The 2008 Award programme built on the success of the inaugural 2007 Award and attracted 1,400 entries from small and medium-sized enterprises in Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda. Out of this pool of submissions, ten companies were identified as finalists.
On Wednesday 19th November 2008, the winners of the 2008 Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity Africa Awards were announced at a ceremony held in Kigali, Rwanda, graced by the presence of H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda and H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya.
The Grand Prize Winner of USD 100,000, was Superflux International, a security printing solutions company from Nigeria. Five other prizes of USD 50,000 each were awarded to:
- AAR Health (Kenya) – Healthcare solutions Industry
- Africa Polysack Industries Ltd. (Uganda) - Manufacturing Industry
- Gahaya Links (Rwanda) – Wholesale Trade
- Integr8 Group (South Africa) – IT Services
- Safi Cleaning (Uganda) – Cleaning and Janitorial Service Industry
The Award Ceremony also honoured the four other finalists which are: