Category: Digital Impact Awards Africa

HiPipo is proud to unveil the nominees for the 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa (#DIAA2025), following a rigorous review of hundreds of submissions received between 28th July and 22nd September 2025.

This year introduces six new categories that reflect the real issues shaping people’s lives – from sustainable energy and fuel distribution to ride-hailing services, home technology, and democratizing vehicle ownership. These categories matter because they speak to the services that directly affect how consumers move, live, and power their everyday lives.

Joseph Kimbowa, HiPipo’s Chief Content Officer, explained:

“Many submissions went beyond the original categories, pushing us to recognize the real changes happening in society. That’s why we introduced new categories and a Special Commendation for Transforming Uganda – to highlight leaders making a visible difference in people’s lives.”

Now in its 12th edition, #DIAA2025 remains Africa’s most consistent and influential awards platform, celebrating those who use digital to serve not just the connected elite, but also the underbanked, underserved, and unbanked communities.

For customers, these awards showcase the brands, platforms, and leaders you can trust, those solving the last-mile challenges of cost, access, and reliability. For businesses, this recognition signals where the future is headed and which players are setting the standard.

Public voting opens on Friday, 3rd October, and runs until Friday, 14th November (8:00am EAT).

The Grand Finale of #DIAA2025 will be held on November 14, 2025, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, during the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit. It’s where leaders, innovators, and everyday consumers meet face-to-face to discuss what’s next for digital and financial services in Africa.

The Digital Impact Awards Africa and the Summit are proudly organised by HiPipo, with the backing of partners who believe in making inclusion and innovation a reality for everyone.

#DIAA2025 #IncludeEveryOne #LevelOneProject

Here is the Full List of #DIAA2025 Nominations:

Holistic Ride-Hailing Services

1. Faras
2. Ride Now
3. UNION APP
4. Little APP
5. SafeBoda

Sustainable Energy & Fuel Distribution

1. Shell / Vivo Energies
2. TotalEnergies
3. Rubis Energy
4. Stabex
5. Oryx
6. Mogas
7. Texol

Excellent Personal and Home Technology.

1. KIMA Home Security.
2. Yunga
3. Transtel Ltd (Samsung)
4. Tecno Mobile
5. Infinix Uganda
6. Hisense Uganda
7. Blacklyf
8. M-Kopa

Democratizing Cars’ Ownership

1. Ayyan Motors
2. Autochek
3. Success Motors
4. Majibu Africa
5. Yuasa Investment
6. JanJapan

Democratizing Motorbikes’ Ownership.

1. Watu Credit
2. Mogo Uganda
3. Zembo EV
4. Spiro Uganda
5. Gogo Electric
6. Haojue Motors Uganda
7. Yuvraj TVS
8. Bajaj Boxer (Verma Co Ltd)
9. Union (United Boda Boda Riders Cooperative Union)

Financial Inclusion Excellence.

1. Agent Banking Insurance Scheme by SPADES Insurance.
2. AgriShare
3. aXiom Zorn
4. ClinicPesa
5. FutureLink Technologies
6. Pride Bank
7. My Doctor Connected Care Platform

Digital Banking Excellence.

1. ABSA Bank
2. Centenary Bank
3. Equity Bank
4. I&M Bank
5. Stanbic Bank
6. Standard Chartered Bank

Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. FlexiPay by Stanbic Bank
2. Craft Silicon
3. Islamic Banking and Green Financing by Salaam Bank
4. QuickTeller Agents Partnership by Interswitch and Centenary Bank
5. PDM digitization by WENDI Digital Wallet / Post Bank (Pearl Bank)

Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. Centenary Bank
2. Finca
3. Finance Trust Bank
4. Letshego
5. Post Bank (Pearl Bank)
6. Pride Bank

FinTech Start-up of the Year.

1. Fido
2. Furaha
3. HamzPay
4. Kacyber
5. Kanzu Finance Limited
6. PayTota
7. PesaJet  

FinTech of the Year.

1. FutureLink Technologies
2. Interswitch
3. Jumo
4. SafeBoda
5. School Pay
6. Yo Uganda

Financial Services Digital Excellence.

1. Airtel Money
2. Interswitch
3. MTN MoMo
4. Stanbic Bank
5. Standard Chartered

Consumer Goods and Services Digital Excellence.

1. Belle Beauty
2. Glovo Uganda
3. Jumia Uganda
4. Jude Color Solutions
5. Movit Products

Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.

1. NWSC
2. URA
3. URSB
4. UDB
5. UEDCL

Technology Services Digital Excellence

1. Airtel Uganda
2. Cente Tech
3. DHS Africa
4. Comviva
5. Ericsson
6. Huawei
7. MTN Uganda

CEO of the Year (DFS).

