• September Event to Honor Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group

• Pay Special Tributes to Ali Moshiri, President, Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company; and Stephen Hayes, CEO, Corporate Council on Africa

• Recognize AAI Alumnus Sunil Benimadhu, Chief Executive, Stock Exchange of Mauritius

• Awardees for Countries and Individuals Leading Efforts to Promote Education and Economic Growth to be Unveiled

During the opening week of the United Nations General Assembly, The Africa-America Institute will celebrate and recognize the extraordinary dedication and pioneering achievements of Aliko Dangote, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group; Ali Moshiri, President, Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company;Stephen Hayes, CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa; and Sunil Benimadhu, Chief Executive of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, at the AAI 2016 Annual Awards Gala on Tuesday, September 20, at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City.

This year's theme is "Education: The Key to Africa's Economic Growth".  "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," said Kofi Appenteng, Chairperson of AAI's Board of Trustees.

Grammy Award-winning singer Angelique Kidjo will serve as Honorary Co-chair of AAI's 2016 Annual Awards Gala.

The 2016 Awards will honor Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, 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. Africa's foremost industrialist, Dangote is a member of leading Nigerian and international organizations, where he devotes his resources to contribute to Africa's growth and development.

The Gala will present special tributes to Ali Moshiri, President, Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company, and Stephen Hayes, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA).

Ali Moshiri 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. Moshiri, who is responsible for upstream operations in Africa and Latin America, has dramatically expanded the company's footprint in Africa under his leadership, increasing investment in the energy sector, and social investment programs across communities.

"I'm greatly honored by this recognition, which reflects the work and dedication of my company, its employees and our partners in Africa who have contributed to the development of the continent," said Mr. Moshiri. "We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of so many thriving communities and believe the continued development of the oil and gas sector and its talent is a critical factor in Africa's future."

Stephen Hayes will receive the AAI 2016 Distinguished U.S. Business Leader Award. A tireless advocate of U.S.-Africa trade, Hayes has promoted a broad agenda of trade and investment promotion, policy advocacy, public-private partnership, and citizen diplomacy while at the helm of CCA for 17 years. Under his outstanding leadership, CCA has experienced tremendous growth in membership to more than 200 members, representing about 85 percent of US private investment in Africa. AAI is a founding member organization of the Corporate Council on Africa.

"There is no greater honor than those from peers, especially when those peers are so highly regarded as is the Africa-America Institute, an organization that has been a leader in building US-Africa relations through education," said Hayes. "I am deeply appreciative, genuinely surprised and humbled that they would bestow this honor on me. Of course it is really an honor for the Corporate Council on Africa as our contributions over the years have always been through a team effort of staff and board."

Sunil Benimadhu, Chief Executive of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM), will receive the AAI 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award for his remarkable achievements in fueling the economy in Mauritius. At the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, Benimadhu has played an instrumental role in uplifting the operational, technical and regulatory infrastructure of the SEM and contributed to its emergence as one of the leading Exchanges in Africa.  An alumnus of AAI's African Graduate Fellowship Program (AFGRAD), he received a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Illinois.

"I am humbled and deeply honored by the recognition bestowed on me by the highly respected Africa-America Institute. I am one of the very lucky 23,000 Africans who have benefitted from an AAI-led educational program," said Benimadhu. "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."

The Awards Gala will also shine the spotlight on African nations that are championing economic growth and job creation through regional integration.

Heads of State and distinguished U.S. and African leaders, corporate executives and top diplomats will gather for one of the largest and most highly anticipated events celebrating Africa in New York City. The evening affair will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a reception followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 8:30 p.m.

Gala sponsors include Chevron and Carnegie Mellon University. Media partners include Financial Times, AllAfrica.com, Africa.com, Face2Face Africa, Applause Africa, Innov8tiv, and Pan-African Visions.

The Africa-America Institute (AAI) is the premier U.S.-based international organization that works to increase the capacity of African individuals and institutions through higher education initiatives, leadership development, professional workforce training, convening activities, program implementation and management.

AAI's mission is to promote enlightened engagement between Africa and America through education, training and dialogue. The 63-year old organization's current focus is to empower African youth to become globally competitive.

Visit the AAI Gala Page for more details on the awards gala.

Follow us on Twitter at @AAIAfrica and Facebook at facebook.com/AAIAfrica for gala news and highlights. The event hashtag is #AAIGala.

****Media accreditation is required to cover the AAI Awards Gala, and will not be granted on site.

ABOUT THE AFRICA-AMERICA INSTITUTE (AAI): The Africa-America Institute is the premier U.S.-based international organization that works to increase the capacity of African individuals and institutions through higher education initiatives, leadership development, professional workforce training, convening activities, program implementation and management. AAI's mission is to promote enlightened engagement between Africa and America through education, training and dialogue. Our current focus is to empower African youth to become globally competitive.

MEDIA CONTACT: Shanta Bryant Gyan tel. +1-202-412-4603 • shanta@sbgcommunications.com

AAI CONTACT: Brian McGinley tel. +1-212-949-5666 • bmcginley@aaionline.org