2020 AfricaCom Awards shortlist revealed

2 Nov 2020

The 2020 AfricaCom Awards shortlist was recently revealed. The annual awards acknowledge those that are leading the way in the telecommunications and technology sectors in Africa.

Photo by NESA by Makers on Unsplash

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.

Categories and shortlisted nominees are:

Last Mile Connectivity Award
Nokia - LTE fixed wireless access for 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 operations capabilities and platform lands first deal in Africa with MTN BeninEvina 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 Changing Lives: Building a Better, More Inclusive, Digital World 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

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 SudanOrange 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 Individual Life, Savings and Closed Book at Sanlam (SPF)
Onica Makwakwa, head of Africa at Alliance For Affordable Internet
Rapelang Rabana, ‎founder and 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 and CEO at Baobab Circle
Santosh Komal, chief data officer for global markets at Standard Bank Group
William Anwana, financial officer - corporate and 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: