From the Longitude Prize in the 18th century to Alfred Nobel’s laureate awards at the start of the 20th century, the power of prize programmes to catalyse innovation and inspiration is undeniable. Such prizes serve a purpose beyond recognition and reward alone - also raising awareness, creating role models and igniting ambition.

From our experience with previous prize programmes within Africa and globally, we have met remarkable entrepreneurs who never lost belief in themselves, even when confronted by overwhelming challenges but persevered to bring their ideas to fruition. As such entrepreneurs work to create businesses that meet the needs of those around them and by doing so raise the living standards of their communities while also creating something of lasting value for themselves, their employees, their communities and their nations. The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship is honoured to provide a platform upon which they may continue to inspire a new generation of African entrepreneurs.

The Objectives of the Awards are:

• To promote the value of entrepreneurship as a driving force of today’s Africa
• To celebrate the standards of business excellence within Africa
• To encourage small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship 
• To build strong networks of African entrepreneurs as a source of learning and sharing of best practice
• To attract more venture capital inflows towards good businesses across Africa

2011 Winners

We are proud to announce that Zimbabwe's SECURICO won the US $100,000 Grand Prize in the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship held in Nairobi on the 8th December 2011. Five further finalists were recognized and each awarded a prize of US $50,000. Find out more here.