Africa AI Future Awards

Redefining how African consumers interact with brands

G

GotBot

South Africa

E

EngageMessage

E

EngageMessage

IH

Intelli Holdings

Kenya

R

Resolv

Recognises outstanding AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants that are transforming customer engagement and service delivery across Africa. It celebrates solutions that improve accessibility, efficiency, and user experience through intelligent automation. The award honours innovations that demonstrate measurable impact, scalability, and real-world adoption. Special consideration is given to solutions that address African needs, support local languages, and drive digital inclusion.

AI handling calls and queries at human quality or better

RA

Resolv AI

The AI Site Reliability Engineer

UA

Untapped AI

Sovereign voice automation and business process automation

BA

Botlhale AI

Natural language processing (NLP) and conversational AI tools

M

Mikaka

customer intelligence platform that provides AI-powered voice agent.

M

Mikaka

customer intelligence platform that provides AI-powered voice agent.

M

Mikaka

customer intelligence platform that provides AI-powered voice agent.

CA

Caantin AI

voice data engineering, evaluation, and deployment services

I

Intella

Voice and speech intelligence AI

W

WideBot

conversational AI solutions, chatbots, and automation tools

IA

Indigenius AI

voice intelligence and conversational AI

A

AethexAI

Provides low-latency voice AI infrastructure

I/

Intron / CX Intelligence

Low-latency conversational voice AI solution

M

Mobobi

AI-powered speech, language, and entertainment solutions

Seamless AI-powered customer experience across every channel

BA

Botlhale AI

In-depth post-call speech analytics, automatically evaluating agent performance while seamlessly handling conversations in multiple African languages.

C

Cue

AI-powered productivity and daily planning assistant, an AI meeting note-taker, and an enterprise customer service

J

JuaFlow

conversational operating system

M(

Moja (moja.cx)

customer experience platform

AT

Africa's Talking

API platform for software developers

KI

KOVA IQ

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

T

Termii

Communication Platform as a Service

W

WideBot

AI service platform

H

Helm

Customer Experience (CX) innovation company

Showing customers what they actually want

S

Sendy

Logistics, Route, & Customer Journey Optimization

K

Kwely

Logistics, Route, & Customer Journey Optimization

B

Bumpa

e-commerce and business management platform

C

Catlog

The Catlog Commerce Platform helps small businesses and social media merchants quickly build online stores

Q

QShop

Consumer Intelligence & Growth Platforms

Z

Zandaux

Consumer Intelligence & Growth Platforms

Winner

O

Ojamaker

AI-powered e-commerce website builder

Winner

DA

Dweche AI

a pan-African software engineering and artificial intelligence company

Winner

BA

BringitKonk AI

commerce infrastructure platform

Winner

WO

Waridi Online

AI-native, pan-African e-commerce platform

Winner

C

CLEVVA

Conversational AI technology company

Winner

C

Cartona

E-commerce marketplace.

Winner

LA

Lengo AI

artificial intelligence-driven market intelligence platform

Winner

W

Wasoko

B2B e-commerce platform

C

Chari

B2B e-commerce and FinTech

K

Kenzz

e-commerce platform

M

MaxAB

B2B e-commerce and fintech platform

L

Leta

AI-powered delivery management platform

SA

Synapse Analytics

enterprise AI credit risk platform

This award recognizes a government-led program, project, or deployment that has used artificial intelligence to meaningfully improve how the state serves its citizens. The winning initiative will have demonstrated clear problem definition, intentional AI application, measurable outcomes, and responsible implementation. We are looking for governments that moved beyond the pilot stage and delivered AI that citizens actually felt.

Winner

EA

Egypt’s Applied Innovation Center (AIC) & Supercomputing Initiative

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)

Winner

NA

Nigeria’s AI Scaling Hub & Revised NAIS

Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

Winner

DN

Diamniadio National Data Centre & Lion Supercomputer

Senegal · West Africa

Winner

CC

CCK Cloud Infrastructure Partnership

Tunisia · North Africa

TS

Trilateral Sovereign AI Pathway Project

Kenya · East Africa

DS

Digital Skills & Public Sector Automation Programme

Togo, West Africa

Winner

RN

Rwanda’s National AI Policy Implementation

Ministry of ICT & Innovation

CF

Center for AI Research (CAIR) & NRF Skills Fund

South Africa · Southern Africa

This award celebrates a city-level project that has used artificial intelligence to make urban life more efficient, safer, cleaner, or more equitable. From intelligent traffic management and waste collection optimization to AI-powered public lighting, water systems, and emergency response — this category honors the cities and municipalities building Africa's intelligent urban future. The project must demonstrate integration with real city infrastructure and tangible improvement in the quality of urban life

NC

Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC)

Modernizing Nairobi's water network with AI-driven leak detection.

UT

Upepo Technology

Turning water data into revenue and resilience for African utilities.

UW

Ubuntu Waterhub Africa

RFID and mobile-powered water access for underserved communities.

RT

Rwanda Transport Development Agency (Kigali Urban Transportation Infrastructure Project)

Re-engineering Kigali's busiest junctions for smarter, safer mobility.

V

Vumacam

Private-sector AI surveillance infrastructure scaling public safety citywide.

CO

City of Cape Town (Safety and Security Directorate - Metro CCTV Programme)

Data-backed crime detection across an expanding municipal camera network.

LS

Lagos State Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) - Safe City Project

Building Africa's largest AI camera network for urban safety.

KT

Konza Technopolis Development Authority

Kenya's "Silicon Savannah" innovation hub for the AI era.

CS

Casablanca Smart City Programme (City of Casablanca)

AI-driven traffic and environmental intelligence for Africa's top-ranked smart city ecosystem.

KI

Kigali Innovation City

Anchoring Rwanda's AI economy through connected urban innovation infrastructure.

AM

Abuja Midtown Smart District

An 841-hectare blueprint for AI-integrated urban infrastructure in Nigeria's capital.

DL

Diamniadio Lake City

Decongesting Dakar with a purpose-built smart urban satellite city.

VV

Ville Verte Eco-District (City of Rabat)

Africa's top-ranked smart city pairs green infrastructure with intelligent energy management.

KT

Konza Technopolis Smart Grid & Utility Command Center

Powering Africa’s Silicon Savannah through automated utilities and AI-driven command architectures.

SA

South African Municipal Smart Traffic Camera & Security Network

Enhancing urban transit flow and road accountability using real-time edge computer vision.

VS

VITIB SA & Excellia Properties (Harmonya Smart City and Golf)

The country's first large-scale digital green smart city – 70-hectare first phase, 1,500+ homes, blending tech and nature.

YG

Yango Group

AI route optimisation saved Abidjan residents over 815,000 hours in 2025 – the highest absolute gain among 28 cities analysed.

NA

New Alamein City Development Authority (Ministry of Interior)

A futuristic "Robo-Traffic Officer" that talks to citizens and manages traffic in a flagship smart city.

TM

Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG)

The Middle East's first fully AI-reliant "cognitive city" – a $27 billion urban revolution.

AA

Addis Ababa City Administration & Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII)

AI-enhanced digital service system and Africa's first unmanned "Smart Police Station" – transforming civic access across 50 districts.

A(

AAMUSTED (TRANS-SAFE Project)

EU-funded edge AI and computer vision for safer, smarter transport in Kumasi.

AM

Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA)

Smart SDG City Implementation Committee – using data-driven planning and AI for inclusive, resilient urban development.

RO

Republic of Ghana & People's Republic of China

A $1.5 billion green digital city – AI-driven e-services, tele-health, and transparent governance in one ecosystem.

RT

Research Team (npj Urban Sustainability study)

Lightweight deep learning "AI-voters" that map urban livability with 90% less data.

This award recognizes an organization within the broader public sector — beyond central government — that has successfully deployed AI to transform how it operates or delivers services. This includes public hospitals, public universities, state-owned enterprises, national utilities, revenue authorities, and public broadcasters. The winning deployment will show clear before-and-after impact: faster services, lower costs, reduced errors, or expanded reach. Ambition alone does not win here — execution does.

This award recognizes a comprehensive, multi-service digital government program that has placed AI at the center of how citizens access and experience public services. This goes beyond a single deployment — we are looking for programs that have transformed multiple touchpoints between citizen and state: identity verification, tax filing, permit processing, benefit disbursement, public records, or e-government portals. The winning program will show that AI has made government not just digital but genuinely intelligent, responsive, and citizen-centered.

