African Political Leader of the Year
· H.E. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia- Winner
· H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania- Joint-winner
5. African Peace & Security Leader of the Year
· H.E. Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania- Winner
· H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia- Joint-winner
6. African Industrialist of the Year
· Dr. Patrick Bitature, Founder & Chairman, Simba Group, Uganda- Winner
· Said Salim Awadh Bakhresa, Founder, The Bakhresa Group, Tanzania- Joint-winner
7. African Philanthropist of the Year
· Tein T. S. Jack-Rich, President & Founder, Belemaoil Producing Limited, Nigeria- Winner
· Ibrahim Mahama, Founder, Engineers and Planners, Ghana- Joint-winner
8. Young African Leader of the Year
· Akol E. Ayii, Founder & Chairman, Trinity Group, South Sudan- Winner
· Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi, CEO, KOM Group, Tanzania- Joint-winner
9. African Public Sector Leader of the Year
· Ernest N.T. Rubondo, Executive Director, Petroleum Authority of Uganda- Winner
· Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, Administrator & Registrar-General of Sierra Leone- Joint-winner
10. African Public Health Leader of the Year
· The Hon. Dr Kailesh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness, Mauritius- Winner
· Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Africa, World Health Organization (WHO)- Joint-winner
The African Leadership Magazine, published by the African Leadership Organization (UK), focuses on presenting the best of Africa to a global audience. It tells the African story from an African perspective while developing solutions to challenges facing the continent today.
The Organisation has committed the last 16 years to promoting impactful leadership on the continent and promoting African opportunities globally through an ecosystem of quality Afro-positive content, Africa trade facilitation and market entry solutions, Afro-centric communities and business networking platforms, as well as through public sector training and consulting.
