Home Blog

MTN, Centenary, and Standard Chartered Bank Win Big at the 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa

deejaynick20
-
0
MTN, Centenary, and Standard Chartered Bank Win Big at the 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa

MTN MoMo, MTN Uganda, Centenary Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank emerged as the biggest winners at the 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa. Held on 14th November at the Kampala Serena Hotel as part of the broader Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, the event once again celebrated outstanding digital innovation and financial inclusion efforts across the region.

MTN retained top honors, taking home Diamond for Digital Brand of the Year, Financial Services Digital Excellence, Technology Services Digital Excellence and CEO of the Year. Centenary Bank secured Digital Brand of the Year – Gold, Banking Innovation Excellence – Gold, and Community/MFI Banking Excellence – Diamond while Standard Chartered Bank clinched Digital Banking Excellence – Diamond and CEO of the Year – Gold.

This year also featured three special categories recognizing individuals who have over the years consistently advanced digital communication and marketing in both the public and private sectors. National Water and Sewerage Corporation’s John Fisher Sekabira won Public Sector Digital Communications Champion, Standard Chartered Bank’s Cynthia Mpanga received the Digital Corporate Affairs Visionary of the Decade award, and Centenary Bank’s Micheal Bulyerali was honored as the Outstanding Digital Marketing Trailblazer.

While delivering her Guest of Honour remarks, Owek. Hon. Joyce Nabosa Sebugwawo, the State Minister for ICT, noted that the original vision of HiPipo and CyberPLC; set more than a decade ago was bold yet clear: to champion digital innovation, FinTech growth, and financial inclusion across the continent. She affirmed that HiPipo and her partners have ‘walked the talk’ and continue to shape digital and financial inclusion conversations across Africa.

“These accomplishments in the digital domain are proof of the effectiveness of partnership and collaboration. The efforts of HiPipo and its collaborators have been enhanced by the invaluable support of the Gates Foundation, various government bodies, and regional entities, including COMESA Business Council (CBC). Collectively, they have incited a surge of digital excellence that has encompassed the most influential actors in FinTech innovation and the largest corporations in banking and telecommunications.”

Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) Vice Chair and SoftPower Communications CEO, Sarah Kagingo, applauded the winners and reiterated PSFU’s commitment to supporting technology-driven transformation in Uganda. She challenged innovators to leverage emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to drive last-mile inclusion.

HiPipo CEO, Innocent Kawooya highlighted that his organization’s impact across Uganda and East Africa has attracted broader regional interest, informing the decision to expand the Include EveryOne program within the COMESA bloc; beginning with Zambia and Malawi, with more countries to follow.

He noted that beyond celebrating excellence, HiPipo has this year delivered practical digital and financial literacy trainings to last-mile communities. In Zambia and Malawi alone, the team has supported over 5,000 women cross-border traders, trained hundreds at Elegu Border Post, and engaged more than 200 digital and financial inclusion organizations.

The Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit lived up to its billing and hype with representation from over 50 organizations, up to 25 speakers and over 1000 physical and online attendees.

Here is the complete list of the 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa (#DIAA2025) Winners.

Certificates

Commendation for Holistic Ride-Hailing Services

Ride Now

Commendation for Sustainable Energy & Fuel Distribution

TotalEnergies

Commendation for Excellent Personal and Home Technology.

Blacklyf

Commendation for Democratizing Cars’ Ownership

Ayyan Motors

Commendation for Democratizing Motorbikes’ Ownership.

Spiro Uganda

Accolades.

Special Awards and Recognition

Public Sector Digital Communications Champion – John Fisher Sekabira

Digital Corporate Affairs Visionary of the Decade – Cynthia Mpanga

Digital Marketing Trailblazer of the Year – Micheal Bulyerali

Financial Inclusion Excellence.

Pride Bank – Diamond

ClinicPesa – Gold

Digital Banking Excellence.

