Airline triumphs over tough competition in Hollard-sponsored category

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, was crowned the winner of the 2018 company of the year award by the All Africa Business Awards (AABLA). AABLA is an initiative set to distinguish and honour business excellence and leaders who have made a considerable impact on their industry and community. The ceremony took place in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 30 2018.

The event was the grand finale of the annual award which features regional winners across Africa who had been previously announced. The airline bested several leading companies from East and Southern Africa in the category, which was sponsored by the Hollard Insurance Company.

Mandla Shezi, the Chief Executive Officer of  Hollard International, the South African insurer’s international division, said that competition for the Company of the Year Award was intense but this was indicative of the high calibre of African companies. The finalists included:

• I&M Bank in Rwanda, a part of the international network of Kenya’s I&M Bank, which offers corporate and retail banking services
• The Panesar Group of Kenya, a manufacturer of furniture
• The WPP-Scangroup of Kenya, a marketing and communications group
• Sygnia Group, a large South African asset manager
• Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s largest listed property investment holding company
• Super Group of South Africa, a broad-based supply chain management business
• Standard Bank Group, South Africa’s biggest bank

“Each one of the companies shortlisted for the AABLA Company of the Year Award was a contender for the top honours. They represent an array of industries, from financial services and communications to transport and logistics, and are a reflection of the excellence that can be found in the wider African business community,” said Shezi.

“Hollard congratulates all of the finalists on making the cut for this prestigious award, but especially Ethiopian Airlines on its triumph. As Africa’s largest airline, and one of the world’s leading companies, it’s certainly deserving of this recognition,” he added.

With the battle for Africa skies gathering momentum, Ethiopian Airlines continues to lead the race with its expansionist strategies. The national carrier has proved to outwit rivals like South African Airways and Kenya Airways Plc, having recorded trips to over 110 international destinations and also covered 5 continents in the process.