By Esther Onyegbula

BAT Nigeria, BATN, has been honoured with a Special Recognition Award at the 2025 CIO & C-Suite Awards Africa for its contributions to innovation, digital transformation and enterprise leadership across Africa.

The award was presented at a ceremony held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, where leading organisations and top executives were celebrated for advancing Africa’s digital and enterprise ecosystem.

Organisers of the CIO & C-Suite Awards Africa said BATN’s recognition underscores its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology, data-driven insights and strategic partnerships to drive operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of BAT Nigeria, Yarub Al-Bahrani, described the recognition as an honour and a validation of the company’s strategic direction.

“Being recognised with the Africa CIO Award is truly an honour,” he said. “This award is proof of the dedication of our people and the strength of our vision. At BATN, we believe that digital transformation is not just about technology, but about creating sustainable value, empowering our workforce and building resilience for the future.”

He explained that BATN’s operations are increasingly driven by digital innovation, noting that the company has implemented its Global Manufacturing System and integrated factory data into an Enterprise Data Platform to enable real-time insights and smarter decision-making.

According to him, initiatives such as the Utility Monitoring System and Smart Boiler project have helped the company optimise energy consumption, reduce downtime and enhance overall equipment effectiveness, resulting in measurable improvements in performance and sustainability across its manufacturing footprint.
On the commercial side, he said BATN’s trade and marketing operations are powered by an AI-enabled digital trade platform that streamlines execution and provides real-time data on brand performance and market dynamics.

The platform, he added, improves efficiency, strengthens KPI tracking and enables quicker response to evolving consumer needs, while deep consumer insights across Nigeria support tailored market strategies and product launches.

He stressed that the company remains committed to building a more efficient, consumer-focused and future-ready business capable of competing effectively and growing sustainably in Nigeria.

The CIO & C-Suite Awards Africa is a premier platform that celebrates visionary leaders and organisations shaping Africa’s digital and enterprise landscape. BATN’s recognition, stakeholders said, reflects its leadership in adopting transformative strategies that balance business growth with sustainability and innovation.