Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) was the big winner at the AAI 2016 Awards Gala on Tuesday, September 20 in New York. CCA President and CEO, Stephen Hayes received the AAI 2016 U.S. Business Leader Award; CCA Board Member, Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group, won the AAI 2016 Africa Business Leader Award; and CCA Board Member, Ali Moshiri of Chevron Corporation was honored with the AAI Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s gala was themed “Education: The Key to Africa’s Economic Growth”.
CCA’s Stephen Hayes was selected as an awardee at the Africa-America Institute (AAI) gala in recognition for his dedicated leadership and strategic contributions to the growth and strengthening of U.S.-Africa Business Relations. The Gala featured a special tribute video to Hayes including interviews with high level U.S.-Africa trade and policy decision makers such as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson for the African Union, who presented Mr. Hayes with the award, also recognized CCA’s contributions to the growth of African Business, especially in the United States.
"To me, this award acknowledges the work of one of the most diverse staffs in Washington. A leader is only as good as the staff that makes the organization what it is,” said Hayes. “We have been blessed over the years by bright young staff from the USA and Africa."
Ali Moshiri, President of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company, received 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. H.E. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf presented Mr. Moshiri with the Lifetime Achievement award, praising Chevron and Mr. Moshiri as “heroes” that made a huge impact in the West African nation’s fight against Ebola. Chevron Corporation was one of the American companies leading the Ebola Private Sector Mobilization Group that was formed in response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
"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."
The 2016 Awards also honored Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, for his role in championing African entrepreneurship, business and investment in Africa through his company's global brand and his commitment to expanding regional integration on the continent. Mr. Dangote is well known as Africa’s foremost industrialist and one of the continent’s main advocates.
Other 2016 AAI Awards Gala honorees include Mr. Sunil Benimadhu, Chief Executive, Stock Exchange of Mauritius, who won the AAI 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Republic of Rwanda, which was honored for their work on Regional Integration.
Corporate Council on Africa is the leading U.S. business association focused solely on connecting business interests in Africa. Established in 1993 to promote business and investment between the United States and the nations of Africa, the Corporate Council on Africa serves as a neutral, trusted intermediary connecting its member firms with the essential government and business leaders they need to do business and succeed in Africa. Learn more at www.corporatecouncilonafrica.com
