First East African CSR Awards to be held during World Economic Forum Africa

In one month, the first East African CSR Awards, in partnership with the East African Business Council (EABC), will be launched and open for entries on 15 February 2010. The awards will take place on the evening of 5^th May 2010 during the World Economic Forum Africa in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

For the first time, East African companies will be honoured for their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and awarded for outstanding, innovative and high-class initiatives and programmes that create a high social and environmental benefit for the community and the business.

Entries will be accepted from any East African (Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda) registered company, or from external individuals who are recommending a CSR initiative of any East African registered company.

East African businesses are encouraged to enter into the following categories:

(i) Best workplace practice;

(ii) Environmental excellence;

(iii) Most ethical & responsible business practice for supply chains; and

(iv) Most sustainable & scalable community investment.

As a preliminary entry criteria, the company must be able to demonstrate to high levels of corporate governance in their business operations and board decisions.

Entries will be judged by an independent panel of international and regional CSR, corporate governance and ethical business experts, and chaired by Elvis Musiba, former President, Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. The panel includes:

· Dr William Kalema (Managing Director DCDM Uganda and former Uganda Manufacturers Association)

· Ms Jane Nelson (Director of CSR Initiatives, Harvard Business School)

· Dr Judy Muthuri (CSR Lecturer, Nottingham University)

· Mr Steve Kenzie (Programme Manager for Responsible Business, International Business Leaders Forum and UK Focal Point for UN Global Compact)

‘These Awards mark a positive and promising trend in East Africa’s private sector toward a more responsible and ethical business pathway, leading the region’s sustainable economic growth’, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Chairman of africapractice (East African CSR Awards secretariat).