African Top Institutions and professionals to be featured in a prestigious International Awards

For Immediate Release

African Top Institutions and professionals to be featured in a prestigious International Awards  

Nairobi, – Leading institutions, entrepreneurs and top professionals from across Africa to be honoured by the Pacesetters International Awards (PIA), a premier Pan-African recognition program celebrating excellence, innovation and transformative leadership. The awards ceremony will take place on 30^th October 2026 in a prestigious hotel in Nairobi Kenya bringing together influential leaders from government, business, academia, diplomacy and the development sector to recognize organizations and individuals making outstanding contributions to Africa’s socio-economic development. The Pacesetters International Awards (PIA) are an annual industry leadership recognition program initiated by Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), a Public Based  Organization. These awards celebrate top industry leaders, businesses, and professionals across the continent for their innovation, quality service, job creation, and positive social impact.

Speaking to the press ahead of these key international awards, Dr. Jared Oundo, Executive Director of Jubilant Stewards of Africa, emphasized that recognizing excellence is critical to strengthening Africa’s institutions and accelerating sustainable development.

“The Pacesetters International Awards celebrate organizations and individuals whose leadership, innovation and resilience are creating meaningful change across Africa. By recognizing excellence, we encourage higher standards of performance, strengthen institutional credibility and inspire the next generation of business and public sector leaders. These awards are not only a celebration of achievement—they are an investment in Africa’s future,” said Dr Jared Oundo.

Unlike standard awards that focus primarily on balance sheets, the Pacesetters International Awards celebrate organizations and individuals based on their economic and social impact. They focus on how institutions go out of their way to serve humanity, promote ethics, and contribute to society. The winners are rigorously selected through an appraisal survey that involves a public vote, benchmarking, and a panel of judges.

The program typically features organizations from across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, honoring a wide array of categories, including but not limited to: Corporate Leadership & CSR, Professional & Education, Road Safety, Healthcare among others.

Speaking upon receiving the news of the nomination, Dr. Christopher Mutembei, the Vice-Chancellor of The East African University (TEAU), remarked:

“We are deeply honored to be named among this year’s Pacesetters International Awards nominees. This recognition is a powerful testament to our enduring commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and driving meaningful impact for our students, partners, and communities throughout Kenya.”

The awards seek to recognize institutions and professionals whose achievements are driving economic growth, industrial development, financial inclusion, technological innovation, sustainable business practices and community impact. Winners will be selected through an independent, merit-based evaluation process that assesses leadership, governance, innovation, customer satisfaction, sustainability, corporate social responsibility and measurable organizational impact. 

“Being shortlisted for the Pacesetters International Awards is a testament to our mission of providing affordable, innovative, and state-of-the-art real estate solutions that drive sustainable economic growth and social transformation across Africa,” said Dr. George Wachiuri, CEO of Optiven Group.

“The Pacesetters International Awards have evolved into one of Africa’s respected recognition platforms, honoring organizations and individuals whose commitment to excellence continues to transform industries, strengthen institutions and improve livelihoods across the continent. This year’s Awards Ceremony, themed ‘Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation and Transforming Africa,’ will also provide a platform for strategic networking, investment dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaboration among decision-makers from both the public and private sectors,” said Dr Jared Oundo.

The 2026 nominations reflect the diversity and resilience of Africa’s economy, recognizing organizations across banking and financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, education, agribusiness, information and communication technology, logistics, engineering, renewable energy, hospitality, real estate, entrepreneurship, media, public service and social innovation. This year’s nominees comprise organizations, institutions, firms and professionals drawn from a broad range of industries and sectors across at least 18 African countries, underscoring the Pan-African character of the Pacesetters International Awards. The wide geographical representation reflects the programs commitment to recognizing excellence beyond national boundaries while showcasing organizations and leaders whose innovation, resilience and impact are contributing to Africa’s economic integration and sustainable development.