AU

ATLAS Umoja AI Initiative (A joint program of Benin, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, and Togo)

Pioneering cross-border public-sector cooperation and open-source African language LLMs for civic services.

RN

Rwanda National AI e-Gov Public Integration Program

Embedding advanced cloud-based generative AI architectures across national public health and education frameworks.

UM

Unified MESOB National Platform (Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute)

Driving public sector efficiency and data-driven civic administration through unified AI systems.

RN

Rwanda National AI Policy & Public Sector Upskilling Program

Accelerating a machine-learning-literate civil service to govern and deploy ethical public tech.

KA

Kenya AI and Emerging Technologies Digital Governance Council

Pioneering inclusive and risk-classified AI frameworks to power smart cities and state utilities.

This award recognizes an organization — academic, independent, or institutional — that has produced the most significant body of AI research in Africa over the award period. We are not looking for volume alone. We are looking for research that is rigorous, relevant to African contexts, and influential enough to shape practice, policy, or further inquiry. The winning organization will have published credible work, contributed to the global AI knowledge base, and demonstrated a commitment to research that serves the continent rather than simply citing it as a data source.

MA

Meta AI

AI

Allen Institute for AI

M

Mila

LA

Lelapa AI

Research and Product Lab

GR

Google Research Africa

Advancing foundational AI research to drive real-world societal impact across Africa.

AI

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences(AIMS)

Advancing mathematical sciences for Africa's future

CF

Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR)

Advancing African Deep Learning and NLP Solutions

DS

Data Science Africa (DSA)

Empowering African communities through localized data science and machine learning research.

This award recognizes the physical or hybrid space that has done the most to concentrate, connect, and catalyze AI innovation in its community. Innovation hubs are where ideas meet people, people meet resources, and resources meet ambition. The winning hub will have created a demonstrably productive environment — measured not just by the number of members or events hosted, but by the ventures launched, collaborations formed, skills developed, and problems solved within its walls and networks. We are looking for hubs that have become genuine anchors of their local AI ecosystem

I

iHub

AS

AI Singapore

TA

The Alan Turing Institute

GI

Gabonese Innovation Centre

National AI and Innovation Acceleration Hub

UD

Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku AI Ecosystem

Academic AI Innovation and Research Hub

MD

Morocco-Gabon Digital Alliance for AI Skills

Bilateral AI Capacity-Building Initiative

DG

Deloitte Generative AI Centre of Excellence

Private-Sector AI Training and Innovation Hub

AI

ANGOTIC International Forum

National AI and ICT Innovation Platform

HA

Huawei Angola Research and Development Centre

AI and Digital Inclusion Infrastructure Project

TA

Timbuktoo Angola AgriTech Centre of Excellence

AgriTech AI and Innovation Hub

SL

SmartBots Lab at Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub

National AI and Frontier Technology Innovation Lab

AE

AAAS Energy-ChillMine Green Data Centre Campus

AI and Cloud Computing Infrastructure Hub

BR

Botswana Robotics and Automation Skills Transfer (BRAST) Project

National AI and Robotics Education Initiative

SI

Samsung Innovation Campus Libya

Digital Skills and AI Training Programme

CA

COMSTECH-Libya AI Research and Development Centre

University-Based AI Research Hub

CL

Code Libya Technology and Innovation Event

National Tech and AI Platform

GI

Guinea Innovation Corridor Technopole

National AI and Technology Innovation Hub

TA

Transform Africa Summit 2025 Conakry

Continental AI Policy and Innovation Platform

SI

Station IA at Institut Français de Guinée

Public AI Access and Education Hub

SA

SudaTutor AI-Powered Learning Platform

Diaspora-Built AI Education Initiative

UO

University of Khartoum AI Research Ecosystem

Academic AI Research and Training Hub

TP

Tech Park Cabo Verde

National AI and Technology Innovation Park

CV

Cabo Verde Justice AI Portal

AI-Powered Judicial Innovation Hub

MI

Morabeza Innovation Project

National Digital Economy and AI Investment Fund

This award honors the accelerator program that has done the most to take promising African AI startups from early concept to investment-ready venture. A great accelerator compresses time — it gives founders the mentorship, networks, capital connections, and structured support to in weeks what would otherwise take years. The winning accelerator will have a cohort track record that speaks for itself: startups that raised funding, reached customers, grew teams, and built real products. We are not rewarding applications accepted — we are rewarding outcomes produced.

T

TechstarsAi

GF

Google for Startups Accelerator

NI

NVIDIA Inception

CD

Creative Destruction Lab

This award recognises an outstanding academic institution, training academy, or learning organisation that has demonstrated excellence in AI education, skills development, and talent cultivation. It celebrates institutions that are equipping students and professionals with the knowledge and practical competencies needed to thrive in the AI era. The award honours organisations that have made a measurable impact through innovative programmes, industry partnerships, research, or workforce development initiatives. It also recognises their contribution to advancing AI adoption, innovation, and capacity building across Africa.

This award recognizes the incubator that has provided the most nurturing, sustained, and effective environment for early-stage AI ventures to find their footing. Where accelerators sprint, incubators walk alongside founders for the long haul — providing workspace, technical support, business development guidance, and a protective environment for ideas that are not yet ready to run. The winning incubator will have helped founders validate their ideas, build their first products, and develop the resilience needed to survive the earliest and most brutal phase of company building

GA

Google Applied AI Lab

Google's First Applied AI Lab in Africa

RA

RobotsMali AI4D Lab

IDRC-Funded Collaborative AI Research and Startup Incubation Hub

MD

Mali Digital Accelerator

National Digital Startup Incubation and Financing Programme

LI

Llama Impact Accelerator Program (Senegal Track)

Meta's Open-Source AI Accelerator Track for Senegalese Startups

UG

UniPod Guinée

UNDP-Timbuktoo AI and Green Technology Incubation Pod

U

UNIPOD-Togo

University-Based AI and Technology Incubation Centre

CI

CUBE Incubator

Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship Incubation Programme

IL

iLab Liberia

Tailored Incubation Programmes for Liberia's Startup Ecosystem

OD

Open Digital Hub

Research and Development Hub for Emerging Technologies including AI

UO

University of Joseph Ki-Zerbo Incubator

University-Based Digital Innovation and Startup Incubator

MD

Maison de l'Intelligence Artificielle du Burkina Faso (MIA-BF)

National AI Innovation and Incubation Hub

B

Benin.AI

National Strategic AI Platform and Ecosystem Builder

DS

Digital Spark Hub (Digital Niger)

Six-Month Tech Incubation Programme for Nigerien Startups

PA

Plug and Play Tech Center

MA

MEST Africa Pan

EF

Entrepreneur First

LA

Lelapa AI

Incubating Product-Ready AI for African Markets

MA

MEST AI Startup Program

Entrepreneurial Training and Incubation Programme

J

JHub

Digital Innovation Hub at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

EA

Eight AI Lab by Node Eight

AI Research, Product Development and Skills Training Lab

RA

Rwanda AI Scaling Hub

Government-Backed AI Scaling and Deployment Hub

NC

Novation City

Deep-Tech and AI Innovation Hub

NI

National Intelligence and Research University AI Incubator

Government-Funded AI Incubation Programme

MU

Makerere University AI Innovation Academy

Academic AI Incubation and Seed Funding Programme

This award recognizes the organization that has most consistently and credibly shaped how Africa thinks about artificial intelligence — its implications, its risks, its governance, and its possibilities. Think tanks occupy a unique space: they are not building products, writing code, or running startups. They are doing something equally important — generating the ideas, evidence, and arguments that inform the decisions of those who are. The winning think tank will have published influential work, engaged policymakers and practitioners, contributed to public discourse, and demonstrated independence of thought in a space where intellectual courage matters.

CF

Center for AI Safety

TA

The Alan Turing Institute

CF

Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law

KI

Kenya ICT Action Network

AI

Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence Africa

AI

AI Institute Africa

Celebrating individuals who are actively teaching and simplifying AI concepts to empower learners and build AI literacy across Africa.

