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MTN scoops CBC-African Business of the Year and Brand of the Year awards

The MTN Group is pleased to announce that it has won the inaugural African Business of the Year and Brand of the Year awards presented in London by the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) African Business Awards.

Organised by IC Publications in association with the CBC, the African Business Awards celebrate the rapidly transforming business landscape in Africa by promoting entrepreneurial excellence, world class best practices in business and greater visibility for African brands and companies.

The African Business of the Year award recognises companies that have shown outstanding returns and growth rates coupled with innovative working techniques, and the development of staff and the community it operates in. The Brand of the Year award recognises companies that have achieved outstanding brand recognition in the past 12 months, with wide appeal and wider recognition both in Africa and worldwide. This award is applicable to branding and re-branding exercises.

An independent panel of judges selected the winners and runners-up from a list of nominees in each of the 16 categories which included the African Business of the Year and African Business Leader of the Year. The recipients are companies and individuals who have contributed to the development of Africa and raised its profile in the global business community.

MTN was nominated along with five other business leaders. The Awards ceremony was part of the annual G8 Africa Business Forum organised by the CBC, Business Action for Africa and the United Nations Office for Partnerships.

MTN’s presence in 21 countries makes the company a household name throughout Africa and beyond. The company has consolidated its position and brand through various sports sponsorships which include the Africa Cup of Nations and currently the first global African sponsor. MTN launched 14 years ago and is today one of Africa’s best known companies in the African continent and worldwide.

Says MTN Group Executive, Corporate Affairs, Ms Nozipho January-Bardill: “MTN is proud of this award which is an acknowledgement of the progress we have made in building our business and our brand over the years. It is a tribute to our leadership, our staff and all our stakeholders who participate in our business in various ways. We are grateful to the organisers for this recognition.”

Commenting on the awards, IC Publications Associate Group Publisher, Mr Omar Ben Yedder, said: “I am delighted to congratulate all the nominees and winners from across the African business community. We believe that the business sector in Africa plays a crucial role in the realisation of the African century and the Awards intend to recognise and pay tribute to world class African business leaders and enterprises at home and worldwide. This is just the beginning of a great leap forward for the continent’s business sector. I see a new future for Africa, new energy, talent, and success. With almost one billion people in the Continent, the new generations will make this century the century of Africa.”