Africa’s biggest names in technology will be coming together in the Kenyan coastal town of Diani at the 15th annual CIO100 Symposium and Awards happening later next week from November 22nd to 24th.
The CIO100 Symposium and Awards is organized by dx⁵ (formerly CIO Africa and aims to celebrate and ultimately award different members of technology platforms, companies, and startups with this year including some government corporations and county government administrations.
dx⁵ recently released its shortlist for this year’s CIO100 Awards with companies like British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria, Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and Sarova Hotels & Resorts making the cut.
The event will have distinguished speakers including Eng. Joseph Tanui from the State Department of ICT & Digital Economy; and John Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis. The Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy will also be present to share insights on navigating digital transformation and embracing technological disruptions.
In a briefing with the press, the event’s speakers and partners shared what to expect from this year’s CIO100 Symposium and Awards.
“This event is not just a celebration; it’s a testament to the relentless spirit of innovation that drives our continent. By recognizing those at the forefront of integrating technology with business strategy, we are setting a standard and inspiring a future where technology is a pivotal part of business success and societal advancement in Africa,” said Harry Hare, the co-founder and Chairman of dx⁵.
“Our journey towards technological excellence is made possible by the support of our sponsors. Their commitment to fostering innovation and supporting our vision is invaluable,” he continued.
Vincent Milewa, the Managing Director at DownToEarth Technologies (DTE), said that the event has proven to be the greatest tech gathering in the continent. Apart from recognizing tech talent, Milewa added that the event provides a great environment for networking and for people in the technology space in Africa to exchange ideas.
“We (DTE Technologies) have been a part of this event for five years now and we always come back because of the people we meet at the event. We have made good contacts over the years that have enabled us to continue offering tech solutions to companies in Africa,” Milewa noted.
Other leaders expected to take part in the event include Jack Ngare, Technical Director at the Office of the CTO at Google; Dan Kwach, Managing Director for the East Africa Region at Africa Data Centres; George Njuguna, CIO of Safaricom; Sahil Arya, CIO of Gulf African Bank; Moses Okundi, CTO of Absa Bank Kenya; and Adesegun Orafidiya, Head of Technology & Digital (Consumer Marketing) for Sub-Saharan Africa at BAT Nigeria.
Topics to be explored include leadership in digital transformation, building resilient IT infrastructures, and the broader implications of digital transformation in Kenya and across Africa.
The agenda includes Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions, where experts will lead discussions on best practices in IT project management and strategies for implementing emergent technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
“We should not be scared of new technologies like AI taking over our jobs, I think that these technologies are here to help us achieve more and increase our productivity. Many people are afraid that AI will take their jobs but I believe AI will help create more jobs and people need to learn how to use these technologies to create more opportunities for the continent,” said Michael Michie, the co-founder of Everse Technology Africa and AI expert.
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.