Winner

DK

Dr. Kelvin Mambwe

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education

Winner

PM

Prof. Moustapha Cisse

Founder & Director, African Master's in Machine Intelligence (AMMI)

Winner

DJ

Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende

Head, Makerere AI Lab; Senior Lecturer, Makerere University

Winner

PA

Prof. Arthur Mutambara

University of Zimbabwe Policy Leader

Winner

DB

Dr. Bayo Adekanmbi

Founder & CEO, Data Science Nigeria

Winner

AY

Adewale Yusuf

Co-Founder & CEO, AltSchool Africa

Winner

DL

Deep Learning Indaba Collective

Pan-African ML Conference & Training Initiative

Winner

DE

Dr. Emily Mangwaya

Lupane State University

Winner

DR

Dr. Rosemary Ngara

Zimbabwe Open University

Winner

DT

Dr. Taye Girma Debelee

Ethiopian AI Institute - EAII

Winner

DA

Dr. Amsale Zelalem Bayih

Head of the Department of Computer Science

Winner

DM

Dr. Moise Busogi

Assistant Teaching Professor

Winner

LN

Leon Ntabomvura

University of Rwanda

Winner

PW

Prof. Wilfred Ndifon

Winner

DJ

Dr. Juma Mukiza

Université du Burundi

Winner

PJ

Prof. Jean-Claude Niyongabo

International University of Equator

Winner

AO

Ahmed Osman Ali

Winner

EM

Eng. Mohamed A. Mohamud

Jamhuriya University - JUST

Winner

DA

Dr. Abdikarim Muhiadin

SIMAD University

Winner

DJ

Dr. James Alala

University of Juba

Winner

DM

Dr. Machar Michael

University of Juba

Winner

PJ

Prof. John Akec

Tech Infrastructure Pioneer

Winner

PT

Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala

Expert in artificial intelligence

Winner

PA

Prof. Abejide Ade-Ibijola

Professor of Artificial Intelligence a

Celebrating professionals delivering practical AI training, workshops, and upskilling programs that equip individuals and teams with real-world AI skills

Winner

JM

James Manyika

Senior Vice President for Research, Technology, and Society at Google and Alphabet Inc

Winner

SM

Shakir Mohamed

Senior Research Scientist at Google DeepMind

Winner

MC

Moustapha Cisse

founder of the Google AI Research Lab in Accra, Ghana.

Winner

PB

Prof. Benjamin Rosman

Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand and head of the Autonomous Agents Research Group.

Winner

DN

Dr. Neema Mduma

Machine learning lecturer

Winner

KS

Kathleen Siminyu

AI researcher and language specialist

Winner

RR

Rebecca Ryakitimbo

Tech builder and dataset architect

Winner

PT

Philip Thigo

Special Envoy on Technology for Kenya

Winner

DS

Dr. Seydina Moussa Ndiaye

high-level AI advisor

Winner

RA

Rachel Adams

Principal Researcher

Winner

MW

Muthoni Wanyoike

Data scientist and tech ecosystem builder

Winner

TM

Theofrida Maginga

Academic and developer

Winner

CM

Chuma Memela

Multi Award Winning AI Consultant, Corporate Trainer, Speaker and Technology Entrepreneur | Managing Director, Genie-yus AI

This award honors the individual who has given their time, knowledge, experience, and networks to guide others through the AI space — not for recognition, but because they understood that their progress meant nothing if they did not bring others along. Great mentors are not always the most famous names in the room. They are the people whose mentees show up to accept awards and say a name the audience may not have heard before. The winning mentor will have demonstrably shaped the careers, confidence, or capabilities of others — through sustained one-on-one guidance, structured mentorship programs, or consistent community investment

DA

Dr. Abeba Birhane

Ethiopia · East Africa

TM

Toufiq Musah

Ghana · West Africa

BL

Bernes Lorier Atabonfack

Cameroon, Central Africa

AO

Ayomide Onasanya.

Nigeria · West Africa

KA

Khaoula Alaoui Belghiti

Morocco · North Africa

SM

Shakir Mohamed

South Africa · Southern Africa

VM

Vukosi Marivate

South Africa · Southern Africa

MC

Moustapha Cissé

Senegal · West Africa

YK

Yousri Kessentini

Tunisia · North Africa

JM

James Manyika

Zimbabwe · East Africa

BR

Benjamin Rosman

South Africa · Southern Africa

KK

Kate Kallot

Kenya · East Africa

ID

Inioluwa Deborah Raji

Nigeria · West Africa

This award recognizes the scholar whose body of academic work on artificial intelligence has made the most significant contribution to knowledge, discourse, or practice in Africa over the award period. This is not about social media presence or keynote invitations — it is about the quality, rigor, and relevance of academic output. The winning academic will have published work that other researchers cite, that policymakers reference, or that practitioners apply. Bonus recognition goes to academics whose work is grounded in African data, African problems, and African contexts — not simply imported frameworks applied to local datasets.

Winner

PO

Prof. Omneya Attallah

Professor of AI & Medical Diagnostics | Winner of DLI Cheikh Anta Diop Award

Winner

PB

Prof. Benjamin Rosman

Professor of Computer Science & Robotics, Wits University | Director, RAIL Lab

Winner

DS

Dr. Seydina Moussa Ndiaye

Lecturer at UNIKIN & Member of the UN Secretary-General's AI Advisory Body

DO

Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi

Founder & Lead Researcher, Data Science Nigeria (DSN AI)

Winner

PA

Prof. Abejide Ade-Ibijola

Full Professor of AI & Applications | Founder, GRIT Lab Africa

Winner

DW

Dr. Winston Ojenge

Senior AI & Data Science Researcher, African Center for Technology Studies

Winner

PM

Prof. Moustafa Youssef

Full Professor, AUC & Alexandria University | ACM & IEEE Fellow

Winner

DH

Dr. Herman Kamper

Associate Professor of Signal Processing & Machine Learning, Stellenbosch University

Winner

PS

Prof. Slimane Larabi

Professor of Computer Vision & AI, USTHB Algiers

Winner

DJ

Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende

Head of Makerere AI Health Lab | Senior Computer Science Lecturer

DA

Dr. Amelia Taylor

Senior Lecturer in Computer Science & IndabaX Malawi Founder

Winner

DV

Dr. Vianney Kengne

NLP Researcher for 250+ African Languages | Masakhane Lead

DK

Dr. Kathleen Siminyu

AI Researcher & African Language Tech Advocate

Winner

DY

Dr. Yinka Oni

Nithub AI Lab Director | AI for Fintech & Health

DL

Dr. Lilian Wanzare

Senior Lecturer in Computer Science & NLP Researcher

DR

Dr. Rose Nakasi

Lecturer & AI Researcher in Medical Imaging

This award celebrates the university lecturer who has made AI education inside formal higher education genuinely excellent. University lecturers operate under constraints that bootcamp trainers do not — rigid syllabi, under-resourced labs, large class sizes, institutional bureaucracy, and students arriving with wildly varying mathematical foundations. The winning lecturer will have found ways to teach AI effectively despite these constraints — producing graduates who are genuinely job-ready, research-capable, or entrepreneurially minded. We are also looking for lecturers who have gone beyond the classroom: supervising final-year AI projects, connecting students to industry, publishing alongside their students, or advocating for better AI curricula within their institutions.

Winner

PD

Prof. Delali Kwasi Dake

Associate Professor and Head of ICT Education, University of Education, Winneba

50 votes

DM

Dr. Mohamedi M. Mjahidi

Lecturer, University of Dodoma

NA

North African Olympiad in Informatics organizers

National AI and informatics education organizers

DT

Dr. Tabu S. Kondo

Senior Lecturer, University of Dodoma

DK

Dr. Kelly Joelle Gatore Sinigirira

Researcher, Lecturer and AI Applications Specialist

DA

Dr. Ally S. Nyamawe

Lecturer, University of Dodoma

DS

Dr. Sabiteka Micheline

Lecturer and Educational Technology Researcher

DN

Dr. Nathaniel Towo

Acting Dean, Moshi Co-operative University

JJ

Josua Jitimay

AI Educator and Research Community Leader

PC

Pamela Chogo

Lecturer, Institute of Accountancy Arusha

DG

Dr. Guy Degla

AI Researcher and University-Level Trainer

DO

Dr Olivier Habimana

Director of Open and e-Learning, University of Rwanda

PR

Prof. Roger Adom

Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny

DA

Dr Angélique Dekunde

Lecturer, School of Business Management and Economics, University of Kigali

PY

Prof. Yao Kouadio Jérémie

Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny

PJ

Prof. Ja'afar Usman

Professor of Information Technology, University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies (UTAB)

DK

Dr. Kouamé Konan N’Guessan

Lecturer and Researcher in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

DB

Dr Berthilde Uwamwezi

Academic and Researcher, University of Rwanda

DA

Dr. Awa Marie Coll Seck Kouassi

University Lecturer and AI Research Advocate

CP

Carine P. Mukamakuza

Academic and Digital Humanism Educator

PM

Prof. Mamadou Bamba

Professor of Computer Science and Emerging Technologies

DH

Dr Hawa Nyende

Lecturer and Researcher, Makerere University College of Computing and Information Sciences

MM

Michèle Mukeshimana

Senior Lecturer and Dean of the Institute of Digital Technologies, University of Burundi

DM

Dr Margaret Banga

Lecturer, School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University

The AI Influencer of the Year is the highest individual honor awarded to a visionary creator, educator, or practitioner who has fundamentally shaped the trajectory of the artificial intelligence ecosystem in Africa. This award recognizes the ultimate trailblazer who has successfully bridged the gap between complex, cutting-edge machine learning technology and practical, everyday real-world utility.

