Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) needs to be embraced in order for the development gap between Africa and the rest of the world to decrease. Information is an essential resource in the global networked economy and Africa must exploit these technologies to become fully integrated into it and accelerate socio-economic development.

The African ICT Achievers Awards recognise the efforts and achievements of organisations and individuals within the ICT industry across Africa that are working towards full participation in this global economy.

"Our awards programme is primarily responsible for contributing to making the African century a reality through digital inclusion," says Jane Mosebi MD for ForgeAhead, the ICT research company that owns the
African ICT Achievers Awards.

"The awards also reward those who have used ICTs innovatively in business and technology environments and those who have made a difference in the lives of others less fortunate and who continue to support the challenge that each and every African faces in leveraging ICTs to make a difference across our continent.

"As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the programme, we continue to ensure that the programme reaches the rest of the African market in order to develop this industry and grow as an African nation."

She says that the judging process is about to begin and judges are working towards selecting the winners in each category, under the watchful eye of our new audit partners, Nkonki Incorporated.

"We raise the bar of the quality and quantity of nominations every year, and this year we have raised it even higher.

"So many people out there are doing amazing ICT things in Africa and for them to go unacknowledged would be an injustice. The progress made must be celebrated.

"Africa competes with the rest of the world where ICT is concerned. Our geographic location between east, west, north and south make us attractive from a Data Hosting and Business Process Outsourcing perspective," she says.

A team of online judges from the continent will be involved in the first phase of adjudication to determine the regional winners from Northern and Southern Africa. These two winners automatically go through as the two continental finalists.

Face to face interviews by a panel of African judges will determine the continental winner. At the finalist breakfast the two continental finalists are awarded certificates signed by the South African Minister of Communications.

"We believe we are well on our way to hosting the best African ICT Achievers Awards yet," concludes Mosebi.


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