West Africa round AABLA winners announced

The West African winners will go on to compete against the boldest business innovators from around the continent in the final to be held later this year for the coveted title of Africa's most respected pioneer in their chosen field.

Winners

• The Entrepreneur of the Year: Sim Shagaya, the founder and CEO of konga.com, Nigeria's largest online shopping portal. Since its beginning in 2012, konga.com offers low prices and fast delivery services on 1000s of products nationwide. Shagaya was up against Pagatech founder and CEO, Tayo Oviosu, and founder and CEO of Voodoo Group, Fabrice Sawégnon.

• Businesswoman of the Year: Biola Alabi, managing director of M-Net Africa. Alabi has pioneered the expansion of the channel throughout the African continent, and is a respected and powerful leader in her field. Her contenders were the chief executive of Stanbic ITBC Holdings, Sola David-Borha, and Arunmah Oteh, the director-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria.

• Young Business Leader: Jason Njoku, CEO and co-founder of Nollywood's lauded distribution portal, iROKO TV. He was up against the founder and managing director of wakanow.com, Obinna Ralph Ekezie, another young and dynamic innovator in West African business.

• Business Leader of the Year: Jean-Louis Ekra, the chairman and president of the African Export-Import Bank. This category saw three seasoned business tycoons competing for the title. Ekra was in competition with Segun Agbaje, the managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank, and Andrew Alli, the president and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation.

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Pascal G Dozie, the founder and former chairman/CEO of Diamond Bank PLC, one of the top 10 banks in Nigeria, which is dually listed on the Nigeria and London Stock Exchanges. He is currently the chairman of MTN Nigeria and a founding partner of Africa Capital Alliance, the first Nigerian private equity fund manager. Dr. Dozie is a true visionary, and his innovative spirit has greatly contributed to the growth of Nigerian economy, in both government and private sectors.

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards travel next to Kigali, Rwanda for the East African regional round on 9 September, before moving to Johannesburg for the Southern African round on 19 September.

The finale will take place in Durban, South Africa, on 8 November, as the definitive leaders of African business are named and applauded for their contribution to the continent's success.

For more, go to www.aabla2013.com or to apply for media accreditation go to www. celebsa.com.