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AfICTA 10th AwardsNominees BelowElections Ongoing

ICT Champion Award Nominees

President Muhammadu Buhari

Name: President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR
Designation: The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Nationality: Daura, Nigeria

President Buhari led by example by using ICTs to conduct the business of Government. Below is a partial list of their achievements in enabling a Digital Nigeria and by extension Africa.

1.Enabling ICT contribution to Nigeria's GDP by 18.2% in 2022 and overall ICT values chain Contribution to the economy by 40%.
2.Energised series of digital economy Institutions, Laws, Policies, Regulations and mechanism to strengthen the Nigerian Digital Economy. Some of the efforts include:
a)The transformation of the Ministry of Communication Technology to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy
b)The launch and implementation of the National Digital Economy and Policy Strategy (NDEPS).
Establishment of The Presidential Council on Digital Economy and e-Government with a framework for the harmonisation of digital economy, e-governmance initiatives at federal and state levels.
d)The creation of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation
e)The establishment of the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau
f)The establishment of the Nigerian Centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
g)Signing to Law of the Nigerian Startup Bill 2022
h)Directive to Ministries, Departments and Agencies to comply with eGovernment Masterplan.
i)Establishment of 6 Tech Hubs across Nigeria
3. Attracted more than USD32 billion to the Nigerian ICT Industry which has made the Nigerian digital economy more robust
4.Mobilization on the Use of ICTs in Africa through special intervention at the Stanford Africa Business Forum
5.Promised to build one $1 billion ICT company in 2017 but ended up building six $1 billion company by 2022. The companies are Jumia, Interswitch, Opay, Flutterwave, Andela, PiggyVest and Paystack (which has been bought by Stripe (an American company).

"What is responsible for some of these successes? Providence and good policies." said Vice President Osinbajo.
"Providence because COVID-19 was a boom period for online payment systems.
"Policy because the president approved the establishment of a technology and creativity advisory group that helped to formulate new banking policies to accommodate new tech enabled payment systems, such that these tech companies could process payments without being full scale banks.
"The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was then able to issue new types of licences for payment processing; the Federal Government has established a N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund. This provides financial support for small businesses in any field.''
The vice president said that CBN had also established a Creative Sector Fund for young people in entertainment or technology.
He said there was the new programme called Investing in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme.
According to VP Osinbajo, iDICE is an over 600 million dollars programme that will support young tech and creative sector entrepreneurs through the provision of finance, skills development and infrastructure.
He further said, "Earlier this year, the federal government partnered with the UNDP and the private sector to start a programme called the Jubilee Fellows internship programme.
"For the next five years every year 20,000 students after youth service will be given internship opportunities in private sector companies and in public agencies.
"The idea will be for the participants to gain relevant career and life skills that will enable them transition seamlessly into professional, business or public sector careers, while also earning very good pay during the internship.
"These snapshots of possibility are enough to show us that we are not facing an uncertain future without any tools at our disposal.''
The vice president said, however, that if Nigeria was to inaugurate a new age of accelerated growth, it must adopt a new strategic direction and policy orientation.
Link to nominee's profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammadu_Buhari

Mr Mo'men Sherif

Name: Mr Mo'men Sherif
Designation: Founder and Managing Director of Innovito
Nationality: Egypt

Mr Mo'men Sherif built Innovito range of digital learning products and solutions to reach over 300,000 learners in 20 countries and competing with world-leading Leaning platforms products for enterprise, by working with organizations like National Bank of Egypt, Vodafone, UNMAS, Ministry of communication Saudi Arabia, Magrabi Group, and many more. He is planning to reach 1+ million learners in 2023 through several learning initiatives to be launched soon in Africa and the Middle east.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/moamensherif/

Ms. Nandipha Ntsaluba

Name: Ms. Nandipha Ntsaluba
Designation: Strategist and Planner, Department of Defence South Africa
Nationality: South Africa
Ms. Nandipha Ntsaluba is passionate about IT and a very effective communicator. She believes in lifelong learning where she continuously looks for new ways of improving the IT environment. She is passionate about cyber security and always willing to adapt to changes that require an update in technology.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandipha-ntsaluba-84751436/?originalSubdomain=za

Ms. Rachel Shitanda

Name: Ms Rachel Shitanda
Designation: Business Development Executive at Adrian Kenya Ltd
Nationality: Nairobi , Kenya
Ms. Rachel Shitanda is not only an outstanding, humble, and brilliant techie but also one who touches the lives of others through her expertise in this field through meaningful work, mentoring others in the field, and her notable contributions to the field.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-shitanda/

Prof Yemi Osinbajo

Name: Prof Yemi Osinbajo GCON
Designation: The Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Nationality: Ogun, Nigeria

Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo GCON of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has played a pivotal role in mainstreaming ICT in the Digital Transformation of the Nigerian Economy and Government Processes.

