Wari in the finals of the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship

08-11-2011
Wari in the finals of the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship

Cellular Systems International, a company based in Dakar and which provides an electronic payment platform under the brand Wari, has been named as one of ten finalists for the "Africa Awards" prize for Entrepreneurship 2011, as announced through a press release.
The "Africa Awards” is initiated by Legatum, a private international investment group and Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm.  The prize celebrates “business excellence within Africa, helping to build a strong network of African entrepreneurs” explains the text. “[...] our 10 finalists demonstrate the breadth and depth of entrepreneurial talent across the continent today.” 
The CSI business began in 2008 to create a shared service platform which enables the general public to use existing networks to spread the accessibility of mobile payments. 
The text argues that the finalists will present their businesses to an international jury of entrepreneurs headed by Malik Fall, Managing Director of Endeavor.
“The jury will also include some of Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs and investors, amongst whom are Kamal Budhabhatti, Grand Prize Winner of the 2010 Africa Awards; James Manyika, Director of the McKinsey Global Institute; and Ayisi Makitiani, the CEO of Fanisi Capital” the same source informs.
The text also tells that this year saw a record 3,300 companies from 48 African countries submit entries to compete for the Grand Prize of US $100,000 and six other prizes of US $50,000 each, including the Coca-Cola Prize for an Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur. 
» Website
» Press release