This year, we will also be awarding Mohammed Ibrahim the "Philanthropic Award" for his work on governance and leadership in Africa through the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership is awarded annually to a former African executive Head of State or Government who has demonstrated excellence in African leadership. Unprecedented in its scale and scope, the Mo Ibrahim Prize consists of US$ 5 million over 10 years and US$ 200,000 annually for life thereafter. A further US$ 200,000 per year for good causes espoused by the winner may be granted by the Foundation during the first ten years.

The Foundation aims to stimulate debate on good governance; provide criteria by which citizens and civil society can hold their governments to account; and recognise achievement in African leadership and provide a practical way in which leaders can build positive legacies on the continent when they have left office.

“Without good governance in Africa, natural resources will continue to be squandered, investors willcontinue to be deterred, and citizens will lack the physical and financial security due to them. But if governments across the continent rise to the challenge, Africa will finally be able to realise its great potential.” – Mo Ibrahim

About Dr Mohamed Ibrahim  ...

Dr Mo Ibrahim is a global expert in mobile communications with a distinguished academic and business career.

In 1998, Dr Ibrahim founded Celtel International to build and operate mobile networks in Africa. Celtel became one of Africa’s most successful companies with operations in 15 countries, covering more than a third of the continent’s population and investing more than US$750 million in Africa.  The company was sold to MTC Kuwait in 2005 for $3.4billion.

In 2006 Dr Ibrahim established the Mo Ibrahim Foundation to support great African leadership. The Foundation focuses on two major initiatives to stimulate debate around, and improve the quality of, governance in Africa. The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership recognises and celebrates excellence; and the Ibrahim Index of African Governance provides civil society with a comprehensive and quantifiable tool to promote government accountability. 

Dr Ibrahim is also Founding Chairman of Satya Capital Ltd, an investment company focused on opportunities in Africa.

Dr Ibrahim has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, the University of Birmingham and De Montfort University, Leicester as well as an Honorary Fellowship Award from the London Business School. He has also received the Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement from the GSM Association in 2007 and the Economists Innovation Award 2007 for Social & Economic Innovation. In 2008 Dr Ibrahim was presented with the BNP Paribas Prize for Philanthropy, and also listed by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.