Chairman and Founder of BUA Group, BUA Cement Plc., BUA Foods Plc., and the ASR Africa Initiative, Abdul Samad Rabiu, CFR, CON has been honoured with the prestigious Africa CEO of the Year Award, further reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s most influential business leaders and philanthropists.

The recognition was presented during the Africa CEO Forum, one of the continent’s leading gatherings of business executives, investors, and policymakers. The award celebrates excellence in leadership, innovation, and contributions to Africa’s economic and social transformation.

Widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading industrialists and one of the continent’s biggest givers, Rabiu has built a legacy that extends beyond business success into large-scale philanthropy and development initiatives. Through his investments and interventions, he has continued to support economic growth, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and social impact programmes across Africa.

Reacting to the recognition, Rabiu described the award as a reflection of collective effort rather than individual achievement.

“Truly honoured to receive the Africa CEO of the Year Award,” he said. “A recognition like this is never about one person. It reflects the hard work, dedication, and shared commitment of an exceptional team that continues to strive for excellence every day.”

He expressed gratitude for the honour while reaffirming his commitment to expanding impact and driving meaningful change.

“Grateful for this honour and even more motivated to continue pushing boundaries, creating impact, and building for the future,” he added.

The recognition adds to Rabiu’s growing list of honours and underscores his role as a business leader whose influence continues to shape industries and advance conversations around sustainable development and long-term prosperity across Africa.