THE LEDGER 100
The companies shaping African business
The flagship annual index of organisations that matter to Africa’s commercial future.
Recognition should mean something.
The final methodology will be published before applications open. Sample criteria below show the level of rigour envisaged.
The Index is a system, not a single list.
Five criteria. One editorial standard.
The Ledger Index uses a simple five-part framework to assess the companies, ideas and market developments featured across its five franchises. The weighting and interpretation vary slightly by franchise, reflecting what each list is designed to identify.
Meaningful difference
Is the company, idea or development making a material difference to people, markets or the wider economy?
Distinctive thinking or execution
Does it introduce a genuinely differentiated idea, model, product, process or approach?
Ability to grow or influence markets
Can it grow, travel across markets or exert influence beyond its immediate footprint?
Strength of supporting evidence
Are the claims supported by credible company, market, financial, customer or independent evidence?
Importance to African markets
Does it matter to African businesses, consumers, institutions or the continent’s commercial future?
Editorial research, market intelligence, public filings, company submissions, expert recommendations and Ledger reporting.
Candidates are assessed against the relevant franchise criteria and evidence requirements.
The Ledger editorial team reviews the evidence and develops the shortlist.
The final list is approved through an internal editorial review.
Selected organisations, ideas and signals are profiled with supporting evidence.
Impact · Innovation · Scale & Potential · Evidence · African Relevance
Evidence · Significance · Momentum · Business Implications · African Relevance
Market Potential · Emerging Evidence · Scalability · Strategic Importance · Time Horizon
Problem Significance · Originality · Evidence · Scalability · Potential Impact
Scale · Growth · Innovation · Resilience · African Relevance
Participation, sponsorship or commercial relationships do not guarantee inclusion, position or favourable coverage.
As The Ledger Index develops, we expect to introduce deeper datasets, independent experts, sector-specific criteria and additional transparency around scoring.