The Believe in Africa Day Awards Gala Dinner was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Roland Martin of TV One, and entertainment was provided by Kaissa Doumbe and Lokua Kanza.
Believe in Africa honored prominent personalities in both the U.S. and African public and private sectors for their leadership in promoting Africa’s economic growth. The awards were presented by the President of Madagascar, Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
Former Senator Robert Dole, received the 2014 Believe in Africa Visionary Award for his leadership in addressing food security in Africa.
Recipients of the 2014 Believe in Africa Leadership Award were Members of Congress who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the future of Africa. They included:
- Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) for addressing the concerns of the African private sector and the African Diaspora;
- Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) for his work addressing the concerns of African children;
- Congresswoman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) for his leadership on Africa trade and diaspora issues;
- Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) for his leadership in promoting U.S. investments in Africa;
- Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) for being a strong advocate for greater U.S. – Africa mutually beneficial partnerships in energy development;
- Two business executives received the 2014 Believe in Africa Business Titan Awards, a symbol of partnership between both the U.S. and Africa private sector and the importance of Africapitalism’s philosophy that needs to be implemented to sustain Africa’s economic future: Jay Ireland, CEO, GE Africa and Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holding, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Africapitalism Institute.
- M. Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank received the “Believe in Africa Lifetime Achievement Award” for his leadership building Africa’s infrastructure.
- Two sponsors Awards were given to Lucien Ebata, Chairman Orion and Forbes Afrique Pierre Goudiabi, ATEPA
We give our special gratitude to our sponsors, partners and supporters, our team and friends:
The Government of Cameroon, the African Union Commission, the Governor of Maryland, The Mayor of Washington DC, Africa 24TV, Forbes Afrique, The New York Forum on Africa, Richard Attias and Associates, Orion Oil, the Atepa Group, Etnium International, Rimsom Strategies, Africa 2.0, Financia Capital, Gumbi, Dechambenoit & Associates, Global Humanitarian Photojournalists, Rindi Media, Groupe Jeune Afrique, and Active Media.
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