Winner

DB

Dr. Bright Gameli Hodzorli

Founder of AfricaHackon and a global cybersecurity strategist

Winner

NG

Nyandia Gachago

Chartered Marketer

Winner

WM

Winnie Mang'eni

Founded in 2024 by Winnie Mang'eni, Innocent Charles, and Dr. Michael Mollel, the company addresses a major gap in African AI development

Winner

SS

Snehar Shah

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at iXAfrica Data Centre in Nairobi

Winner

DD

Dr. David Kabata

Senior Lecturer, Kirinyaga university

Winner

AO

Alfred Ongere

Alfred Ongere is the founder and CEO of Ai Kenya

Winner

JK

John Kamara

Founder and CEO Adanian Labs & Founder and CEO, AICE at Adanian Labs/AI Centre

Winner

MS

Mohamed Sameer Mukhtar

Business Coach

BG

Bashar Gulumbe

Researcher and a Lecturer

AD

Adam Debba

CEO & Founder of @qareeb, PhD

CN

Catherine Njeri

Co-founder Acre Insights

DG

Dr Githinji Gitahi

Group Chief Executive Officer, Amref Health Africa

SM

Strive Masiyiwa

founder Econet Global and Cassava Technologies

Winner

EW

Elvis Warutumo

Digital Creator

LK

Linet Kwamboka

Leading Kenyan computer scientist, data policy expert, and entrepreneur who plays a pivotal role in shaping Africa's artificial intelligence and data governance landscape.

Winner

BM

Betty Mwaura

ICF certified coach

The AI Policy and Governance Champion of the Year award recognizes exceptional leadership, foresight, and advocacy in shaping the legal, ethical, and strategic frameworks for artificial intelligence. This premier category honors individuals who do not necessarily write the code, but instead author the rules, strategies, and national conversations that ensure AI technologies are developed safely, inclusively, and progressively. It celebrates pioneers who bridge the gap between rapid technological advancement and public interest, ensuring that AI serves as a force for socio-economic growth, digital equity, and national development.

Winner

PB

Prof. Bitange Ndemo

Kenya's Ambassador to Belgium & EU | Former ICT PS & AI Policy Pioneer

Winner

LB

Linda Bonyo

Founder & Director, Lawyers Hub & Africa AI Policy Fellowship

Winner

PI

Paula Ingabire

Minister of ICT and Innovation, Republic of Rwanda

Winner

DB

Dr. Bosun Tijani

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria

Winner

DR

Dr. Rachel Adams

Founder & CEO, Global Centre for AI Governance

Winner

TA

Teki Akuetteh

Founder & Executive Director, Africa Digital Rights Hub

Winner

DA

Dr. Alison Gillwald

Executive Director, Research ICT Africa (RIA)

Winner

EP

Ephraim Percy Kenyanito

Senior Tech Policy Analyst & Regional AI Governance Expert

Winner

PN

Prof. Nagla Rizk

Professor of Economics & Founding Director, A2K4D (AUC Egypt)

Winner

CT

Chinasa T. Okolo

Fellow, Brookings Institution & AI Governance Expert

Winner

BT

Bosun Tijani

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Winner

KI

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi

Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

Winner

SB

Salima Bah

Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Government of Sierra Leone

Winner

JJ

Jerry John Kponyo

Scientific Director, Responsible AI Lab and Professor, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Winner

SN

Samuel Nartey George

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Republic of Ghana

Winner

PO

Patricia Obo-Nai

Chief Executive Officer, Telecel Ghana

Winner

LK

Lacina Koné

Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Smart Africa

Winner

AZ

Aminata Zerbo-Sabane

Minister of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications

Winner

MJ

Marie Josée Agnès Sorel Mendy

Director General, Digital Economy and Digital Transformation Agency

Winner

HT

Hamadoun Touré

President, Smart Africa Foundation

Winner

NF

Ndeye Fatou Mbodj

AI Ethics and Governance Researcher

Winner

DC

Dr. Crystal Rugege

Managing Director, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Rwanda

Winner

CN

Christine Nkulikiyinka

Minister of Public Service and Labour, Republic of Rwanda

Winner

DY

Dr. Yves Iradukunda

Director General for Digital Transformation, Ministry of ICT and Innovation Rwanda

The AI Developer of the Year is the definitive individual honor awarded to a brilliant coder, innovator, or software engineer who has demonstrated unparalleled creativity and technical skill in building artificial intelligence applications in Africa. This award recognizes the ultimate code-level trailblazer who crafts the intelligent algorithms, integrations, and user-centric software that breathe life into AI—transforming sophisticated code into accessible, ground-breaking tools that empower users and redefine what is possible.

Winner

KK

Kelvin Kamami

Building AI for African brands that puts people first.

157 votes

MK

Meshack Kagona

GW

George Waithaka Samson

Serving Kenyan secondary schools with TPAD compliance tools assisted by AI through the web system smarteacher.co.ke

ES

Elly Savatia

FFounder & CEO of Signvrse | Building AI sign language translation for Africa’s deaf community

EW

Esther Wanjiru kimani

Founder of Farmer Lifeline | Using AI to help smallholder farmers detect pests & diseases early

EM

Ernest Mwebaze

Executive Director, Sunbird AI | Building practical AI for social good across Africa

AN

Audace Niyonkuru

CEO of Digital Umuganda | Building AI + open data for African languages

IN

Innocent Nyalala

AI & Computer Vision Researcher | Building AI for Agriculture, Healthcare & African Languages

EM

Emmanuel Madanga Bwire

Kenyan AI Developer | Building AI solutions for local impact

RN

Rose Nakasi

AI Health Researcher | Building low-cost AI tools for malaria, TB & cervical cancer diagnosis

CW

Ciira wa Maina

Chair of Data Science Africa | Building AI for Agriculture, Bioacoustics & African Sustainability

VA

Vivian Arinaitwe

Biomedical Engineer | Creator of Neo Nest, a portable AI-enabled device preventing neonatal hypothermia in transit

MT

Martin Tumusiime

Founder & CEO, Yo-Waste | Building the ‘Uber for Waste’ to digitize urban waste collection in Africa

DA

Dr. Abdigani Diriye

AI & Fintech Leader | Co-founder of Odola | Ex-IBM, Amazon, Microsoft Research driving ML for financial inclusion

KK

Kate Kallot

Founder & CEO, Amini | Building Africa’s AI-ready sovereign data infrastructure for climate & agriculture

The AI Machine Learning Engineer of the Year is the definitive individual honor awarded to an exceptional technical expert who excels at the intersection of data science, software engineering, and production-grade AI in Africa. This award recognizes the ultimate algorithmic trailblazer who designs, trains, and optimizes sophisticated machine learning models, successfully transitioning them from experimental code into high-throughput, scalable systems that deliver predictive power and intelligent automation at scale.

