Celebrating African IT Leadership: The Launch of the African CIO Awards at GITEX Africa 2024
In a groundbreaking effort to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of African IT leaders, CIO Mag, a pan-African tech media platform, is launching the first edition of the African CIO Awards (ACA). This event will be held alongside GITEX Africa 2024, scheduled from May 29 to 31, 2024.
Organized under the auspices of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, this prestigious competition aims to underscore the strategic role Chief Information Officers (CIOs) play in driving development across Africa, both in the private and public sectors.
During a press conference, Sarah Lamrani, Secretary General of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, stated that the ACA serves as a unique platform to showcase the remarkable achievements of African digital professionals. "Supporting this event is a way to promote excellence in the field of information technology in Africa. Our primary objective is to promote and recognize the accomplishments of African CIOs, who are key to the continent's digital transformation," she said.
The ACA also seeks to strengthen Morocco's position as a continental hub for innovation.
Mohamadou Diallo, Managing Director of CIO Mag and the initiator of the event, highlighted that the ACA aims to showcase the best innovations in enterprises, public administrations, and local communities, particularly focusing on Smart City projects. "This initiative goes beyond recognizing excellence in impactful IT and digital projects. It aims to foster modernization through digitalization, which contributes to operational competitiveness in private companies, social inclusion in public administrations, and participatory governance in local communities from an African perspective. Additionally, it encourages the sharing of high-level use cases," he explained.
Chakib Achour, the official representative of GITEX Africa, pointed out that the second edition of GITEX encompasses ambitious themes such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, new technologies, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, along with topics like FinTech, AgriTech, and healthcare.
"The ACA, organized alongside GITEX AFRICA and WORLD FUTURE HEALTH AFRICA, rewards leadership and innovation in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and HealthTech. It is a unique opportunity to recognize and celebrate African talent that is creating innovations 'made in Africa, by Africa, for Africa,'" he stated. He added, "We support the ACA because it aligns with GITEX Africa's ambitions to foster African innovation."
The competition is organized in partnership with GITEX Africa, ADD, Smart Africa, AUSIM, and APEBI. The selection criteria aim to distinguish leadership, innovation, and the contribution of CIOs to the social and economic development of the continent.
The award ceremony, set to take place on the sidelines of GITEX Africa, will offer numerous benefits to the winners, including increased visibility, networking opportunities, experience sharing, and promotion of excellence. Approximately 300 high-ranking guests, including 150 CIOs from partner CIO Clubs, will be in attendance.