Digital and Financial Expo: Digital Impact Awards Africa
Digital Financial Services will drive 90% Business Success in Africa; 4th Digital Impact Awards Africa Nominees Released
Based on Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) research covering the digitalization of Africa and Financial Inclusion during the last 4 years, we predict that by 2025, embracing Digital Financial Services will drive 90% business success in Africa. Additionally, successful Sub Saharan African companies will only be those with good web presence bundled with vibrant properties on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
In monetary terms, the mobile ecosystem is projected to contribute USD160 billion to the GDP of Sub-Saharan Africa by 2020 (GSMA 2015). McKinsey & Company report that the internet will contribute USD300 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025.
Countries including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Africa are not only among the fast-growing economies on the continent but also the pillars of innovation and high-tech entrepreneurship leading the development of the digital economy in Africa.
The digital driven financial evolution has brought about different tools to improve financial inclusion and change business models and payment models for different industries. While releasing the 4th Digital Impact Awards Africa nominees’ list, HiPipo CEO, Innocent Kawooya noted that “In order to maximize the digital dividend and minimize digitization risks, we recommend a bigger push for, regulatory adherence for SIM registration, Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti Money Laundering, Credit Reference Bureaus among others”.
Adding that “We are at early stages of crossroads of Fintech, Regtech, and Financial Inclusion. We believe that the stakeholders have to embrace the opportunity and challenges presented by digital technology and regulations in order to effectively and collectively drive the financial inclusion agenda.”
“While RegTech is thought of as a sub domain of FinTech, the much-publicised $5.2bn fine (later reduced) levied against MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission for flouting SIM card registration regulations reminded the continent that regulation technology is very vital and will continue to be a very important player of effective and sustainable digital and financial inclusion” Kawooya noted.
The Central Bank of Uganda (BoU) has shown commitment of government to prioritize the financial inclusion agenda. For instance, implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy seeks to address five major drivers of financial inclusion; accessibility of financial services, credit infrastructure, digitisation of financial services, appropriate and innovative financial products and consumer financial protection.
Elsewhere, like in the United Kingdom, which would seemingly be a financially connected world, where people can send money to one another via smartphones, it’s pretty hard to believe that financial exclusion is still a reality there and has promoted the UK government to appoint the first Minister For Financial Inclusion.
Commenting about the Digital Impact Award Africa 2017, the project patron Hon. Karubanga David (State Minister for Public Service and Member of Parliament for Kigorobya) noted that “Promoting financial inclusion is a key part of the NRM Government’s agenda as this further stimulates wealthy creation. He added that Government through its different arms and departments is promoting policies for tackling poverty, improving digital access for services, protecting consumers and promoting employment and economic growth to benefit all Ugandans”.
Started in 2013 by HiPipo and developed under the patronage of Hon. Karubanga David, the 4th Digital and Financial Expo (#DiFiExpo) featuring Digital Impact Awards Africa (#DIAA2017), is scheduled for 21-22 September 2017 at Kampala Serena Hotel. The project includes an exhibition of innovations for products and services in the digital and financial services space and their application to the different economic sectors and industries such as agriculture, health, education, travel, hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, utility services etc.
The project; expo, conference and awards event is graced by different thought leaders that comprise C-Level executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, academic, consultants and policy makers. In 2016, DIAA recognized and appreciated the founders and pioneers of M-PESA who graced the #DIAA2016 event with delivering keynote remarks. These are; Mr. Michael Joseph, Director Mobile Money at Vodafone and previously, the CEO of Safaricom Limited, Dr. Nick Hughes Co-Founder M-KOPA- Pioneer of M-PESA and Ms. Susie Lonie– Pioneer of M-PESA.