Winner

DC

Dr. Ciira wa Maina

Chair of Data Science Africa | Building AI for Agriculture, Bioacoustics & African Sustainability

Winner

DJ

Dr. Judy Wawira Gichoya

Radiologist & AI Researcher | Pioneer in Equitable, Bias-Aware Medical AI

Winner

AO

Angela Oduor Lungati

Executive Director, Ushahidi | Open-Source Advocate & WEF Young Global Leader building inclusive AI + civic tech

Winner

ES

Elly Savatia

Founder, Signvrse | Creator of Terp 360 | 2025 Africa Prize Winner using AI 3D avatars for sign language access

Winner

DE

Dr. Ernest Mwebaze

Executive Director, Sunbird AI | PhD ML | Former Google AI + Makerere AIR Lab Head building AI for Africa’s social challenges

Winner

PV

Prof. Vukosi Marivate

ABSA-UP Chair of Data Science | Director, AfriDSAI | Co-founder of Lelapa AI, Masakhane & Deep Learning Indaba

Winner

MC

Moustapha Cissé

CEO, Kera Health | Founder, AMMI | Ex-Head of Google AI Accra building ethical AI for Africa

Winner

DG

Dr.Shikoh Gitau

Human-centered AI, digital systems, AI policy & research

Winner

KK

Kipngeno Koech

Creator, ClassRepAI | Computer Science Student using AI + NLP to automate class representation tasks

Winner

DA

Dr. Abdigani Diriye

Co-founder, Odola | Ex-IBM Research Africa | PhD CS | Building AI + FinTech for financial inclusion in Africa

Winner

DS

Dr.Kathleen Siminyu

NLP, African language AI systems, data science research

Winner

JR

Joseph Rwanda

Production ML + AI Agents Engineer | Building LLM Automation Pipelines for Rwanda

Winner

DM

Dr.Chao Mbogho

Computer Scientist and Tech Education Researcher

Winner

NR

Njeri Rionge

Kenyan tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Wananchi Online

Winner

IN

Innocent Nyalala

AI Researcher & Machine Learning Engineer

Winner

LM

Leonida Mutuku

AI Researcher & Data Scientist

Winner

NM

Neema Mduma

AI Researcher | Lecturer | Co-founder, BakiShule

Winner

HM

Henry Muchiri

AI Engineer | Machine Learning Specialist

Winner

WO

Winston Ojenge

Machine Learning & Digital Transformation Researcher

Winner

DM

Dr.Deogratias Mzurikwao

AI Researcher & Lecturer in Healthcare Artificial Intelligence

Winner

JA

Jade Abott

Machine learning engineer building African language AI systems.

Recognizing organizations building and operating the critical infrastructure powering Africa’s AI future — including AI-ready data centers, GPU computing facilities, AI factories, high-performance computing infrastructure, sovereign AI clouds, and advanced compute platforms.

We celebrate companies enabling digital government, smart cities, public service automation, and policy analytics using AI

A

Afritelligence

develops custom AI solutions, automation workflows, and strategic consultancy services

AA

Apollo Agriculture

NA

Nairobi AI Lab

Recognises outstanding AI-powered robotics solutions that are transforming industries and solving real-world challenges across Africa. It celebrates innovation in the design, development, and deployment of intelligent robotic systems that enhance productivity, efficiency, safety, or service delivery. The award honours solutions making a measurable impact in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, education, and public services. It recognises excellence in combining artificial intelligence with robotics to create autonomous, adaptive, and scalable systems. Above all, it celebrates pioneers advancing Africa's technological future through cutting-edge robotics innovation.

RD

Robotech Digital

Robotech Digital: Excellence In Robotics & Digital Transformation

LM

Landile Mabele

Founder, Ariel Robotics

LM

Lindiwe Matlali

Founder, Swerfvalk

RL

RocketDNA Ltd

Outstanding Custom Robotics & AI Solutions Provider 2025

ES

Elihle Stali

Co-founder, Spectacles4TheBlind SA

SR

Sky Robots

Aerial Security Company

TU

Tshwane University of Technology AI Hub

AI Research and Training Institution

TI

Terra Industries

Defence Technology Startup

AT

Arone Technologies

Drone and Energy Solutions Manufacturer

FI

Fishcluster Industries

Agritech Robotics Startup

KI

Kashim Ibrahim University & Maxzeeton Technology

Academic-Industry Robotics Partnership

IA

Indigenius AI

Multilingual AI and Robotics Company

KA

Khalifa Aminu

Teenage Robotics Inventor

Z

Zipline

Autonomous Logistics and Robotics Company

TG

TRL Group Rwanda

Drone and Satellite Technology Manufacturer

ZI

ZeroX Intelligence

AI and Robotics Innovation Company

AV

Ampere Vision Rwanda

Founder, Ampere Vision Rwanda

ZR

Zora Robotics

Robotics and Safety Solutions Provider

MK

Mount Kigali University

Higher Education Institution

Winner

3R

3Farmate Robotics Limited

FAMA (Field Autonomous Machine for Agriculture)

HH

Hope Haven Christian Secondary School

Student Robotics Team

RC

Rwanda Coding Academy

Student AI Team

CM

Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Leading research institution advancing AI-powered social robotics

Winner

AF

Afro Fab Labs

Afro Fab Labs: Excellence In African Aerial Innovation

We celebrate companies developing systems that can operate, navigate, or make decisions independently with minimal human intervention.

Winner

NG

Nextech Global Solutions LTD

Nextech Global Solutions: Excellence In Digital Innovation

Winner

GG

Global Geomatics South Africa

Global Geomatics South Africa: Excellence In Geospatial Precision

Winner

MM

Mobius Motors

Mobius Motors: Excellence In African Automotive Innovation

Winner

Z

Zindi

Zindi: Excellence In African AI Talent Development

Winner

A

Ampersand

Ampersand: Excellence In Electric Mobility

Winner

AK

Ai Kenya

AI Kenya: Excellence In National AI Ecosystem Building

Winner

SG

Sambus Geospatial

Sambus Geospatial: Excellence In Precision Mapping

Winner

R

Roam

Roam: Excellence In African Electric Mobility

Winner

GG

GeoScan Geophysical Services (Pty) Ltd

GeoScan Geophysical: Excellence In Subsurface Exploration

Winner

HT

Hello Tractor

Hello Tractor: Excellence In Agricultural Mechanization

Winner

CD

CSIR Defence, Peace, Safety and Security

CSIR DPSS: Excellence In Security Innovation

Winner

Z

Zipline

Zipline: Excellence In Autonomous Delivery

Winner

SA

Swoop Aero

Swoop Aero: Excellence In Life-Saving Logistics

Winner

R

Rocketmine

Rocketmine: Excellence In Industrial Aerial Intelligence

Winner

TI

Terra Industries

Defense and industrial Autonomous tech

Winner

U

UjuziKilimo

UjuziKilimo: Excellence In Precision Agriculture

Winner

RS

Revolute Systems

commercial precision agriculture

Winner

SI

Space in Africa

Space in Africa: Excellence In Space Ecosystem Development

Winner

MA

Maris Africa

Maris Africa: Excellence In Business Building

Winner

P

PACSys

Precision Agricultural Systems

Winner

A

AerialMetric

AerialMetric: Excellence In Aerial Measurement

Winner

AA

Astral Aerial Solutions,

East Africa's autonomous logistics

Winner

VR

Vortex Robotics

Engineers autonomous underwater vehicles

Winner

F

Farmerline

Farmerline: Excellence In Agricultural DigitalizationAward Description:

We celebrate companies creating AI solutions that generate content such as text, images, video, audio, code, or creative assets. Examples: AI content platforms, image generators, video generators, AI coding assistants.

Winner

F

Farmerline

Farmerline: Excellence In Empowering Farmers

Winner

HT

Hello Tractor

Hello Tractor: Excellence In Farm Mechanization

Winner

F

FarmTrace

FarmTrace: Excellence In Agricultural Transparency

Winner

A

Aerobotics

Aerobotics: Excellence In Precision Farming

Winner

AF

AI for Africa (Morocco / Africa AI solutions)

AI for Africa (Morocco / Africa AI solutions): Excellence In Enterprise Intelligence

Winner

LT

Lami Technologies

Lami Technologies: Excellence In Digital Insurance

Winner

N

NLPearl

NLPearl: Excellence In African Language AI

Winner

BA

Botlhale AI

Botlhale AI: Excellence In African Intelligence

TB

Techno Brain Group

Africa's enterprise digital transformation powerhouse

Winner

LI

Liquid Intelligent Technologies

Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Excellence In Digital Infrastructure

AC

African Centre for Data Science & Analytics Ltd

Training Africa's generative AI talent pipeline

Winner

K

Kobo360

Kobo360: Excellence In Digital Logistics

I

Itraki

East Africa's generative AI strategy partner

Winner

K

KudiGo

KudiGo: Excellence In SME Retail Technology

CD

CAMPUS Digital Hub

Digital skills for underserved communities

Winner

IH

Intron Health

Intron Health: Excellence In African Health AI

SC

Sartify Co. Ltd

Building Africa's own large language models

ST

Soft Tech Consultants Ltd

Data-driven decision-making across Sub-Saharan Africa

Winner

UG

Uniccon Group

Uniccon Group: Excellence In African Deep Tech

AV

Apextra Virtual Academy Limited

Digital skills and job-readiness training

Winner

Z

Zindi

Zindi: Excellence In African Data Science

Winner

I

InstaDeep

InstaDeep: Excellence In Decision-Making AI

Winner

C

Cerebrium

AI infrastructure platform

Winner

LA

Lelapa AI

AI research lab

We celebrate companies using AI to forecast trends, risks, behaviors, outcomes, and opportunities through advanced data analysis. Examples: Market forecasting, demand prediction, risk prediction, customer behavior analytics, predictive maintenance.

