Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Hon. Eliud O. Owalo has been adjudged the Digital Economy Personality of the Year at the 8th Africa Digital Economy Awards (ADEA) 2023, held on 10th November, at the Emara Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Digital Economy Personality of the Year is in recognition of his impeccable role in driving digitalization in Kenya as well as his role as CS for the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy which has birthed several initiatives and innovations making Kenya a digital hub in the continent.
Hon Owalo has been the torchbearer for the Kenyan Government’s quest to be an ICT innovation hub and unlock the digital economy potential through the implementation of the National ICT Policy, Digital Economy Blueprint, the Kenya Start-Up Act, and Data Protection Act, Misuse and Cybercrimes Act and the Konza Technopolis project among others.
His leadership has seen the robust digitization of government services through the eCitizen platform, the implementation of the paperless government agenda, the SchoolNet program, the creation of over 174 digital hubs in communities and learning institutions across Kenya, the provision of over 25,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots across Kenya and the roll-out of Made in Kenya smartphone manufacturing among many others.
CS Owalo has been a pathfinder in Africa’s digital economy space leading the East African nation to flourish in the digital ecosystem making it one of the ten fastest-growing digital economies in the world – a longstanding leader in technology innovation across sub-Saharan Africa, notably, Kenya is the hub for Fintech.
The CS who has confirmed his attendance at the 8th African Digital Economy Awards ceremony will also deliver a welcome address where he will be discussing Digitalization and the Kenyan Economy.
Themed, “Celebrating Digital Excellence” ADEA in its 8th year will celebrate and honour Africa’s digital champions, innovators, creativities, and inventions across multiple areas whose contributions have significantly impacted the digital growth and security of the African economy during the gala night.
Powered by the Digital Economy Magazine, ADEA, following 7 successful editions in West Africa, is holding in Kenya in its 8th edition to engender Pan-Africanism in digitalization. The awards scheme has become a benchmark for digital excellence in Africa and has over the years propelled Africa’s rise in the fourth industrial revolution.
See Full Winners List:
| Categories | Winners |
| Emerging Digital Payment Provider of the Year | SasaPay |
| Emerging Digital Transformation Provider of the Year | Esint Technologies |
| Tower Company of the Year ( Ghana) | ATC Ghana |
| Innovative Online Pharmacy of the Year | MyDawa |
| Africa ICT Regulator of the Year | ICT Authority Kenya |
| Best County in Promoting Digitization | Nairobi City County |
| FoodTech Provider of the Year | Saraya Kenya |
| Public Sector Digital Transformation Award | Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) |
| Cyber Security Company of The Year | Serianu |
| Business Transformation Provider of the Year | Reliance Datatech |
| Datacentre Provider of the Year | Africa Date Centre |
| Enterprise Software Solutions Provider of the Year | Sybyl |
| Cyber Security Team of the Year | Serianu |
| Africa Communications Regulator of the Year | National Communications Authority Ghana |
| Tower Company of the Year (Kenya) | ATC Kenya |
| Digital Infrastructure Provider of the Year | Liquid Intelligent Technologies |
| Cyber Security Consulting Company of the Year | Cyberteq Falcon |
| Best Unified Cloud Software Product of the Year | Zoho One by Zoho |
| West Africa Datacentre Provider of the Year | Digital Realty |
| Best Government Payment App of the Year | Best Tech App of the Year Ponea Health |
| Best Tech App of the Year | Ponea Health |
| Pan Africa Technology Solutions Provider of the Year | MFI Technology Solutions |
| CTO of the Year Group | Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Liquid Intelligent – Ben Roberts |
| Outstanding Woman in Digitization | Lillian Lumallas Senior Business Development Manager – East Africa. PCCW Global Limited |
| Tower Personality of the Year | Gordon Xatse, Commercial Director American Tower Corporation, Nigeria |
| Datacentre Personality of the Year | Dan Kwach Managing Director – East Africa Region Africa Data Centres |
| Cyber Security Personality of the Year | William Makatiani CEO, Serianu |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, MBS Principal Secretary State Department for Information Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Benard Njoroge Founder/Managing Director, Adrian Kenya |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Philip Thigo Executive Director for Africa, Thunderbird School of Global Management |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Ben Tagoe CEO Cyberteq Falcon |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Archie Hesse CEO Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Mr. Stanley Kamanguya, CEO, ICT Authority, Kenya |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Mr. Joe Anokye Director General National Communications Authority |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Olufemi Arosanyin Chief Executive Officer IHS Cameroon S.A. |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani Chief Executive Officer Digital Realty Nigeria |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Wole Abu CEO Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Dr Krishnan Ranganath (Krish) CEO Regional Executive – West Africa Africa Data Centres |
| Top 50 Digital Economy Leader | Ayotunde Coker CEO Open Access Data Centres |
| Technology CEO of the Year | Adil El Youssefi CEO Liquid Intelligent Technologies |
| Digital Economy Personality of the Year | H.E Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, Kenya |