Standard Chartered Bank – Diamond

Centenary Bank – Gold 

Banking Innovation Excellence.

PDM digitisation by WENDI Digital Wallet / Pearl Bank – Diamond

QuickTeller Agents Partnership by Interswitch and Centenary Bank – Gold

Community/MFI Banking Excellence.

Centenary Bank – Diamond

Pearl Bank – Gold

FinTech Start-up of the Year.

Paytota – Diamond

Fido – Gold

FinTech of the Year.

Jumo – Diamond

School Pay – Gold

Financial Services Digital Excellence.

MTN MoMo – Diamond

Interswitch – Gold

Consumer Goods and Services Digital Excellence.

Jude Color Solutions – Diamond

Movit Products Limited – Gold

Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.

NWSC – Diamond

Technology Services Digital Excellence

MTN Uganda – Diamond

DHS Africa – Gold

CEO of the Year (DFS).

Richard Yego – MTN MoMo – Diamond

Sanjay Rughani – Standard Chartered Bank – Gold

Digital Brand of the Year.

  1. MTN Uganda and MTN MoMo – Diamond
  2. Centenary Bank – Gold

Vice President Alupo launches Nonda Coffee Shop and Roastery, Uganda’s First Single-Origin Coffee Franchise in Saudi Arabia

deejaynick20
-
0
Vice President Alupo launches Nonda Coffee Shop and Roastery, Uganda’s First Single-Origin Coffee Franchise in Saudi Arabia

Uganda’s Vice President, Her Excellency Maj. Jessica Alupo, has today launched the country’s first Single-Origin Coffee Franchise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Located at the heart of Riyadh, Nonda Coffee Shop and Roastery marks a historic milestone in Uganda’s coffee journey, bringing the country’s finest single-origin beans to the global stage. The shop will serve premium Ugandan coffee to a cosmopolitan audience of residents, business travellers, and millions of international visitors who frequent Saudi Arabia for commerce, pilgrimage, tourism, and investment. It is the first among many to be rolled out across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

In her remarks, Hon. Alupo noted that the launch of the Nonda Coffee Shop and Roastery in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone for Uganda, as it not only opens up new markets for Ugandan coffee but also creates employment opportunities for Ugandans and inspires smallholder farmers to scale up into commercial production.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to Nonda Commodities and Ingazi group for this initiative. In Uganda, we have four sectors where there are jobs and wealth. These are Commercial Agriculture; Industry/Manufacturing; Services and ICT. Our being in this boardroom is a clear message that the government and people of Saudi Arabia have enabled us to exploit two of these key sectors at ago. That is commercial Agriculture and Industry/Manufacturing because the coffee we are talking about here is processed but also comes from farmers,” she said, adding:

“In Uganda today, 33% of households are still outside the money economy. One of the interventions that government is making is capturing all those households to join the money economy. So, our being here again is very fundamental because we are going to reduce the number of those 33% households outside the money economy as many will join commercial agriculture. We shall also have access to other destinations including China.”

The launch is part of Nonda Coffee’s “Value-at-Source Project,” implemented in partnership with the Saudi-based investment firm Ingazi Group International. The initiative seeks to elevate Uganda’s coffee value chain by deepening processing and branding capacity at origin; ensuring more value remains within the producing communities.

The other key initiative being undertaken under this partnership is the Luwero Coffee Park, which upon completion will process up to 35,000 metric tons of coffee per year, making it one of the largest coffee value addition centers in the country.

“Uganda will soon host a ground-breaking ceremony of the Luwero Coffee Park; a flagship facility that will anchor Africa’s largest coffee processing and value addition plant. The Value-at-Source project championed by Nonda Commodities and Ingazi Group is a shining example of the Uganda-Saudi Arabia Cooperation. So, as we celebrate these milestones, may every cup of Nonda Coffee remind us of our friendship, opportunity and shared future between our two countries,” Hon. Alupo noted.

