One of Nigeria’s most versatile young businessmen, Igho Sanomi, has again
emerged tops in the latest ranking of the top 100 young economic leaders
of Africa, the Institut Choiseul for international Politics and
Geo-economics has announced.
Mr. Sanomi, who is approaching 40, emerged the 2015 winner of “The
Choiseul 100 Africa Economic Leaders for Tomorrow” announced on Thursday.
The young Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Taleveras Group, was the
recipient of the maiden award in 2014.
Mr. Sanomi winner with the CEO of Tanzanian MeTL, Mohammed Dewji, in
second place, and CEO, Qalaa Holding of Egypt, Hisham El Khazindar, in
third.
Another Nigeria was also in the top ten. CEO, Century Group, Nigeria, Ken
Etete, was listed number seven.
CEO, Saham Assurance Morocco of Morocco, Mehdi Tazi, was fourth; followed
by President, DTS-MOOV Madagascar of Madagascar, Hassanein Hiridjee; CEO,
ABSA Capital, South Africa, Nomkhita Nqweni.
Other winners include the Head of Securities & Asset Management, Ecobank
Group, Togo, Paul-Harry Aithnard; CEO, SpotOne, Senegal, Marieme Jamme,
and CEO, Petro Ivoire of Ivory Coast, Sébastien Kadio-Morokro.
President, Institut Choiseul, Pascal Lorot, said Mr. Sanomi was selected
for “his exceptional professional path, his energy and his contribution to
the rise of Africa as a major economical player.”
Describing Mr. Sanomi as a “tremendous dynamic”, Mr. Lorot said he is
“linked to the emergence of a young economic leading class, well trained,
with an open outlook, connected to global economic and information flows
generated by globalization.”
He said the young leaders who have been recognised as winners are “shaping
a modern African economy, open to the world, with new opportunities
flourishing everywhere these days.”
With the business activities of the winners, the President of the Institut
said capital flows to Africa reached $80 billion in 2014, adding that it
was projected to rise up to $100 billion in 2015.
“Those young leaders are carrying the future of their continent,” Mr.
Lorot noted. “They send a great message of hope. Africa has taken a
successful start indeed; it is willing to be part of global growth and
activity! This is the very reality the Choiseul 100 Africa intends to
promote.
“As a unique ranking of young African economic leaders under forty years
old and below, the study intends to highlight these women and men who
build today’s Africa and prepare the one of tomorrow.
“By honouring them, by presenting them to the world, the way Africa is
perceived is changing. It’s becoming more positive and more accurate to
what the continent is really today: a land full of future promise for
humanity’s history.”
Reacting to the award, Mr. Sanomi expressed delight for recognition of the
work he has been doing in Africa, saying he was particularly honoured that
he would be receiving the recognition for the second consecutive year.
“It is humbling for me to be recognized by the Institut Choiseul, that
have for years anticipated great changes, emerging opportunities and
talents, to fertilize strategic thinking and discuss governance issues
around the world,” he said.
Mr. Sanomi assured that like fellow winners, he has taken seriously the
responsibility for the advancement of Africa and I will continue to work
to this end.
The annual independent ranking, in its second year, undertakes to rank
young African leaders below age 40, who, through their various roles have
positively impacted the prospects of Africa’s economic development in the
near future.
The Choiseul 100 is a result of several months of work by many experts and
specialists on the continent involved in the research to identify the
African leaders for tomorrow.
Prospective candidates who should be citizens of the 54 African states,
must be 40 years old or below on by January 1, 2015 as well as an active
contributor to the economic development and prosperity of Africa.
Organisers said several weighted selection criteria were taken into
account, while the total scores obtained in the different categories
determined the position of each laureate in the final ranking.
In 2004, Mr. Sanomi had established Taleveras, provider of strategic
solutions in energy and power sectors.
An international organization with offices in London, Geneva, Abuja,
Lagos, Abidjan, Cape Town and Dubai, Televeras offer energy services
covering the physical sourcing and marketing of oil on a global scale.
The company is also involved in upstream oil and gas industry operations,
with a major focus on acquiring drilling rights for viable, proven oil
reserves.
The company has earned for itself a credible reputation as a first class
power services provider, delivering both the group and its subsidiaries,
which encompass significant power distribution and transmission projects
showcasing its vast experience.
The formal investiture of the award is scheduled for November 26, 2015
during the Choiseul 100 Africa meeting scheduled for Marrakech in Morocco.
PT