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Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore was yesterday named the 2016 International Business Leader of the Year at a CEO Investment Summit in New York.
The award celebrates Safaricom’s market innovations and their transformational, socio-economic impact on all segments of society.
Collymore was honoured alongside three other prolific business leaders for their contributions to investments in Africa and for raising the profile of the continent as a viable international investment destination.
Nigeria’s visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony Elumelu was honoured as Africa Investor Person of the Year while Dr. Daniel Matjila, the CEO of South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation (PIC) was recognised as the African Institutional Investment Personality of the Year. The New York State Common Retirement Fund Chief Investment Officer Vicki Fuller was honoured as Ai Global Institutional Investment Personality of the Year.
The business leaders were honoured at an African Heads of State Luncheon hosted by Africa investor (Ai) in partnership with NASDAQ, the American Stock Exchange in New York on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings saw Mr. Collymore picking the award,.
Speaking after picking his award, Collymore said that Private sector players can play a complementary role in national development alongside governments and non-governmental organizations.
“Business leaders have the unique opportunity to drive change that can transform not just economies, but whole communities,” he said.
He added that more than any other group, the private sector has the ability to accelerate inclusive growth and drive sustainability at great speed and scale.
Collymore confirmed that Safaricom Limited would be deploying significant resources in Kenya to facilitate national development within its Kshs 32billion-operating budget this year.