The shortlist for the 2020 AfricaCom Awards has been released.
The annual awards are an industry benchmark acknowledging those who are leading the way in the telecommunications and technology sectors in Africa.
Despite the challenges that have beset the world throughout 2020, this year’s awards highlight and pay homage to those people and organisations that are building a better and more inclusive digital world.
Democratically elected, this year, all categories will entail a public vote, which will close at midnight SAST on Sunday 8 November, with the overall winners announced at the headline keynotes at the virtual Africa Tech Festival.
The Africa Tech Festival is the newly-launched event that now incorporates, AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AHUB and more.
Mike van den Bergh, chief marketing officer of PCCW Global, which is a founding sponsor of the AfricaCom Awards, remarks: “Given the trying circumstances many have endured in 2020, PCCW Global is especially delighted to continue our sponsorship of the AfricaCom Awards this year.
“Now more than ever, it is important for us all to celebrate the innovative products and solutions that have been developed by both companies and individuals to improve African connectivity, as we drive the continent forward into the fourth industrial revolution. Good luck to all those who have entered and been shortlisted.”
Categories and shortlisted nominees are:
Last Mile Connectivity Award
Nokia – LTE Fixed Wireless Access for superior last mile connectivity for Tizeti’s subscribers in Nigeria
Liquid Telecom – connecting the DRC and South Sudan
Vodacom Tanzania’s Smart Kitochi, enabled by KaiOS
Most Innovative Product or Service Award
Ericsson Operations Engine, Ericsson’s intelligent operations capabilities and platform, lands first deal in Africa with MTN Benin
Evina DCBProject
Huawei and rain jointly develop the Quick-win Modular Site Solution
Orange – Smart Energie – Rural Electrification
PCCW Global – Console Connect
Upstream – Secure-D
COVID-19 Response Award
Africa Data Centres – Colocation Initiative
Liquid Telecom – Keeping Kenya’s Children Learning by Empowering ICT Enabled Teaching During COVID-19
Orange Middle East -Free mobile access to educational content during Covid-19 crisis
Telecom26 and SystemOne – Using IoT for COVID testing in Malawi and Zimbabwe
Huawei – O&M AUTIN Grid-based Operations.
Changing Lives: Building a Better, More Inclusive, Digital World Award (sponsored by Intelsat)
Ericsson and MTN 5G launch in South Africa powered by Ericsson’s Core network
Huawei Supports Kenya ICT Skills and Talent Development with DigiTruck
Intelsat – AMN (Africa Mobile Networks)
Liquid Telecom – connecting the DRC and South Sudan
Orange Campus Africa
Parallel Wireless ALL G Open RAN
Radisys – Smart Feature Phone
Female Innovator of the Year Award
Aicha Touré, CEO at Orange Finances Mobiles Mali
Amanda Obidike, Executive Director of Stemi Makers Africa
Baratang Miya, Founder And CEO at Girlhype
Helina Ayalew, Head Of Digital Education at Liquid Telecom
Hlengiwe Portia Masimula, Ceo And Co-Founder of Karisani It
Katie Hill, Director of Power Management and Strategic Initiatives at Africa Data Centres
Oliva Liyema Zake-Maqwazima, CIO at Sanlam Indivudual Life, Savings and Closed Book at Sanlam (SPF)
Onica Makwakwa, Head Of Africa at Alliance For Affordable Internet
Rapelang Rabana, founder & CEO at Rekindle Learning
Shannon Smuts Brauer, Founder and CEO at Pure Good Food
Dr Tashmia Ismail-saville, Chief Executive at Youth Employment Service (Yes)
Enterprise CXO of the Year Award
Ntambi Ravele, Founder and Chairperson at Sport Africa Women and Sport Foundation
Nyimpini Mabunda, Chief Executive Officer at General Electric
Precious Lunga, Co-Founder & CEO at Baobab Circle
Santosh Komal, Chief Data Officer for Global Markets at Standard Bank Group
William Anwana, Financial Officer – Corporate & Investment Banking At Sterling Bank Plc
CXO of the Year Award
This accolade is awarded to an African-based telecoms leader who is at the forefront of navigating their organisation through Industry 4.0, by prioritising innovation, embracing disruptive tech and elevating the continent’s digital economy:
Aminata Kane, CEO at Orange, Sierra Leone
Malik Melamu, CEO at MTN, Sudan
Marc Halbfinger, CEO at PCCW Global
Stephane Duproz, CEO at Africa Data Centres