Accra, July 21, GNA - Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) Group, has won the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) inaugural African Business of the Year and Brand of the Year awards at a ceremony in London.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Ms. Mawuena Dumor, Corporate Affairs Executive of MTN said the awards ceremony was to celebrate the rapidly transforming business landscape in Africa by promoting entrepreneurial excellence, world class best practices in business and greater visibility for African brands and companies. It was organized by IC Publications in association with the CBC, as part of the just ended G8 African Business forum. The statement said: "The African Business of the Year award recognizes companies that have shown outstanding returns and growth rates coupled with innovative working techniques, and the development of staff and the community it operates in." "The Brand of the Year award recognizes companies that have achieved outstanding brand recognition in the past 12 months, with wide appeal and wider recognition both in Africa and worldwide. It is applicable to branding and re-branding exercises," it said. MTN was nominated along with five other business leaders for those two categories and was adjudged the winner of those two out of other 16 categories.

MTN Group Executive for Corporate Affairs, Ms Nozipho January-Bardill said, MTN was proud of the awards, which was an acknowledgement of the progress MTN had made in building its business and brand over the years.

"It is a tribute to our leadership, our staff and all our stakeholders who participate in our business in various ways," she said. Mr Omar Ben Yedder, IC Publications Associate Group Publisher, noted that the business sector in Africa played a crucial role in the realization of the African century and the Awards was designed to recognize and pay tribute to world class African business leaders and enterprises at home and worldwide.

He said this was just the beginning of a great leap forward for the continent's business sector.

"I see a new future for Africa, new energy, talent, and success. With almost one billion people in the Continent, the new generations will make this century the century of Africa," he added. 21 July 08