According to Mr. Tonny Miiro Kibuuka, CEO of Nonda Commodities Ltd, the parent company of Nonda Coffee, this project has the potential to employ thousands of Ugandans and unlock new international opportunities. He emphasized that as the first Ugandan company to secure both an Investment License and a Commercial Registration License from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nonda Coffee is collaborating with like-minded partners to build a future where Uganda’s coffee is globally celebrated while driving prosperity at home.

“Through the Value-at-Source Project, we are spearheading coffee value development, addition, claim, and consolidation. By building win-win partnerships, we are creating dignified and sustainable livelihoods for players across the Coffee Value chain. Our mission goes beyond producing premium, market-ready Ugandan coffee. We are laying the foundation for rural job creation, industrial linkages, and inclusive economic participation that empower communities and strengthen Uganda’s position in the global coffee industry,” he said.

The Value-at-Source Project comes amid record growth in Uganda’s coffee sector. National production rose from 7.8 million 60-kg bags in FY 2022/23 to 8.2 million bags in FY 2023/24, while export earnings jumped from USD 845 million to USD 1.144 billion during the same period, underscoring Uganda’s rising stature as one of the world’s most consistent coffee producers.

Even so, greater investment in value addition remains essential if Uganda is to fully harness the economic potential of its coffee. As such, the success of Nonda Coffee in Riyadh will reflect Uganda’s broader ambition to expand global market access, promote value addition at source, and strengthen South–South investment partnerships anchored on innovation, dignity, and shared prosperity.

HiPipo Champions Inclusive Instant Payment Systems Across Africa

deejaynick20
-
0
HiPipo Champions Inclusive Instant Payment Systems Across Africa

For nearly two decades, HiPipo has been on the frontline of championing digital financial inclusion through its flagship Include Everyone Program.

At the 29th Mojaloop Community meeting (MojaCom 29) held in Nairobi, Kenya, the HiPipo team led a critical conversation on the importance of last-mile interventions in advancing Inclusive Instant Payment Systems (IIPS), systems designed to make digital payments accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Under the theme “From Borders to Boardrooms: Advancing Women, Trade and Inclusion,” the team shared inspiring real-life examples from Zambia and Malawi, where over 4,000 women cross-border traders have been trained in digital and financial literacy. These traders are now confidently using digital financial services to manage and grow their businesses.



HiPipo’s Chief Operations Officer, Nicholas Kalungi, emphasized that in collaboration with the COMESA Business Council (CBC) and other regional stakeholders, HiPipo has spent the past year laying the groundwork to make IIPS the backbone of regional integration.

“Through HiPipo’s Include Everyone Program, we are building readiness on the ground, equipping FinTechs, empowering women innovators, and supporting cross-border traders,” Nicholas said.

“For me, this is proof that policy, infrastructure, and community preparedness must work hand-in-hand. That is the only way to sustain adoption and unlock the full economic transformation that IIPS can deliver.”

HiPipo CEO Innocent Kawooya urged innovators to look beyond the technology and see the human impact of inclusion.



“When we talk about inclusive instant payment systems, we must see beyond the pipes and platforms,” Innocent said.

“For me, IIPS is the last-mile hook; the moment where technology becomes dignity for a mother trader, where a safe transaction translates into food security, and where inclusion turns into health, wealth, and opportunity. At HiPipo, our mission has always been to ensure these systems serve people, not just institutions. That is the future we must fight for together.”

HiPipo’s FinTech Events Manager Charlotte Neeza highlighted the organization’s sustained investment in nurturing innovators through initiatives such as 40 Days 40 FinTechs and Women in FinTech. Over the years, these programs have empowered more than 500 and 300 organizations and innovators to design localized and gender-intentional solutions that address real-world challenges.

“Inclusion means that women innovators and cross-border traders can see themselves in the digital economy, not as outsiders looking in, but as leaders shaping its future,” she said.

