The Global Excellence Leadership Awards in Africa 2026 concluded on a high note, bringing together an extraordinary gathering of business leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry pioneers from across Africa and beyond. Powered by Insights Excellence Awards in collaboration with Insights Success Media, the prestigious event celebrated outstanding individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation, and dedication continue to shape industries, empower communities, and drive sustainable progress.
The awards served as a platform to recognize excellence across healthcare, finance, technology, education, infrastructure, engineering, sustainability, tourism, aviation, entrepreneurship, human resources, cybersecurity, supply chain management, capital markets, hospitality, and social impact. The ceremony highlighted the remarkable achievements of leaders who continue to redefine standards of excellence while contributing to Africa’s growing influence on the global stage.
Among the distinguished honorees was Saumya Tiwari, Medical Doctor, Aesthetic Medicine Specialist, Founder and Director of S&S Aesthetic Skin Couture, who received the Visionary Woman Leadership Award. Stanley Grau, Managing Director of MSCT BEE Services, was recognized as the Global Leader in B-BBEE Compliance & Empowerment Strategy 2026, while Rohit Khattar (AOCEMS) earned recognition as the Sustainability & Environmental Innovation Leader 2026 for his commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
The education and professional development sectors were strongly represented during the awards. Ornica Mukhavhuli, CEO of African Global Skills Academy, received the Transformational Leader in Education & Hospitality Award, while Nellie Nosisi Feza, Professor at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu, was honored with the Outstanding Women Leadership in Higher Education Award. Further recognition was awarded to Hendrina Chalwe Doroba, Division Manager – Education and Skills Development at the African Development Bank, who received the Excellence in Gender-Responsive Education and Development Leadership in Africa Award.
Leadership in governance, compliance, and risk management was celebrated through Mr. Femi Jaiyeola, Chief Risk Officer, who received the Global Excellence in Risk & Compliance Leadership Award. The event also recognized Boston Moonsamy, Managing Director of Azelis, as Africa’s Most Influential Leader of the Year 2026, acknowledging his exceptional contribution to leadership and business excellence.
Healthcare excellence remained a central theme throughout the evening. Agatha Walton, Cluster and Country Head at Sanofi, received the Healthcare Leadership Excellence Award, while Hitesh Upreti was honored as the Global Pharma Leadership: Visionary Leader to Watch in 2026. Noelene Kotschan, CEO and Founder of PinkDrive, earned the Global Health Care Impact Award for Cancer Awareness and Early Detection, while Dr. Lee-Anne Kassel received the Women Icon in Healthcare Leadership 2026 Award. The event also acknowledged the contribution of Dr. Saveshree Govender, Paediatric Surgeon, for her dedication to advancing healthcare excellence and patient care.
The financial services and capital markets sectors featured prominently among the honorees. Dave Van Niekerk, CEO of Numeral Group, received the Visionary CEO of the Year – Financial Services & Digital Banking Award, while Kameel Keshav, Chief Executive Officer of Apeiron Capital, earned the Excellence in Financial Leadership & Strategic Capital Markets – Africa 2026 Award. Catherine Campbell-Ferreira, Senior Finance Manager at Amazon, was recognized with the Global Women Leadership Excellence Award in Finance.
Additional recognition was awarded to OLORUNtimilehin George, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Pension Custodian Nigeria Ltd., recipient of the Financial Services Leader of the Year Award, and Toyin Owolabi, Managing Director and CEO of FSDH Asset Management, who received the Global Visionary Icon in Asset & Portfolio Management – Africa 2026 Award.
The ceremony also celebrated excellence in financial regulation and capital market development. Josephine Okui Ossiya, CEO of Capital Markets Authority Uganda, received the Best Innovations & Impactful Leader Award, while Capital Markets Authority Uganda was recognized as the Best Capital Markets Regulator in Africa. Lyn Tukei, Head of Communication and PR at Capital Markets Authority Uganda, was acknowledged for her contribution to strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. Rakiya Opemi Yusuf, Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, was honored as the Most Influential Leader in Payments & FinTech Regulation, while Frans Stander, Region Business Expansion Head at Iliad Solutions Ltd, received the Most Influential FinTech & Payments Leader – Africa 2026 Award. Pyoka Mfuni, CFO of Maloto, earned recognition as the Top CFO Driving Organizational Impact 2026.
Technology, cybersecurity, and digital innovation were celebrated through the achievements of Barry Buck, Chief Technology Officer at Saucecode, recipient of The Most Influential CTO Revamping Their Industries, 2026 Award. Pretty Newman, Chief Digital Officer at Lambent Cloud JHB, received the Digital Transformation Visionary Award 2026, while Emmanuel Morka, CIO at Access Bank Plc, earned the Global Leadership & Technology Innovation Award 2026. Ebenezer Akinyemi, Chief Digital Officer at Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc, was recognized with the Outstanding Chief Digital Officer in Financial Innovation 2026 Award.
Cybersecurity leadership was represented by Frances Sithole, CISO at Acute Cybersecurity Services (Private) Limited, who received the Pan-African Cyber Defense Leader of the Year 2026 Award for her outstanding contribution to cybersecurity resilience and digital security leadership.
Human resources, talent development, and leadership coaching emerged as major themes during the celebrations. Zanele Nhlabatsi, Human Resources and Administration Manager at National Maize Corporation, received the Rising Star in Human Resources Leadership (SADC) Award, while Sandrine Zouzou, Country Human Resources Manager at Leadway Assurance Company, earned the Rising Star in Human Resources Leadership (Ivory Coast) Award. Elmarie Roberts was honored with the HR Innovation & People Leadership Excellence Award 2026.
