12 November 2025 | Rooftop on Bree
Africa Tech Festival Awards
The Africa Tech Festival Awards celebrated the most innovative and impactful tech achievements across the continent. The event showcased the latest in digital transformation, brought together industry leaders, and recognised those shaping the future of African technology.
2025 Awards Timeline
Here is the timeline for the 2025 Africa Tech Festival Awards!
Key information:
- The shortlist will consist of the top 5 candidates per category and will be subject to a public vote.
- The top three shortlisted candidates with the most votes from the public will progress to the finals.
- The finalists will be sent to our expert panel of judges, who will determine the winners.
- The winners will be announced live at the ceremony in Cape Town on 12 November.
2025 Award Categories
Connectivity for All
Celebrating outstanding efforts to close the digital divide, this award honours a project, organisation or partnership that has significantly improved access to reliable, affordable connectivity in underserved or remote regions, contributing to social inclusion and digital empowerment.
New for 2025!
AI Leader of the Year
This award recognises an individual or organisation at the forefront of artificial intelligence in Africa, demonstrating innovative thinking, real-world impact, and a commitment to using AI to drive inclusive, ethical, and transformative progress across industries and communities.
New for 2025!
Telco of the Year
This award is dedicated to recognising and honouring network providers and services that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and effort in ensuring connectivity for all.
2024 Winner: MTN Ghana
Innovation for Impact
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.
2024 Winner: WIOCC Group
CXO of the Year
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.
2024 Winner: Patrick Benon, Orange Cameroon
Changing Lives
The Changing Lives Award is dedicated to recognising and honouring organisations and initiatives that are committed to improving lives across the continent.
2024 Winner: Orange Burkina Faso
Female Innovator of the Year
This award seeks to honour the women who have made significant contributions to the fields of tech, media, and telecoms across Africa.
2024 Winner: Toyosi Odukoya
Fintech Innovation of the Year
This award acknowledges the transformative power of financial technology in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation.
2024 Winner: Ecentric Payment Systems (Including partners: Eastern Cape Transport Tertiary Cooperative Limited (ECTTC) & FORUS Digital)
Startup of the Year
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.
2024 Winner: SprintHive
Cybersecurity Leader of the Year
The Cybersecurity Leader of the Year Award honours exceptional individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in the cybersecurity field.
2024 Winner: Sithembile Songo
Africa Tech Festival Awards Shortlist
Voting for the Africa Tech Festival Awards is now open! The 3 candidates with the most votes within each category will go on to become our finalists. Voting will close on Friday 24 October, finalists announced on Monday 27 October and sent to our expert panel of judges, who will determine the winners.
Connectivity for All
expand_more- Orange
- CSquared Group
- Nokia Rural Connect
- IFC / Airtel Africa
- Avanti Communications
AI Leader of the Year
expand_more- Sandiso Sibisi - Director, COOi Studios
- Mr. Veemal Gungadin - CEO, Mauritius Telecom
- Yasser Shaker - CEO, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA)
- Dr Bosun Tijani - Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
- Joseph Lumbahe - Senior AI Technology Specialist at Microsoft South Africa
Telco of the Year
expand_more- LANCK Telecom
- Mauritius Telecom
- ORANGE DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- SAFARICOM PLC
- Vodacom
Innovation for Impact
expand_more- Mafikeng Digital Innovation Hub (MDIHub)
- Mastercard Community Pass
- AXIAN Telecom
- IFC / Airtel Africa
- First National Bank of Eswatini
CXO of the Year
expand_more- Michael Lazarus - CTO, Wonga South Africa
- Stephen Blewett - CEO, MTN Ghana
- Dejan Kastelic - CTO, Vodacom
- Dido wa Kalonji - CIO, First National Bank of Eswatini
- Yasser Shaker - CEO, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA)
Changing Lives
expand_more- The Collective X
- Jonathan Calder - Director of Commercial IT & Digital - Innovation, AstraZeneca (MEA)
- SES and the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI)
- Vodacom Tanzania
- Rose Pola Pricemou - Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Republic of Guinea
Female Innovator of the Year
expand_more- Carla Wilby - Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Orca
- Chilufya Mutale - Mwila - Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer (CVO), eShandi
- Rutendo Nyamuda - Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Podcast Sessions Magazine
- Tshaamano Mabuba - Founder and CEO, Buddy Learning
- Ms Ennaifer Asma - Senior VP CSR, Orange Middle East & Africa
Fintech Innovation of the Year
expand_more- eShandi
- PAYTOTA
- Mauritius Telecom
- Vodacom
- JabuPay
Startup of the Year
expand_more- Lux Afrique Boutique
- glu Mutual
- COOi Studios
- Proto Care
- Booi Industries (Pty) Ltd
Cybersecurity Leader of the Year
expand_more- Johnson Adeniken - CEO, Uridium Technologies
- Galeboe Mogotsi - CISO, University of the Witwatersrand
- Tim Theuri - CISO, M-Pesa Africa
- Silvio Kutic - CEO & Founder, Infobip
- Justin Williams - CISO, MTN