The Young Business Leader Of The Year award was presented at the African Business Leadership Awards 2023 in recognition of Mozambican entrepreneur Michel Ussene and his significant impact in shaping the economy of Mozambique. Ussene is the Executive Chairman of Uxene Smart City, and the President of the Mphimbi Group, Mitra Energy, and the Mozambican Association of Oil Companies
Ussene is one among the dozens of visionary African leaders that are helping to keep the wheels of energy and infrastructure in Africa turning. His passion for building sustainable environments, providing energy solutions, and developing enterprises across Mozambique and beyond is nothing short of exemplary. And has earned him this prestigious recognition.
From furniture manufacturing and the metallurgical industry to the commodities and energy sectors, and most recently, the daring Uxene Smart City project in Mozambique, Ussene is pushing the boundaries of economic growth and development in Africa. And he is actively seeking a collaborative network of like-minded African leaders to see his vision of making Africa better become a reality.
In a poll conducted by African Leadership Magazine for the African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2023, Ussene emerged as the winner of the ‘Young Business Leader of The Year’. Recognition for his immense contribution to building sustainable cities, energy, and power supplies in Africa. The award-winning entrepreneur acknowledged that the award was a nod to Africa’s expanding energy sector and encouraged cross-functional contributions towards the implementation of the ideas that will help cast the continent on global stages.
The major highlight of the Africa Summit London 2023 was the presentation of the 13th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) to deserving dignitaries. Select delegates were invited to the House of Lords for the two-day event. Ussene was part of the distinguished business leaders in attendance. Including other renowned African diplomats and policymakers. The likes of Lord Dolar Popat, a Member of the UK House of Lords and British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda and Uganda. Baroness Sandy Verma, Member of the UK House of Lords. Hon. Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, and Development, Mauritius. Rindra Rabarinirinarison, Minister for Economy and Finance, Madagascar. Hon. Seedy Sk Nije, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly of The Gambia.
Other guests at the event include Hon. Fonati Koffa, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Liberia. His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atwàtse III CFR, Olu of Warri Kingdom, Nigeria. In the company of his wife, Olori gam Atwàtse III, Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Nigeria. Cosmas Kanhai, CEO, Zimbabwe Asset Management Corporation
Hon. Debele Kabeta Hursa, Commissioner, Ethiopian Customs Commission. Hon. Johnny Ohisa Damian, Governor, Bank of South Sudan. Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, MD, Rokel Commercial Bank, Sierra Leone. Mrs. Mukwandi Chibesakunda, CEO, Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) Plc. Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Nokuthula Selamolela, CEO, Food and Beverages Manufacturing, South Africa, amongst others
The focus of the event was to explore practical strategies and approaches to facilitate trade partnerships between Africa and the UK. The House of Lords, with its extensive knowledge of UK-Africa trade relationships, actively supported this endeavour.
The Africa Summit featured high-level panel discussions, keynote addresses, and interactive sessions. These sessions covered crucial topics such as business partnerships, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable development, infrastructure, technology, and governance.
The esteemed speakers and attendees shared their valuable insights, experiences, and success stories. Further inspiring fellow participants to seek new strategies and partnerships for advancing Africa’s prosperity.
The panel discussion focused on mobilising Africa’s political leadership to attract global investments and collaborations. While the CEOs Roundtable sought to reimagine Africa’s private sector as a catalyst for economic growth on the continent. Participants equally had the opportunity to showcase investment opportunities in Africa for interested investors.
According to Michel Ussene, after the poll declared him the winner, “Mozambique is on the right track. This award only highlights the idea we have for UXENE Smart City. Which is a reference on the African continent and around the world. This project is in the district of Marracune, Maputo Province. But its implementation and development are the responsibility of all of us. Mozambique should be a reference point in the world for several reasons. Besides natural resources, human resources are also a fundamental basis for economic, social, and financial success.”
