African Business Reporting Awards highlights opportunity in Africa
This Is Africa, a new publication by the Financial Times was crowned Media of the Year at the annual Africa Business Reporting Awards last night, while Xan Rice from The Guardian and the New Statesman won Journalist of the Year.
Other winners announced at last night’s ceremony at the Park Lane Hotel in London included: Richard Crockett for Best Published Feature – an Economist piece on how the financial crisis is effecting Africa; CNBC for Best Television Feature – a six part series on doing business in Africa; the BBC World Service for Best Radio Feature – the Africa Slowdown Series which looked at how the economies of three African countries were being affected by the recession; and Finbar O’Reilly from Reuters for Best Published Photograph – a remarkable shot of the search for gold in the Congo.
The current economic crisis and its effect on Africa, as well as new business opportunities opening up on the continent were clearly the themes of this year’s business reporting on Africa.
“The current economic environment demands new ways of looking at African business. In a world marked by slowing industrialised economies, Africa offers immense opportunities for technology firms, FMCG companies, and power and water companies - to name just a few sectors. Our perspectives on Africa must change too, or we will miss one of the greatest opportunities to do great business, to develop new markets and to enrich the lives of almost one billion consumers - a population equal to that of India," said Paul Walsh, chief executive officer of Diageo, and chair of the judging panel.
Finbar O'Reilly's winning photo essay on the search for gold in the Congo
"Investors and companies know that Africa is open and ready for business and that a new generation of traders and entrepreneurs are revitalising economies across the continent. Initiatives like the recent North/ South Corridor, which will strengthen infrastructure and significantly improve transport across eight African countries are helping to attract new investment in the region," commented keynote speaker, Gareth Thomas, Minister for International Development.
>> Download Richard Crockett's Best Published Feature - Opportunity knocks
