Taking place online, this year’s AfricaCom Awards were run a little differently, with all winners selected through an open public voting system.
Congratulating the winners on their achievements, Tom Cuthell, event director of Africa Tech Festival (that includes AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AHUB, AccelerateHER), says: “In 2019, we saw an incremental shift to partnership and collaboration in the telco and technology space across the continent.
“This spirit of community and co-operation has been amplified throughout 2020 with the challenges that the world has faced in dealing with a global pandemic. The projects and winners in this year’s Awards are therefore representative of those building a better and more inclusive digital Africa.”
Categories and winners are:
* Last Mile Connectivity Award – Vodacom Tanzania’s Smart Kitochi, enabled by KaiOS
* Most Innovative Product or Service Award – PCCW Global: Console Connect
* COVID-19 Response Award – 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
* Female Innovator of the Year Award – Aicha Touré, CEO at Orange Finances Mobiles Mali, who is committed to making financial services more inclusive and accessible to all
* Enterprise CXO of the Year Award – William Anwana, Financial Officer – Corporate & Investment Banking At Sterling Bank Plc, for his insights on revenue optimisation, cost control and business strategy, as well as his expertise and abilities in forecasting and building partnerships that deliver
* CXO of the Year Award – Aminata Kane, CEO at Orange, Sierra Leone. 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.
Mike van den Bergh, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, PCCW Global, the founding sponsor of the AfricaCom Awards and also recognised in this year’s winning line-up, says: “Given the difficulties many of us have endured in 2020, it’s been both encouraging and motivating to celebrate the exceptional products and services that are improving African connectivity and fostering economic growth across the continent.
“Yet again, the AfricaCom Awards have given us the opportunity to recognise the remarkable individuals and companies behind these innovative solutions. Congratulations to all who entered and especially the respective category winners.”