He is not only the number one advocate for the use of ICTs in Nigeria but has led by example by using ICTs to conduct the business of Government. Below is a partial list of his achievements in enabling a Digital Nigeria and by extension Africa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemi_Osinbajo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-yemi-osinbajo-34b655187/

Mr Krishnan Ranganath

Name: Mr Krishnan Ranganath
Designation: Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Africa Data Centres
Nationality: Indian, Nigeria

Mr Krishnan Ranganath is part of Africa Data Centres core team in deploying the first connected data centre eco system in Africa, he is based in Lagos heading the business operation of ADC for Western African.


Africa Data Centers is Africa's largest network of interconnected, carrier- and cloud-neutral data center facilities. Bringing international experts to the pan-African market and which is the new destination. we are the trusted partners for rapid and secure data center services and intercon-nections across the African continent. Strategically located, our world-class facilities provide a home for all the business-critical data. Proudly African, we are dedicated to being the heart that beats our customer's business.

On a personal level he is in the ICT domain for last 29 years plus handling techno commercial functions across multiple geographies, On education side MBA in International Marketing, PhD's in International Marketing, Organizational Management and Strategy, Enterprise-wide risk management & BCP. He is Instrumental and a key stakeholder in setting up and managing multiple networks & more than 50 data centers across emerging markets with an ambition in professional life to build the biggest Data Centre in Africa

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Dr Hago Dafalla

Name: Dr Hago Dafalla
Designation:
 System Administrator and Network Manager at University of Gezira
Nationality: Wad Medani, Sudan

Dr Hago Dafalla has distinguished himself in any of the ICT fields - Hardware, Software, Services and Communication. Because he is the first person in my Country Sudan who used and managed e-mail Server in Sudan since 1995 before Sudan have full internet Services. This E-mail server served all Universities, Institutes ,researcher , Non Goverance organization in Sudan. He made some workshops training programs to teach people how to use this new technology at that time and he is also involved in AFNOG , AfriNic , ICANN working groups.


https://www.linkedin.com/in/hago-dafalla-1147a332/

ICT Personality Award Nominees

Dr Hago Dafalla

Name: Dr Hago Dafalla
Designation:
 System Administrator and Network Manager at University of Gezira
Nationality: Wad Medani, Sudan

Dr Hago Dafalla has distinguished himself in any of the ICT fields - Hardware, Software, Services and Communication. Because he is the first person in my Country Sudan who used and managed e-mail Server in Sudan since 1995 before Sudan have full internet Services. This E-mail server served all Universities, Institutes ,researcher , Non Goverance organization in Sudan. He made some workshops training programs to teach people how to use this new technology at that time and he is also involved in AFNOG , AfriNic , ICANN working groups.


https://www.linkedin.com/in/hago-dafalla-1147a332/

Mr. Darsanand Balgobin

Name: Mr Darsanand Balgobin
Designation:
Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation

Nationality: Mauritius

The Honourable Deepak Balgobin, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, as a young and dynamic minister, has contributed largely in introducing innovative and technological measures to digitalise public service in Mauritius. Since the Honourable has taken office, a series of online solutions have been introduced to facilitate access and reduce administrative hassle for the public, enterprises, civil society as well as Government agencies to have access to the various Government's services. This has proven to be particularly helpful during the lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online solutions recently introduced include online payment platforms, making available official documents such as Birth Certificates and Marriage Certificates of citizens in their digital safes on the MoKloud platform. Other documents like the COVID Vaccination Passes and Proofs of Address are also available on MoKloud. MoKloud is another flagship project which was implemented in 2021 to provide a digital safe to citizens for the safekeeping of their personal documents in a digital format.

In December 2020, the Maupass digital identity system was developed to provide a single interface to all Government online services, thus enabling citizens to remember a single password and transact securely with Government online.

