Barbara Melem, Head of Corporate Communications & Sustainability (Senior Manager) at IHS Cameroon, has been named Telecom Sustainability Personality of the Year at the prestigious 11th Africa Digital Economy Awards (ADEA 2026).
The prestigious ceremony, held on September 9, 2026, at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, celebrated the continent’s most visionary corporate leaders, innovators, and organizations shaping Africa’s digital future.
The 11th ADEA edition, powered by Digital Economy Magazine, convened industry pioneers, executive leaders, and policy decision-makers. Among 36 celebrated awardees, Melem’s individual triumph capped a remarkable night for IHS Towers.
With over two decades of distinguished experience across Africa’s telecommunications and corporate sectors, Melem has spearheaded sustainable development strategies and impactful corporate communications frameworks. Since joining IHS Towers in 2021, her leadership has been instrumental in advancing digital accessibility, environmental governance, and community-empowerment initiatives across the region.
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Reflecting on her continental recognition, Barbara Melem, Head of Corporate Communications & Sustainability at IHS Towers, stated:
“Receiving the Telecom Sustainability Personality of the Year award is both a profound honour and a testament to our collective commitment at IHS Towers to bridge the digital divideresponsibly. True digital transformation must be anchored in sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion. This award belongs to our dedicated teams and partners who work tirelessly to ensure that as our infrastructure expands, we build a resilient, green, and connected future for communities across Africa.”
Celebrating her outstanding contribution to the digital ecosystem, Akin Naphtal, Group CEO of InstinctWave Group and Host of the Africa Digital Economy Awards, praised her visionary leadership:
“Barbara Melem represents the gold standard of sustainable executive leadership in Africa’s rapidly evolving telecommunications industry. Her strategic vision seamlessly bridges the gap between infrastructure deployment and meaningful social sustainability. At InstinctWave, we are proud to honour leaders like Barbara who are not only driving commercial and technical excellence, but are actively ensuring that Africa’s digital expansion is inclusive, sustainable, and transformative for generations to come.”
The 11th Africa Digital Economy Awards reaffirmed its position as the continent’s flagship benchmarking event, highlighting achievements in infrastructure, fintech, digital governance, and ESG integration. Melem’s recognition highlights the growing importance of sustainable leadership in driving Africa’s long-term digital prosperity..
