Manoj Shanker, CEO and Founder of Technobrain Limited in Tanzania, IS All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) Entrepreneur of the Year owing to his successful efforts to build a unique African company that puts Africa first as a Communications Technology Solutions developer.

Shanker is also credited with creating a company that has the capacity to win and deliver major national projects in countries across the continent and the world.

Africa’s most respected business awards, the AABLA, recognise the continent’s trade and industry game-changers in a variety of categories that mirror the multifaceted nature of the African business environment. The categories include Young Business Leader of the Year, Business Woman of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year.

“We salute the East African AABLA winners who represent the highest standard of boldness and rare character in the region’s business landscape. These pioneering leaders exemplify the vision and spirit of a dynamic African economy,” says Joe Muganda, Managing Director – Kenya Breweries Limited.

With East Africa’s business champions now having been crowned, the Southern and West African regional finals will take place in October, leading up to the pan-continental AABLA finale in November.

This year, the East African Business Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award both went to Dr Reginald Mengi, CEO of IPP Limited, who has pioneered corporate social responsibility in Tanzania,  Business Woman of the Year category lauded Tabitha Karanja as an industry leader owing to her 18 years as the CEO of Keroche Breweries Limited, a company that employs over 300 people and gives back to the community through youth education, in turn creating the next generation of Kenyan business leaders.

The accolade of East Africa’s Young Business Leader of the Year went to Helvetic Solar CEO Patrick Ngowi, a serial entrepreneur and pioneer who founded the Helvetic Group of Companies, which is the fastest-growing network in Renewable Energy in East Africa.

The glittering finale of the CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards Presented by Johnnie Walker Blue Label will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 14.