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Africa’s tech sector has outgrown its early-stage branding for mobile money and ride-hailing. Startups on the continent are now tackling deeper structural inefficiencies — whether in payments, fragmented supply chains, or digital identity — building the foundation for a more connected and scalable digital economy. Almost overnight, it would seem, opportunities abound.
Innovators driving transformation were recognised for their impact at this year’s Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The awards reflect a shift in the continent’s tech scene: solutions are no longer just about bridging digital divides but about re-engineering industries, from financial services to agritech.
Here are some of the winners:
Agritech Award – Mazao AgClimate Limited (Tanzania)
Addressing soil degradation and over-reliance on synthetic fertilisers, MazaoHub helps smallholder farmers restore soil health and improve yields while reducing environmental damage.
AI Award – Cassava Technologies (South Africa)
Developing AI-driven connectivity, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, ensuring Africa’s digital economy is built on secure and scalable solutions.
Climate Tech Award – Sabi (Nigeria)
Its TRACE platform integrates blockchain to provide traceability, ESG compliance, and carbon tracking for commodities like cocoa, lithium, and copper.
Cross-Border Payments Award – Flutterwave (Nigeria)
Send App streamlines international remittances across 35+ countries, offering a faster, more seamless way to move money.
Digital Commerce Award – OmniRetail (Nigeria)
Digitising Africa’s fragmented retail supply chains, improving distribution efficiency and product accessibility for small retailers.
EdTech Award – Ikusasa Technology Solutions (South Africa)
Modernising vocational training through digital platforms, making technical and vocational education more inclusive.
Enterprise Award – Smile ID (Nigeria)
Solving Africa’s identity verification problem, Smile ID provides real-time authentication in a region where 400 million people lack formal IDs.
FemTech Award – My Pregnancy Journey (South Africa)
A digital maternal health platform offering pregnancy tracking, expert consultations, and a support network tailored to African women.
FinTech Award – HUB2 (Mauritius)
Simplifying Francophone Africa’s fragmented financial landscape by consolidating mobile money, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency payments into a single API.
Health Tech Award – Zuri Health (Kenya)
Providing affordable telemedicine services via mobile apps, WhatsApp, and SMS, offering AI-powered diagnostics and pharmacy deliveries.
Web3 Award – MiniPay (Nigeria)
Embedded into Opera Mini, MiniPay enables fast, low-cost blockchain-based transactions, making Web3 more accessible in emerging markets.
Female Tech Innovator – Chinwe Udo-Davis (Nigeria)
CEO of Instollar, a green energy marketplace that trains women in solar installation while expanding access to clean energy.
Young Tech Innovator – Maxwell Opondo (Kenya)
Inventor of Zerobionic, a robotic arm that translates sign language into real-time communication, improving accessibility for the hearing-impaired.
Credit: Seth Onyango, Bird Story Agency