In 2021, the "MoRendezVous" mobile app and website were launched, which allow online booking of appointments at specific public service departments, for example, the Passport and Immigration Office and the National Identity Card centres.

The Minister has also personally supervised the launch of the first nano-satellite, MIRSAT1, in space in June 2021 with the help of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

In November 2021, the Minister introduced a new legislation in the National Assembly, the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Act 2021 to address contemporary cyber threats and other challenges in this new digital era.
Upcoming projects include launch of a chatbot with enhanced features like conversational and transactional bots for the Government Portal, and a Smart Parking mobile application for parking space in towns.

Employment being a growing concern for the country, the Minister has been providing constant support to local universities and other tertiary institutions to better equip our youths with the required ICT skills for the jobs of the future.

In addition, the Minister has introduced the Mauritius Emerging Technologies Council Act 2021, which provides for the setting up of the Mauritius Emerging Technologies Council. One of the objectives of the Council is to position courses in emerging technologies in our university curricula to adapt to the new industry demand.

As of late, Honourable Deepak Balgobin has played a pivotal role in earning Mauritius a so coveted seat on the Council of the International Telecommunication Union with the ambition of representing the interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and African countries for the advancement of our common digital agenda.

https://mitci.govmu.org/SitePages/The-Minister-New.aspx

Prof. Isa Pantami

Name: Prof Isa Pantami
Designation:
 Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy

Nationality: Gombe, Nigeria

Prof. Isa Ali (Pantami) as the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has played a pivotal role in mainstreaming ICT in the Digital Transformation of the Nigerian Economy and Government Processes.

He has engendered the growth of ICTs in Nigeria through his active pursuit of relevant policy frameworks and interventions. His far reaching efforts in collaboration with his agency heads and the ICT industry in Nigeria enables the following digital achievements in Nigeria.

1. Enabling ICT contribution to Nigeria's GDP by 18.2% in 2022 and overall ICT values chain Contribution to the economy by 40%.
2. Energised series of digital economy Institutions, Laws, Policies, Regulations and mechanisms to strengthen the Nigerian Digital Economy. Some of his initiative approved by the Presidency include:
a)The transformation of the Ministry of Communication Technology to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy
b)The launch and implementation of the National Digital Economy and Policy Strategy (NDEPS).
c)Establishment of The Presidential Council on Digital Economy and e-Government with a framework for the harmonization of the digital economy, and e-governance initiatives at federal and state levels.
d)The creation of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation
e)The establishment of the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau
f)The establishment of the Nigerian Centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
g)Signing to Law of the Nigerian Startup Bill 2022
h)Directive to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to comply with the eGovernment Masterplan.
i)Establishment of 6 Tech Hubs across Nigeria
3. Attracted more than USD32 billion to the Nigerian ICT Industry which has made the Nigerian digital economy more robust
4. Mobilization on the Use of ICTs in Africa and the world through special intervention at WSIS and IGF.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isa_Ali_Pantami

Africa CIO Award Nominees

Mr Olayinka Oni

Name: Mr Olayinka Oni
Designation: Chief Digital Officer (CDO), Sterling Bank Plc

Nationality: Lagos, Nigeria

Mr. Olayinka Oni is a technology and business visionary, possessing strong executive hands-on experience in managing and automating businesses. He has a Strong record of success in creating robust IT architectures and infrastructures, with a proven ability to bring the benefit of IT to solve business issues while managing costs and risk.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olayinka-oni-a87b0110/

Mr Sina Aiyegbusi

Name: Mr Sina Aiyegbusi
Designation: Head, Group Information Technology and Digital Banking
Nationality: Lagos, Nigeria
Mr. Sina Aiyegbusi is the Head, Group Information Technology and Digital Banking Guaranty Trust Bank. He is a Business and technology leader, vastly experienced in the design and deployment of technology solutions to solve real-life business and banking problems. He focuses on driving business transformation, creating a delightful customer experience, leading cost optimization initiatives, designing unique and adaptable business solutions, building, and leading a transformational team of professionals toward the realization of corporate goals and business values.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sina-ayegbusi-79991734/

Africa Innovation Award Nominees

Dr. Houda Chichi

Name: Dr. Houda Chichi
Designation:
Chief Engineer at Tunisie Telecom.

