The 16th edition of the CIO100 2004 Awards will bring together Africa’s most influential IT leaders to discuss the latest trends and challenges shaping the continent’s digital landscape. The CIO100 Symposium & Awards will take place from 20 – 22 November 2024 at Enashipai Resort and SPA.
Speaking to media, Mr Andrew Karanja, the Director of CIO Africa by dx5, talked about the CIO100 event. He further talked about the history of the event and why it is important to recognise tech talent and fuel the growth of technology in the country.
“This event is not just a celebration,” Mr Karanja noted, “it’s a testament to the relentless spirit of innovation that drives our continent. By recognising those at the forefront of integrating technology with business strategy, we are setting a standard and inspiring a future where technology is a pivotal part of business success and societal advancement in Africa. Our journey towards technological excellence is made possible by the support of our sponsors. Their commitment to fostering innovation and supporting our vision is invaluable.”
In a year that AI has emerged strong, the event will also focus on how it has impacted businesses on the continent. It has attracted speakers from across the continent such as South Africa, Nigeria and even the UAE. This year’s symposium promises to be a transformative experience, featuring insightful keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops led by industry experts. Key topics of discussion will include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning
- Cybersecurity and data privacy
- Cloud computing and digital transformation
- The Internet of Things (IoT)
The event will also recognise and honour the top 100 CIOs in Africa who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation.
dx5, the organisers of the event, held a teaser session at their offices in Tatu City, bringing together CIOs who have been part of technology growth in Africa. The session involved a panel discussion around the use of AI in businesses with the current CIO of the Year, Charles Washika, Director ICT and Innovations at Cooperative Bank Kenya, this year’s CIO of the Year nominee, Gilbert Mutai, CIO Car & General, the 2014 CIO of the Year winner Kenneth Ogwang’, Head of Digital and Technology at Diageo. The session was moderated by Peter Kanda, the cofounder of TruSource.io
Mr Washika talked about the growth of Artificial Intelligence and the need for companies to adopt these emerging technologies. “Looking at the banking sector, for instance, security is very important because we handle a lot of data from customers. This is data that is targeted a lot by attackers who are now also using AI in their attacks. We also need to use these technologies to ensure that we are always ahead of them, and that all our systems are working well, and the customer’s data is protected,” Mr Washika, who is the current CIO of The Year, noted.
Mr Ogwang’ echoed Washika’s statement adding that a lot of companies are now “investing heavy on emerging technologies because they want to stay updated and ahead of the curve.”
The symposium will culminate in a celebration of the top 100 organisations using technology to revolutionise not just their industry but also the tech space, as well as the individuals leading these innovative projects. The much-coveted CIO of the Year Award will also toast an individual within one of the top 100 organisations who has led a project that integrates technology with the company’s vision and business strategy.
Past CIO of the Year winners include Moses Okundi, CTO/CIO of Absa Bank, Tom Mboya, Technology Lead for East Africa at Unilever, George Njuguna, former Director of Information Technology (CIO) at Safaricom PLC, Jaine Mwai, CIO at Standard Chartered Bank and Kenneth Ogwang’, Head of Digital and Technology for Eastern and Southern Africa at Diageo.
Double nominee (2023 & 20204) as one of the contenders for the award, Gilbert Mutai, the CIO of Car & General Group expressed excitement saying “the event has always provided me with an opportunity to learn from peers and engage with them.”
The event’s sponsors include AWS, Freshworks, BUI, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Westcon-Comstor, Manage Engine, Africa Data Centres, SEACOM, Relational FS, Servercore, Radware, IP River, and Cloud Plexo.
