A HANDFUL of Zimbabweans have been nominated for the UK African Enterprise Awards which will be presented in London on Saturday.
Organised by the Association for African Owned Enterprises (AAOE), the event is the largest ceremony of “its kind in the UK recognizing and celebrating the achievements of all African professionals and entrepreneurs including all African nationalities irrespective of their colour, culture, or religious persuasion.”
Zimbabweans nominated include Fungai Ndemera of Flame Lily (African Personality of the Year), Dr. Dzidziso Kamuriwo of CAS (African Academic of the Year) as well as Douglas Chikohora of Cluff Africa Associates (African Businessman of the Year).
It is estimated that there are over 5.5 million Africans in the UK, with African enterprises contributing over £10 Billion to the UK economy annually.
Saturday’s event is expected to see Britain’s most innovative, affluent and industrious African executives and community leaders come together to honour African entrepreneurial excellence in the United Kingdom; recognizing individuals and companies who have achieved excellence against all odds.
The AE Awards will also recognize and celebrate non-African owned businesses, which have served the African com- munity in the UK with excellence with winners selected from a wide range of categories with particular attention being paid to enterprises in services regularly used by Africans in the UK.
Explained the organisers in a statement: “We are here to make a difference contrary to what it is generally said.
“Our (as Africans) presence in today’s British economy is strong and we intend to continue playing a positive role and challenging the numerous negative perceptions of our people.
“Some call us the diaspora, to others we are migrants, and we choose to call ourselves Africans in the UK.
“Yes we have our unique background, history, culture and lifestyle but we are also part of the cosmopolitan visage of Great Britain where we live, the place a lot of us call “home” and therefore have the responsibility to influence decisions taken for us.
“We have come to stay here are committed to making a difference for future generations! By working closely with us you will not only understand what we do but also know what our values are.”Advertisement

The awards ceremony will be held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.