Meanwhile, Joseph Kimbowa, HiPipo’s Chief Content Officer, revealed that among participants in the 2025 Include Everyone Project in Zambia and Malawi, 68% of FinTechs reported developing gender-intentional products as a direct result of HiPipo’s support. HiPipo recognizes that persistent barriers, especially those faced by women, continue to slow the realization of fully inclusive payment systems. Our ongoing advocacy and training efforts aim to close these gaps and build the confidence and capability needed for everyone to participate in the digital economy.

“From our work in Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, and other COMESA countries, we see that the biggest challenges are not just technical; they’re about trust, identity, and access,” noted Doreen Nanfuka, HiPipo’s Senior Programs Officer.

“Many merchants still operate informally, which complicates KYB and onboarding processes. Payment providers each have different compliance steps, and cross-border inconsistencies make it even harder. This slows down the adoption of instant payments among the very groups who need them most.”

As the digital economy continues to grow across Africa, HiPipo remains steadfast in its mission to ensure Inclusive Instant Payment Systems become not just technological tools, but instruments of dignity, equality, and economic transformation for all.

With 75% Included and Millions Still Waiting, Here’s How We Are Powering Africa’s Inclusive Financial Future

deejaynick20
-
0
With 75% Included and Millions Still Waiting, Here’s How We Are Powering Africa’s Inclusive Financial Future

By Innocent Kawooya, NIM

In December 2019, I sat on a panel at FinTech Connect in London, hosted by the Gates Foundation and moderated by Kosta Peric. I thank Miller Abel for inviting me. That day, I made a statement that still holds today: “Even if the works of the Level One Project and initiatives like Mojaloop were to fail, their championship in independently leading the conversations of interoperability would remain the king of accelerating financial inclusion. Interoperability is the main rail.”  When I look back in time, it was not a prediction, but a call to action.

Six years later, the evidence is undeniable. The Level One Project and its guiding principles have not failed. They supported the building of safe, secure, reliable, efficient, and interoperable Inclusive Financial Systems. They have transformed entire economies and continue to reshape the future of financial inclusion across Africa.

Since the launch of its financial inclusion strategy in 2005, the Gates Foundation has invested more than $2 billion, working with partners across the globe to ensure that financial tools reach the people who need them most. The achievements are historic. Today, 75 percent of adults in low- and middle-income countries now own a formal financial account. The gender gap in account ownership has narrowed to just five per cent, a milestone once thought unattainable. Twenty African countries already have an Inclusive Instant Payment System in place, while another ten are developing or upgrading theirs. These are not just statistics; they are a signal of dignity, opportunity, and access for millions. Without the Gates Foundation’s leadership, particularly its Inclusive Financial Systems division, the pace of global financial inclusion would have been far slower and less coordinated.

But progress has not erased inequality. The 2025 McKinsey report “Closing the Loop: The Quest for Gender Parity in African Tech” paints a mixed picture. Africa produces the highest global share of women STEM graduates, at 47 percent, and women account for 26 percent of entrepreneurs, more than any other region. Yet less than 20 percent of top tech leadership roles are held by women, and in 2024, women-led start-ups attracted only one percent of Africa’s tech funding. The 2021 WEE-FI Barriers Analysis helps explain why. Women face obstacles at every turn. Rigid KYC requirements, lack of foundational IDs, or limited phone ownership often shut them out before they even start. High costs of mobile internet and non-transparent fee structures make access expensive. Long distances to financial service points keep many excluded. Low literacy makes it hard for many women to even start the journey. Weak consumer protection leaves them exposed and afraid to trust the system. In many homes, men are still seen as the ones to handle money, while women carry most of the unpaid work that keeps families running.

What this means is real. It means cross-border traders remain stuck in informal circles where they cannot grow. For many young women in the village, digital payments are not exciting, they are frightening. Losing even a small amount of money can shake a household, and with no one close to explain or step in when things go wrong, it feels safer to stay away. Women with ideas for businesses face another wall. They may have the drive and the vision, but raising money is close to impossible, not because the ideas lack value, but because the system was never built with them in mind.

