Africa Awards Recognizes Women in Tech

Absa co-hosted the event at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel on October 5th, 2023.

The awards honored individuals making remarkable contributions to Africa’s tech industry across categories like startups, global leadership, disruption, and lifetime achievement.

Notable was Absa’s own Tamu Dutuma receiving the Best Ally Award for championing gender diversity in tech. Dutuma heads strategy, governance and reporting at Absa.

Other award recipients included Masego and Matlhogonolo Mphahlele as Aspiring Teens for their digital X-ray glasses invention. Bernice Omiunu of Women in Blockchain Africa won the Women in Web3 Award.

Naadiya Moosajee, co-founder of Womhub, received the Most Disruptive Award. Thato Mabudusha, co-founder of health startup Zoie Health, won the Women in Tech Start-Up Award.

The Global Leadership Award went to Airtel Africa’s Priya Thakoor for her tech industry impact. Mamokgethi Phakeng of South Africa’s Presidency took home the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dutuma said recognizing women’s tech accomplishments establishes role models and inspirations for future female leaders. Absa congratulated the deserving winners advancing the industry.

Melissa Slaymaker of WiT stressed the awards acknowledge innovators shaping technology’s future. The Absa-WiT collaboration also focuses on empowering women’s professional development.

Winners gain international exposure as nominees for WiT’s Global Awards in Dubai this November. Dutuma concluded that highlighting success stories fosters a more inclusive tech ecosystem.

By showcasing achievements, providing networking, and enabling skills development, the partners aim to elevate women across Africa’s tech landscape. The awards ceremony honored pioneers while inspiring future female leaders in STEAM.