The Africa-America Institute (AAI) will host its Annual Awards Gala on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City. The honorees include the president and chief executive of Dangote Group and chairman of the Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote; President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa, Stephen Hayes, and Executive Director of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, Sunil Benimadhu.
Dangote, a Nigerian billionaire reputed to be Africa?s richest man, is being honored with the AAI 2016 African Business Leader Award ?for his role in championing African entrepreneurship, greater business and investment in Africa through his company?s global brand and his commitment to expanding regional integration on the continent,? AAI says. ?
Other honorees include Stephen Hayes,?CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa, who will receive the?AAI 2016 Distinguished U.S. Business Leader Award for his ?tireless advocacy of U.S.-Africa trade,? and Ali Moshiri, president of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Co., who will receive the AAI 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award for his ?remarkable contributions and impact on the oil and gas industry in Africa, during his four decades-long career with Chevron.? Sunil Benimadhu, will receive the?AAI 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award?for ?his achievements in fueling the economy in Mauritius.?
Commenting on his award, Benimadhu expressed gratitude for his participation in AAI?s African Graduate Fellowship Program, through which he received a master?s degree in business administration from the University of Illinois.
?I am one of the very lucky 23,000 Africans who have benefitted from an AAI-led educational program. The training I received has played an instrumental role in shaping up my professional career. I congratulate AAI for its active transformational contribution to Africa?s present and future,? he said.
Held during the opening week of the United Nations General Assembly, the awards gala will gather U.S. and African leaders, business leaders and senior diplomats for one of the highest profile events celebrating African achievement in New York City. Proceeds from the awards gala will support AAI?s advanced education and workforce development training programs and scholarships.
?The awards gala will recognize the extraordinary and unparalleled commitment of individuals and African countries for their collective contributions in promoting workforce development, economic growth and prosperity across the African continent,? says Kofi Appenteng, chair of AAI?s Board of Trustees.