1. Fabian Kasi – Centenary Bank
2. Japhet Aritho – Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL)
3. Julius Kakeeto – PostBank (Pearl Bank)
4. Moris Seguya – Interswitch
5. Richard Yego – MTN MoMo
6. Sanjay Rughani – Standard Chartered Bank
7. Veronicah Gladys Namagembe – Pride Bank

Digital Brand of the Year.

1. Airtel Uganda and Airtel Money
2. Centenary Bank and Centenary Group.
3. MTN Uganda and MTN MoMo
4. NWSC
5. Stanbic Bank
6. Standard Chartered Bank

Special Commendation for Transforming Uganda.

No Nominees. Winner to be determined by the Jury and announced on 14th November, 2025.

Voting and determining overall winners: Public voting will run from Friday, 3rd October, through to Friday, 14th November at 8:00am (EAT). Cast your vote at www.digital-impact-awards.com

#DIAA2025 #IncludeEveryOne #LevelOneProject

HiPipo is thrilled to bring you the 2025 Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit featuring the Digital Impact Awards Africa.

Scheduled for November 14th at Kampala Serena hotel, the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit will bring together C-Level executives and industry stakeholders that are spearheading the scaling, adoption and usage of digital and financial services across Africa.

Meanwhile, now in its twelfth consecutive edition, the Digital Impact Awards Africa, which is by far Africa’s most consistent and influential Awards ceremony, will recognize and reward players that are spearheading the use of digital mediums to serve not only the haves, but also the traditionally underbanked, underserved, unbanked and unserved communities!

“Having recently added the very successful and colorful Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation Summit to our catalogue, we have cemented our position as a premier organisation in spearheading conversations around Digital and Financial Inclusion, Innovation and Excellence,” Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo CEO noted.

He added: “From Uganda to the rest of Africa, the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, featuring the Digital Impact Awards Africa, is more than a ceremony. It is a revolution; a catalyst for policy improvement, innovation, and inclusive finance across the continent – and a driving force for Maximizing the Digital Dividend.”

#DIAA2025 Nomination Categories.

The 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa Nominations will run until 22^nd September, after which the nominees will be unveiled on the 30^th day of the same month. Voting will then kick off until 14^th November, 2025 when the overall winners will be announced and crowned.

1. Financial Inclusion Excellence.
2. Digital Banking Excellence.
3. Banking Innovation Excellence.
4. Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence. 
5. FinTech Start-up of the Year.
6. FinTech of the Year.
7. Financial Services Digital Excellence. 
8. Consumer Goods and Services Digital Excellence. 
9. Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.
10. Technology Services Digital Excellence 
11. CEO of the Year (DFS).
12. Digital Brand of the Year. 

Visit www.digital-impact-awards.com to submit your nomination or reserve your participation slot today.

The MTN Uganda Brand; composed of MTN Uganda – telecom and MTN MoMo – digital financial services, was crowned the Digital Brand of the year at the 2024 Digital Impact Awards Africa. MTN’s victory summed up the brand’s growing investment in Uganda’s digital and financial inclusion which has in the past 12 months seen it expand its offerings to cater for everyone but with special focus on Women, Youth and generally; the less privileged.

Standard Chartered Bank came second and took home the Digital Brand of the Year – Gold accolade thanks to its growing digitization of services. Its commitment to digitization is best exemplified by how it has reduced its physical branches to less than 10 across the country and invested hugely in ensuring that its clientele is served digitally through Calls, SMS, USSD, Email, Website and APP services.

The Awards that were presided over by Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Minister of State for Information Communication Technology saw Kawu and PayTota winning the FinTech Start-up of the Year Diamond and Gold Awards respectively while ClinicPesa was crowned FinTech of the Year with FutureLink Technologies coming second.

Held on Friday 15^th November at the Kampala Serena Hotel, the Digital Impact Awards Africa celebrated individuals and organizations that are spearheading Uganda and Africa’s Digital Inclusion, Financial Inclusion, and Cyber Security. The Awards further recognized stakeholders that are spearheading the use of digital mediums to serve communities.

They were held as part of this year’s Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit; a platform that explores strategic trends and technologies that are shaping the future of Digital, ICTs, and Business across the continent.

Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo reechoed government’s commitment to achieving last -mile digital and financial inclusion noting that digitization if well used will cure most of Uganda’s problems mainly poverty and unemployment.

Here is a full list of the 2024 Digital Impact Awards Africa winners:

Financial Inclusion Excellence.

1. Pride Microfinance – Diamond
2. Centenary Bank – Gold

Digital Banking Excellence.

