Choppies nominated for African entrepreneurship award
Isaac Pinielo | Wednesday October 29, 2014 16:56
The African Leadership Network (ALN) made the announcement on Friday, at an elite and invitation-only community of young and dynamic new-generation leaders focused on powering Africa’s prosperity.
Choppies chief executive officer, Ramachandran Ottappath, said he was grateful that his company was among the 12 nominated across the continent.
“It is not only a Southern Africa but the whole continent and thus it is a great honour. It gives us encouragement to continue with our work. In terms of entrepreneurship, this is one of the best forms of recognition, ‘he said.
Ottappath also explained that ALN approached them to get more information about the company. The company gave them their annual financials and other relevant information about Choppies.
“ALN were mostly impressed with our leadership pipeline. The high number of managers, assistants as well trainees, largely impressed them. I feel that this is what really gave us the edge to go into the final round of the awards,” stated the CEO.
The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, which were established eight years ago by Letagum Group, award over $200,000 (P1.8 million) prize money every year to outstanding African entrepreneurs who demonstrate business excellence and social impact.
Choppies, the largest grocery and general merchandise retailer, with over 110 stores in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, is pegged among other finalists such as AKSAL Group of Morocco and Bidco of Kenya in the category of Transformational Business Award.
Other finalists for the other category of Outstanding Mature Business Award include Konga Online from Nigeria, Mxit from South Africa and OSTEC from Ghana. In the Outstanding Small and Growing Business category, Khaas Logistics from South Africa, SBI from Somalia and Trust Industries from Rwanda emerged as finalists. Nominees for Outstanding Social Entrepreneur Award were BanaPads from Uganda, Shining Hope for Communities from Kenya and Wecyclers from Nigeria.
According to a statement from ALN, the finalists represented nine African countries and an array of industries that included retail, manufacturing, consumer services, e-commerce, agriculture, ICT, transportation and logistics, education, health and sanitation. The12 finalists were selected after a rigorous screening process focused on their business model, financial health, integrity of business practices and contribution to socio-economic development. Judging is now at the final stages and winners will be announced at a glitzy event to be held on November 6. In addition to the winners from these four categories, the 2014 winner for the Lifetime Achievement Award – awarded to a senior African business leader who has been an entrepreneurial icon for several decades and has left an enduring legacy of success in Africa – will also be announced at the AAE gala dinner.
Choppies started their operations in Lobatse in the mid-eighties, with just one shop until 1993. The chain store currently boasts a total 112 stores, of which 70 are spread across Botswana, while 28 are in South Africa and the remaining 14 are located in Zimbabwe. The company’s exponential growth is unprecedented in retail business in Botswana, with stores in every town and major villages.
The company also boasts a market share of 30 percent. Having listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) in January 2012, Choppies’ share price has trebled, in what has been rated the most successful new listing outside the banking sector in the Exchange’s history. The group has expressed interest in listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).