Xodus Communications Limited – organiser of the Forty under 40 Awards, has honoured young entrepreneurs and business leaders from 16 African Countries at its maiden ‘Forty under 40 Africa Award’ recently held in Accra.
The award scheme, which was a success, sought to identify, honour and celebrate a cross-section of the continent’s most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age of forty from a wide range of industries.
This includes people committed to business growth, professional excellence and community service, and those who have risen through the ranks of their companies or industries at a relatively young age.
The winners for this year’s event were from Ghana, South Africa, Niger, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Togo, Namibia, Cameroon, South Sudan, Swaziland and Morocco.
The night saw Shakemore Wellington Timburkwa, founder of Energy Plus – a leading integrated energy company that specialises in Liquified Petroleum Gas installation and distribution, and solar electric design and installation, from Zimbabwe, winning the overall award dubbed: ‘First Among Equals’. Mr. Timburkwa, before the overall award, won the Energy award under the Special Recognition Awards category.
Nelson Madiba Amo, CEO of Innohub Limited, also won the ‘The People’s Choice Award’, representing the nominee with the highest number of votes across all the categories. Again, he emerged winner of the Investment category under the Special Recognition awards.
Others emerged winners from various categories ranging from banking and finance, energy, family business, agriculture, theatre and arts, journalism, fashion, law, sports, event management, health, technology and innovation, among others.
Speaking to the media, Executive Director of Xodus Communications Limited – Richard Abbey Junior, congratulated the young business leaders, stressing that his outfit believes in patting the backs of young people who are making strides and channelling development in Africa and projecting it on the continent.
“We believe that putting the spotlight on these young achievers will not only celebrate them, but also build a strong platform for them by giving a voice and opportunities to the next generation of industry pacesetters while building a positive attitude in our youth to strive for excellence at a tender age.
“Year after year, we have seen outstanding individuals of trailblazers strive hard with dedication and perseverance by overcoming challenges and economic instability. At Xodus Communications, we believe in the value of recognition and the drive for performance,” he said.
He also advised African youths not to give up on their various countries but harness their fortunes to promote and project it as a strong front on the continent.
“Young people should not give up on the continent and think that all is lost. There is more to be done to project Africa. I am concerned about Africa and about it projecting a stronger front. I see this as a way to market Africa; one of the awardees is employing 1000 people and this is in Africa,” he noted.
List of winners under the various categories
Honorary Award
- Folabi Edward Obembe – Worldview UK Limited, Nigeria
(Digital Education)
- Maryben Omollo – Greeneseal Cleaners & Pest Controllers, Kenya
(Women Empowerment)
- Orry Diana Musiburu Seem – Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Togo
(Girl Child Education)
- Reginald Pillay – Ariston Global (Pty) Ltd., South Africa
(Business Support Services)
- Efe Ukala – Impacther Foundation Ltd./Gte., Nigeria
(Social Support)
- Dr. Eurika Mogane – Tharika M Health, South Africa
(Entrepreneurship)
Special Recognition
- Mohamed L. Yahffa – Zulumandingo Company
(Logistics and Supply)
- Oumar Traore Fati – 227nigerwedding, Niger
(Event Management)
- Mohamed Ezzeldin -Lemon Spaces, Egypt
(Hospitality)
- Rose Chepchirchir Ronoh – Trade Smart Consult Ltd., Kenya
(Consultancy)
- Issoufou Adamou Iddrissa – Cabinet Iai, Niger
(Professional Services – Male Category)
- Langelihle Ndlovu – Afrodroid Media, Zimbabwe
(Media)
- Chinenye Ebele Onuorah – Regalo Hope Foundation, Nigeria
(Education)
- Janet Tayo Faremi – Ambassador Stores, Nigeria
(Sales and Marketing)
- Mondli Kunene – Mondli Art Projects, South Africa
(Theatre and Arts – Male Category) - Rosebird Ama Dadzie – Roben Arts, Ghana
(Theatre and Arts – Female Category)
- Audrey Simbiso Chidawanyika -Zipporah Consultancy, Zimbabwe
(Professional Services – Female Category)
- Bernard Kofi Bonarparte – Bonabear Foundation Ghana, Ghana
(Social Enterprise)
- Santiago Roberts – Miss Tourism Nigeria, Nigeria
(Beauty and Lifestyle)
- Edirin Edewor – Online Publishers and Entrpreneurs Network, Nigeria
(Authorship and Creative Writing) - Toseef Din – Mpshah Hospital, Kenya
(Health and Wellness) - Emmanuel Ezima – A-Z Couture, Nigeria
(Fashion)
- Ayokunle Olushola Ayoko – Kaizen Academy Limited, Nigeria
(Law)
- Bobi Wine (Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu)- People Power, Uganda
(Governance and Government Agencies)
- Nakedi Pule Malahlela – Turfloop Football Club Limpopo, South Africa
(Sports)
- Antony Ngure Gacheru – Environment Two Five Four Group, Kenya
(Printing and Publishing)
- Ruth Mueni Mukhwana – M2M Promotion and Events, Kenya
(Communications and Advertising)
- Pelumi Aribisala – Cato Foods, Nigeria
(Agriculture and Agro Processing)
- Maged Maurice Michel Khella – Viamo Inc., Egypt
(Human Resource Development – Male Category)
- Angela Nthabiseng Senosha – Positive Switch Pty (Ltd.), South Africa
(Human Resource Development – Female Category)
- Nelson Amo – Innohub Limited, Ghana
(Investments)
- Kwanele Boltina – Riley Auctioneers Ltd., South Africa
(Finance) - Shakemore Timburwa – Energyplus, Zimbabwe
(Energy)
- Dr. Kofi Amoa Abban – Rigworld, Ghana
(Oil and Gas)
- Christine Awuor Ogola – Youth for Sustainable Development-Nairobi
(Community Development – Youth Empowerment)
- Masonwabe Fuma (Youth Empowerment and Development, Mentorship) – Sakhulutsha Eafrika, South Africa
(Community Development – Mentorship)
- Amanda Ngcono Nkomo – Ngcono Mbowane Foundation, Zimbabwe
(Philanthropy and Charity – Capacity Building)
- Tariro Chirewa – Yama Foundation, Zimbabwe (Academic Support)
(Philanthropy and Charity)
- Matovu Ronald – Gagamel International, Uganda
(Music and Entertainment -Male Category)
- Janatte Haddadi – Giraffe Three Sixty, Morroco
(Music and Entertainment -Female Category)
- Ronald Tagoe – Mnotify/Chatbots Africa, Ghana
(Science and Technology)
People’s Choice Award
- Nelson Madiba Amo
First Among Equals
- Shakemore Timburwa – Energy Plus, Zimbabwe