1. Standard Chartered Bank – Diamond
2. Equity Bank – Gold

Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. FlexiPay by Stanbic Bank – Diamond
2. WENDI Digital Wallet by Post Bank – Gold

Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. Centenary Bank – Diamond
2. FINCA – Gold

FinTech Start-up of the Year.

1. Kawu – Diamond
2. PayTota – Gold

FinTech of the Year.

1. ClinicPesa – Diamond
2. FutureLink Technologies – Gold

Financial Services Digital Excellence.

1. MTN MoMo – Diamond
2. Airtel Money – Gold

Consumer Goods and Services Digital Excellence.

1. Jude Color Solutions – Diamond
2. AgriShare – Gold

Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.

1. NSWC – Diamond
2. URSB – Gold

Technology Services Digital Excellence.  

1. MTN Uganda – Diamond
2. Cente Tech – Gold

CEO of the Year (DFS).

1. Richard Yego – MTN MoMo – Diamond
2. Gerald Begumisa – Yo Uganda – Gold

Digital Brand of the Year.

1. MTN Uganda and MTN MoMo – Diamond
2. Standard Chartered Bank – Gold

HiPipo is pleased to unveil the nominees for the 2024 Digital Impact Awards Africa. The release of the nominees follows the completion of both the entries’ submission and verification processes that ran until Saturday 12^th, October, 2024.

The shortlisted nominees have been drawn from hundreds of entries that were submitted by both the potential nominees and the general public. The release of the nominees effectively kicks off the voting process that will run until Friday 15^th November. While all nominees are winners, the overall winner per category will be determined by a combined public-jury vote.

Now in its 11^th consecutive year, this year’s Digital Impact Awards Africa will be held on 15^th November 2024 at Kampala Serena Hotel as part of the annual Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit.

Digital Impact Awards Africa is a platform that promotes Digital Inclusion, Financial Inclusion, and Cyber Security. The Awards recognize and celebrate stakeholders that are spearheading the use of digital mediums to serve communities. They further celebrate digital excellence across the continent; big or small, local or international.

On the other hand, the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit explores strategic trends and technologies that are shaping the future of Digital, ICTs, and Business. Special attention is paid to the safety of customers’ funds and the security of platforms in the Digital Financial Services ecosystem.

Building on continuous year on year success, the 2024 summit will bring together hundreds of delegates including C-Level executives that are spearheading the scaling, adoption, and usage of digital and financial services across Africa, policymakers, young entrepreneurs, and innovators in the Digital and Financial Inclusion ecosystem. The summit will focus on core topics that impact last mile financial inclusion such as open source software, interoperability, competition, collaborations & partnerships, regulation and licensing regimes among others.

Minus the over 50 speakers from government, multinationals, large enterprises, small and mid-sized enterprises, and start-ups, the summit will also offer a platform for informal businesses (like market vendors, smallholder farmers, sole proprietors, public transporters, e-commerce delivery agents, etc.) to discuss their businesses and how technology is transforming them for the better. 

Both the Digital Impact Awards Africa and Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit are organized by HiPipo, with support from partners.

Here is the Full List of #DIAA2024 Nominations:

Financial Inclusion Excellence.

1. Axiom Zorn Limited
2. FutureLink Technologies
3. Hamwe East Africa
4. Pride Micro Finance
5. Centenary Bank

Digital Banking Excellence.

1. ABSA Bank
2. Centenary Bank
3. Equity Bank
4. Stanbic Bank
5. Standard Chartered Bank

Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. WENDI Digital Wallet by Post Bank
2. FlexiPay by Stanbic Bank
3. CenteWhatsApp Banking
4. Craft Silicon

Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. Centenary Bank
2. Finca
3. Letshego
4. Post Bank – Wendi Mobile Wallet
5. Pride Micro Finance

FinTech Start-up of the Year.

1. Fido
2. Kawu
3. PAYTOTA
4. PesaJet
5. Zimba Technologies

FinTech of the Year.

1. ClinicPesa
2. Flutterwave
3. FutureLink Technologies
4. Jumo
5. Hamwe East Africa

Financial Services Digital Excellence.

1. Airtel Money
2. MTN MoMo
3. Stanbic Bank
4. Standard Chartered
5. Yo Uganda

Consumer Goods and Services Digital Excellence.

1. AgriShare
2. Belle Beauty
3. Faras
4. Jude Color Solutions
5. Movit

Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.

1. NSSF
2. NWSC
3. Umeme
4. URA
5. URSB

Technology Services Digital Excellence

1. Airtel Uganda
2. Cente Tech
3. Comviva
4. Ericsson
5. Huawei
6. MTN Uganda

CEO of the Year (DFS).