Winner

DA

Datawise Africa

Datawise Africa: Building Africa’s Data Future

20 votes

PA

Predictive Analytical Resources Limited (PARL)

Delivers predictive and data mining solutions

PA

Praelexis AI | South Africa

Specialized machine learning and predictive analytics

D|

DataProphet | South Africa

Uses AI and predictive analytics to optimize manufacturing operations

OA

OLSPS Analytics | South Africa

International market-leading data science firm

EA

Elucidate AI | South Africa

Business Intelligence and Big Data consultancy

PA

Predictive Analytics Lab | Kenya

Provides predictive analytics consulting

E|

Eaglebadger | Nigeria

Political and Market analytics firm

IA

Infotrace Analytics

predictive analytics company

R(

REAL (REvolution Analytics Ltd)

Customized data analytics solutions

PT

Pathways Technologies Ltd

predictive analytics & Machine Learning

CT

Corelabz Technologies

AI-driven intelligent systems company

FL

Finbros Limited

Information analytics and reporting

AA

Apollo Agriculture

Machine learning for predictive analytics

SI

Savannah Informatics

Healthcare data analytics

AA

AgriTech Analytics Limited

AI-powered satellite imagery analytics

NL

Neural Labs Africa

Neural Labs Africa: The Predictive Brain Of Africa

Y

Youverify

Youverify: Identity Intelligence For Africa

BA

Botlhale AI

Botlhale AI: Excellence In African Language Intelligence

W

Werpx

Werpx: Powering Digital Work

W

WideBot

WideBot: Automating Human Conversations

DA

Darwinz AI

Darwinz AI: Intelligence That Evolves

X

Xineoh

Xineoh: Smarter Predictions. Better Growth.

CL

Cortex Logic

Cortex Logic: The Decision Engine For Business

Recognising African companies using AI to transform financial services, credit access, payments and insurance across the continent.

Winner

BI

Branch International

Leveraging AI to minimize Credit Risk

Winner

U

Umba

Winner

P

Pezesha

Winner

CG

Credable Group

Winner

F

FlashPesa

Winner

EB

Equity Bank Kenya

Winner

KB

KCB Bank Group

Winner

CB

Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA)

Winner

M

MNT-Halan

AI Core Bankin

Winner

V

Vezeeta

Book a Doctor, Anytime

KF

Kifiya Financial Technology

Munir Duri (CEO & Founder)

P

Periculum

Founder / CEO: Yvonne Johnson

Winner

CA

Crowd Analyzer

Know What Arabs Are Saying

Winner

AA

AvidBeam AI

Intelligent Video for Smart Cities

Winner

C

CEQUENS

AI Agent transforms customer interactions across various industries.

Winner

D

DevisionX

AI company that specializes in building and scaling computer vision and Multimodal AI solutions.

Winner

M

Moniepoint

Uses AI for credit scoring

Winner

C

Curacel

CEO: Henry Mascot — Lagos, Nigeria

Winner

M

MNT-Halan

CEO: Mounir Nakhla — Cairo, Egypt

Winner

N

NOSIBLE

CEO: Stuart Reid — Johannesburg, South Africa

Winner

P

Paymob

CEO: Islam Shawky — Cairo, Egypt

Winner

T

Tala

CEO: Shivani Siroya — Nairobi, Kenya

Winner

M/

M-Pesa / Safaricom (Fintech 2.0)

Kenya · East Africa

Winner

C(

Cellulant (Tingg)

Kenya · East Africa

Celebrating AI innovations improving diagnostics, patient care, disease monitoring and healthcare access across Africa.

Honouring AI solutions empowering African farmers with data-driven insights, crop intelligence and market access tools.

T

TerraClim

Climate intelligence and digital decision-support tools for farmers, backed by a government-led initiative to modernise agriculture

K

Kitovu

AI-enabled platform connecting smallholder farmers to processors and commodity buyers

NA

Nela Agro

AI-powered pricing and quality assessment platform connecting village farmers directly to urban buyers

BG

Babban Gona

AI-powered franchise model providing end-to-end services to smallholder farmers

C(

CropSense (by CipherSense AI)

AI and satellite-driven precision agriculture platform for real-time crop monitoring and early pest detection

C

Crop2Cash

AI-powered toll-free voice hotline delivering personalised agricultural advice in local languages

FA

Fico Africa

Data-driven farm digitisation platform powered by AI, climate data, and real-time analytics

EF

eBeta FarmAI

AI farm assistant and bookkeeping tool guiding farmers from land preparation to harvest and market access

A

Agriarche

AI-based agricultural platform optimising the supply chain through commodity trading, logistics, and real-time market data

F

Farmnexa

AI-powered farm management platform for records, finances, inventory, crops, livestock, and workforce

F

Farmz2U

AI and data analytics platform helping growers align production with market demand

AA

AgriTech Analytics

AI-powered satellite data and solar-powered IoT sensors delivering real-time soil and crop intelligence

A

Angaza

Smart soil meters and AI delivering instant, actionable soil and crop advice to farmers

F(

FarmerAI (Safaricom & Opportunity International)

Generative AI chatbot delivering real-time farming best practices via SMS and WhatsApp

MW

Mshauri wa Shamba (DigiFarm/Safaricom)

WhatsApp-based AI chatbot providing real-time agronomic guidance in Swahili and English

CL

Cherehani Labs

AI-powered veterinary diagnostics for smallholder dairy farmers

MA

Mkulima AI

Agentic AI platform making intelligent farming support accessible to every farmer, even without internet

F(

Farmer.Chat (Digital Green)

AI-powered agricultural chatbot supporting over 670,000 farmers with text, image, and voice-based advice

A

Agriloom

AI-powered trade hub connecting farmers to verified industrial buyers

TF

Tawi Fresh

AI-enhanced B2B digital marketplace connecting farmers directly with commercial buyers

A

Antugrow

Satellite data, blockchain, and AI delivering real-time crop insights and agricultural finance

Z

Zalisha

Digital farming platform combining advisory services, predictive weather analytics, and credit assessment for smallholder farmers

FS

FarmIQ Systems

AI-powered smart agriculture system providing hyper-localized agronomic advice across all 47 counties

F

Farmerline

AI-powered agricultural intelligence for African farmers

Recognising AI platforms advancing learning outcomes, digital skills and educational access for African students and institutions.

Winner

M

M-Shule

Africa's first personalized mobile learning platform, using AI and SMS to deliver education to learners without internet access.

Winner

AE

Angaza Elimu

An AI-powered adaptive learning platform transforming classrooms with personalized student experiences and powerful teacher intervention tools.

Winner

M

M-Lugha

An AI-powered platform that translates Kenya's early childhood curriculum into 19 indigenous languages, making education accessible to learners in their mother tongue.

Winner

E

EduPoa

An AI-powered platform designed to streamline Competency-Based Education (CBE) by automating competency tracking and reducing administrative burdens on teachers.

Winner

M(

MindHYVE.ai (ArthurAI)

A groundbreaking AGI-powered education platform designed for higher education, providing adaptive learning pathways and predictive analytics for student success.

Winner

D

Digifunzi

An impact-driven initiative integrating future-ready skills like coding, robotics, and AI into mainstream K-12 education across Kenya.

Winner

ES

Elimu Smart

An AI-driven platform providing real-time information on courses, scholarships, university cut-offs, and career guidance to empower students in making informed decisions.

Winner

NA

Nyansapo AI

An AI-powered assessment and teacher-support tool focused on improving early-grade literacy and numeracy outcomes through instant feedback and data-driven interventions.

Winner

C

Craydel

An AI-powered university matchmaker tool that helps African students find and apply to their best-fit universities worldwide.

Winner

EA

EduMate Africa

An all-in-one AI learning and teaching platform that generates curriculum-aligned content, lesson notes, quizzes, and provides a smart AI tutor for students across Africa.

Winner

O

Okaluli

An AI-powered SMS-based study tool that delivers educational content without internet or smartphones, designed for students with limited connectivity.

