Abdulsamad Rabiu wins “All Africa Industrialist of the Year” at AABLA 2016 finale

After winning the 2016 West African Industrialist of the Year at the AABLA West African Regional Awards, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Founder and Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s BUA Group has been named the “2016 All Africa Industrialist of the Year” at the CNBC AABLA 2016 Finale.

At the event, Africa’s 9 best business leaders in various categories were celebrated at the 2016 All Africa Business Leaders Awards in Partnership with CNBC Africa (AABLA), at the exclusive All Africa Finale, held in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday 11 November 2016, attended by prominent businesses leaders from across the continent, ambassadors and the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura.

The winning business leaders triumphed at the All Africa Finale after an 11-month long journey in Africa’s leading business award, which recognizes Africa’s bold leaders and change-makers of business in East, West and Southern Africa. As the pinnacle of the AABLA, the All Africa Finale drew an audience from across the continent and the world, with attendees from as far afield as the United States, Australia, Scotland and India.

Receiving the award, Abdulsamad Rabiu reiterated his call for African individuals, businesses and governments to look inwards and pursue greater investments within the continent saying, “Africa has been presented with a unique opportunity – to look inwards, tap our plentiful human, economic and intellectual resources and also, to forge a path of economic prosperity for the continent. This transformation starts with us – the people and business leaders in a position to influence the change that we need.”

“I remain committed to investing and exploring Africa’s untapped opportunities in manufacturing, mining, agriculture and other business areas. I believe that in a few years to come, through our support, Africa will rise again and take its rightful place in world affairs,” Rabiu added.

Other winners at the Award include Sola David Borha of the Stanbic IBTC Group who emerged “All Africa Business Woman of the Year” and South Africa’s Discovery winning the All Africa Company of the Year Award amongst others.