1. Fabian Kasi – Centenary Bank
2. Gerald Begumisa – Yo Uganda Limited
3. Japhet Aritho – Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL)
4. Richard Yego – MTN MoMo
5. Sanjay Rughani – Standard Chartered Bank
6. Julius Kakeeto – Postbank

Digital Brand of the Year.

1. Airtel Uganda and Airtel Money
2. Centenary Bank and Centenary Group.
3. MTN Uganda and MTN MoMo
4. Stanbic Bank
5. Standard Chartered Bank

Visit www.digital-impact-awards.com to cast your vote, from Saturday 19^th October 2024 to Friday 15^th November 2024 (9:00am), East Africa Standard Time. 

Both the summit and awards are using these 3 official tags; #IncludeEveryone #DIAA2024 #LevelOneProject

In 2015, the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) study under the HiPipo Include Everyone program revealed a lack of corporate websites among 59% of Uganda’s top 1,000 taxpayers. This absence resulted in higher operational costs and reduced profitability.

However, since then, digital transformation, mainly through corporate websites and online presence, has shown substantial benefits in reducing costs and enhancing customer service. It is important to note that HiPipo’s sustained advocacy, with the support and collaboration of partners and stakeholders, has played a crucial role in advocating for digital innovation, leading to this transformation and continuing to drive digital and financial inclusion across economies.

The financial impact on customers of Uganda’s top 1,000 taxpayers is staggering. They save approximately $1,995,000 daily through digital tools. Over ten years since 2014, this figure has scaled to a monumental $7.28 billion, accentuating the substantial financial benefits of digital adoption. This is a clear testament to the potential for further growth and success through digital transformation.

Digital adoption has led to tangible operational efficiency. Customers can find the information they need online and interact with service providers in real-time. Each online interaction saves customers an average of 30 minutes, and customers of these organisations save approximately 1.5 million hours daily. This boosts organisational efficiency and profitability, aligning with broader economic growth, and stresses the tangible benefits of digital innovation, instilling confidence in the future of digital transformation.

The 2015 HiPipo study highlighted the need for more corporate websites and online presence among Uganda’s top taxpayers. This absence hindered cost reduction, improved service delivery, and customer loyalty. The landscape has changed meaningfully since then, thanks to the ongoing HiPipo’s advocacy with partners.

Today, approximately three million online interactions occur every day among the 1,000 organisations, and each interaction saves an average of 30 minutes, leading to a daily time savings of around 1.5 million hours and a financial impact of approximately $1,995,000. The weekly online interaction count reaches at least twenty-one million, saving approximately 10.5 million hours and generating a financial impact of about $14M. The monthly online interaction count reaches approximately 90 million, saving around 45 million hours and leading to an economic impact of approximately $60M. These figures highlight the efficiency gains and financial benefits of digital transformation to Uganda’s business and financial sectors.

Over a year, these organisations facilitate at least 1 billion online interactions, saving approximately 547.5 million hours and resulting in an economic impact of around $728M. Over a decade, since 2014, these organisations have handled an estimated 11 billion online interactions, saving around 5.475 billion hours, with a financial impact of approximately $7.28 billion.

This usage has far-reaching impacts on enterprises and governments. For instance, digital adoption aligns with national economic growth goals by reducing business costs and increasing customer convenience and profitability. This trend benefits small, micro, nano, SMEs, and individuals running businesses. Effective, flexible policies become more urgent as governments should support digital innovation through favourable policies, recognising its impact on national competitiveness.

The findings of this paper suggest that even more attention should be paid to this effect. We plan to run subsequent surveys covering digital tools and financial services, exploring their combined time-saving and economic growth impact. HiPipo’s advocacy has driven digital innovation in East Africa and beyond for nearly two decades. Thanks to this advocacy, similar outcomes have occurred across different East African economies, just like the current Ugandan outcomes. Through initiatives like the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA), HiPipo has highlighted the transformative potential of technology-based solutions, contributing to enhanced efficiency and economic growth among Uganda’s top taxpayers, SMEs, micro, nano, SHFs, and millions of merchants.

This paper further outlines the telecommunications landscape in Uganda as of March 2023. During this period, the average data consumption for Ugandan telecom subscribers was 1.7GB per month. Over the past two years, data expenditure has decreased by 6%. Internet subscriptions have grown by 1.2 million, reaching 27 million, due to the increasing access to the internet through mobile devices. These mobile devices comprise 39.1 million of the devices accessing Uganda’s telecom network, 21% of which are smart devices.

