AfriTech 5.0
AI & SOVEREIGN TECH
As Artificial Intelligence rapidly transforms economies and societies, Africa must define its own path toward digital sovereignty, the ability to build, govern, and safeguard its digital ecosystems. AfriTECH 5.0 will explore how governments, innovators, and institutions can harness AI and emerging technologies to power inclusive growth, protect data integrity, localize innovation, and foster sustainable tech ecosystems.
KEY OBJECTIVE
· Stimulate strategic dialogue on Africa’s position in the global AI race
· Explore pathways to data sovereignty and digital infrastructure ownership
· Promote indigenous innovation in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, fintech, and govtech
· Highlight policies and frameworks to support responsible AI development
· Facilitate partnerships between startups, corporates, governments, and investors
· Drive advocacy around building secure, inclusive, and sovereign tech ecosystems.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
· Government Officials (ICT, Digital Economy, Science & Tech)
· CEOs, CTOs, and Digital Transformation Leads
· Global Development Agencies & International Organisations
· Innovators, Startups, Venture Capitalists
· Policy Think Tanks, Legal & Data Governance Experts
· Academic Institutions & Research Bodies
· Media, Civil Society and Digital Rights Advocates
Why Participate?
Influence the future of digital policy and innovation in Africa
Gain visibility among key decision-makers and ecosystem builders
Be part of shaping the continent’s AI readiness and sovereignty strategy
Access high-level B2B and B2G networking opportunities
meet our speakers
OUR SPONSORS
AfriTECH Gallery
…Honouring Innovation. Inspiring Transformation
The Africa Tech Alliance (ATAEx) Excellence Awards 2025 is set to celebrate outstanding innovation, leadership, and impact across Africa’s technology ecosystem. This year’s edition features an expanded list of categories recognizing excellence in fintech, telecoms, digital infrastructure, sustainability, startups, policy leadership, and inclusion.
The categories are designed to spotlight the trailblazers and changemakers shaping Africa’s digital future, from transformative public institutions to visionary private enterprises and innovative individuals driving progress across the continent.
Digital Transformation Leadership Award
Recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional leadership in leveraging technology to drive digital transformation within the public or private sector improving efficiency, service delivery, and citizen engagement.
Blockchain Advocate of the Year
Honours a visionary leader or organization championing blockchain adoption, education, and policy advocacy across Africa, helping to shape trust, transparency, and innovation in digital finance and governance.
AI Startup of the Year
Celebrates a pioneering startup that is creatively applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve real-world problems in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, or fintech, demonstrating innovation, scalability, and social impact.
African Cybersecurity Mastery Award
Recognizes excellence in cybersecurity innovation, awareness, and infrastructure protection. This category honours an individual or institution driving Africa’s digital safety and resilience against cyber threats.
ATAEx Internet Exchange Point of the Year
Awarded to the Internet Exchange Point (IXP) demonstrating outstanding performance in improving internet interconnectivity, reducing latency, and enhancing broadband reliability within and beyond its region.
PR Champion in Public Service Award
Acknowledges a government or public sector communications professional who has exemplified transparency, strategic messaging, and effective public engagement through proactive and ethical communication practices.
PR Champion of Africa Award
Recognizes a communications leader or organization whose work has elevated Africa’s image globally, through thought leadership, impactful storytelling, and strategic communication campaigns.
Africa Tech Community of the Year
Honours a technology-driven community or network making measurable contributions to knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and youth empowerment in Africa’s digital ecosystem.
ICT Company of the Year
Awarded to an information and communications technology company that has shown consistent innovation, customer-centric service, and a proven contribution to Africa’s digital economy.
Best Data Centre Colocation Provider of the Year
Recognizes a colocation service provider that delivers exceptional infrastructure reliability, uptime, energy efficiency, and data sovereignty, powering Africa’s cloud and digital infrastructure growth.
Outstanding ICT Solutions & Innovation Personality of the Year
Honours an individual whose creativity, leadership, and technological innovation have significantly advanced ICT development in Africa, inspiring transformative change through impactful solutions.
Mobile App Defense Excellence Award
Recognizes exceptional achievement in securing mobile applications and protecting users from cyber threats. This award highlights excellence in app security design, threat intelligence, and data protection.
Most Innovative Digital Bank Award
Celebrates a financial institution that has redefined digital banking through customer-centric innovations, fintech integration, and inclusive financial services that expand access across Africa.
Award in Data Centre Management
Acknowledges outstanding performance in data centre operations, infrastructure optimization, energy efficiency, and uptime reliability - setting the standard for digital backbone management.
ICT Innovation Storyteller Award
Honours a journalist, media platform, or content creator that consistently tells impactful stories about Africa’s ICT and innovation ecosystem - amplifying voices, milestones, and success stories that inspire growth.
Digital Reporting Excellence Award
Recognizes a media professional or platform demonstrating exceptional accuracy, depth, and analytical insight in digital technology and business reporting across Africa’s tech landscape.
Trailblazer in Tech Award
Celebrates a young or emerging professional who is breaking new ground in the tech industry through disruptive innovation, creativity, and leadership that inspires the next generation.
