The 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) culminated in a thunderous ovation this week as the international business community rose to honour Sir Sam Jonah, the man widely credited with modernising African mining, with the festival’s most distinguished accolade: the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a ceremony that bridged the gap between Africa’s industrial titans and its emerging tech innovators, the award served as a coronation for a career spanning over four decades—a tenure that has seen Sir Jonah evolve from an underground miner to the executive chair of multibillion-dollar conglomerates.
A Career of Numbers and Impact
While the atmosphere at the Global Awards Recognition ceremony was described as an “historic and emotional moment”, the recognition is grounded in cold, hard data.
Sir Jonah’s stewardship is best defined by his pivotal role in the transformation of Ashanti Goldfields.
Becoming CEO at the age of 36, he spearheaded the company’s growth from a single-mine operation into a multinational gold giant, culminating in the historic $1.48 billion merger with AngloGold in 2004.
This manoeuvre created AngloGold Ashanti, the world’s second-largest gold producer at the time, and marked the first time an African company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Beyond the gold sector, his investment holding company, Jonah Capital, has deployed millions in equity across the continent, touching sectors from financial services and agriculture to real estate and infrastructure.
His boardroom portfolio—past and present—reads like a roll call of global corporate power, including directorships at Vodafone Group, Bank of America, and Standard Bank.
The Citation
During the conferment, GEF organisers did not mince words regarding Sir Jonah’s status in the global economy.
In their citation, they described Sir Jonah as “a beacon of visionary leadership and a pillar of African entrepreneurship whose influence transcends industries and generations.”
The organisers noted that his work has defined the blueprint for corporate governance in Africa, championing transparency and operational excellence across both private and public institutions.
A Message to the New Generation
The 2025 edition of the GEF was characterised by high-stakes investment pitch competitions and strategic partnerships aimed at the youth demographic. Amidst this backdrop of digital innovation, Sir Jonah’s address grounded the attendees in the fundamentals of business longevity.
Sir Jonah expressed heartfelt gratitude, remarking that the award was not just personal but a recognition that “symbolises the shared strides of African entrepreneurs working tirelessly to build sustainable and globally competitive businesses.”
Addressing a hall filled with delegates from dozens of nations, he pivoted from his own legacy to the responsibility of the current generation. He emphasised the critical importance of “nurturing talent, promoting innovation, and creating platforms that empower young people to solve Africa’s biggest challenges.”
The Festival Context
The Lifetime Achievement Award remains the highest honour presented at the GEF. This year’s festival has been a critical driver for economic policy, featuring:
- Keynote Sessions: Focusing on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- Investment Pitches: Connecting startups with venture capital.
- Strategic Partnerships: Linking policymakers with private sector executioners.
Sir Jonah’s recognition stands as a significant highlight of the festival. For the thousands of emerging leaders present, his journey from the Obuasi mines to the London palaces—where he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003—serves as a potent reminder of the enduring power of leadership.
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