Johannesburg – Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive, received top honours at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) hosted on 12 November 2025, where decades of his trailblazing achievements were recognised and for which he was presented with CNBC Africa’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the African of the Year Award.
Accepting the accolades at the gala banquet, Stephen Saad expressed deep gratitude and said, “I wish to commend all other winners and nominees whose efforts have meaningfully contributed in so many different spheres to our continent.”
On presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Stephen said, “I’m overwhelmed to be considered a worthy recipient of this Award. Aspen is purpose driven. What drives us is facilitating access to medicines to those most in need and keeping the African flag flying in a competitive global landscape. It is surreal to receive an award for something that makes every day worth waking up for and drives you to strive for more.”
“Keep persevering, keep knocking and muster up the courage to never give up. Lessons in life don’t come from getting things right the first time, but rather, following the bends in the road and managing struggles to achieve success. To sustain momentum for a lifetime you need purpose in all you do and you need to do something worthwhile and contribute positively to society and to those who need it most. These paybacks are beyond material returns. You wake up happy and energised to take on each new day together with a team of some 10 000 people around the world who are committed to what we do, believe in what we do, and who help us to ensure that our contribution to society is the biggest line on our income statement. “
Accepting the African of the Year Award, an emotional Stephen proudly declared, “I am an African and I love Africa with every fibre of my being. We put the African patient at the centre of everything that we do and we punch above our weight by producing millions and millions of tablets and building manufacturing facilities across Africa. During Covid we managed to push ourselves to the front of the queue. Through 1000% commitment and a partnership with Johnson & Johnson, we produced millions of Covid vaccines in Africa for Africa. We were determined not to be left behind and to dispel the myth about Africa’s capabilities. Beyond our manufacturing facilities across the continent, our perseverance gives hope and restores pride as we strive to establish a pathway for healthcare independence.”
“No longer can anyone tell us that Africa can’t manufacture medicines. We have paediatric vaccines and insulins for African patients that are months away from being delivered. We are progressing our programme to bring our affordable GLP-1s to Africa to fight diabetes. Witnessing inequitable access to health and being placed at the back of the queue taught us that we need to look after our people across the continent. We committed to Africa to create capacity for one vaccine for one African, and we will honour our commitment not to rely on anyone else but to look after Africa.”
Saad added that these awards are a testament to the commitment, dedication and perseverance of Aspen’s employees, who tirelessly contribute to our mission of providing equitable access to high quality medicines across over 100 countries.
He added, “I wish to acknowledge Gus Attridge who started with me as well as so many within the Aspen management team who have travelled and still travel this journey alongside me for over two decades. The Board who believed in what we do, and my family who have been my pillar of support. Thank you to my big five – my wife Lynda, my four daughters Savannah, Keara, Olivia, Dayna, my mom Patricia and my late father Paul.”
CNBC Africa’s AABLA are hosted in partnership with Forbes Africa in recognition of the best in business leadership in Africa. The AABLA have grown in stature and remain Africa’s premier and largest single-business awards that focus on continental perseverance, success, innovation, and accountability..This year marks the 13th annual AABLA which are validated by SNG Grant Thornton in association with research partner Henley Business School.
