Leading firms in East Africa are set to be honored in a major International SMEs and Mid-sized institutions international award dubbed Pacesetters Awards which is organized by Jubilant Stewards of Africa. This year’s regional awards ceremony shall be held at Weston Hotel in Nairobi host the Kenya Awards ceremony on 30th June 2023 at Weston Hotel in Nairobi after last year’s awards were held in Serena Hotel Kampala Uganda. The awards bring together top organizations and entrepreneurs from 10 countries in the Eastern African region. Pacesetters Award (PSA) is an annual Industry leadership Recognition program organized by Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), a Non-Governmental Organization, to celebrate key industry leaders for their innovation, quality products, and service delivery, job creation, exemplary leadership, growing the economy, and transforming the society. These awards are based on the economic and social impact rather than the balance sheet. Jubilant Stewards of Africa is dedicated to the improvement of living standards, social ethics, dignity, and empowerment of communities. As part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI), JSA empowers and supports firms and professionals in their quest to better the society and impact lives.
The winners in various categories are carefully selected through a competitive and thorough process involving a public vote and a panel of judges.
This year’s survey started on 2nd April 2022 and closed on 30th April 2023. Various institutions showed interest to partner with organizers to ensure the success of this year’s Awards in various countries. In the previous year some of the institutions that partnered with the Jubilant Stewards of Africa included Telecommunication giant Safaricom Plc, Regional Leasing firm Vehicle and Equipment Leasing Ltd (VAELL), United SMES Association of Kenya, Service Cops Ltd Uganda, Quipbank Trust Limited and Nation Media Group.
Jared Oundo, Executive Director of Jubilant Stewards of Africa, said that “Pacesetters Awards considers a range of quantitative and qualitative aspects in order to determine and honor the winners. A novel survey model was initiated in 2020 as per the hyperinflationary environment. The model has since been tested and it demonstrated its functionality, elasticity and robustness. Furthermore, models in various industries such as the financial sector were remodeled in order to enhance their significance to the current environment, enhance quality and increase the objectivity of results.”
A good number of the nominees in the 2023 have been conferred with other awards including the Top KPMG 100 Survey and other international awards. Notable firms that have featured in the Pacesetters Awards East Africa Kenyan Chapter include; Telecommunication giant Safaricom, Solar and Electric vehicle Dealer, Go Electric Ltd, Security Firm – Jeff Hamilton, drink manufacturer Kevian Kenya LTD Afia, Regional Leasing Giant Vehicle and Equipment Leasing Ltd (VAELL), Service Cops Uganda, Uganda Chefs Union, Digital lender Zenka Digital Ltd, Tala, Ena Coach Bus, City Walk, Tinga rental platform, AVT Insurance Agency, online shopping platform Jiji Kenya, Mwananchi Credit, Clothing Line Amore Kenya, Property Developer Myspace Properties Ltd, EM Prime Land Ltd , Certified Homes Ltd and Digital Driving School.
Others include; Mattress maker SuperFoam, EVChaja, Staff Recruitment firm – Brighter Monday, Dakawou Transport Limited, Sarma Enterprises Ltd, Electrical vehicle charging stations network EvChaja, Village HopeCore International, and Nation Media Group Plc.
According to the sources privy to the 2023 East African chapter nominees list, the new entrants include; Westlands Laser Eye Hospital, Rentokil Initial Pest Control firm, Kifaru Properties, Ninia Honey, Digital Advertising firm Simpet Kenya, Sun King lanterns and home Systems Dealer, Madaraka Homes, Eden Bridge Capital Limited, Strathmore University Foundation, Mahiga Homes Fanaka Real Estate, Jambo Freight Limited from Tanzania, Spik and Span Limited Tanzania, Inter- Consult Ltd Tanzania, Brett and Baileys (T) Limited, Raphael Logistics Limited Tanzania among others.
The organizers said that they will be sharing the full shortlist after various nominees have been contacted and standardization is done in a press conference to be held in Nairobi.
According to Mr. Oundo, this year they intend to host the Awards in more African countries, starting with Kenya and then proceed to other countries such as Rwanda later in the year. Having hosted a successful Awards ceremony in Uganda last year. The ceremony shall include a gala dinner in which various high-profile guests and government officials are expected to be present. Jubilant Stewards of Africa shall announce and grant the winners their respective accolades. The guest of honour will be the honourable president of the republic of Kenya William Ruto. There will be display booths at the event and the slots are limited.
CPA Boniface Aluoch, VAELL Leasing Uganda Country Manager said that they were truly grateful to be recognized as the pacesetters in the leasing industry and they wouldn’t have received the award if it was not for their esteemed customer’s support. They also mentioned that their staffs professionalism and dedication also contributed to them winning the award.
Speaking after receiving the news of being nominated as a Pacesetter in E-commerce, Grace Gikonyo, Head of Public Relations, Jiji Uganda said that the world is changing so is the life of many people and this has brought in the E-commerce way which is now the future of shopping. She said that being awarded for the second time is a huge recognition for them and went ahead and said that they have adapted to dedication, expertise and sheer hard hence improved the satisfaction for both sellers and buyers online.
Super Foam Limited’s Head of Marketing Sanskrati Shetty said they were glad to be recognized as the pacesetters in foam manufacturing and supplying. She went ahead and thanked her entire workforce for ensuring their efforts were recognized as a brand and as an organization. She concluded by thanking Jubilant Steward of Africa by recognizing them as key industry players.
Dr. Mary Boniface, CEO of Jubilant Stewards of Africa in charge of Kenya said that one of the major tasks of their organization is to make society better for everyone by encouraging companies to continue doing their best so that they can continue making the country a better place. She was pleased about last year’s turn up and said she was looking forward to a bigger and better event this year.
Commenting on the Pacesetters Awards East African Chapter, Ms. Dahir Aryan, Programs Executive at United SMES Association said, “We are pleased to partner with Pacesetters Awards organizers and we look forward to honor top entrepreneurs and institutions-, in the East African market for their efforts to better the economy and impacting lives. This will encourage organizations and individuals to go beyond the call of duty in their service to humanity.”
