African institutions, businesses to be honoured at 2026 Pacesetters International Awards
The annual Pan-African awards, organised by Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), will bring together leaders from government, business, academia, diplomacy and the development sector to celebrate organisations and individuals making notable contributions to Africa’s economic and social development.
Pacesetters International Award winners 2025. (Courtesy)
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Leading institutions, businesses and professionals from across Africa are set to be recognised for excellence, innovation and transformative leadership at the 2026 Pacesetters International Awards (PIA), scheduled for September 25 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The annual Pan-African awards, organised by Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), will bring together leaders from government, business, academia, diplomacy and the development sector to celebrate organisations and individuals making notable contributions to Africa’s economic and social development.
The awards seek to recognise institutions and professionals whose work is contributing to economic growth, industrial development, financial inclusion, technological innovation, sustainable business practices and community development.
According to JSA Executive Director Dr Jared Oundo, recognising excellence is important in strengthening African institutions and encouraging sustainable development.
“The Pacesetters International Awards celebrate organizations and individuals whose leadership, innovation and resilience are creating meaningful change across Africa,” Oundo said.
He said the awards are intended not only to celebrate achievement but also to encourage higher standards of performance, strengthen institutional credibility and inspire the next generation of business and public-sector leaders.
Unlike conventional awards that may place greater emphasis on financial performance, the Pacesetters International Awards assess organisations based on their wider economic and social contribution.
The programme considers how institutions serve communities, promote ethical practices and contribute to society, with winners selected through an appraisal process involving public voting, benchmarking and a panel of judges.
For the 2026 edition, the organisers said nominees have been drawn from at least 18 African countries, highlighting the programme’s Pan-African reach.
The nominees represent sectors including 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.
The awards organisers said the broad representation reflects the resilience and growing strength of African businesses and institutions that are developing new solutions, creating jobs and supporting industrialisation across the continent.
Among the shortlisted institutions are financial institutions such as CRDB Bank Plc of Tanzania, DTB Bank Kenya, Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank of Ghana and NCBA Bank Kenya.
Other nominees include Lukenya University, Mawego National Polytechnic, Worldwings Immigration Consultants and Logistics Services, Movidna Services of South Africa, Spin’n’ Span Limited of Tanzania and several property and investment companies.
The list also features companies operating in manufacturing and consumer goods, including Plascon East Africa, Unga Limited, Mombasa Maize Millers, Dola Kenya, Bidco Africa, Omo, Royco and Pepsi.
Ugandan nominees include Service Cops Uganda, described by the organisers as a fintech, ICT and business process outsourcing firm, YY Coaches and Tembo Steels Uganda.
Organisations involved in infrastructure, logistics, technology, skills development and enterprise growth have also been shortlisted. They include previous award recipients such as Safaricom, BrighterMonday, Raphael Logistics Tanzania, eMobilis Technology Training Institute, Boma Mabati and Trinity Buses Rwanda.
Oundo said the awards have evolved into a platform for recognising organisations and individuals whose commitment to excellence is contributing to stronger institutions, improved livelihoods and industrial transformation across the continent.
Beyond recognising winners, the event is expected to provide an opportunity for strategic networking, investment discussions, knowledge sharing and collaboration between decision-makers in the public and private sectors.
The selection process will be based on an independent, merit-based assessment of leadership, governance, innovation, customer satisfaction, sustainability, corporate social responsibility and measurable organisational impact.
The organisers said the awards are based on a comprehensive benchmarking index rather than revenue alone. The index considers factors such as brand visibility, market share, business ethics and overall societal impact.
The programme has previously recognised hundreds of organisations and leaders across Africa for innovation, leadership and service excellence.
Past recipients include Nation Media Group, Kevian Kenya, Zoho Corporation, Tala, Ena Coach, Jambo Freight Tanzania and Mwananchi Credit.
According to the organisers, the continued participation of major businesses and institutions has strengthened the reputation of the awards as a platform for celebrating African excellence and encouraging strategic partnerships.
The 2026 nominations, they said, demonstrate the growing diversity of African enterprises and their contribution to employment creation, industrialisation, innovation and improved livelihoods.
About the awards
The Pacesetters International Awards are organised by Jubilant Stewards of Africa and Pacesetters International Research and Consultancy Ltd. They recognise outstanding small and medium enterprises, startups and professionals across the continent for contributions to leadership, sustainability, innovation and corporate social responsibility.