CBNC announces Africa business and entrepreneurial game changers of 2013

CNBC, which is Africa’s largest business television news network, recently announced the winners of AABLA (Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards) of West Africa. Both iROKOtv and Konga’s CEOs came out top with their disruptive online business and entrepreneurial ventures.

Jason Njoku, co-founder and CEO of iROKOtv, won the title of CNBC’s Young Business Leader of the 2013. In dedication to Nollywood’s talent, iROKOtv which is sometimes dubbed as the “Netflix of Nollywood” was launched in 2010 and has since become the world’s largest online distributor of Nigerian movies online.

Njoku says that “this is an incredible honour, to be recognised by my peers and notable business leaders from across West Africa. I enjoyed going through the rigorous judging process as it helped me put into context the achievements iROKO has reached, as well as consider the challenges we have for the future.”

Online travel and hotel booking platform Wakanow was also one of the finalists in the Young Business of the Year 2013 category.

Furthermore, Kongo CEO, Sim Shagaya won the award for Entrepreneur of the year 2013 at the CBNC All Africa Business Leaders Awards. Shagaya has been recognized in his successful efforts in establishing the local online shopping platform in West Africa.

Shagaya dedicated the award to the team and investors of Konga, describing it as a “salute to Konga’s audaciousness, tenacity and innovativeness in online shopping in Nigeria.” Other finalists in this category were Vodoo Communication CEO Fabrice Sawegnon and Tayo Oviosu CEO and founder of Paga .

The full list of finalists is as follows:

Business Leader of the Year:

Jean-Louis Ekra — President and Chairman, African Export-Import Bank
Segun Agbaje — Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank PLC
Andrew Alli — Africa Finance Corporation President and CEO

Business Woman of the Year 2013:

Arunma Oteh — Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria
Biola Adekanbi-Alabi — Managing Director, M-Net Africa Managing Director
Sola David-Borha — Chief Executive: Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

Entrepreneur of the Year 2013:

Fabrice Sawegnon — Voodoo Group, CEO
Tayo Oviosu — Paga Founder, CEO
Sim Shagaya — Konga.com Founder, CEO

Young Business Leader of the Year 2013:

Obinna Ralph Ekezie — Wakanow.com Limited, Founder and Managing Director
Jason Njoku — iROKO Partners, CEO and Co-Founder