DIAA2017 conducted research in which 288 companies operating in Africa were assessed for their digital embrace and innovation. DIAA2017 has 9 awards categories that are eligible for companies operating across Africa. For these categories, several companies that have had highly commendable contribution to Africa digital and financial inclusion through innovations have been nominated following DIAA research panel assessment and recommendations. The nominees have been at the forefront of innovation and applying best practice to steer digital inclusion and financial inclusion.
Congratulation to all the DIAA2017 nominees. We look forward to have all the nominees and other players products and services exhibited during the project; expo, conference and awards event on 21-22 September 2017 at Kampala Serena Hotel. Contact DIAA team for booking at (socialweb@hipipo.com). Below are the #DIAA2017 nominees:
AFRICA
Best Mobile Financial Service for Africa
Africell Money
Airtel Money
EcoCash
Equity Bank – Equitel
MTN Mobile Money
Orange Money
Safaricom/Vodafone M-Pesa
Tigo Cash
Best Digital Financial Service Platform for Africa
Ericsson Converged Wallet
Huawei Mobile Money
Mahindra Comviva Mobiquity
OboPay
Best Remittances Service for Africa
Azimo
Hello Paisa
MFS Africa
Money Gram
SimbaPay
UBA Africash
Western Union
WorldRemit
Best Pay TV/VOD Service for Africa
Azam TV
Canal+
DSTV/GoTV
Iroko TV
Kwese TV
Nuvu by Airtel
Showmax
StarTimes
Trace Play
Zuku TV
Best Smartphone Brand for Africa
Huawei
Itel
Samsung
Tecno
Best Mobile App for Africa (New/Redesigned)
Airtel Care App
MY MTN App
My Vodacom App
Sliide Airtime
Standard Bank / Stanbic Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
Best Corporate Website for Africa (New/Redesigned)
Barclays (Absa Bank)
Safaricom
Stanbic Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
Vodacom
Best Fintech Innovation for Africa
Lipa na M-Pesa
M-KOPA
M-Shwari
MTN AYO
Ready Pay Solar
Commended RegTech Innovation (TBD)
Uganda
Best Financial Inclusion Product/Service
Airtel/JUMO Wewole
Centenary Bank, Cente Supawoman Club
MTN/CBA MoKash
Post Bank Village Saving Loan Association (VSLA) Account
Stanbic Bank Community Banking
Pride Microfinance Community Banking
Best Promoter of Financial Literacy
Centenary Bank: CenteBusinessLife
FINCA Smart Campaign: Financial Literacy Camps
KCB Financial Literacy Training
NSSF: Friends With Benefits TV Show
Stanbic National Schools Championship
Best Online Banking
Barclays Bank
DFCU Bank
Equity Bank
KCB Bank
Stanbic Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
Best Mobile Banking
Bank of Africa
Barclays Bank
Centenary Bank
DFCU Bank
Diamond Trust Bank
Equity Bank
Pride Microfinance
Stanbic Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
Best B2B Payments/Transfers Integrator
Cellulant Corporation
Easypay
Intelworld
InterSwitch
Kopo Kopo
Pegasus Technologies
Yo Dime
Yo Uganda
Best Consumer Payments Service
Beyonic
Ezeemoney
Interswitch
Payway
Pebuu
Stanbic Bank – FlexiPay
Centenary Bank – School Pay
Best Digital Embrace by Bank/Credit/Microfinance Institution
FINCA Impact Finance
Mercantile Credit
Pride Microfinance
Top Finance Bank
UGAFODE Microfinance
Best E-Service
KCCA (Ecitie)
NSSF (e-Collections)
NWSC (e-Water)
Umeme (Touch Pay)
URA (E-Tax)
Best Government Body on Social Media
KCCA
NSSF
NWSC
Parliament
URA
Uganda Police Force
