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 showncommitment 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 firstMinister 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. KarubangaDavid, 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, DIAArecognized 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 (). Below are the #DIAA2017 nominees:
AFRICA
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1. Best Mobile Financial Service for Africa
a. Africell Money b. Airtel Money c. EcoCash d. Equity Bank -Equitel e. MTN Mobile Money f. Orange Money g. Safaricom/Vodafone M-Pesa h. Tigo Cash |
2. Best Digital Financial Service Platform for Africa
a. Ericsson Converged Wallet b. Huawei Mobile Money c. Mahindra Comviva Mobiquity d. OboPay |
3. Best Remittances Service for Africa
a. Azimo b. Hello Paisa c. MFS Africa d. Money Gram e. SimbaPay f. UBA Africash g. Western Union h. WorldRemit |
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4. Best Pay TV/VOD Service for Africa
a. Azam TV b. Canal+ c. DSTV/GoTV d. Iroko TV e. Kwese TV f. Nuvu by Airtel g. Showmax h. StarTimes i. Trace Play j. Zuku TV |
5. Best Smartphone Brand for Africa
a. Huawei b. Itel c. Samsung d. Tecno |
6. Best Mobile App for Africa (New/Redesigned)
a. Airtel Care App b. MY MTN App c. My Vodacom App d. Sliide Airtime e. Standard Bank / Stanbic Bank f. Standard Chartered Bank |
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7. Best Corporate Website for Africa (New/Redesigned)
a. Barclays (Absa Bank) b. Safaricom c. Stanbic Bank d. Standard Chartered Bank e. Vodacom |
8. Best Fintech Innovationfor Africa
a. Lipana M-Pesa b. M-KOPA c. M-Shwari d. MTN AYO e. Ready Pay Solar |
9. Commended RegTechInnovation (TBD) |
Uganda
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10. Best Financial Inclusion Product/Service
a. Airtel/JUMO Wewole b. Centenary Bank, Cente Supawoman Club c. MTN/CBA MoKash d. Post BankVillage Saving Loan Association (VSLA) Account e. Stanbic Bank Community Banking f. Pride Microfinance Community Banking |
11. Best Promoter of Financial Literacy
a. Centenary Bank: CenteBusinessLife b. FINCA Smart Campaign: Financial Literacy Camps c. KCB Financial Literacy Training d. NSSF: Friends With Benefits TV Show e. Stanbic National Schools Championship |
12. Best Online Banking
a. Barclays Bank b. DFCU Bank c. Equity Bank d. KCB Bank e. Stanbic Bank f. Standard Chartered Bank |
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13. Best Mobile Banking
a. Bank of Africa b. Barclays Bank c. Centenary Bank d. DFCU Bank e. Diamond Trust Bank f. Equity Bank g. Pride Microfinance h. Stanbic Bank i. Standard Chartered Bank |
14. Best B2B Payments/Transfers Integrator
a. Cellulant Corporation b. Easypay c. Intelworld d. InterSwitch e. KopoKopo f. Pegasus Technologies g. Yo Dime h. Yo Uganda |
15. Best Consumer Payments Service
a. Beyonic b. Ezeemoney c. Interswitch d. Payway e. Pebuu f. Stanbic Bank –FlexiPay g. Centenary Bank – School Pay |
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16. Best Digital Embrace by Bank/Credit/Microfinance Institution
a. FINCA Impact Finance b. Mercantile Credit c. Pride Microfinance d. Top Finance Bank e. UGAFODE Microfinance |
17. Best E-Service
a. KCCA (Ecitie) b. NSSF (e-Collections) c. NWSC (e-Water) d. Umeme (Touch Pay) e. URA (E-Tax) |
18. Best Government Body on Social Media
a. KCCA b. NSSF c. NWSC d. Parliament e. URA f. Uganda Police Force |
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19. Best Technology Brand on Social Media
a. Africell Uganda b. Airtel Uganda c. DSTV/GoTV d. Huawei Mobile e. MTN Uganda |
20. Best Financial Services Brand on Social Media
a. Bank of Africa b. Barclays Bank c. Centenary Bank d. DFCU Bank e. Finance Trust Bank f. Stanbic Bank |
21. Best Consumer Goods Brand on Social Media
a. Bell Lager b. Club Pilsner c. Coca Cola d. Movit e. Pepsi f. Riham |
