The Persons of the Year at the Africa Manufacturing Awards celebrate the people who have made the greatest contributions to the food, beverage and milling; packaging; pharmaceuticals and home & personal care manufacturing industries in Africa.

The category is divided into the following sub-categories:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest accolade bestowed upon the most outstanding change makers in the specific sectors of the manufacturing, retail, non-profit and academic/research sectors in Africa.

The recipients of this Award have demonstrated long-term impact through their leadership, dedication and drive, with a significant positive effect on the industry and economy in their country or region at large.  

This Award is only bestowed to those who have retired from active duty in the industry and can also be given posthumously.

CEO / MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

The prestigious CEO of the Year is proffered to the individual who through his or her leadership has made significant contribution to the growth of his or her company and the economy and industry in the country of operation or the region at large, for a significant duration of time. 

The Award is bestowed to current CEOs and Managing Directors in the manufacturing, retail, non-profit and academic/research sectors in Africa.

Only CEOs or Managing Directors with more than 10 years in this role in a company or several companies, or organisations, in Africa are eligible for this category.

OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

The Operations Executive of the Year Award is proffered to the individual who through his or her leadership has made significant contribution to the growth of his or her company, economy and the industry at large in the country of operation or the region at large, for a significant duration of time.

Special focus will be on how the individual has impacted the growth of the next generation of leaders within and beyond their company, including mentorship, capacity building and other programs.

The Award is bestowed to executives with operational roles in the manufacturing sector (Production, QA, R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Finance etc) in the food, beverage and milling; packaging; pharmaceuticals and home & personal care manufacturing industries in Africa.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH EXCELLENCE PERSON OF THE YEAR

The Academic / Research Excellence Person of the Year is proffered to the individual who has, through several years of academic leadership and research activities made significant contribution to the growth of the human capital and knowledge in Africa’s food and agriculture; packaging; pharmaceuticals and home & personal care manufacturing industries in Africa.

YOUNG EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

The Young Executive of the Year is proffered to the individual who is below the age of 35 years and who through his or her leadership has made significant contribution to the growth of the food, beverage and milling; packaging; pharmaceuticals and home & personal care manufacturing industries in Africa, and impacted other young people to take leadership in the industry, academia, research or any other field