Press Release
Ugandan Institutions Among Top Organizations in Africa to be Recognized for CSR & Tech Innovations at International Awards Gala to be Held in Kenya
Kenya will host the 9th edition of the prestigious Pacesetters International Awards (PIA) Gala Dinner on Friday, 27th June 2025, at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi. Organized by Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), an NGO dedicated to improving living standards, social ethics, and dignity and empowering communities through its research and consulting arm, Pacesetters International Research and Consultancy Limited, in partnership with the United SMEs Association of Kenya, among other partners. The annual award event is designed to celebrate and recognize exceptional SMEs and mid-sized firms across 18 African countries.
“This year’s Pacesetters International Awards will highlight the extraordinary businesses driving Africa’s economy and hence national development and growth of various sectors. The shortlisted companies have set new standards in innovation and sustainability, proving that SMEs are the engine of our economy. We look forward to celebrating these successes at the awards ceremony in June. Over 300 companies have been recognized by the PIA since its inception, with ceremonies hosted in prestigious venues across Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The 2023 Continental Chapter took place at Serena Hotel, while the East African Chapter was hosted at Weston Hotel. Previous editions were held at Panari Hotel in Kenya and Serena Hotel in Uganda,” said Jared Oundo, Executive Director of Jubilant Stewards of Africa.
From left: Paul Mavima, Executive Chairman of Vision 2030 Zimbabwe, Mary Njonjo, DTI Public Speaking Alumni, Dr. Samuel Murage, CEO of DTI Group (centre), and Morine Nduta, DTI Alumni (right), receiving awards from Jared Oundo, Executive Director of Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA) (second right), the organizers of the 2024 Pacesetters International Awards, during the event at Grand Argyle, Nairobi.
The awards process employs the Organization Performance Index (OPI), a benchmarking tool ensuring that top professionals, firms, and institutions exhibit excellence in both performance and ethical business practices. Criteria for recognition include brand visibility, financial performance, employee growth, and business ethics, among others. The Pacesetters International Awards Organizing Committee utilizes a growth index formula to create a level playing field for businesses of all sizes, considering revenue and employee growth over the past three years. The awards process also recognizes that organizational growth can have different meanings across various sectors.
Winners undergo a rigorous vetting process involving public voting, industry research, and expert panel reviews, with selection based on their industry impact, economic contributions, and commitment to corporate social responsibility. The Pacesetters International Awards further serves as a premier platform for thought leadership, covering topics such as digital transformation, sustainable business models, and the role of technology in growth. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry experts, offering valuable opportunities for networking and partnerships.
Some notable firms that have been recognized in the past awards include Digit Vehicle Tracking Ltd Uganda, telecommunication industry leader Safaricom PLC Kenya, Nation Media Group Kenya, The University of Nairobi, Bama Diaspora Realty Ltd Kenya, Vision 2030 Movement Zimbabwe, SUN FM & TV Zambia, My Wood Company Ltd, Press Cane Limited Malawi, Universal Network for Knowledge & Empowerment Agency (UNKEA) South Sudan, Raphael Logistics Ltd Tanzania, Trinity Transporters & Distributors Company Ltd Rwanda and Movidna Services (PTY) Ltd South Africa. Past award partners have included media giant Nation Media Group, telecommunication giant Safaricom PLC, cloud software giant Zoho Corporation, leading equipment bank Quipbank Trust Ltd and leading fintech solutions provider Service Cops Ltd Uganda.
Among the distinguished Ugandan individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions are Chef Geoffrey Tumukunde and award-winning chef Alikuluyaa Andrew. In addition, several Ugandan institutions have earned accolades in various categories, including Bryan Morel Publications, eLipa Uganda, Service Cops Ltd, Lipa Chat, School Pay, Octagon Africa, Uganda Professional Chef’s Union, Extreme Adventure Park-Busiika, and Joadah Consult. These honorees exemplify excellence and innovation across diverse sectors, further solidifying Uganda’s growing influence in the regional business landscape.
According to the sources privy to the awards nominees list; new entrants in the 2025 edition of the Pacesetters International Awards include; Stanbic Bank Uganda Ltd, Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda Limited, Tororo Cement Limited, Bidco Uganda Ltd, MTN Uganda, SafeBoda, Tugende, Reco Industries Ltd, Psalms Food Industries Ltd, Movit Products Ltd, Kastommed BPO Solutions LTD, Hima Cement, Airtel Uganda, Kansai Plascon, Marula Creative Agency, Roofings Group Ltd Uganda, Kiira Motors Corporation, Plascon Uganda, DFCU Bank Ltd, KaCyber Technologies, EzyAgric, Numida, XENO Investment Management and Riley Packaging Uganda Ltd.
The NGO’s boss in charge of Sub-Saharan Africa also emphasized the importance of policy reforms for SMEs. He highlighted the need for improving the ease of doing business, particularly through better access to affordable credit and enhancing the financial services sector to support SME growth.
About Pacesetters International Awards
The Pacesetter International Awards (PIA) is an Industry leadership Recognition survey initiated by Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), a Non-Governmental Organization, to celebrate industry leaders for their innovation, quality products, services, job creation, leadership by example, growing the economy and transforming the society.
Pacesetter International Awards seeks to encourage organizations and individuals to go beyond the call of duty in their service to humanity. The awards don’t just look at excellence as being top in the industry but look at the processes involved and how organizations go out of their way to serve humanity. It also proposes to promote best practices and ethics in industry leadership.
https://www.jubilantstewards.org/pacesetter-award-industry-leadership-recognition-survey/
For further details and updates, please contact;
Christine Akinyi
Programs and Communications Associate
Jubilant Stewards of Africa
+254 719 408 244 / +254 720 675161 / +254 728126130
admin@jubilantstewards.org cc awards@jubilantstewards.org
https://www.jubilantstewards.org/