These are not small issues. They keep millions of women from taking part in Africa’s economic growth. Traders are embroiled in cash transactions that hold them back. Rural women continue to watch opportunities pass them by. Innovators are left pushing uphill, fighting to be seen and supported. Why it matters is simple: without women, inclusion is incomplete, and without inclusion, Africa cannot achieve its promise of shared prosperity.

The good news is that solutions exist. Well-designed digital financial services have been shown to shift norms, create access, and empower women as leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. This is where the HiPipo Include Everyone Program has stepped in, working alongside the Gates Foundation’s agenda to turn policy into practice. Its focus is clear and measurable. A shift from informal to formal trading among cross-border traders. Increased use of DFS among female cross-border traders. Reduction in the gender gap in DFS use. Enhanced representation of women in leadership and policy influence.

HiPipo’s Train-the-Trainer model magnifies these outcomes. Women leaders, regulators, and community champions gain financial and digital skills, and then pass this knowledge to hundreds more in their circles. The ripple effect is fast and sustainable. When women train other women, barriers collapse faster, and progress becomes embedded in communities.

At the heart of all this is interoperability. The Level One Project Guide remains the blueprint for building systems that serve everyone, especially low-income users. Its principles of real-time, push-only, irrevocable payments, open-loop systems for banks and non-banks alike, tiered KYC, pro-poor governance, and not-for-loss utility models are now standards in the push for inclusive digital economies. As Miller Abel, Deputy Director and Principal Technologist at the Gates Foundation, put it: “A scalable, accessible, low-cost infrastructure is achievable – we have seen success in other domains. We can achieve it with real-time retail payments as well.” And as Kosta Peric reminds us: “Payments are the connective tissue of any financial system. The Level One Project Guide shows how to build and scale a real-time digital payment platform to serve low-income consumers and merchants and bring them into the formal financial economy.”

These words capture what is already happening. From Tanzania’s TIPS to the COMESA Digital Retail Payments Platform, interoperability has moved from ambition to reality. It is the infrastructure on which Africa’s digital economy is being built.

Using the Train-the-Trainer model, HiPipo is equipping cross-border women traders with digital and financial literacy tools to empower others within their ecosystems.

HiPipo continues to play its role in this journey. Not only as a proponent and advocate, but as a champion of inclusive design. Through initiatives like 40 Days 40 FinTechs, the Women in FinTech Hackathon, and the Digital Impact Awards Africa, HiPipo has united FinTechs, MNOs, regulators, banks, innovators and users around the cause of interoperability. These programmes have become Africa’s meeting ground for serious discussions about inclusion. HiPipo has walked the talk by ensuring that women, people with disabilities, cross-border traders, informal entrepreneurs, regulators, and policymakers are all part of the design. That is what “inclusive by design” truly means; no one left out, from the smallest trader to the biggest institution.

The danger now is complacency. Too many still see interoperability as an option rather than a necessity. That must change. When interoperability becomes mandatory, the benefits multiply. Every woman empowered with DFS strengthens her family and her community. Every cross-border trader using digital payments strengthens regional economies. Every regulator embedding inclusivity safeguards the financial future of their nation. This is why HiPipo’s advocacy is more important now than ever. By combining grassroots models like Train-the-Trainer with the Level One Project’s principles, Africa has a formula for inclusion that is both sustainable and scalable.

Africa is standing at a defining moment. The progress is real, but the gaps remain. The gender funding gap, low literacy, and stubborn social norms remind us that the job is not yet done. Yet the tools are in our hands. With the Gates Foundation’s Inclusive Financial Systems division, the Level One Project’s blueprint, HiPipo’s Include Everyone Program and several other stakeholders, we can reach the last mile. It is villages without electricity, women who trade across borders, and young people looking for a first chance that remind us why this work matters. Inclusion is not about numbers alone; it is about giving people the tools to live, trade, and dream on equal ground.