Further recognition in leadership and people excellence was awarded to Vanessa Haripersad, CEO and Founder of Shankara People Solutions, recipient of the Global Icon in Transformational Leadership & People Excellence – 2026 Award. Dr. Miskyah Toth, CEO of BDCS, was recognized as A Woman at the Forefront of Talent and Business Consulting, while Kershini Govender received the Excellence in Purpose-Led Leadership Coaching Award.
The awards also celebrated leaders creating meaningful social impact and empowering future generations. Vishaylin Mahadeo, Engagement Manager at RIIS, received The Most Inspiring Leader for Youth in 2026 Award. Herman Ssebuliba, CEO and Founder of ZABRAVE, earned the Global Social Impact & Innovation Leader of the Year 2026 Award, while Ambassador Sileshi Umer Mohammed, Founder and CEO of Safe Light Initiative, received the Excellence in Youth Leadership & Youth Diplomacy Award.
Infrastructure, engineering, sustainability, and development leadership were recognized through Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu, Managing Director of VEA Road Maintenance and Civils, recipient of the Global Woman Leader in Infrastructure & Engineering | 2026 Award, and Mathe Nthabiseng Moshoeshoe, CEO of Moshoeshoe Property Fund and Investments, who received the Visionary Leader in Affordable Housing & Infrastructure Development – Africa 2026 Award.
The event also honored Michelle Korevaar of Change Makers Hub, recipient of the Outstanding Female Leader in Sustainability & Social Equity 2026 Award, reinforcing the growing importance of sustainability and inclusive development across Africa.
Excellence in supply chain management, logistics, and operational leadership was celebrated through Mark Jaffe, CEO and Founder of Sunstone Logistic Systems, and Claire Clark, Chief Commercial Officer of Nucleus Mining Logistics, both recipients of the Excellence in Supply Chain Leadership Honors. Philippe Demarche received the Excellence in Supply Chain Innovation & Digital Transformation Award, while Kwanele Mtembu earned the Visionary Leader in Supply Chain & Procurement Governance Award 2026. Ogen Moodley was honored with the Best Operational Excellence Leadership Award – Africa.
Marketing and brand leadership were represented by Emma Kendrick Cox, Global Marketing Director at Mack Brands, recipient of the Global Brand Leadership Excellence Award. Hywel George, Creative Director of Griot Ltd, received the Global Impact Award 2026, while Meissa Tall, Head of Advisory at KPMG Afrique, earned recognition for Leadership Excellence in Business Transformation.
The aviation, tourism, and hospitality sectors were prominently recognized during the event. Samuel Dokun, CEO of PLANESAFRIQUE, received the Skyward Excellence: Aviation Visionaries Award, South Africa 2026, while Johannes (Kudakwashe) Simau, Founder and CEO of Flycristal Airways, earned the Pan-African Enterprise & Aviation Visionary Award 2026.
In tourism and hospitality, Dancan Kiiza, CEO of Liberty Uganda DMC | Liberty Rwanda DMC, received the Visionary CEO in African Travel and Tourism Development Award, while Heinrich Hafeni, Entrepreneur Founder of Hafeni Tourism Group, was recognized with the Global Tourism and Hospitality Award 2026. Elmarie Fritz, General Manager of Radisson Blu, received the Visionary Hospitality Leader of the Year 2026 Award.
Entrepreneurship and business excellence remained central themes throughout the ceremony. Yaw Dwomoh, CEO and Founder, received the Entrepreneurial Visionary Award 2026, while Og Okonkwo, Founder of Style Temple, was honored with The Inspirational African Business Icon Award 2026. John Prior of Snap Fitness – Multi Unit Franchisee received the Leadership and Achievement Award, while Osaro Edosomwan, CEO of Smart Routing System, earned the Leadership Legacy Award for CEOs & Founders.
The event further recognized Olumide Oyewunmi, Creative Director and Founder of MIDETUSH, recipient of the Fashion Industry Impact Award; Mr. Vwakpor Efeutanu, CEO of Elite Global AI, recipient of Africa’s Top Business Icon 2026; and Joan Kiama, who was honored as Kenya’s Most Iconic Woman Leader of the Year 2026.
Further recognition was awarded to Besky Maluleka-Ngunjiri, Chief Audit Executive at Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, who was recognized among Africa’s Top 10 Influential Women in Business, 2026. Euphrasie Kayembe received the African Voice of Influence Award 2026, while Mach Samuel of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) earned the Excellence in Leadership & Innovation Award 2026.
The ceremony also celebrated Mark Phelps, recipient of the Global Business Transformation Coach 2026 Award; Jelena Milovanovic, Founder and CEO of Eridan, recipient of the Philanthropy Visionary of the Year 2026 Award; Vidyanth Bhola, CEO and Managing Director of VHA Accounting Solutions Inc, recipient of the Pioneering Leader in Accounting Innovation & Tax Solutions 2026 Award; Joel Perri, CEO of Number One CEO Coach, recipient of the prestigious Number One CEO Coach in the World recognition; and Lucas Piccinin of NetConv Shop, honored as the World Inspiring Entrepreneur & Leadership Icon 2025.
As the celebrations concluded, the Global Excellence Leadership Awards in Africa 2026 once again reinforced its position as a premier platform for recognizing visionary leadership, innovation, and excellence. By honoring an exceptional group of leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and organizations, the awards continue to inspire progress, foster collaboration, and celebrate the individuals shaping the future of Africa and the global business landscape.
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