"The Forum has given the Development Champion Award to Donald Kaberuka in recognition of his commitment to Africa as head of the African Development Bank." These words were a key moment in the Gala Evening that marked the conclusion of the Rebranding Africa Forum, held on October 18 in Brussels, Belgium.

Kaberuka accepted the award to a standing ovation from the audience, dedicating it to his staff at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and to health workers fighting the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

"I would like to dedicate this award to all my colleagues, to whom I intend to pass on the message of this Forum, and of its founder, Thierry Hot, Managing Director of Notre Afrik, in particular. I would also like to pay tribute to the unsung heroes working tirelessly to promote development across Africa. The men and women involved in conducting campaigns, working on projects and delivering workshops are making a much greater contribution to Africa than I ever could. I am simply a figurehead with a recognised name.

"Finally, I would like to dedicate this award to the brave doctors and nurses fighting the Ebola epidemic in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, who are placing themselves in harm's way to help others. It is these people who are truly deserving of this award," Kaberuka said.

A total of five awards were presented at the Forum. Evans Wadongo (Kenya), an IT engineer, won the Innovation Award; Marième Jamme (Senegal), leader of the Senegalese IT hub Jjiguène Hub Tech, took home the Empowering Women Award; Constant Nemalé (Cameroon), President of Africa 24, a pan-African TV channel, was given the Media Leadership Award; and Gervais Koffi Djondo (Togo), Honorary President of Ecobank, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution throughout his career.