Futurelect is revolutionizing civic education and leadership development across Africa through its innovative, tech-led Civic Education Programme. By leveraging a mobile app and web platform, Futurelect provides accessible and engaging educational content to diverse audiences, helping citizens understand their rights and responsibilities in democratic processes. Remarkably, 68% of surveyed users stated that Futurelect’s content motivated them to vote in the May 2024 South African elections, showcasing its significant impact on democratic participation. Additionally, Futurelect has empowered numerous graduates, including 11 who ran in the recent elections, further demonstrating its commitment to fostering ethical public leadership.

Through its comprehensive programmes, Futurelect equips the next generation of African leaders with knowledge, integrity, and leadership skills. The organisation champions gender equality and community engagement while addressing global challenges such as digital access to education and fostering democratic values. By removing barriers to civic education, Futurelect ensures that citizens from all walks of life can engage more actively in governance.

MTN, Africa’s largest mobile network operator, serves 288 million customers across 18 markets, offering a range of voice, data, fintech, digital, and enterprise services. Driven by the purpose to enable the benefits of a modern connected life for everyone, MTN is committed to bridging the digital divide, furthering financial inclusion, and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a strategic focus on leveraging its infrastructure and technology platforms, MTN is helping to build a sustainable and inclusive society across Africa. The company’s core values—Lead with Care, Can do with Integrity, Serve with Respect, Collaborate with Agility, and Act with Inclusion—shape its operations and community engagement efforts.

MTN Y’ello Care, launched in 2007, is a powerful annual volunteer initiative that mobilizes MTN staff to make a lasting impact in the communities they serve. Each June, thousands of employees participate in activities ranging from constructing schools and hospitals to setting up computer labs and organizing blood donation drives. Y’ello Care campaigns have addressed pressing challenges like malaria prevention, digital education, and entrepreneurial support. The 2024 campaign, titled “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow,” extended for 30 days, focusing on bridging the educational divide in remote and rural areas by refurbishing schools, establishing digital libraries, and providing digital literacy training. Y’ello Care exemplifies MTN’s commitment to transforming lives across Africa, leaving no community behind.

Nokia's Action for Employability programme, developed in partnership with UN Women, is a powerful initiative that highlights the company's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment. By combining Nokia’s technological resources with UN Women’s expertise, this programme focuses on enhancing digital fluency and business skills among underprivileged women, helping to boost their employability and entrepreneurship opportunities. Through tailored training and mentorship, the programme enables women from marginalised communities to gain the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Key outcomes include impactful projects in South Africa, Kenya, and Tunisia, where women have been empowered with digital skills, entrepreneurship training, and mentorship. Notably, in Kenya, the programme inspired 22% of the 270 participating girls to pursue STEM subjects, highlighting its success in fostering future tech talent. By offering these vital resources, Nokia's Action for Employability programme plays a crucial role in advancing gender equality, empowering women, and setting a standard for social impact in the tech industry.

CAPACITI, a flagship initiative of UVU Africa, is dedicated to fostering inclusive growth in Africa's digital economy by equipping young talent with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive in the tech sector. With a focus on addressing unemployment and digital exclusion, CAPACITI has become one of Africa's leading tech career accelerators, offering industry-aligned training in software development, data science, cybersecurity, and more. The programme provides a comprehensive blend of technical skills, soft skills development, mentorship, and hands-on work experience, enabling thousands of graduates to secure meaningful employment in leading companies across Africa.

CAPACITI's impact is profound, having facilitated the employment of over 6,500 young professionals and achieved a 90% placement rate for graduates. The programme's commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly prioritizing women and underrepresented groups, has helped break barriers to entry into the tech industry for underserved youth. By collaborating with corporates, government agencies, and tech hubs, CAPACITI is building a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals and driving systemic change in Africa’s digital economy. Its recognition as a leader in scalable digital skills training and employment makes it a deserving candidate for awards celebrating impact in the tech space.

The State Department for Housing and Urban Development in Kenya is dedicated to facilitating access to affordable, decent housing and ensuring urban planning for sustainable development. Recognizing the outdated nature of the 1968 Building Code, the government introduced the new 2024 Building Code, which addresses modern challenges, including sustainable building designs for telecommunications infrastructure. Key elements of the new code include provisions for telecommunication installations in buildings, network termination points, and dedicated spaces for telecommunication equipment, all aimed at supporting Kenya's digital transformation.

Under the Affordable Housing Program, the Government of Kenya aims to develop 250,000 affordable housing units annually, which will not only provide homes but also trigger economic growth, job creation, and wealth generation. The new Building Code includes a fiber pre-deployment policy, ensuring that 1 million housing units over the next five years will be fiber broadband-enabled, significantly increasing digital connectivity. This initiative is expected to enhance broadband access for low-income families and reduce broadband connection costs by USD 50 million. The success of this policy has been recognized internationally, inspiring similar initiatives across African countries, further accelerating digital inclusion on the continent.

Orange Burkina Faso has demonstrated exceptional resilience and innovation by restoring essential telecommunications services to isolated communities in the face of extreme security challenges. With Burkina Faso's infrastructure severely impacted by unrest, many rural areas were cut off from communication due to damaged fiber networks. In partnership with Intelsat, Orange Burkina Faso deployed a scalable satellite solution, enabling rapid re-establishment of voice calls, internet access, and mobile money services for disconnected regions. This solution provided a lifeline to communities that had been without basic communication for months, helping people reconnect with family and access vital services.

The success of this project goes beyond restoring connectivity—it has empowered entire communities by reestablishing communication, improving security, and allowing people to continue their livelihoods. The partnership with Intelsat, which trained local teams to manage the satellite network, ensures sustainability and scalability for future growth. This innovative and rapid deployment model has transformed the lives of many.

The organization or initiative must demonstrate significant positive effects on the lives of individuals and communities, addressing key issues such as health, education, poverty alleviation, and social inclusion.

The solutions provided should showcase innovative approaches and creative strategies to tackle pressing problems, setting new standards for impact and effectiveness.

The impact of the organization or initiative should be evidenced by clear, measurable outcomes and tangible improvements in the targeted areas.