The Sanlam Group, in collaboration with Santam, has revealed the shortlist for the esteemed Sanlam Group Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism for the 2023-2024 cycle.

This year has seen a record-breaking 170 entries from 13 African nations, marking the highest participation in the competition’s nearly five-decade history.

Nixon Kariithi, the chairperson of the independent judging panel, expressed his admiration for the calibre of submissions.

“The quality of entries remains high. It has been most encouraging to see both the high number of entries as well as the complex and topical stories spotlighted by financial journalists across the African continent,” he remarked.

The awards ceremony, set to take place on 25 July 2024 in Johannesburg, will honour the 2023 Sanlam Group Financial Journalist of the Year alongside category winners.

The categories include Business and Companies, Economy, Financial Markets, Consumer Financial Education, African Growth Story, ESG: Business and the Environment, ESG: Business and Society, Broadcast: Audio/Radio, and TV/Video.

Highlighted below are the shortlisted candidates for each category:

Business and Companies

- Dewald van Rensburg, Micah Reddy, and Sam Sole (amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, South Africa)

- Ann Crotty (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Daniel Okujwa (Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Nigeria)

- Dominic Omondi (Daily Nation, Kenya)

- Kingsley Jeremiah (The Guardian, Nigeria)

- Rob Rose (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Susan Comrie (amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, South Africa)

Economy

- Claire Bisseker (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Kitso Dickson (Business Weekly & Review, Botswana)

- Lisa Steyn (News24, South Africa)

- Odimegwu Onwumere (The Nigerian Voice, Nigeria)

- Paul Murungi (Daily Monitor and CEO East Africa Magazine, Uganda)

- Rob Rose (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Ryk van Niekerk (Moneyweb, RSG Geldsake, South Africa)

Financial Markets

- Bernard Busuulwa (The EastAfrican, Uganda)

- Jaco Visser (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Kabelo Khumalo (Business Day, South Africa)

- Lisa Steyn (News24, South Africa)

- Otiato Guguyu (Daily Nation, Kenya)

- Patrick Alushula (Nation Media Group, Kenya)

- Rob Rose (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Ruan Jooste (Personal Finance, South Africa)

Consumer Financial Education

- Ephraim Modise (TechCabal, Pan African)

- Maya Fisher-French (CityPress, Maya on Money, South Africa)

- Neesa Moodley (Daily Maverick, South Africa)

- Nike Popoola (Punch Newspaper, Nigeria)

- Paul Busharizi (New Vision, Uganda)

- Ryk van Niekerk (Moneyweb, RSG Geldsake, South Africa)

- The Devi Show (eTV, South Africa)

African Growth Story

- Caleb Ojewale (Business Day, Nigeria)

- Garth Theunissen (Business Day and News24 Business, South Africa)

- Joseph Olaoluwa (TechCabal, Pan African)

- Kingsley Jeremiah (The Guardian, Nigeria)

- Mahamadi Sebogo (Sidwaya, Burkina Faso)

- Nicole Pillay (Forbes Africa, Pan African)

- Paul Murungi (Daily Monitor and CEO East Africa Magazine, Uganda)

ESG: Business and the Environment

- Ann Crotty (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Giulietta Talevi (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Jaco Visser (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Justice Nwafor (Nigerian Tribune, Nigeria)

- Paul Murungi (Daily Monitor and CEO East Africa Magazine, Uganda)

-  Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman (EIB Network, Ghana)

- Ryk van Niekerk (Moneyweb, RSG Geldsake, South Africa)

ESG: Business and Society

- Ann Crotty (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- George Kwaning (TV3 Ghana, Ghana)

- Kabelo Khumalo (Business Day, South Africa)

- Kingsley Jeremiah (The Guardian, Nigeria)

- Odimegwu Onwumere (The Nigerian Voice, Nigeria)

- Oluwatomisin Amokeoja (Forbes Africa, Pan African)

- Rob Rose (Financial Mail, South Africa)

- Ryk van Niekerk (Moneyweb, RSG Geldsake, South Africa)

Broadcast: Audio/Radio

- Destiny Onyemihia (Voice of Nigeria, Nigeria)

- Maya Fisher-French (CityPress, Maya on Money, South Africa)

- Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman (EIB Network, Ghana)

- Ruan Jooste (Personal Finance, South Africa)

- Ryk van Niekerk (Moneyweb, RSG Geldsake, South Africa)

TV/Video

- George Kwaning (TV3 Ghana, Ghana)

- Nothando Magudulela (SABC News, South Africa)

- Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman (EIB Network, Ghana)

The panel of judges, led by Nixon Kariithi, includes esteemed professionals such as Angela Agoawike (Nigeria), Emily May Brown (Namibia), Freddie Rayborn Bulley (Ghana), Ylva Rodny Gumede (South Africa), Tom Indimuli (Kenya), Ulrich Joubert (South Africa), Aggie Asiimwe Konde (Uganda), Charles Naudé (South Africa), and Musa Zondi (South Africa).

Since its inception in 1974, these awards have celebrated exceptional financial journalism in Africa.

Journalists in print, online, radio, and television media are recognised for their insightful reporting on Africa’s business, economic development, and environmental and societal challenges. The total prize money exceeds R700,000.

This year’s finalists continue the legacy of excellence, showcasing the continent’s progress and complexities through their rigorous and impactful journalism.