Winner

YA

YYeni AI

An AI platform where a human teacher prepares the lesson and an AI teacher delivers it to each learner in a personalized way.

Winner

E

EduVision

An AI-supported e-learning initiative equipping schools with interactive whiteboards, AI-supported learning tools, and multimedia digital lesson planning across a network of schools.

Winner

AI

AISOD INSTITUTE

A provider of AI technology education, software development, and AI solutions based in Windhoek, Namibia.

Winner

ER

EON Reality (Spatial AI Center)

A global leader in AI-assisted VR and AR-based knowledge transfer, launching the first Spatial AI Center in Eswatini with over 10,000 tailor-made courses.

Winner

E

EduSphere

An AI-powered platform described as a "social media ecosystem for education," transforming how students and teachers interact with gamified quizzes and global curricula.

Winner

UA

UNESWA AI Academy

Eswatini's premier hub for Artificial Intelligence education, innovation, and impact, offering courses, certificate programs, and research opportunities.

Winner

SO

Schools Online App

An AI-driven mobile app that helps teachers with workshops, lesson delivery, and exam question analysis for educators and learners in Eswatini.

Winner

CE

Coders Eswatini Initiative

A government initiative in partnership with Udacity providing cutting-edge courses and nanodegree programs to bridge the gap in technology, business, and entrepreneurship.

Winner

F(

FlexiSAF (Distinction.app)

An AI-powered platform transforming Nigerian tertiary education by generating complete, curriculum-aligned courses in under two minutes.

Winner

BA

Bildup AI

An AI-powered hybrid learning platform building Africa's AI-ready workforce through a unique ecosystem of AI facilitators, academic advisors, and career coaches.

Winner

L

Lena

An AI-powered mathematics tutor designed to tackle Nigeria's widening math learning gap, functioning as a "responsive helper" in overcrowded classrooms.

Winner

N

NEVO

An AI-powered personalised learning platform for neurodivergent children, including those with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, that adapts lessons to each child's strengths.

Winner

R(

ReadBuddy (Rising Hope Girls Educational Foundation)

An AI-powered literacy platform using speech recognition and NLP to improve reading fluency for students in underserved and low-resource communities.

Celebrating AI deployments improving government efficiency, public service delivery and civic digital transformation.

Honouring AI tools democratising access to legal services, research and justice across African jurisdictions.

Recognizing innovators using Artificial Intelligence to transform logistics, transportation, and supply chain operations across Africa. This award honors solutions that improve route optimization, demand forecasting, inventory management, delivery efficiency, and operational decision-making. It celebrates organizations leveraging AI to reduce costs, minimize disruptions, and create smarter, faster, and more sustainable supply networks. The category highlights technologies improving trade, commerce, and access to goods through intelligent automation and data-driven insights.

I

InstaDeep

CEO: Karim Beguir — Tunis, Tunisia

EC

Eazy Chain

Founder Wilfried Dabire at Eazy Chain

F

Freterium

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mehdi Cherif Alami at Freterium

YF

YoLa Fresh

Co-Chief Executive Officers Youssef Mamou and Larbi Belghiti at YoLa Fresh

Y

Yassir

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Noureddine Tayebi at Yassir

S

SupplyzPro

Founder Seddik Houimli at SupplyzPro

C

contact@mylerz.com

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Samer Gharaibeh at Mylerz

TA

Trackalways Africa

AI-enabled telematics and fleet management platform provider

C

Coamana

AI-powered informal food market supply chain intelligence platform

Z

Zendawa

AI-powered pharmacy supply chain and inventory management platform

AK

Alliad Kenya

AI-powered logistics and supply chain optimization provider

D

Duhqa

AI-driven supply chain and distribution technology platform

R

Ridelink

AI-powered logistics marketplace and trade-infrastructure platform

ST

Sumet Technologies

AI-powered FMCG distribution and supply chain optimization platform

AI

Afya Intelligence

AI-powered healthcare supply chain predictive analytics platform

C

CargoLink

AI-driven freight matching and cross-border logistics platform

WA

Wetruck AI

AI-powered digital freight platform for East African road transportation

EA

Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute

AI-powered Integrated Freight Transport Management System developer

A

AFRIKABAL

Blockchain and AI-powered trading platform connecting farmers, buyers, and logistics providers

S

Shiprazor

AI-powered e-commerce logistics platform provider

L

Londeka

AI-powered digital logistics platform connecting trucks with available loads

W

WMSOne

AI-powered warehouse and order management system provider

T

Tamai

AI-powered logistics and moving services platform

B

Bosso

AI-powered logistics platform optimising delivery routes and procurement for construction supply chains

Celebrating AI platforms driving clean energy access, climate intelligence and environmental sustainability in Africa.

S

SunCulture

Founder / CEO: Samir Ibrahim

A

Apollo

Eli Pollak (CEO & Co-founder)

N

NeedEnergy

Leroy Nyangani & Desire Masunda (Co-founders)

A

Aerobotics

James Paterson (CEO), Benji Meltzer (CTO)

A

Amini

Nairobi, Kenya

F

Flux

Kenya · East Africa

Winner

SJ

Solar Jiji

Innovative Energy Solutions- Nairobi, Kenya.

Winner

AA

AfriClimate AI

AI-Powered Climate Solutions for Africa-Johannesburg, South Africa

Winner

OE

Orbit Engineering Solutions

Borj Cédria Technopole in Tunis

Winner

A

Amini

Nairobi ,Kenya

Winner

F

Flux

Carbon removal -Nairobi,Kenya.

Winner

CD

Catalyst Digital

Cape Town, South Africa

Winner

D

d.light

Nairobi,Kenya.

Winner

M

M-KOPA

Kenya · East Africa

Winner

B

BasiGo

Kenya · East Africa

Winner

SM

Spark Minda / GreenRise Rwanda

Rwanda · East Africa

Winner

NE

Nuvem Energy (Mozambique)

Mozambique · East Africa

Winner

T(

TOLBI (Climate Agriculture)

Senegal · West Africa

Winner

AS

Arnergy Solar

Nigeria · West Africa

Winner

B/

BioFuelAfrica / Cleantech Ghana

Ghana · West Africa

Winner

D(

DataProphet (Energy AI)

South Africa · Southern Africa

Winner

RP

Regen Power Namibia

Namibia · Southern Africa

Winner

SB

SolarAfrica Botswana

Botswana · Southern Africa

Winner

KW

Kumulus Water

Tunisia · North Africa

Recognizing an AI-powered solution that enhances customer experience, improves retail operations, optimizes inventory and pricing, increases sales, or enables smarter commerce through innovative and impactful use of Artificial Intelligence.

Recognizes an AI-powered solution that enhances manufacturing and industrial performance through automation, efficiency, quality improvement, predictive analytics, maintenance optimization, safety, or intelligent decision-making, delivering measurable business and operational impact.

Celebrating AI platforms bringing transparency, data intelligence and efficiency to African property markets.

Honouring AI tools empowering African storytellers, marketers and creative professionals.

Recognising AI innovations personalising travel, optimising hospitality operations and supporting African tourism growth.

J

Jurni

Founding team — Cape Town, South Africa

W(

Wovoka (Travel Intelligence)

Founding team — Nairobi / South Africa

ZH

Zuri Health (Medical Tourism)

Founding team — Nairobi, Kenya

W

Wakanow

CEO: Adenike Macaulay— Lagos, Nigeria

PI

Poa Internet

CEO: Andy Halsall — Nairobi, Kenya

WP

Wapi Pay (Tourism Payments)

Kenya · East Africa

FS

Fahari Safaris AI

Kenya · East Africa

S(

Safiri (Tourism Transport)

Tanzania · East Africa

VR

Visit Rwanda AI Platform

Rwanda · East Africa

MT

Mauritius Tourism AI (Vacanciel)

Mauritius · East Africa

H(

Hubtel (Hospitality AI)

Ghana · West Africa

AT

AfricAI Travel Senegal

Senegal · West Africa

H(

Hotels.ng (AI Hospitality)

Nigeria · West Africa

N

Nightsbridge

South Africa · Southern Africa

SI

Safari Intelligence Botswana

Botswana · Southern Africa

GC

Gondwana Collection Namibia (AI Hospitality)

Namibia · Southern Africa

[O

[Category Open — No Verified Nominee]

— · North Africa

Celebrating AI solutions transforming urban mobility, freight logistics and transport intelligence across Africa.

