Business journalist from the Daily Monitor newspaper in Uganda, Deogratius Wamala, is the winner of the 2025 Sanlam Group Financial Journalist of the Year award which was presented at a gala dinner in Johannesburg celebrating the 51^st anniversary of the awards.

A winner of the Best Newcomer prize in the 2024 edition of these awards, Wamala was recognised by the independent panel of judges for his insightful and compelling journalism looking at The African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for African growth inside the new global economic order.

Wamala is a business writer with a sharp analytical edge and a deep interest in capital markets, financial innovation, and the intersection of policy and enterprise. He covers complex stories ranging from fintech disruptions and stock market shifts to startup funding trends and regulatory shake-ups, with clarity, depth, and narrative flair.

In addition to the Financial Journalist of the Year prize and African Growth Story Award, the other main award was the Best Newcomer.

This year the Best Newcomer award went to Ruby Delahunt with Currency News, South Africa who is a first-time entrant in the awards. She is a junior journalist at Currency with a passion for politics, current affairs, and the written word. Ruby is a Wits University graduate with a degree in journalism and media studies and was named student journalist of the year.

“As we celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Sanlam Group Financial Journalist of the Year Awards, we congratulate all the winners and participants whose work continues to showcase the depth of journalistic talent across Africa. These awards recognise the critical role that credible, insightful financial reporting plays in advancing economic understanding and enriching public discourse. We are inspired by the quality of entries received this year and look forward to seeing African financial journalism continue to inform, challenge and elevate conversations about the continent’s future,” said Shadi Chauke, Sanlam Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Sustainability.

The judging panel featured a diverse group of professionals from across the continent, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise. Chaired by Nixon Kariithi, a media academic, the panel included Angela Agoawike, a media practitioner from Nigeria; Emily May Brown, a media studies lecturer from Namibia; Freddie Rayborn Bulley, a financial journalism trainer from Ghana; Ylva Rodny Gumede, a media studies and international relations scholar from South Africa; Tom Indimuli, a communications consultant; Mr Ulrich Joubert, an independent economist from South Africa; Ms Lizeka Mda, a former news editor and media trainer based in South Africa; and Mr Musa Zondi, a communications consultant and environmental writer.

This dedicated group of judges played a pivotal role in evaluating the entries with professionalism and integrity.

The full list of winners and runners-up includes:

2025 - 2026 Sanlam Group Financial Journalism Awards - Winners' list

Founded in 1974, the Sanlam Group Financial Journalism Awards celebrate their milestone 51st anniversary this year, continuing their legacy of rewarding excellence in business reporting across the African continent. Co-sponsored since 2023 by Santam, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, the competition attracted 183 entries from 17 countries for this year's edition.