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22. Best Industrial Goods Brand on Social Media
a. City Tyres b. Oryx Energies c. Total Uganda d. UMEME e. Vivo Energy |
23. Best Digital Customer Service by Technology Brand
a. Africell b. Airtel c. DSTV/GOtv d. MTN |
24. Best Digital Customer Service by Financial Services Brand
a. Barclays Bank b. Centenary Bank c. Stanbic Bank d. Standard Chartered Bank |
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25. Best Digital Customer Service by Utilities or Government Agency Brand
a. NSSF b. NWSC c. Umeme |
26. Best Use of Digital for Brand/Product/Service Marketing Campaign
a. Africell ‘Don’t be Cheated’ b. Crown Beverages – Sala Puleesa c. MTN MoKash d. UBL – Tubbaale e. NWSC (#Waterman #TweetaleakUg) |
27. Best Use of Digital for Event/Sponsorship/CSR Marketing Campaign
a. Africell: Morgan Heritage Kampala Concert b. Airtel “Tulumbe AFCON” c. Barclays Bank “Ready to Work” d. Coke Studio Africa e. MTN Kampala Marathon“Run for Kampala” f. Vodafone #ICreateTomorrow g. Wrist House Uganda Invisible Chain #endchildtraffickingug |
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28. Best E-Commerce Service
a. Cheki b. Jumia c. OLX d. Kilimall |
29. Commended Cybersecurity Practice
a. NSSF b. Standard Chartered Bank c. URA |
30. Commended Connectivity Initiative
a. #MYUG Free Wi-Fi b. Africell Triple Mbs c. Airtel XtraMassape d. MTN JUZZA Internet e. RokeSpot Wi-Fi f. Vodafone “Shika More” |
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31. Commended Digital Content/Apps Initiative
a. Airtel Football Portal b. MixaKids c. MTN App Challenge d. MyChild Portal e. Softbox – MyLIB f. Vodafone – JUMP |
32. Digital Brand of the Year
a. Airtel Uganda b. Centenary Bank c. DSTV d. MTN Uganda e. Stanbic Bank f. Standard Charted Bank |
Commended use of Digital in Sector (Uganda)
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1. Commended use of Digital in Travel Sector
a. Brussels Airlines b. Emirates Airlines c. Ethiopian Airlines d. Kenya Airlines e. Modern Coast f. Rwanda Air |
2. Commended use of Digital in Consumer GoodsSector
a. La Belle b. Madhvani Group c. Movit Products d. Mukwano Industries e. Sadolin Paints f. Samona Products g. Unilever |
3. Commended use of Digital in Foods & Beverage Sector
a. Britania Uganda b. Café Javas c. Century Bottling Company d. Crown Beverages e. Hariss International f. Nile Breweries g. UBL |
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4. Commended use of Digital in Energy Sector
a. CNOOC Uganda b. Eskom Uganda c. Total Uganda d. Tullow Uganda e. Vivo Energy Uganda |
5. Commended use of Digital in Agriculture & Agro Processing Sector
a. Jesa Farm Dairy b. Mega Dairy c. Pearl Diary Farms d. UgaChick e. Victoria Seeds |
6. Commended use of Digital in Insurance Sector
a. AAR Insurance b. Goldstar Insurance c. Jubilee Insurance d. NIC Holdings e. UAP Insurance |
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7. Commended use of Digital in Healthcare Sector
a. Andromeda Solutions b. Case Hospital c. Pan Dental Surgery d. The Surgery e. Vine Pharmaceuticals |
8. Commended use of Digital in Real Estate Sector
a. Jomayi b. National Housing & Construction Company c. Roko Construction d. Tirupati Development |
9. Commended use of Digital in Retail & Distribution Sector
a. Footsteps Furniture b. Kiboko Enterprises c. Motorcare Nissan d. Nina Interiors Limited e. Simba Telecom f. Tata Uganda |
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10. Commended use of Digital in Education Sector
a. Cavendish University b. ISBAT c. Makerere University d. Rainbow International School e. UTAMU f. Victoria University |
11. Commended use of Digital in Tourism Sector
a. Afri Tours & Travel b. Great Lakes Safari c. Matoke Tours d. Pearl of Africa Tours e. PearlAfric Tours & Travel |
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