Outstanding Technology Law Practitioner of the Year
Honours a legal expert who has played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s technology laws, data protection frameworks, and digital rights advocacy - bridging innovation with regulation.
Global Technology Innovator Award
Acknowledges an African innovator or enterprise making significant global impact through world-class technology products, partnerships, or solutions with cross-border influence.
Tech Visionary Award
Recognizes an exceptional leader whose foresight, strategy, and commitment to innovation continue to shape the future of technology in Africa and inspire a culture of excellence.
Rising Star in Tech Award
Honours a young or emerging professional demonstrating exceptional talent, innovation, and leadership potential in Africa’s technology ecosystem, a future leader shaping tomorrow’s digital landscape.
Exceptional Innovation in FinTech of the Year Award
Recognizes the most groundbreaking fintech solution or company driving financial inclusion, transaction efficiency, and digital payment transformation across Africa’s financial ecosystem.
Excellence in Supply Chain Analytics of the Year Award
Celebrates an organization or team leveraging data analytics, AI, and digital tools to optimize supply chain operations, improve forecasting accuracy, and enhance logistics performance.
Risk Vanguard Award for Credit & Loan Monitoring Innovation
Honours a financial institution or technology provider developing advanced systems for real-time credit monitoring, loan risk management, and financial transparency, strengthening trust in lending.
Business Intelligence Mastery Award
Acknowledges an individual or organization driving impactful public technology infrastructure projects, from broadband expansion to e-governance and smart city initiatives, that enhance national development.
Blockchain Community of the Year
Celebrates a blockchain-focused network, association, or initiative fostering collaboration, education, and advocacy to advance blockchain adoption and innovation across Africa.
Champion of Public Tech Infrastructure Award
Acknowledges an individual or organization driving impactful public technology infrastructure projects, from broadband expansion to e-governance and smart city initiatives, that enhance national development.
Information Security Impact Award of the Year
Recognizes outstanding achievement in securing digital infrastructure, protecting critical data, and promoting cyber resilience through innovative information security strategies.
Direct Selling Company of the Year
Honours a direct selling enterprise that has demonstrated exceptional integrity, innovation, and customer engagement through technology-driven sales and transparent business practices.
Defender of Trust Award for Building and Maintaining Information Security Confidence
Celebrates an organization or individual who has built and maintained strong public trust by implementing robust cybersecurity measures and fostering a culture of digital confidence.
Data Innovation and Analytics Personality of the Year Award
Honours an outstanding individual whose innovative use of data analytics has driven strategic decision-making, operational efficiency, and digital transformation within their organization or industry.
Outstanding Supply Chain & Logistics Personality of the Year
Recognizes a visionary leader who has leveraged technology, data, and innovation to transform supply chain and logistics operations, ensuring resilience, transparency, and efficiency.
Smart Construction Innovator of the Year Award
Celebrates an individual or company pioneering the use of digital tools, IoT, AI, or automation in construction and infrastructure development to improve project delivery and sustainability
Ed-Tech Trailblazer Award
Acknowledges a startup, organization, or individual redefining education through technology, making learning more accessible, interactive, and inclusive across Africa.
Top Innovator Award in Digital Credit Strategy and Lending Analytics
Honours a fintech leader or institution using analytics, AI, and data intelligence to enhance credit scoring, lending efficiency, and financial inclusion through smart digital solutions.
Smart Construction Innovator of the Year Award
Celebrates an individual or company pioneering the use of digital tools, IoT, AI, or automation in construction and infrastructure development to improve project delivery and sustainability
Excellence in Financial Regulatory Compliance and AML Enforcement
Recognizes a financial organization or compliance leader demonstrating exceptional commitment to regulatory standards, transparency, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) enforcement across Africa’s financial ecosystem.
Leadership Award on Social Impact and Digital Transformation
Celebrates an individual or organization whose technology-driven initiatives have created measurable social change, empowering communities and advancing Africa’s digital inclusion agenda.
Emerging Nigerian Literary Voice of the Year
Honours a promising Nigerian writer whose originality, creativity, and literary craftsmanship are redefining contemporary storytelling and inspiring a new generation of voices.
Distinguished Achievement Award in Business Intelligence
Honours a professional or enterprise that exemplifies mastery in business intelligence, using data-driven insights to enhance strategic growth, innovation, and competitive advantage.
AI for Business Transformation Award
Honours an organization or individual leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize business operations, enhance decision-making, and deliver measurable impact. This award celebrates the innovative use of AI in driving efficiency, productivity, and digital competitiveness across Africa’s corporate landscape.
Do you know an individual, startup, or organization making exceptional contributions to Africa’s digital transformation?
This is your chance to celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact across the continent. Nominate deserving candidates or institutions for any of the ATAEx Award categories. Deadline: October 31st 2025.
Submit your nomination at via via: africatechallianceforum@gmail.com stating name of the nominee, email address of the nominee and why the nominee deserves the award in not more than 300 words.
Note: Nominations are subject to review by the committee which deserves the right to make final selection