
About the African Excellence Awards
For the past five years the African Excellence Awards have recognised the very best of African Industry, and MEA Markets is excited to announce that this respected programme will be returning for its sixth edition in 2023! The African Excellence Awards are an essential guide to the key sectors driving growth throughout the continent, rewarding those outstanding companies and individuals whose entrepreneurship has strengthened Africa’s position as the next global economic powerhouse.
While historically regarded as the world’s poorest region, in recent years there has been a boom across Africa’s largest economies – including Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya – which has spread throughout the continent and generated increased revenue for most of its countries. This paired with expansion into new markets and the abundance of natural resources the continent possesses have led many experts to believe that Africa is poised to become a major player in global business over the next couple of decades.
Whilst each country within this diverse and developing region has its own unique business landscape that sets it apart from other parts of Africa, there are some prevailing market trends that run through the continent as a whole. Agriculture is the clear leader for Africa’s overall economy and significantly outpaces all other sectors in both revenue and employment figures, boasting a 15% share of the GDP and over 60% of Africa’s 460 million-strong workforce.
Telecommunications is also a key segment of the African economy, owing to the fact that mobile phone usage is so high. In 2022 the number of telecom subscribers within Africa passed 400 million – the highest in the world – and this also makes Africa the only continent where mobile users have surpassed fixed line customers. Another industry that has experienced substantial growth in recent years is Banking and Finance. The prevalence of mobile phone technology throughout the population has led to a huge surge in FinTech and mobile banking solutions, as companies respond to rising demand for efficient and accessible banking services.
Through the African Excellence Awards 2023, MEA Markets will celebrate the growing influence of African business on the world stage, providing the region’s leading enterprises with the opportunity to showcase the ambition, dedication, and accomplishments that set them apart from their competition. The African Excellence Awards is a truly comprehensive programme, accepting nominations across every country within Africa, and covering all relevant industry sectors.
Our winners are determined through an innovative selection process based on merit, and our strict criteria ensures that only the most deserving go on to be successful in the programme. Regardless of company size or industry authority, the team at MEA Markets only consider evidence related to company performance, productivity, quality of products and services, and customer satisfaction.
Winners within the African Excellence Awards 2023 will be presented with a range of advertising packages to assist in the marketing of their award, with options available in a variety of formats and budgetary levels. If you would like to be involved this year, or there is a deserving company you would like to put forward, please don’t hesitate to submit a nomination! We wish the best of luck to all potential participants in the upcoming African Excellence Awards!
Methodology

Research
The MEA Markets team work hard in identifying great businesses, driving many of the nominations themselves. The team encourage external nominations from the subscribers of the magazine, web visitors, social media following, clients and wider circulation. Nominating parties are invited to put forward either their own business or third-party companies whom they hold in high regard.

Shortlisting
All nominees are formally requested to accept their nomination, nominees are obviously free to accept or decline if they so wish. Those who formally accept are given the opportunity to submit additional supporting information to cement their nomination. There is no obligation to complete and supply such material, we have found that many nominees value this stage, in the process, as much as our research team do.

Evaluating shortlisted nominees
Our dedicated research team will assess all information presented to them. The team gather information independently from a variety of publicly accessible sources, which are assessed alongside any material supplied by a nominating party or by the nominee themselves. The research team casts their final judgment, based on various criteria such including business performance, longevity, diversification, growth (either sustained or rapid), any significant innovations, feedback from stakeholders.

How winners are determined
Once winners are selected, they are personally notified before any public announcement is made, allowing time for any communications throughout the wider business and the coordination of marketing strategies. Unfortunately, not everyone can be a winner; however, all who take part are encouraged to come back next year. Once the press embargo is lifted, details of our award winners will be made public via the MEA Markets website, award winners’ magazine and subscriber newsletter.

Sharing the news
We offer a range of promotional packages and items to MEA Markets’ award winners, which vary from inclusion in the free-of-charge winners’ directory, to trophies, content in our magazine and on our website.
We encourage all winners to publicly announce their win independently in order to gain maximum exposure. Announcements via company websites, social media, via publicly released press releases, and through local and national press are all great ways of maximising the exposure which can be gained from such a great achievement. If you have need of further advice, on how to publicise your win, please feel free to get in touch. We are more than happy to assist our clients with their needs.
Our Awards Team
FAQs
The Nomination Team can assist with answering any queries that you have regarding a nomination, or the process involved in taking part in one of our award programmes.
Please get in touch with us via email or over the phone if you have any questions - we are happy to help!
Key Dates
Entries Open:
Thursday 23rd February 2023
Entries Closed:
Monday 24th April 2023
Winners Announced:
August 2023
