Telecoms & Networks News South Africa

2020 AfricaCom Awards shortlist revealed

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
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 TourĂ©, 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:

  • 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
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