Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh has been honoured with the Forbes Best Of Africa Leading Tech Icon Award 2021.
Mr. Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh was conferred the coveted award on August 6, 2021 for his over three decades of leadership and pioneering entrepreneurship in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) space in Africa, as well as his many enduring philanthropic and humanitarian legacies.
Mr. Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh was singled out for founding the most integrated ICT group in Africa with influence in four continents. He was also honoured for pioneering e-Commerce, Desktop Publishing and Computer Graphics, Wireless Cloud and WiMAX, the first locally assembled and internationally certified computer brand – Zinox, digital dispensing pumps for fuel and gas stations as well as biometric revolution for elections, among others in Africa.
In his acceptance sppech, Mr. Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Eke stated:
“The 21st century is one in which the impact of technology in the affairs of nations and in the lives of individuals cannot be wished away. Indeed, the world is currently a technology-mediated global village, with technology remaining, as I have often stated in some of my public talks, arguably the only profession in the world today that can transform an indigent child or youth into the richest person in the world.
With the Zinox Group, which includes over eight successful entities across verticals in the technology space, we have been able to bring to reality the power of technology in transforming lives, ushering many into the digital ecosystem and solving complex problems.
I must also not fail to mention the Konga Group, an e-Commerce platform which was acquired by Zinox in 2018 and which today has grown into the leading player on the African continent. Through these companies, we have provided meaningful direct employment opportunities for over 5,000 people and over 250,000 indirect employment opportunities for individuals, merchants and other beneficiaries.
If I had not made the decision to return to my first love – technology – after my educational sojourn abroad, I doubt I would have been able to contribute my little quota in reshaping the lives of thousands of African youths as e have done today.”
The Forbes Best of Africa Awards 2021 aims to recognise and reward changemakers, individuals and organisations that have made remarkable difference on the African continent improving the lives of millions across the region in the areas of enterpreneurship, technology, leadership, vision and influence despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other awardees include:
- Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin
- Founder and Executive Chairman of Online Integrated Solutions Limited, Mahmood Ahmadu
- Ghanaian industrialist and philanthropist, Nana Kwame Bediako
- South African businesswoman and philanthropist, Wendy Ackerman
- Lesotho businessman, Sam Matekane
- Zimbabwe businessman, Ken Sharpe
- Rwandan Minister of Infrastructure, Clever Gatete
- Zambian-based business magnate, Dr. Rajan Mahtani
- Group Chairwoman, FIN, Mrs. Olayinka Fayomi