According to sources privy to the nominees’ shortlist, this year’s awards have attracted an impressive lineup of new entrants across the banking, manufacturing, FMCG, transport, construction, and service sectors. The shortlisted nominees include leading financial institutions such as Tanzania’s largest bank, CRDB Bank Plc, National Bank of Commerce (NBC) Tanzania, DTB Bank Kenya Limited, Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank PLC Uganda and NCBA Bank Kenya. Other notable nominees are Leakey Landscaping Solutions (Eldoret),  Umma University, Mawego National Polytechnic, University of Nairobi, Kasarani Group of Schools, The Siaya National polytechnic, Gatundu South Technical and Vocational College, Chandaria Industries Limited, SPK ‘N’ SPAN Limited, Khushi Motors, and Great Mwanzo,Golden Harvest Maize Flour such as Soko, Unga Limited, Mombasa Maize Millers Limited, and Dola, Bidco Africa Limited, Omo, Royco, Pepsi, Salihiya Cargo & Shipping Agency, Vecarian Plant Ltd, Tahmeed Bus Services, BusCar, Boredo Supplies, YY Coaches (Uganda), Tembo Steels (Uganda) Limited, Royal Mabati Factory Limited, Heritage Mabati Mills Limited, and tech gurus Robisearch.

They are recognized for their significant contribution to expanding financial inclusion, strengthening banking services and supporting sustainable economic development across the region. Organizations nominated for this year’s Pacesetters International Awards 2026 represent some of Africa’s most outstanding institutions driving innovation, economic growth and service excellence across diverse sectors.  

The nominees also feature organizations at the forefront of infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, technology, skills development, and enterprise growth, including past awardees such as Safaricom Plc, BrighterMonday, Raphael Logistics Tanzania, eMobilis Technology Training Institute, Boma Mabati, and Trinity Buses Rwanda, all of which have once again earned recognition and the distinction of being featured on this prestigious awards platform.

These organizations have earned recognition for their innovation, operational excellence, customer service, industry leadership and measurable contribution to Africa’s economic transformation.

The diversity of this year’s nominees reflects the growing strength and resilience of African enterprises that continue to set new benchmarks in quality, innovation and responsible leadership while creating employment opportunities, supporting industrialization and improving livelihoods across the continent.

Over the years, the Pacesetters International Awards have recognized hundreds of outstanding organizations and leaders from across Africa whose innovation, leadership and service excellence have transformed industries and communities. Previous award recipients have included renowned organizations such as Nation Media Group, Kevian Kenya Ltd, Zoho Corporation,  Tala, Ena Coach, Jambo Freight Tanzania and Mwananchi Credit, among many others. The awards have also benefited from the support and partnership of leading corporate organizations, including Nation Media Group, Safaricom PLC and Zoho Corporation, reinforcing the program’s credibility and growing reputation as one of Africa’s premier platforms for recognizing excellence, fostering strategic partnerships and celebrating organizations that continue to shape the continent’s economic and social transformation.

Award recipients are determined through a rigorous and transparent evaluation process designed to uphold the highest standards of credibility, fairness and integrity. Independent assessors examine organizational performance, innovation, governance, leadership, customer experience, sustainability initiatives and overall impact before selecting the final winners.

2026 PACESETTERS INTERNATIONAL AWARDS PRESS RELEASE (1)

Editors Notes;

For Media Enquiries, please contact

Regina Ngundi

Programs Communications

Jubilant Stewards of Africa Awards 

 awards@jubilantstewards.org

+254 719 408 244

 www.jubilantstewards.org

About the Pacesetters International Awards

The Pacesetters International Awards (PIA) are a prestigious annual industry recognition program honoring outstanding SMEs, startups, and professionals across Africa. Organized by Jubilant Stewards of Africa and Pacesetters International Research and Consultancy Ltd, the awards celebrate organizations and individuals making groundbreaking contributions to leadership, sustainability, innovation, and corporate social responsibility.

The awards are based on a comprehensive bench-marking index rather than just revenue, evaluating companies on brand visibility, market share, business ethics, and overall societal impact.

FMI https://www.jubilantstewards.org/pacesetter-award-industry-leadership-recognition-survey/