dx⁵ (formerly CIO Africa) has released its shortlist for this year’s CIO100 Awards now its 16th edition. The awards honour outstanding achievements made by technology leaders and organisations propelling digital transformation across Africa.
dx⁵ received over 600 applications with Kenya taking the largest share of the pie with 66% of the applications coming from the East African country.
Nigeria(10%), Rwanda(8%), Tanzania(5%), South Africa,(5%) Uganda(4%) and Ghana(2%) also sent in their applications.
The theme for this year’s awards is Future Proofing For Business Excellence.
“We received applications from over 600 organizations across the continent, which reflects Africa’s growing embrace of technology and its positive impact. Technology is the ultimate winner here, and it’s inspiring to witness our continent’s technological evolution,” said dx⁵’s Chairman and Co-Founder, Harry Hare.
The awards will recognize the top 100 companies using technology in innovative ways that deliver business value. British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria, Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and Sarova Hotels & Resorts are among the big companies that have made the list.
This year’s CIO100 Awards has 14 different categories that will also include county governments as well. The most sought-after award will be the CIO of the Year for the individual who has led the most compelling project that not only successfully incorporated technology but has also merged business strategy with the organisation’s vision.
This category has ten nominees who will compete against last year’s winner, Moses Okundi, CIO/CTO, of Absa Bank Kenya who has been nominated for the second year in a row. The nominees include:
- James Nyakomitta, Group CIO, APA Insurance
- Martin Mwarangu, Group General Manager – ICT/SAP Project Manager, KTDA
- Peter Kanda, CIO, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital
- Gilbert Mutai, Head of IT, Car and General Group
- Sachin Samat, Director – Group IT, NCBA Bank Kenya
- Charles Washika, Director ICT & Innovation, Co-operative Bank of Kenya
- Debra Ngina, IT Manager, Sarova Hotels & Resorts
- James Muigai, Director Information Technology & Operations, Sidian Bank
- Edgar Okioga, Area Head of DBS, West & Central Africa, BAT-Nigeria
- Kwame Makundi, Chief Technology & Digital Transformation, NMB Bank Plc.
The Local Government Award has nominees including:
- County Government of Kitui
- County Government of Nyandarua
- County Government of Makueni
Different government corporations also make an appearance including the Ministry of Water & Environment Uganda, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, and the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL).
The Education Sector Award, Health Sector Award, Manufacturing Sector Award, SACCO Sector Award, Insurance Sector Award, and Banking Sector Award are other categories under the CIO100 Awards.
Other interesting categories to look out for include the dxNova Woman of the Year Award which is a special recognition for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the tech sector, the Company of the Year Award and the CXO Influencer of the Year Award.
Special award categories include the GreenEdge Award which recognises environmental sustainability initiatives within the tech sector, the Infrastructure Award which highlights exceptional achievements in building robust IT infrastructure and the Cybersecurity Award which celebrates excellence in safeguarding digital assets from cyber threats.
The winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the Diamonds Leisure Beach and Golf Resort in Diani on the evening of 24 November 2023. This also rounds up the three-day CIO100 Symposium which will be held at the same venue.
