Ruto Crowned Best African Leader In Annual Awards

The awards courtesy of the United Kingdom's African Leadership Magazine (ALM), not only celebrate individual excellence but also highlight the collective impact of African leaders on the continent.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Dec 18, 2023 - 17:03 Updated: Dec 18, 2023 - 17:13
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Ruto Crowned Best African Leader In Annual Awards
President William Ruto during the 87th pass-out parade of the National Youth Service Recruits in Gilgil, Nakuru County on December 8, 2023. /PCS

President William Ruto has been named the winner of the African Leadership Person of the Year in the African Leadership Magazine's 2023 Person of the Year awards.

The awards courtesy of the United Kingdom's African Leadership Magazine (ALM), not only celebrate individual excellence but also highlight the collective impact of African leaders on the continent.

Dr Ken Giami, the chairperson of the African Leadership Organisation, revealed that winners of the 2023 edition of the ALM African Person of the Year Awards made significant strides and remarkable contributions to the African renaissance in the year under review, especially in driving sustainable development and fostering economic growth and promoting peace and political stability.

"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," Giami said.

Photo graphic of President William Ruto announced as the African Leadership Persons of the Year 2023. /AFRICAN LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE

The determination of the winner involved a two-step selection process that included a call for nominations as well as voting done through an online poll on December 14.

According to ALM, the presentation for the award has been set for February 23, 2024, with the ceremony set to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"African Leadership Magazine announces the winners of the African Persons of the Year Awards 2023. Congratulations, William Ruto, President of Kenya, on your emergence as African of the Year. Presentation billed for February 23, 2024, in Addis Ababa," ALM said in a statement. 

President Ruto shared the esteemed accolade with Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, the President, and Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (AFRIEXIMbank).

Simultaneously, Chief Justice Koome was celebrated as the "African Female Leader of the Year," sharing the honour with Naseem Lahri, the Managing Director of Lucara Botswana.

Other winners have been highlighted comprehensively as follows:

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

African Political Leader of the Year

  • George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia – Winner
  • Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania – Joint-winner

African Peace & Security Leader of the Year

  • Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania – Winner
  • Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia – Joint-winner

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

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

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

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

African Public Health Leader of the Year

  • Dr. Kailesh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness, Mauritius – Winner
  • Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Africa, World Health Organization (WHO) – Joint-winner

"The winners and runners-up with be formally presented with instruments of honour during the flagship annual ALM Persons of the Year Awards ceremony billed to be held 22-23 February 2024 at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the African Union headquarters," ALM noted.

According to ALM, the key highlights of the ceremony, which will be co-hosted by the Ethiopia Custom Commission, will include the unveiling of the POTY Edition of the African Leadership Magazine and Africa's leading Customs and Ports Administrators' Yearbook 2024.

President William Ruto with Chief Justice Martha Koome. /PCS

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