Winner

M

Moove

CEO: Ladi Delano & Jide Odunsi — Lagos / Abu Dhabi

Winner

L

Leta

CEO: Sam Daramola — Nairobi, Kenya

Winner

K

Kobo360

CEO: Obi Ozor — Lagos, Nigeria

Winner

S

Shuttlers

CEO: Damilola Olokesusi — Lagos, Nigeria

Winner

Y

Yassir

CEO: Noureddine Tayebi — Algiers, Algeria

Winner

B

BasiGo

Kenya · East Africa

Winner

L(

Leta (Mobility AI)

Kenya · East Africa

Winner

S

Safiri

Tanzania · East Africa

Winner

S

SafeBoda

Uganda · East Africa

Winner

A

Ampersand

Rwanda · East Africa

Winner

ML

Musanga Logistics

Zambia · East Africa

Winner

M

MAX.ng

Nigeria · West Africa

Winner

AA

ANDA Africa

Angola · West Africa

Winner

S

Swiftgogh

Ghana · West Africa

Winner

L(

Loop (Imtiyaaz Riley)

South Africa · Southern Africa

Winner

T

TemTem

Algeria · North Africa

Winner

T

Trella

Egypt · North Africa

Honouring AI platforms delivering multilingual, intelligent customer engagement for African brands and enterprises.

EG

EQUITY GROUP HOLDINGS

BANKING COMPANY

Winner

MA

Marezi AI

Kenyan

Winner

RC

Resolv CX

Kenyan

Winner

HA

Helm Africa

South Africa

CA

Call AI

IC

INOVO CX

South Africa

X

Xineoh

South Africa

BA

BongoHive AI

Zambia

Winner

OT

ODSAI Tech

CEO: Oracom Group Leadership — Nairobi, Kenya

Winner

BA

Botlhale AI

CEO: Thapelo Nthite — Cape Town, South Africa

Winner

D

DXwand

CEO: Ahmed Mahmoud — Cairo, Egypt

Winner

VA

Vocalysd AI

Founding team — Johannesburg, South Africa

Winner

TL

Trestle Labs

Founding team — Nairobi / Lagos

Winner

KA

Kudi AI

Founding team — Lagos, Nigeria

Winner

MZ

MTN Zigi

MTN Digital Innovation Team — Lagos, Nigeria

Winner

LA

Lelapa AI (Vulavula for CX)

CEO: Pelonomi Moiloa & Jade Abbott — Johannesburg, South Africa

Winner

X

Xara

CEO: Sulaiman Adewale — Lagos, Nigeria

Recognizes an outstanding professional who has demonstrated exceptional expertise, leadership, and impact in leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity, protect digital assets, and strengthen trust in digital ecosystems. It celebrates individuals who have advanced threat detection, cyber defense, fraud prevention, privacy protection, risk management, or secure digital transformation through innovative application of AI. The award honors professionals whose contributions are helping create a safer, more resilient, and more trustworthy digital future for Africa

Winner

GN

George Njuguna

Architect of Responsible AI Governance and Cyber Resilience Across Africa’s Digital Economy

5 votes

DN

Dr. Nadine Nibigira

Trailblazing Researcher in AI Adoption for Cyber Defense, System Auditing, and Regional Capacity

DE

Dr. Eric Adja

International Advocate and Strategist for Responsible AI, Governance, and Cyber Resilience in Africa

OM

Ouanilo Medegan Fagla

Director General of CNIN Championing AI-Assisted Digital Investigations and Threat Containment

EM

Eliel Mulumba

Award-winning industrial cybersecurity expert recognized at the Tech Next Awards for his work in AI, cybersecurity, and youth training

DE

Dr. Elisabeth Tchaptchet

PhD Researcher Specializing in Deepfake Detection Using GAN Manipulation Artifacts

PF

Prof. Francklin Tchakounté

Associate Professor and Cameroonian Representative of RAIN Influencing AI and Cybersecurity Policy

PP

Prof. Paulin Melatagia

Academic Leader and AI Awards Jury Member Advancing Cybersecurity Research in Cameroon

WE

William Elong

CEO of Drone Africa and Cybersecurity Consultant in GRC, AI, and Defense

AT

Alemayehu Tilahun Haile

Ph.D. researcher investigating how AI techniques can enhance cybersecurity threat detection, analysis, and mitigation

AK

Animaw Kerie Aseres

Ph.D. researcher in cybersecurity applying AI to ethical hacking, digital identity, and authentication technologies

AP

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yirga Munaye

AI and cybersecurity researcher advancing IoT security, cyber threat intelligence, and deep learning-based threat detection

BA

Birhan Abuhay Jemere

AI researcher building interpretable AI defense mechanisms for malware analysis and reverse engineering in low-resource environments

DK

Dr. Kinfe Yilma

International Scholar and Policy Advisor in AI Governance, Cybersecurity Law, and Data Protection

EW

Eng. Worku Gachena

Director General of EAII Driving National AI Strategy, Financial Cyber Intelligence, and Threat Analytics

KA

Ketema Adere Gemeda

Associate professor and research group lead advancing AI applications in IoT security, cryptography, and DDoS detection

TH

Tigist Hamid

Director General of INSA Championing National Data Sovereignty, Zero Trust, and AI-Assisted Cyber Defense

DS

Divine Selase Agbeti

National Leader Scaling AI-Powered Cyber Defense Across Africa

IK

Isaac Kwame Antwi

Practitioner Turning AI into Measurable Network Defense

IP

Ivy Payne Nkrumah

Researcher Developing AI and Machine Learning Solutions for Cyber-Attack Detection in Financial Networks

JL

J.N. Lartey & E. Boateng-Yeboah

Ashesi University Researchers Developing AI-Powered Ransomware Detection for Ghanaian SMEs

PO

Percy Okae

University of Ghana Researcher Applying Network Motif Discovery and Machine Learning to ATM Security

RO

Rose-Mary Owusuaa Mensah Gyening

KNUST Researcher Enhancing SQL Injection Detection with Deep Learning

AJ

Allan Juma

ESET Cyber Engineer Exposing the Dark Side of Generative AI in East African Threat Landscapes

Celebrating AI platforms matching talent, automating HR operations and shaping the future of work in Africa.

Winner

K

Kwiks

AI-powered recruitment platform with headhunter network

Winner

T

Talenteo

Algerian HR-tech startup

Winner

H

Hitalents

AI-powered job search platform

Winner

F

Fabskill

AI-powered recruitment platform

Winner

E

eJoobi

Founder, Simangele Mphahlele

Winner

T

TalentVerse

Digital twin platform

Winner

C

Candyees

Recruitment Platform

Winner

H

HireSales

Founder and CEO, Brandon Ragunanan

Winner

R

Rhai

AI-powered recruitment platform

Winner

L

Leaply

Recruitment Platform

Winner

K

Keejob

Tunisian employment platform

Winner

S

Specno

Chairman, Daniel Novitzkas

Winner

IH

IsOne HR

Mobile-first digital HR solution

Winner

AT

AiR Talent

Recruitment Platform

Winner

L

Launchpath

Human Capital Services

Winner

F

Funti3r

Co-founder, Sibusiso Hlangwane

Winner

T

Tech1M

CEO and Co-founder, Tommie Edwards

Winner

J

JVPerformX

CEO and Founder, Dr. Jennifer Seidu

Winner

S(

SeamlessHR (Seamless Technologies)

Co-founder and CEO, Dr. Emmanuel Okeleji

Winner

LA

Loubby AI

Chief Operating Officer, Oreoluwa Boboye

Winner

B

BudRace

Founder, Theophy Esuike

Winner

E

Eazyply

Founder and CEO, Olalekan Yekinni

Winner

C

Careersome

AI-Powered Employee Lifecycle Management Platform

Winner

M

MySponza

Founder, Ayokunle Olowoniwa

Honouring AI innovations improving exploration, safety and efficiency in African extractive industries.

KM

KoBold Metals

CEO: Mfikeyi Makayi — Lusaka, Zambia

D(

DataProphet (Mining)

CEO: Frans Cronje — Cape Town, South Africa

BD

Botswana Diamonds

CEO: James Campbell — Gaborone, Botswana

M

Minopex

Corporate leadership — Johannesburg, South Africa

SS

Simera Sense

CEO: Johann du Toit & Charles Black — Stellenbosch, South Africa

KP

Kilken Platinum

Executive team — Limpopo, South Africa

Recognising the researchers, labs and infrastructure builders advancing foundational AI capabilities for and from Africa.