Kenya’s President Wiliam Ruto has been crowned the African of the Year by the African Leadership Magazine (ALM) for his contributions to the African renaissance.
In a statement, the United Kingdom-based organisation said the Kenyan Head of State emerged as one of the winners of the 12th ALM Persons of the Year Awards 2023 following a 2-step selection process which included a call for nominations and an online voting poll that closed on December 14.
Ruto was feted alongside outgoing Liberia President George Weah and former Tanzania Head of State Jakaya Kikwete, who secured victories in the African Political Leader of the Year, and African Peace and Security Leader of the Year award categories, respectively.
The Kenyan president has been vocal on several issues affecting the African continent including climate change, debt restructuring and an all-inclusive global financial management.
The trio’s victories, MLA said, were largely based on results from the online poll, which attracted vote entries from across Africa and the globe.
“The ALM Persons of the Year Awards are Africa’s premier vote-based endorsements, annually reserved for leading Africans contributing to the continent’s progress positively altering its perceived negative image. The 2-step selection process offers an opportunity for Africans from across the globe to be part of the process of celebrating leaders contributing to Africa’s growth and development,” MLA said.
Chief Justice Martha Koome and Tanzania President Samia Sululu were also declared joint winners of the African Female Leader of the Year and African Political Leader of the Year awards respectively.
The winners and runners-up will be presented with the awards during a ceremony set to be held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 23, 2024.
Here is the full list of the winners:
1. African of the Year
• William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya – Winner
• Prof. Benedict Okey Orama, President & Chairman, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)- Joint-winner
2. African Female Leader of the Year
• Naseern Lahri, Managing Director, Lucara Botswana- Winner
• Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya – Joint-winner
3. African Educationist of the Year
• Prof. George L. Openjuru, Vice Chancellor, Gulu University, Uganda- Winner
• Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Media, Arts and Communication, Ghana – Joint-winner
4. African Political Leader of the Year
• George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia – Winner
• Samia Suluhu Hassan – President of the United Republic of Tanzania – Joint winner
5. African Peace & Security Leader of the Year
• Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania- Winner
• Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of Gambia – Joint winner
6. African Industrialist of the Year
• Patrick Bitature, Founder & Chairman, Simba Group, Uganda – Winner
• Said Salim Awadh Bakhresa, Founder, The Bakhresa Group, Tanzania- Joint winner
7. African Philanthropist of the Year
• Tein T. S. Jack-Rich, President & Founder, Belemaoil Producing Limited, Nigeria – Winner
• Ibrahim Mahama, Founder, Engineers and Planners, Ghana- Joint winner
8. Young African Leader of the Year
• Akol E. Ayii. Founder & Chairman, Trinity Group, South Sudan- Winner
• Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi, CEO, KOM Group, Tanzania- Joint winner
9. African Public Sector Leader of the Year
• Ernest N.T. Rubondo, Executive Director, Petroleum Authority of Uganda- Winner
• Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, Administrator & Registrar-General of Sierra Leone- Joint winner
10. African Public Health Leader of the Year
• Kailesh Jagutpal Minister of Health and Wellness, Mauritius- Winner
• Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Africa World Health Organization (WHO)- Joint winner