By Emma Black
Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, His Excellency Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, graced the prestigious African Business Awards and Gala Dinner (AfBC) 2025 as Special Guest on July 3, 2025, Thursday evening.
The event, hosted at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in Kensington, London, brought together leading African diplomats, entrepreneurs, business executives, investors, and innovators from across the African continent and its diaspora. The gathering served to celebrate African enterprise and spotlight the role of private sector innovation in driving sustainable economic growth across Africa and beyond.
The Gala Dinner highlighted the essential role of government support in fostering vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems, while also showcasing outstanding achievements in various sectors from technology and healthcare to women-led enterprises and startups.
During the event, Dr. Manyeh held strategic discussions with Sierra Leonean diaspora professionals who are instrumental in the planning and execution of AfBC events. These included:
Golda F. Kamara, a Sierra Leonean-Danish entrepreneur and digital transformation advocate who plays a key role in strengthening Nordic-Africa partnerships and promoting diaspora business networks.
Miatta Momoh, co-founder of Kente & Silk, known for her efforts in reshaping Africa’s narrative in China and bridging connections between African startups and global digital platforms.
Celeste Aubee, a dual-qualified solicitor in England, Wales, and the British Virgin Islands. She works closely with African governments and institutions, leading on strategic investment projects and regulatory frameworks.
In his remarks, High Commissioner Manyeh commended the calibre and professionalism of the event’s participants, noting the significant presence and contributions of Sierra Leoneans in global business and policy platforms.
I am deeply impressed by the richness of ideas and the professionalism displayed tonight, he said, it fills me with pride to see Sierra Leoneans taking leadership roles on such a global platform. This is a clear demonstration of our nation’s growing influence and the excellence of our people.”
The evening saw awards presented across a wide range of categories including, entrepreneur of the year, start-up & New Business of the year, technology & Innovation, healthcare delivery, African Women in Business, these awards recognized individuals and enterprises driving innovation and addressing critical socio-economic challenges across the continent.
Eugene Nizeyimana, CEO of the African Business Chamber and host of the evening, lauded the honourees for their impactful work, these leaders are at the forefront of innovation, tackling some of society’s most urgent issues, and advancing Africa’s development agenda, he said.
Adding a cultural dimension to the evening, the Gala featured a lively performance by Busi Mhlanga, a UK-based Zimbabwean singer and choreographer. Her energetic Zulu dance presentation captivated the audience and brought a vibrant cultural spirit to the formal occasion.
The African Business Awards and Gala Dinner continues to grow as a premier platform for networking, dialogue, and celebration of African enterprise and leadership. For those interested in future events or to engage in discussions shaping Africa’s business and investment landscape.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,7th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