This paper notes that women, especially in urban areas, are leveraging digital tools to save time and money. However, using digital tools needs to extend to off-grid locations where access to power and energy remains challenging. Women are more likely to be employed in lower-paying jobs and sectors, particularly in developing economies like Uganda, where a weighty portion of the population earning less than 115 USD is female. Therefore, access to digital services should be equal for both genders to ensure inclusive economic development. Access should also be accelerated among youth, women and men to help them find more avenues to improve their income. Digital technologies can impact job opportunities for underrepresented women in the tech industry. Understanding customer demographics can help organisations tailor their services to meet gender needs better. Digital innovation can contribute to broader economic empowerment, which may benefit women in specific sectors or communities where they have been disadvantaged.

The report recommends that leaders prioritise digital presence and recognise its importance in enhancing efficiency, profitability, and economic growth. This includes investing in high-value corporate websites, content and digital channels to improve customer engagement and reduce operational costs. Leaders must focus on mobile platforms as mobile is increasingly the primary channel for digital access in Africa. Enterprises should prioritise responsive, mobile-friendly websites and apps to meet customer needs.

Mobile connectivity is vital in developing individuals and economies, accelerating financial inclusion and creating an inclusive economy that benefits all. This, in turn, leads to the advancement of nations, particularly in terms of economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation. The widespread availability of mobile connectivity has enabled individuals, even those in remote areas, to access financial services and participate in the global economy. Moreover, mobile technology has enabled individuals to engage in financial transactions without the need for traditional financial institutions, thereby promoting financial inclusion and reducing the cost of financial services. The result is a more equitable and inclusive economy that benefits everyone, regardless of socio-economic status.

The report highlights the need for enhanced cybersecurity to build customer confidence and trust and ensure safe digital interactions. Digital transformation comes with security challenges, and solutions must be secure, competitive, and universal, essential for sustainable and inclusive growth. Continuous improvement, such as updating the National Information Security Frameworks, is necessary. Partnering with experts like Cyberplc to support all security architecture and technical security assurance domains, such as risk identification, network security, data protection, identity management, posture and vulnerability management, logging, and threat detection, is vital. Regularly evaluating and improving digital strategies is necessary to stay aligned with evolving technological trends and consumer expectations.

The 2023 Digital Impact Awards Africa celebrated pioneering achievements and innovations in the digital sphere, honouring exceptional organizations and individuals who have showcased significant strides in advancing financial inclusion in Africa.

MTN Uganda & MTN MoMo took home the biggest award after being crowned as the Digital Brand of the Decade for their remarkable impact from 2014 to 2023 – the 10 years that this project has been running.

Standard Chartered Bank and Centenary Group received accolades in the Digital Brand of the Year category, with Diamond and Gold awards, respectively.

The Digital Impact Awards Africa is a platform that promotes Digital Inclusion, Financial Inclusion, and Cyber Security. The Awards recognize companies and stakeholders that are spearheading the use of digital mediums to serve communities and promote financial inclusion.

“The criteria of the nominees are always tight. Some innovators and companies have won every single year for their innovations and dedication to Digital Financial Inclusion,” Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo CEO said.

The Digital Impact Awards Africa is part of the broader Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit organized by HiPipo in partnership with Level One Project, Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy, Ideation Corner, and Crosslake Technologies and generously supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Winners celebrated.

Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, the Minister of State for ICT applauded the winners for their contribution to developing Uganda and Africa. She challenged them to continue innovating as this is the only sure way of transforming their communities.

The accolade for CEO of the Year was bestowed upon Fabian Kasi of Centenary Bank, who claimed the Diamond award, while Richard Yego of MTN MoMo was honoured with the Gold award.

Under the category of Community Digital Empowerment Excellence, Cente Tech’s Digital Messaging Platform for Catholic Dioceses clinched the prestigious Diamond award, with Oracle Academy securing the Gold recognition.

FutureLink Technologies’ MSacco stood out in the Financial Inclusion Excellence category, while Standard Chartered Bank excelled in Digital Banking Excellence.

In the Banking Innovation Excellence arena, Post Bank’s latest Wendi Digital Wallet emerged as a frontrunner. Centenary Bank and Pride Microfinance Limited claimed top honours in Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence, securing the Diamond and Gold awards, respectively.

Airtel Money’s Micro Merchant earned acclaim in FinTech Innovation Excellence, while MTN MoMo triumphed in Financial Services Digital Excellence.

For Consumer Goods Digital Excellence, Movit took home the Diamond award, closely followed by Jude Color Solutions with the Gold distinction.

Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence recognized Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) with the Diamond accolade and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) with the Gold recognition.

In the domain of Technology Services Digital Excellence, Comviva emerged as the standout performer.

Below is the full list of all winners.