Nationality: Tunisia

Dr. Houda Chichi is a PhD in telecommunication, senior researcher at Innov’COM Laboratory of Sup’COM Tunisia, Techwomen Fellow 2019, senior engineer at Tunisie Telecom. Her research field includes wireless communication, signal processing, vehicular communication, green communication. She is a member of ISOC Tunisia and reviewer in many IEEE conferences.

 

Her research areas include:

5G system design, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, MIMO systems, mmWave communications, Green Communication, Climate Change , 5G Waveform candidates, Resource Allocation,Communication Theory,Digital Communications. In addition, my research focuses on Connected Vehicle Technologies, , Mobile and Wireless Networking, Vehicular Networking in 6G Mobile Networks.

Mr Mo'men Sherif

Name: Mr Mo'men Sherif
Designation: Founder and Managing Director of Innovito
Nationality: Egypt

Mr Mo'men Sherif built Innovito range of digital learning products and solutions to reach over 300,000 learners in 20 countries and competing with world-leading Leaning platforms products for enterprise, by working with organizations like National Bank of Egypt, Vodafone, UNMAS, Ministry of communication Saudi Arabia, Magrabi Group, and many more. He is planning to reach 1+ million learners in 2023 through several learning initiatives to be launched soon in Africa and the Middle east.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/moamensherif/

Mr. Eric Sindeu

Name: Mr Eric Sindeu
Designation: Founder & CEO, KEMITEL Ltd
Nationality: Yaounde, Cameroon

Mr Eric Sindeu is the Senior Telecommunications Engineer, with expertise in various digital technologies, Telecommunications including telecommunications regulation, and project management experience including national numbering plan /number portability implementation. He has the ability to multitask and work under pressure, good verbal and writing communications skills, team leading management skills. Formal and on the job training with emphasis on system concepts and operation of leading mobile/satellite/digital technologies, as well as IT/Telecommunications regulation and digital policies. 

 

He is instrumental to the BringBackMyPhone digital service in several african countries, a digital service designed to locate and recover stolen mobile phones.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-sindeu-8609a217/?originalSubdomain=ci

Africa Community Development Award Nominees

Dr Hago Dafalla

Name: Dr Hago Dafalla
Designation:
 System Administrator and Network Manager at University of Gezira
Nationality: Wad Medani, Sudan

Dr Hago Dafalla has distinguished himself in any of the ICT fields - Hardware, Software, Services and Communication. Because he is the first person in my Country Sudan who used and managed e-mail Server in Sudan since 1995 before Sudan have full internet Services. This E-mail server served all Universities, Institutes ,researcher , Non Goverance organization in Sudan. He made some workshops training programs to teach people how to use this new technology at that time and he is also involved in AFNOG , AfriNic , ICANN working groups.


https://www.linkedin.com/in/hago-dafalla-1147a332/

Mr. Testimony Asiagwu
Name: Mr. Testimony Asiagwu
Designation:
 EdTech Consultant
Nationality: Abuja, Nigeria

Mr. Testimony is an ICT expert with over seven years of experience. He is a Chemical Engineering graduate from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and obtained his Master's in Business Administration from The Quantic School of Business and Technology, U.S.A. He is the Chief Executive Officer at BIGT Infotech Solutions Limited - an ICT firm bridging the digital skills gap in the Niger Delta region through STEM education.

His company pioneered the Robotics4kids Africa STEM Initiative Project. Since its inception in 2019, he has empowered over 3,000 adolescents with digital literacy skills. He has partnered with 13 schools across three states in the Niger Delta and mentored over 200 vulnerable out-of-school children between the ages of 15-19.

Testimony is an advocate for Quality Education (SDG 4) and contributes towards creating decent work and economic growth in Nigeria (SDG 8) by reducing the digital skills gap in the youth population. His work has received several recognitions in the education sector.

https://www.instagram.com/bigtinfotech/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/testimony/


Mr. Ahmed Ismael

Name: Mr. Ahmed Ismael
Designation:
 CEO, Siyafunda Community Technology Centre

Nationality: Johannesburg, South Africa

Mr. Ismael has been a real changemaker in the ICT and 4IR space with his involvement in the upskilling of communities in peri-urban and rural areas of South Africa

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aq-JiuVB866-i1yy-243cwqEtQN7?e=sTjwzM

NB: To ensure election credibility, according to AfICTA - Africa ICT Alliance constitution only members in good standing would participate in the election.
 
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