Best Technology Brand on Social Media
Africell Uganda
Airtel Uganda
DSTV/GoTV
Huawei Mobile
MTN Uganda
Best Financial Services Brand on Social Media
Bank of Africa
Barclays Bank
Centenary Bank
DFCU Bank
Finance Trust Bank
Stanbic Bank
Best Consumer Goods Brand on Social Media
Bell Lager
Club Pilsner
Coca Cola
Movit
Pepsi
Riham
Best Industrial Goods Brand on Social Media
City Tyres
Oryx Energies
Total Uganda
UMEME
Vivo Energy
Best Digital Customer Service by Technology Brand
Africell
Airtel
DSTV/GOtv
MTN
Best Digital Customer Service by Financial Services Brand
Barclays Bank
Centenary Bank
Stanbic Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
Best Digital Customer Service by Utilities or Government Agency Brand
NSSF
NWSC
Umeme
Best Use of Digital for Brand/Product/Service Marketing Campaign
Africell ‘Don’t be Cheated’
Crown Beverages – Sala Puleesa
MTN MoKash
UBL – Tubbaale
NWSC (#Waterman #TweetaleakUg)
Best Use of Digital for Event/Sponsorship/CSR Marketing Campaign
Africell: Morgan Heritage Kampala Concert
Airtel “Tulumbe AFCON”
Barclays Bank “Ready to Work”
Coke Studio Africa
MTN Kampala Marathon “Run for Kampala”
Vodafone #ICreateTomorrow
Wrist House Uganda Invisible Chain #endchildtraffickingug
Best E-Commerce Service
Cheki
Jumia
OLX
Kilimall
Commended Cybersecurity Practice
NSSF
Standard Chartered Bank
URA
Commended Connectivity Initiative
#MYUG Free Wi-Fi
Africell Triple Mbs
Airtel Xtra Massape
MTN JUZZA Internet
RokeSpot Wi-Fi
Vodafone “Shika More”
Commended Digital Content/Apps Initiative
Airtel Football Portal
MixaKids
MTN App Challenge
MyChild Portal
Softbox – MyLIB
Vodafone – JUMP
Digital Brand of the Year
Airtel Uganda
Centenary Bank
DSTV
MTN Uganda
Stanbic Bank
Standard Charted Bank
Commended use of Digital in Sector (Uganda)
Commended use of Digital in Travel Sector
Brussels Airlines
Emirates Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Kenya Airlines
Modern Coast
Rwanda Air
Commended use of Digital in Consumer Goods Sector
La Belle
Madhvani Group
Movit Products
Mukwano Industries
Sadolin Paints
Samona Products
Unilever
Commended use of Digital in Foods & Beverage Sector
Britania Uganda
Café Javas
Century Bottling Company
Crown Beverages
Hariss International
Nile Breweries
UBL
Commended use of Digital in Energy Sector
CNOOC Uganda
Eskom Uganda
Total Uganda
Tullow Uganda
Vivo Energy Uganda
Commended use of Digital in Agriculture & Agro Processing Sector
Jesa Farm Dairy
Mega Dairy
Pearl Diary Farms
UgaChick
Victoria Seeds
Commended use of Digital in Insurance Sector
AAR Insurance
Goldstar Insurance
Jubilee Insurance
NIC Holdings
UAP Insurance
Commended use of Digital in Healthcare Sector
Andromeda Solutions
Case Hospital
Pan Dental Surgery
The Surgery
Vine Pharmaceuticals
Commended use of Digital in Real Estate Sector
Jomayi
National Housing & Construction Company
Roko Construction
Tirupati Development
Commended use of Digital in Retail & Distribution Sector
Footsteps Furniture
Kiboko Enterprises
Motorcare Nissan
Nina Interiors Limited
Simba Telecom
Tata Uganda
Commended use of Digital in Education Sector
Cavendish University
ISBAT
Makerere University
Rainbow International School
UTAMU
Victoria University
Commended use of Digital in Tourism Sector
Afri Tours & Travel
Great Lakes Safari
Matoke Tours
Pearl of Africa Tours
PearlAfric Tours & Travel
#DiFiExpo #DIAA2017 is a production of HiPipo
