Four Kenyan business leaders including KCB Group CEO Paul Russo, are among 100 global recipients of the 2024 Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) award, which recognises leaders who transform their businesses to benefit society and generate profits. The four honorees stood out as national role models in sustainability and impact-driven innovation.
The 2024 Kenyan MB100 awardees include:
Paul Russo, CEO, KCB Group.
Lucy Mutinda, founder and CEO, Ecocycle.
Camille Rebelo, Co-Founder and COO, EcoPlanet Bamboo.
Biju Mohandas, partner & global head of healthcare, LeapFrog Investments.
The judges, who included executives and sustainability advocates from some of the world’s most influential organisations, such as Adam Elman of Google, Nikhil Seth of the United Nations and Sarah Geisenheimer of the Rockefeller Foundation, reviewed 850 applications from across the world before settling on the top 100 business leaders drawn from various parts of the world.
“Congratulations to the Kenyan leaders recognised on this year’s MB100 for demonstrating how purpose-driven business can address some of the country’s most critical social and environmental challenges. Their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit positions Kenya as a leading hub for impactful solutions in Africa and beyond. As a key market with immense potential for sustainable growth and positive change, we are excited to support these leaders as they continue to scale their efforts over the coming years,” said Meaningful Business founder and CEO Tom Lytton-Dickie.
The Kenyan honorees, through their work in healthcare innovation, environmental conservation and equitable resource management, are tackling some of Kenya’s most urgent social and environmental challenges.
Their recognition underscores Kenya’s commitment to sustainable growth and highlights the role Kenyan business leaders are playing in redefining the future of impact-driven enterprise in Africa.
Through MB100, the Kenyan leaders will have an opportunity to connect to a global network of purpose-driven professionals dedicated to using business as a tool for positive change, reinforcing Kenya’s position as a hub for social and environmental progress.
Kenya, a growing hub for sustainable business in Africa
The inclusion of Kenyan leaders in the MB100 shines a light on Nairobi’s fast-developing sustainable business ecosystem. Kenya’s entrepreneurs and corporate leaders are harnessing innovative strategies to tackle problems as varied as waste management, financial inclusion, and sustainable agriculture.
The country has become a regional leader in purpose-driven enterprise, attracting both local and international partnerships aimed at fostering sustainable growth across East Africa.
During the announcement, Meaningful Business also hosted a one-day event where the MB100 winners, Kenyan industry leaders and key stakeholders discussed Kenya’s potential to influence sustainability across the continent.
Through panel discussions, interactive workshops, and peer networking, the event spotlighted how Kenyan businesses are advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and nurturing an environment for impactful change.
Support for Kenyan businesses on the world stage
This year’s event is supported by Kenya Climate Ventures and APA Insurance Limited, as well as global partners like EY, Hogan Lovells and Babson College. These collaborations emphasise the importance of building strong networks to support Kenyan businesses that align profit with purpose.
“As one of Kenya’s first-ever winners, I know the impact that meaningful recognition and support can have on businesses. This year APA Insurance is proud to champion this initiative, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing Kenyan businesses that balance profit with purpose. By supporting innovators and leaders, we are investing in a future where sustainability and resilience are central to business success,” said Apollo Investments Limited CEO Ashok Shah.
“At Kenya Climate Ventures, we believe that sustainable business practices are the cornerstone of long-term economic growth and tackling Africa’s most pressing challenges. By providing tailored, patient capital and hands-on business support, we are empowering climate-smart, gender-inclusive enterprises to scale and create lasting impact in Kenya’s rural, peri-urban and humanitarian markets,” said CEO of Kenya Climate Ventures, an investment partner of the MB100 Victor Ndiege.
“The 2024 MB100 awardees exemplify the transformative power of purpose-driven innovation, demonstrating Kenya’s leadership in building resilient, equitable and sustainable futures. Their work is not just inspiring, it’s a blueprint for the kind of inclusive growth Africa needs to ensure that communities thrive, the environment is protected and economic opportunities are accessible to all,” he said.
By recognising and amplifying the work of these leaders, Kenya is setting a precedent in Africa for how businesses can drive economic development while addressing broader societal needs.
The MB100 awards and the upcoming Nairobi event illustrate the potential for Kenya to serve as a model for purpose-driven enterprise across the continent and beyond.
