Africa Tech Festival Awards
Be part of Africa's most influential tech awards programme: A celebration of innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development across the continent.
15 November 2023 | The Bay Hotel, Cape Town
Reserve Your Table at the Africa Tech Festival Awards: Book Now!
Secure your spot at the Africa Tech Festival Awards! If you're interested in reserving your table at this prestigious event to join the celebration of innovation and excellence across Africa's tech ecosystem, please get in touch via email with jessica.roque@informa.com.
The Finalists of the 2023 Africa Tech Festival Awards
Congratulations to all those who have made it to the final!
Our judges are now deliberating, and the winners will be unveiled at the live ceremony, taking place at The Bay Hotel on Wednesday 15 November.
Be sure to book your seats/tables to join us for a fantastic evening of entertainment, networking, and celebrating the best in tech!
Connectivity For All Award
This award is dedicated to recognising and honouring network providers and services that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and effort in ensuring connectivity for all.
Finalists:
- Avanti Communications
- Angola Cables
- TooMuchWifi
Innovation for Impact Award
This award recognises innovations of products or services that have disrupted traditional approaches, introduced novel solutions, and created tangible value for businesses and individuals in Africa.
Finalists:
- MTN Uganda
- Safaricom PLC's 'Hustler Fund'
- Orange Cameroon
CXO of the Year Award
This award honours exceptional leaders in Africa and their outstanding contributions in building teams, setting new standards, and delivering on a clear vision in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Finalists:
- Yasser Shaker, CEO, Orange Egypt
- Dejan Kastelic, Group Chief Technology Officer, Vodacom Group
- Ahmed Yusef, CEO, Hormuud Telecom
Changing Lives Award
The Changing Lives Award is dedicated to recognising and honouring organisations and initiatives that are committed to improving lives across the continent.
Finalists:
- Vodacom Foundation DRC
- Sawa Youth Watch NGO
- Huawei & UNESCO: Connecting Schools Initiative
Female Innovator of the Year Award
This award seeks to honour the women who have made significant contributions to the fields of tech, media, and telecoms across Africa.
Finalists:
- Shalini Boodhooa, Liquid
- Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye, Chief Strategy Officer, Shoprite Nigeria
- Nene Maiga, CEO, Orange Botswana
Sustainability Champion of the Year Award
Formerly the 'Green ICT Champion Award', this award celebrates the remarkable achievements of individuals or organisations leading the way in the development and integration of sustainable energy solutions.
Finalists:
- Rack Centre
- Orange Middle East & Africa
- South Africa MTN & Huawei
Fintech Innovation of the Year Award
This award acknowledges the transformative power of financial technology in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation.
Finalists:
- Tigo Tanzania
- Mukuru
- Vodacom Tanzania
Start-Up of the Year Award
This award acknowledges the entrepreneurial spirit, technological innovation, and potential impact of start-ups in driving growth, solving local challenges, and contributing to the advancement of Africa's tech ecosystem.
Finalists:
- Botlhale AI Solutions
- JOBJACK
- It's Learnable LLC
HealthTech Innovation of the Year Award
This award recognises innovative solutions that are changing lives, advancing healthcare, and making a significant positive impact on individuals and communities
Finalists:
- HealthX Africa
- Vodafone Egypt
- Zendawa
Creative Visionary Award
New for 2023, this award is dedicated to honouring exceptional media, broadcasting and entertainment professionals across the African continent.
Finalists:
- Andile Ncube
- Khutso Theledi
- Simone Venter
Celebrate Excellence at the 2023 Gala Dinner!
The Africa Tech Festival Awards are back in 2023, and this year, we're taking the celebration to new heights with a prestigious formal gala dinner at the iconic Bay Hotel in Cape Town.
We'll kick off the evening with a drinks reception, giving guests the opportunity to mingle and network with one another before being seated for a fabulous three-course meal, followed by the award show.
Get ready for an evening of glamour, excitement, and recognition as we honour the brightest stars of Africa's thriving tech ecosystem!
BOOKINGS NOW OPEN: Secure your spot at the Africa Tech Festival Awards! If you're interested in reserving your table, please get in touch via email with jessica.roque@informa.com.
MEET THE 2023 JUDGES
Gugu Mthembu
Chief Marketing Officer Telkom
Mlindi Mashologu
Deputy Director General (DDG) - ICT Information Society and Capacity Development Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Republic of South Africa
Motunrayo Opayinka
Founder & CEO, Womenovate
Nollie Maoto
Chief Data & Analytics Officer - Merchant Services, FNB
Thecla Mbongue
Research Manager, MEA, Omdia
Zachariah George
Managing Partner, Launch Africa Ventures
Partnership Opportunities
Get ready for the return of the Africa Tech Festival Awards, and join us to celebrate the visionaries who accelerate the continent's digital transformation.
As we prepare for this remarkable event, seize your chance to align your brand with Africa's most influential tech awards ceremony. Fill out the below form to download our brochure and discover more about:
- The 2023 Awards categories
- The details about the evening of glitz, glamour and celebration that we're planning
- Our awards programme in numbers
- Powerful reasons to associate your brand with our awards programme
- Our engaged community
- Our promotion timeline
- Partnership packages available
2023 ACTS
Get ready for the Africa Tech Festival Awards where technology meets entertainment.
