Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, has been awarded the “African Business Leader of the Year” by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) at an award ceremony which held in Washington D.C. with over 300 US and African Business leaders, in attendance.

“I am honored by this award,” Tewolde said in his acceptance speech.

He added saying: “This and the recent awards Ethiopian has been receiving are recognitions of the important role our airline is playing in Africa. Ethiopian is providing the air connectivity that is critical for fostering increased investment and trade flows to the continent.”

According to online publication, 2merkato, Tewolde who has served Ethiopian in the last 26 years, bagged the coveted award for his efficient leadership that has seen the national carrier grow into an internationally recognized carrier, as a Star Alliance member.

Ethiopian Airlines became the first carrier in Africa to acquire the Boeing B787-Dreamliner, the most advanced aircraft, in a deal which was funded by JP Morgan for 10 deliveries of the aircraft.

Following its membership of Star Alliance, the national carrier’s terminal at Heathrow, Beijing Airport, and several other major airports, has been upgraded.

Based on report, Ethiopian Airlines is in the third year of implementation of its 15-year strategic roadmap, Vision 2025, which will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven profit centers grossing total revenue of 10 billion dollars by 2025.

The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is a nonprofit, membership-based organization established in 1993 to promote business and investment between the United States and African countries. CCA is the premier American organization devoted to U.S.-Africa business relations and includes as members more than 180 companies, which represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa.