African Tech Innovation of the Year Awards: Finalists Announced

The finalists for the newly announced Tech Innovation of the Year awards, have just been released. The awards are a new innovation by Business Tech Africa that is seeking to highlight some of the amazing Tech innovations on the African Continent.

The growth of Tech innovations in Africa are significant but do not always receive the recognition it deserves and the Innovation of the Year Awards are a small but significant move towards addressing this and giving the innovators recognition for their accomplishments.

There are six categories of Tech Innovations that have been identified as important, with two semi-finalists and a category winner that will be announced in November. An overall winner will also be selected from the category winners.

The entry criteria for the awards, is that the innovation needs to have been covered in a published article on the Business Tech Africa digital publication within the year of the awards. A panel of four judges were appointed to score the innovation with the average score determining the category finalists.

The Categories and Finalists are:

1. Best Social Upliftment Tech Award Finalists– Awarded to a Tech development or innovation that improves or enhances society and provides a better environment or service for society
   • Girlcode – Code education platform for women (https://www.girlcode.co.za/)
   • Tipped – Tipping App and E-wallet fintech (https://www.tipped.biz/)
2. AgriTech Award – Awarded to the best Agri-Tech innovation that provides a solution of enhancement for challenges faced by African Agriculture
   • Aftrak – Agritech, Green Energy mini-tractor (https://www.aftrak.com/)
   • Rectron Drone Academy – Agri Imaging Drone training Academy (https://www.rectron.co.za/home)
3. Employment Enhancement Tech – Awarded to the best innovation that improves or assist in the growth of employment in Africa
   • ALX – Hackathon 2024 – Tech Development Training & Development (https://www.alxafrica.com/south-africa/)
   • JobJack – Entry Level Hiring Tech Platform (https://www.jobjack.co.za/)
4. Best AI Tech Innovation – Awarded to the AI development that best advances AI adoption and innovation in Africa
   • Virtual Courtroom – Johannesburg Business School Innovation Lab – University of Johannesburg (https://www.businesstechafrica.co.za/artificial-intelligence/2024/07/05/introducing-vr-courtroom-an-immersive-virtual-reality-game-for-legal-education/)
   • Momentum Health Multiply, AI enhanced healthcare (https://www.businesstechafrica.co.za/ai/2024/08/13/ai-in-healthcare-from-hype-to-game-changing-reality/)
5. Best Fintech innovation Finalists – Awarded to the most innovative Fintech product developed in Africa, that specifically resolves financial challenges on the continent
   • Chipper Cash – Cash Transfer FinTech – (https://www.chippercash.com/)
   • Mama Money – Internantionam Money FinTech (https://www.mamamoney.co.za/)
6. Environmental Impact Tech Award – Awarded to the Tech company with the best tech development that helps solve environmental challenges in Africa
   • Immobazyme – Industrial Waste Biotech innovation (https://www.immobazyme.com/)
   • Recycle X – eWaste complete recycling solution (https://www.recyclex.co.za/)

Recognition for African Tech Innovators Overdue

Commenting on the finalists, Daisy Mulenga, Director of Imizamo Media (Business Tech Africa’s holding company) says that “We are super excited to see the Tech innovators in Africa, being given recognition for their work and achievements”. As business entrepreneurs ourselves, we know how much effort and perseverance it takes to build a business in the challenging environment we operate in”.

Co-Director, Tlangelani Manzini adds that “The innovations that our finalists have built are all potential game-changers, and we salute the owners for their work and believe that they truly will make a difference in the environments they operate in”. We are committed to providing awards that are meaningful and will be looking to expand them in the future”.

There is much anticipation for the winner’s announcement, and Greg Stewart, Editor at Business Tech Africa, adds: “We want our whole community to get involved with the Tech Innovations Awards and will be introducing a reader voting opportunity for the 2025 awards, where readers can contribute to the finalist selection process and we look forward to having their input and to seeing the companies recognised for their innovations”.