Our confirmed acts for the night include a renowned DJ, a top comedian, and a captivating singing trio, promising a night of innovation, laughter, and soulful melodies that will make this awards ceremony truly unforgettable.
Lunga Tshuka
All-round entertainer, MC, Comedian, humanitarian and podcast host, Lunga Tshuka has grasped onto the funnier side of life - with a flair for mesmerizing an audience, Lunga is the perfect choice.
All these qualities add heart to his presence, giving his spectators a mix of humour, sound effects and storytelling. As a comedian, Lunga captivates audiences with a fresh take on comedy in South Africa, he inspires the youth and is a mental health activist.
Marn de Bluum
Marn De Bluum is an accomplished, versatile DJ who has travelled the globe to play an array of events - from festivals and clubs, to private and corporate music events across South Africa, Bali, the Philippines, and Europe.
The X-Tremes
Known as SA’s most loved female group, this larger than life trio, The X-Tremes, featuring Lulethu Zulu, Dorothy Malgas and Celeste Schoeman, has wowed audiences both locally and abroad with their energetic , bold, brassy, sassy renditions from motown to disco, soul to jazz, blending rock to burlesque to create the perfect entertainment.
From Broadway to Zingara, Africa to Asia, Mandoza to Gloria Gaynor these singing sensations have thrilled audiences with great accolades across the spectrum.
About the Africa Tech Festival Awards
Join us in our revamped event, featuring a fresh venue and an exclusive, premium experience. Our focus is on recognizing organizations and individuals driving innovation, promoting inclusion, and fostering sustainable development.
Get ready for a purpose-driven awards ceremony that highlights the remarkable achievements shaping Africa's tech ecosystem. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of an unforgettable evening that merges prestige, purpose, and a commitment to a brighter tomorrow.
Save the date and stay tuned for updates on the Africa Tech Festival Awards 2023 as we celebrate excellence and ignite a transformative journey towards a technologically advanced and sustainable Africa!
Discover last year's winners
Congratulations to all the 2022 winners!
You could be featured here this year. Nominations will close soon, so don't delay - submit your entry today!
Connectivity Project of the Year Award
WINNER: NuRAN Wireless
This award celebrates the network providers and services going above-and-beyond to provide connectivity in an environment where demand has never been higher, and broadband has become a lifeline for access to education & economic activity.
Most Innovative Product or Service Award
WINNER: Orange, Mahali
This Award recognises a game-changing product or service that has provided it's target market with significant new opportunities for revenue growth or customer satisfaction.
CXO of the Year Award
WINNER: Samuel Chiwanda, Click Mobile
'The CXO of the Year Award' recognises the outstanding achievements of CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, CDOs and others in driving development within the African tech space.
Changing Lives Award
WINNER: Hormuud Telecom
This award recognises organisations and initiatives that have made a significant contribution to helping us build a more accessible and inclusive digital world.
Female Innovator of the Year Award
WINNER: Oladiwura Oladepo, Tech4Dev
It's time to celebrate female achievement and contribution to technology, media & telecoms this year. This award will recognise the outstanding achievements of women who are playing a crucial role in African technology and telecommunications.
Africa’s Rising Star Award
WINNER: Joseph Lumbahe, Aizatron Group
Africa's Rising Star Awards has been launched to celebrate the emerging talent in African tech - recognising and identifying future leaders and disruptors.
Green ICT Champion
WINNER: Olufunso Somorin, African Development Bank
The Green ICT Champion of the Year Award celebrates the individual or organisation leading on the development and integration of sustainable energy solutions.
Fintech Innovation of the Year Award
WINNER: Kyanda Africa
The Fintech Innovation of the Year Award recognises the organisation, project or individual who has disrupted the African Fintech space.
Start-Up of the Year Award
WINNER: Womenovate
New for 2022, the Start-up of the Year Award recognises the most innovative start-up, that has showcased potential over the last year for high growth and purpose-driven impact.
HealthTech Innovation of the Year Award
WINNER: Nextwear Technologies
New for 2022, this award recognises emerging technologies for healthcare across Africa that are changing lives, advancing healthcare, and impacting individuals and communities for the better.
VC / Investor of the Year Award
WINNER: Meridiam
This Award recognises the most impactful fund in Africa, which provides investment to support, build and scale their investee businesses.
2022 Judges
Meet the expert panel of judges who determined last year's winners!
Laurie Fuller
Venture Partner
Raiven Capital
Toyosi Odukoya
Head of Business Intelligence
Mastercard Foundation
Paula Gilbert
Editor
Connecting Africa News
Thecla Mbongue
Senior Analyst
Omdia
Russell Southwood
CEO
Balancing Act
Dion Jerling
Instrumentalist
Connecting Earth
Abe Wakama
Managing Director
IT News Africa
Matt Reed
Chief Analyst
Omdia