Community Digital Empowerment Excellence.

1. Digital Messaging Platform for Catholic Dioceses by Cente Tech – Diamond
2. Oracle Academy – Gold

Financial Inclusion Excellence.

1. MSacco by FutureLink Technologies

Digital Banking Excellence.

1. Standard Chartered Bank

Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. WENDI Digital Wallet by Post Bank

Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. Centenary Bank – Diamond
2. Pride Microfinance Limited – Gold

FinTech Innovation Excellence.

1. Micro Merchant by Airtel Money.

Financial Services Digital Excellence.

1. MTN MoMo

Consumer Goods Digital Excellence.

1. Movit – Diamond
2. Jude Color Solutions – Gold

Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.

1. URSB – Diamond
2. NWSC – Gold

Technology Services Digital Excellence.

1. Comviva

Digital Campaign Excellence.

1. #NoTuteeseOffline by SafeBoda – Diamond
2. #KikoleForLess with FlexiPay – Gold

CEO of the Year.

1. Fabian Kasi – Centenary Bank – Diamond
2. Richard Yego – MTN MoMo – Gold

Digital Brand of the Year.

1. Standard Chartered Bank – Diamond
2. Centenary Group – Gold

Digital Brand of the Decade – 2013 to 2023.

1. MTN Uganda & MTN MoMo

During the 2023 Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, industry stakeholders noted the need for improved infrastructure to improve business operations and counter the surging instances of fraud.

Held at Kampala Serena Hotel, the 2023 Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit was organized by HiPipo in partnership with Level One Project, Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy, Ideation Corner, and Crosslake Technologies and generously supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Sanyu Gila, who graduated from university in 2015, found herself unable to secure formal employment. This led her to explore the potential of the mobile money agent business as an alternative means of livelihood.

“Over the years, I have grown and scaled this business, but it hasn’t been without challenges. Fraud prompted the closure of some outlets I had opened. Inexperienced employees posed vulnerabilities to my business resulting in big losses. The declining telecom commissions, taxes, and network issues have also eroded customer trust in some of the products,” Gila shared.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Aturinda Tryphine and Gloria Mirembe; also, Mobile Money Agents during the summit, which focused on ensuring the safety of customers’ funds and platform security.

The summit fostered discussions essential for advancing digital and financial inclusion across Africa.

“We face capital limitations. Sometimes you forego bigger transactions because you do not have enough float. As a result, you miss out on commission as well as customers who may not come back to you,” Gloria said.

Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, the Minister of State for ICT, stressed the necessity of enhancing Fintech infrastructure to safeguard customers and agents.

“HiPipo has championed digital financial inclusion excellence. As we navigate this era, our efforts should extend beyond to empower underserved communities. FinTech has reshaped business, but the escalating cyber threats highlight the need for cybersecurity,” she remarked.

National Payment Switch taking shape.

The anticipated launch of a national switch in payment processing in the near future aims to revolutionize financial transactions, enhance liquidity management, and streamline Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism capabilities. This initiative is forecasted to strengthen cyber surveillance while significantly reducing transaction costs for retail digital payments such as mobile money users.

Andrew Kawere, the Deputy Director of the National Payments Systems at the Bank of Uganda, said the primary objective of the national switch is to act as a catalyst for efficiency and interoperability, promoting standardized practices in financial transactions.

“We envisage the national switch being delivered as a safe and affordable public good that supports innovation. Digital transformation has been proven to have a positive impact on financial inclusion by providing an avenue for the disadvantaged to access financial services and to participate in the money economy,” he said.

The summit gathered key stakeholders driving digital and financial service adoption across Africa, including policymakers, young entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Dr. Warren Carew, Managing Director at INFTX, noted the challenges in developing an interoperability system.

“Addressing fraud in mobile money platforms requires identity infrastructure. Focusing on interoperability can reduce barriers to financial services,” Carew noted.

Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo CEO, applauded the project’s partners for their thoughtful commitment to enhancing digital and financial inclusion across Africa.

He noted that through partnerships and deliberate support, a lot of ground has been covered with millions of end-users onboarded on to the digital and financial inclusion train in the last decade. Nonetheless, he said that much more effort is needed for complete inclusion to be achieved.

HiPipo takes this apt opportunity to unveil the 2023 Digital Impact Awards Africa nominees. The release of the nominations follows the completion of both the entries’ submission and verification processes that have been ongoing since mid-July.

The shortlisted nominees come from hundreds of entries done through the nomination portal and direct digital submissions by potential contenders and their supporters.

The unveiling of the nominees effectively kicks off the voting process that will go on until Friday 17th November. While all nominees are winners, the overall winner per category will be determined by a combined public-jury vote.

