The awards were made at the third annual African Business Awards, presented by
The Best Global Business award is given to companies that contribute significantly to business growth and development in Africa. Developing new markets, making substantial investment and introducing best and ethical practices are among the criteria.
"The company's operations on the African continent aim at developing Africa's own food security through a green revolution, supported by our global fertilizer operations and vast crop nutrition knowledge," says Egil Hogna, head of Yara's global downstream segment.
"In addition to our sales organization in Africa, we engage in several business projects and partnerships in support of the African Green Revolution. The company has been promoting investment orientated public-private partnerships combined with a value chain perspective, taking on the role as a catalyst for investment and development."
Its partnerships and projects in Africa include the Tanzanian and Mozambican Agricultural Growth Corridors, the Ghana Grains Partnership and Malawi and Tanzania Agricultural Partnerships. Yara is also a strategic partner in the African Green Revolution Forum to take place in Accra, Ghana 2-4 September 2010. Its business in Africa dates back to 1929, when the first shipment of fertilisers was sent from Norway.
South African companies were acknowledged with the FirstRand Foundation winning Best Corporate Citizenship/Social Responsibility, the Nedbank Group for Good Corporate Governance and South Africa as the Tourism Destination of the Year.