These prestigious Awards, which were sponsored by aBi Trust, celebrate excellence and best practices in East African agribusiness. The awards recognise achievements across the main agriculture sectors and reward the personalities and institutions transforming East Africa’s agribusiness climate. This year’s awards were held in collaboration with the World Bank, the European Union delegation in Uganda, the Uganda Government and the Eastern Africa Farmers’ Federation among others.
Commenting on the Award winners, Edward Katende, Managing Director, Focus on East Africa, said: “We are delighted to have received such great interest in these awards from both small and big players committed to showcasing their success stories. The calibre and innovation of the winning individuals and institutions will go a long way towards establishing East African agribusiness as an attractive and competitive investible asset class. The Award winners represent leading personalities and institutions within Africa’s agribusiness industry with several projects taking top honours”.
Mr. Sanjay Sethi won the prestigious Africa Food Prize 2013 for his noteworthy contributions in helping create more food for the poor on the continent. He has implemented various end to end supply chain integration projects for food and agriculture and has brought up small holder farming communities in Africa. As CEO in Food and Beverages at Export Trading Group, Mr. Sethi is a dominant voice on the African Agribusiness and Food Security agenda.
The Agribusiness Investment Initiative of the Year went to Agri-Vie for its innovative approach to supporting the development of the agribusiness sector across East Africa. Agri-Vie has invested over US$ 75 million in East Africa and has spread across East Africa and into the Horn of Africa. This investment encompasses a much needed facility for technical assistance and SME-led projects. By May 2013, Agri-Vie had created a total of 6,132 employment opportunities for salaried, waged and seasonal employees in East Africa.
Export Trading Group was recognised for its continuing efforts in the agribusiness sector, and was awarded the Agribusiness Leader of the Year for its investment of over US$150millions along the supply chain to enhance and develop the commercial capabilities of the region and the African continent at large. The Best Initiative in Support of SMEs was awarded to Elgon Kenya Limited for its efforts in positioning itself as the agricultural one stop shop for agricultural oriented SMEs through an array of products it offers from land preparation, to farm management, post-harvest and packaging.
The Export Award went to Rwenzori Commodities Limited whose tea is exported across the region and beyond. The company was recognised for its efforts in promoting intra-regional trade. The Agribusiness Initiative of the Year was awarded to the Uganda Crane Creameries Cooperative Union which has created a ready and sustainable market to over 18,000 member farmers among others. Agriculture Finance Initiative of the Year was awarded to Root Capital Inc and on accepting the Award, Richard Tugume, Loan Portfolio Manager, Root Capital dedicated this award to the company’s loan customers in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, DRC, and Zimbabwe.
The Youth for Sustainable Agribusiness Leader Award went to Equator Seeds. Total Land Care’s Viphya Project walked away with the Environment Action in Agribusiness Award. The Cooperative Union of the Year Award went to National Union of Coffee Agribusinesses and Farm Enterprises (NUCAFE) while the Appropriate Technology Award went to Agro-Genetics Technologies Limited. Comcraft Group Chairman, Dr Manu Chandaria, was recognised for his continuing efforts in industrializing East Africa and for this he scooped the Industrialist in Support of Agribusiness Award.
About Focus on East Africa
Focus on East Africa is a leading foreign direct investment consulting firm offering strategic advice, start-up assistance, consumer insights and capital advisory, to leading East African and international companies, operating in the Finance, Food & Agriculture , Hospitality and Real Estate sectors. We help organisations make connections, communicate their proposition and engage with Each African businesses. Full details can be found at www.focusoneastafrica.com
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1 comment:
Congratulations to the winners. Agribusiness is arguably the most relevant industry in many African countries.
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