Celebrating a decade of digital transformation, the 10^th edition of the Digital Impact Awards Africa is slated for 17^th November 2023 at Kampala Serena Hotel as part of the annual Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit.

Digital Impact Awards Africa is a platform that promotes Digital Inclusion, Financial Inclusion, and Cyber Security. The Awards recognize and celebrate stakeholders who are spearheading the use of digital mediums to serve communities. They further celebrate digital excellence across the continent; big or small, local or international.

On the other hand, the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit explores strategic trends and technologies that are shaping the future of Digital, ICTs, and Business. Special attention is paid to the safety of customers’ funds and the security of platforms in the Digital Financial Services ecosystem.

The 2023 summit will bring together hundreds of delegates including C-Level executives who are spearheading the scaling, adoption, and usage of digital and financial services across Africa, policymakers, young entrepreneurs, and innovators in the Digital and Financial Inclusion ecosystem. The summit will shine a spotlight on how businesses have recovered from the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Cyber Security threats among other key topics.

It will have over 50 speakers from government, multinationals, large enterprises, small and mid-sized enterprises, and start-ups. Additionally, the summit will offer a platform for informal businesses (like market vendors, smallholder farmers, sole proprietors, public transporters, e-commerce delivery agents, etc.)  

Both the Digital Impact Awards Africa and Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit are organized by HiPipo in partnership with Level One Project, Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy, Ideation Corner, and Crosslake Technologies and generously supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Here is the Full List of #DIAA2023 Nominations:

Community Digital Empowerment Excellence.

1. Church Offertory and Tithe Collection by EzeeMoney
2. Digital Messaging Platform for Catholic Dioceses by Cente Tech
3. MTN ACE-Tech
4. Oracle Academy
5. Tawaza Digital Varieties

Financial Inclusion Excellence.

1. Hospital Sente by Airtel Money, Prudential Uganda and Turaco
2. Kawu Smart Card by Kawu Uganda
3. MaMa’s Account by clinicPesa
4. MSacco by FutureLink Technologies
5. Questbanker by Quest Digital Finance  

Digital Banking Excellence.

1. ABSA Bank
2. Centenary Bank
3. DFCU Bank
4. Stanbic Bank
5. Standard Chartered Bank

Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. Cente On The Go Account by Centenary Bank
2. FlexiPay by Stanbic Bank
3. Mobile Banking Solution – ELMA by Craft Silicon
4. SC Shilingi Funds by Standard Chartered Bank
5. WENDI Digital Wallet by Post Bank

Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence.

1. Centenary Bank
2. Future Link Technologies
3. Letshego
4. Post Bank Limited
5. Pride Microfinance Limited

FinTech Innovation Excellence.

1. Hamwe Pay by Hamwe East Africa
2. Micro Merchant by Airtel Money.
3. MTN MoMo Open APIs
4. SafeCar by SafeBoda
5. SchoolPay by Service Cops
6. Xente Visa Card

Financial Services Digital Excellence.

1. Airtel Money
2. MFS Africa
3. MTN MoMo
4. Stanbic Bank 
5. Standard Chartered

Consumer Goods Digital Excellence.

1. Café Javas
2. Hariss International
3. Jude Color Solutions
4. Jumia Uganda  
5. Movit
6. StarTimes Uganda

Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.

1. NSSF
2. NWSC
3. Umeme
4. URA
5. URSB

Technology Services Digital Excellence.

1. Airtel
2. Cente Tech
3. Comviva
4. Ericsson
5. Huawei
6. MTN

Digital Campaign Excellence.

1. #KikoleForLess with FlexiPay 
2. #NoTuteeseOffline by SafeBoda
3. Beera Smart by Airtel Uganda
4. Beera Steady – Be Better by Next Media and Partners
5. Together We are Unstoppable by MTN Uganda

CEO of the Year.

1. Anne Juuko – Stanbic Bank
2. Dhimant Shah – Craft Silicon
3. Fabian Kasi – Centenary Bank
4. Japhet Aritho – Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL)
5. Richard Yego – MTN MoMo
6. Sanjay Rughani – Standard Chartered Bank

Digital Brand of the Year.

1. Airtel
2. Centenary Group
3. MTN Uganda
4. MultiChoice Uganda
5. Stanbic Bank
6. Standard Chartered Bank

Digital Brand of the Decade – 2013 to 2023.

1. Airtel
2. Centenary Group
3. Jumia
4. MTN Uganda
5. MultiChoice Uganda
6. NWSC
7. SafeBoda
8. Stanbic Bank
9. Standard Chartered Bank

Visit www.digital-impact-awards.com to cast your vote, today. 

