Top executives and companies shaping Africa’s economic future were recognised at a high-profile awards ceremony held on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.
Nigeria’s industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu was named Chief Executive Officer of the Year 2026, in recognition of his leadership in expanding industrial capacity, creating jobs, and strengthening Africa’s manufacturing base.
Rabiu leads BUA Group, a major industrial conglomerate with interests in food production, cement and manufacturing. Its subsidiaries, including BUA Foods and BUA Cement, continue to play a significant role in Africa’s industrial growth and economic value chains.
Organisers said the award selection was based on leadership excellence, innovation, and measurable impact on sustainable economic development across the continent.
Five other companies were also honoured for their transformative contributions across key sectors, including technology, finance, energy and industrial development.
Cassava Technologies was recognised for expanding Africa’s digital backbone through data centres and telecommunications infrastructure, strengthening connectivity across multiple markets.
In the mobility sector, Spiro was awarded for accelerating the adoption of electric transport, operating a large fleet of electric motorcycles and extensive battery-swapping infrastructure across the continent, including Rwanda.
Ecobank was acknowledged for advancing financial inclusion, particularly through its Ellevate initiative, which supports women entrepreneurs with access to credit and business development opportunities.
Ethiopia’s East African Holding was also recognised for its role in strengthening regional industrial capacity, particularly in large-scale cement production and manufacturing.
Meanwhile, Cauridor received recognition for improving cross-border payments and enabling smoother financial transactions across African markets, supporting trade and economic integration.
