Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business, has launched its annual Africa Business Reporting Awards for 2013.

This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the Awards, which were initiated by Diageo to recognise journalists and editors who provide high quality coverage of the business environment in Africa.

Following commissioned research, Diageo launched the Awards in order to raise awareness of the need for reliable, objective and comprehensive reporting on African business. Such reporting plays an important part in increasing investment flows to the continent by improving investors' perceptions and challenging negative stereotypes.

Nick Blazquez, President, Diageo Africa, Turkey, Russia & Eastern Europe,said, "As we celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards, I am proud to look back over a decade of strong, original and insightful journalism on business in Africa.

" I am pleased to say that both the quantity and quality of the entries we receive has increased significantly every year, and I am also encouraged by the greater standards of media coverage within Africa which is reflective of the improving business environment in many African countries.

"This has undoubtedly played a crucial part in raising awareness of the many opportunities the continent offers to businesses and investors. We hope that this year's Awards will once again prove that there are many more stories to be told about Africa."