Africa has come far, but millions are still waiting. The job now is to move faster, to make digital systems work for the last person in the queue, not just those already inside the circle. That is why interoperability cannot remain optional; it must be the rule that ties us all together.

When the story of Africa’s financial journey is told, it should be clear that progress was not an accident. It was built by those who insisted that everyone counts, and that no woman, no trader, no community should be left behind.

The author is the CEO of HiPipo.

#DIAA2025 Update: Nominees for the Digital Impact Awards Africa are Out!

deejaynick20
-
0
#DIAA2025 Update: Nominees for the Digital Impact Awards Africa are Out!

HiPipo is proud to unveil the nominees for the 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa (#DIAA2025), following a rigorous review of hundreds of submissions received between 28th July and 22nd September 2025.

This year introduces six new categories that reflect the real issues shaping people’s lives – from sustainable energy and fuel distribution to ride-hailing services, home technology, and democratizing vehicle ownership. These categories matter because they speak to the services that directly affect how consumers move, live, and power their everyday lives.

Joseph Kimbowa, HiPipo’s Chief Content Officer, explained:

“Many submissions went beyond the original categories, pushing us to recognize the real changes happening in society. That’s why we introduced new categories and a Special Commendation for Transforming Uganda – to highlight leaders making a visible difference in people’s lives.”

Now in its 12th edition, #DIAA2025 remains Africa’s most consistent and influential awards platform, celebrating those who use digital to serve not just the connected elite, but also the underbanked, underserved, and unbanked communities.

For customers, these awards showcase the brands, platforms, and leaders you can trust, those solving the last-mile challenges of cost, access, and reliability. For businesses, this recognition signals where the future is headed and which players are setting the standard.

Public voting opens on Friday, 3rd October, and runs until Friday, 14th November (8:00am EAT).

The Grand Finale of #DIAA2025 will be held on November 14, 2025, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, during the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit. It’s where leaders, innovators, and everyday consumers meet face-to-face to discuss what’s next for digital and financial services in Africa.

The Digital Impact Awards Africa and the Summit are proudly organised by HiPipo, with the backing of partners who believe in making inclusion and innovation a reality for everyone.

Here is the Full List of #DIAA2025 Nominations:

Holistic Ride-Hailing Services

  1. Faras
  2. Ride Now
  3. UNION APP
  4. Little APP
  5. SafeBoda

Sustainable Energy & Fuel Distribution

  1. Shell / Vivo Energies
  2. TotalEnergies
  3. Rubis Energy
  4. Stabex
  5. Oryx
  6. Mogas
  7. Texol

Excellent Personal and Home Technology.

  1. KIMA Home Security.
  2. Yunga
  3. Transtel Ltd (Samsung)
  4. Tecno Mobile
  5. Infinix Uganda
  6. Hisense Uganda
  7. Blacklyf
  8. M-Kopa

Democratizing Cars’ Ownership

  1. Ayyan Motors
  2. Autochek
  3. Success Motors
  4. Majibu Africa
  5. Yuasa Investment
  6. JanJapan

Democratizing Motorbikes’ Ownership.

  1. Watu Credit
  2. Mogo Uganda
  3. Zembo EV
  4. Spiro Uganda
  5. Gogo Electric
  6. Haojue Motors Uganda
  7. Yuvraj TVS
  8. Bajaj Boxer (Verma Co Ltd)
  9. Union (United Boda Boda Riders Cooperative Union)

Financial Inclusion Excellence.

  1. Agent Banking Insurance Scheme by SPADES Insurance.
  2. AgriShare
  3. aXiom Zorn
  4. ClinicPesa
  5. FutureLink Technologies
  6. Pride Bank
  7. My Doctor Connected Care Platform

Digital Banking Excellence.

  1. ABSA Bank
  2. Centenary Bank
  3. Equity Bank
  4. I&M Bank
  5. Stanbic Bank
  6. Standard Chartered Bank

Banking Innovation Excellence.