Kampala, Uganda. In 2014, HiPipo unveiled the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA), a prestigious platform dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the epitome of African innovation in digital technology, financial inclusion, and cybersecurity advancement.

From its inception, the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) was met with immense enthusiasm, with the majority of the market recognizing it as an initiative poised to elevate the industry to new heights. Despite this optimism, questions were raised about its sustainability. Skeptics drew parallels with earlier initiatives that, like the DIAA, began with considerable market excitement, only to fade away prematurely. Yet, the DIAA has persevered, defying these predictions and cementing its role in leading the industry’s progress.

Indeed, the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) has not merely weathered the passage of time, but it has significantly transformed Africa’s trajectory in digital and financial inclusion. With each passing year, the DIAA continues to make groundbreaking strides, redefining expectations and leading the charge towards a digitally inclusive future for all of Africa.

Innocent Kawooya, the CEO of HiPipo, expressed his feelings of anticipation and accomplishment, saying, “From the inception of our journey, we held a vision to significantly contribute to Africa’s digital and financial inclusion journey. We aimed to not only spotlighting the innovative products and services that are transforming millions of lives but also to honor the remarkable individuals behind these achievements. Today, we stand at the dawn of a decade that has witnessed this vision come to life. Our accomplishments fill us with pride, yet our eyes are firmly set on the future, committed to scaling new heights. We acknowledge that the road to universal digital and financial inclusion requires relentless efforts. In this pursuit, we have been fortunate to have the unwavering support of dedicated partners like the Gates Foundation, whose contributions have been instrumental to our progress. As we move forward, we pledge to continue making strides towards a digitally inclusive future for Africa.”

Kawooya further expressed his gratitude, stating: “Our sincere appreciation goes out to the over 500 companies that have engaged in this initiative over the years, collectively fueling its success. We wish to extend a special commendation to our invaluable partners whose faith in this endeavor has been unwavering. This remarkable milestone is a testament to your belief in our mission, and we simply could not have reached this point without your steadfast support.”

Celebrating a decade of transformation, the 10^th edition of the Digital Impact Awards Africa is slated for 17^th November 2023 at Kampala Serena Hotel as part of the annual Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit.

Digital Impact Awards Africa is a platform that promotes Digital Inclusion, Financial Inclusion, and Cyber Security. The Awards recognize and celebrate stakeholders that are spearheading the use of digital mediums to serve communities. They further celebrate digital excellence across the continent; big or small, local or international.

On the other hand, the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit explores strategic trends and technologies that are shaping the future of Digital, ICTs, and Business. Special attention is paid to the safety of customers’ funds and the security of platforms in the Digital Financial Services ecosystem.

The 2023 summit will bring together hundreds of delegates including C-Level executives that are spearheading the scaling, adoption, and usage of digital and financial services across Africa, policymakers, young entrepreneurs, and innovators in the Digital and Financial Inclusion ecosystem. The summit will shine a spotlight on how businesses have recovered from the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Cyber Security threats among other topics.

It will have more than 50 speakers from government, multinationals, large enterprises, small and mid-sized enterprises, and start-ups. Additionally, the summit will offer a platform for informal businesses (like market vendors, smallholder farmers, sole proprietors, public transporters, e-commerce delivery agents, etc.)   

Both the Digital Impact Awards Africa and Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit are organized by HiPipo in partnership with Level One Project, Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy, Ideation Corner, and Crosslake Technologies and generously supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Submit your #DIAA2023 nominations today.

With an air of anticipation and excitement, we officially embark on the journey towards the 2023 Digital Impact Awards Africa, beginning with an open call for nominations. Join us in recognizing and celebrating those who are boldly shaping the digital landscape of Africa.

This call marks the start of a comprehensive Digital Impact Awards Africa entry submission and validation process that will run until October 10th, 2023. This will be followed by the release of a list of nominees, Jury assessment, and a rollout of public voting from October 17th until November 17th when the grand finale will be held.

List of categories open for nomination:

1. Financial Inclusion Excellence
2. Digital Banking Excellence
3. Banking Innovation Excellence
4. Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence
5. FinTech Innovation Excellence
6. Financial Services Digital Excellence
7. Consumer Goods Digital Excellence
8. Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence
9. Technology Services Digital Excellence
10. Digital Campaign Excellence
11. CEO of the Year
12. Digital Brand of the Year
13. Digital Brand of the Decade – 2014 to 2023
14. Community Digital Empowerment Excellence

Visit www.digital-impact-awards.com to submit your nomination.

Both the summit and awards are using these 3 official tags; #IncludeEveryone #DIAA2023 #LevelOneProject.