  1. FlexiPay by Stanbic Bank
  2. Craft Silicon
  3. Islamic Banking and Green Financing by Salaam Bank
  4. QuickTeller Agents Partnership by Interswitch and Centenary Bank
  5. PDM digitization by WENDI Digital Wallet / Post Bank (Pearl Bank)

Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence.

  1. Centenary Bank
  2. Finca
  3. Finance Trust Bank
  4. Letshego
  5. Post Bank (Pearl Bank)
  6. Pride Bank

FinTech Start-up of the Year.

  1. Fido
  2. Furaha
  3. HamzPay
  4. Kacyber
  5. Kanzu Finance Limited
  6. PayTota
  7. PesaJet  

FinTech of the Year.

  1. FutureLink Technologies
  2. Interswitch
  3. Jumo
  4. SafeBoda
  5. School Pay
  6. Yo Uganda

Financial Services Digital Excellence.

  1. Airtel Money
  2. Interswitch
  3. MTN MoMo
  4. Stanbic Bank
  5. Standard Chartered

Consumer Goods and Services Digital Excellence.

  1. Belle Beauty
  2. Glovo Uganda
  3. Jumia Uganda
  4. Jude Color Solutions
  5. Movit Products

Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.

  1. NWSC
  2. URA
  3. URSB
  4. UDB
  5. UEDCL

Technology Services Digital Excellence

  1. Airtel Uganda
  2. Cente Tech
  3. DHS Africa
  4. Comviva
  5. Ericsson
  6. Huawei
  7. MTN Uganda

CEO of the Year (DFS).

  1. Fabian Kasi – Centenary Bank
  2. Japhet Aritho – Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL)
  3. Julius Kakeeto – PostBank (Pearl Bank)
  4. Moris Seguya – Interswitch
  5. Richard Yego – MTN MoMo
  6. Sanjay Rughani – Standard Chartered Bank
  7. Veronicah Gladys Namagembe – Pride Bank

Digital Brand of the Year.

  1. Airtel Uganda and Airtel Money
  2. Centenary Bank and Centenary Group.
  3. MTN Uganda and MTN MoMo
  4. NWSC
  5. Stanbic Bank
  6. Standard Chartered Bank

Special Commendation for Transforming Uganda.

No Nominees. Winner to be determined by the Jury and announced on 14th November, 2025.

Voting and determining overall winners: Public voting will run from Friday, 3rd October, through to Friday, 14th November at 8:00am (EAT). Cast your vote at www.digital-impact-awards.com

#DIAA2025 #IncludeEveryOne #LevelOneProject

HiPipo announces 2025 Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, opens nomination for Digital Impact Awards Africa

deejaynick20
-
0
HiPipo announces 2025 Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, opens nomination for Digital Impact Awards Africa

HiPipo is thrilled to bring you the 2025 Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit featuring the Digital Impact Awards Africa.

Scheduled for November 14th at Kampala Serena hotel, the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit will bring together C-Level executives and industry stakeholders that are spearheading the scaling, adoption and usage of digital and financial services across Africa.

Meanwhile, now in its twelfth consecutive edition, the Digital Impact Awards Africa, which is by far Africa’s most consistent and influential Awards ceremony, will recognize and reward players that are spearheading the use of digital mediums to serve not only the haves, but also the traditionally underbanked, underserved, unbanked and unserved communities!

“Having recently added the very successful and colorful Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation Summit to our catalogue, we have cemented our position as a premier organisation in spearheading conversations around Digital and Financial Inclusion, Innovation and Excellence,” Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo CEO noted.

He added: “From Uganda to the rest of Africa, the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, featuring the Digital Impact Awards Africa, is more than a ceremony. It is a revolution; a catalyst for policy improvement, innovation, and inclusive finance across the continent – and a driving force for Maximizing the Digital Dividend.”

#DIAA2025 Nomination Categories.

The 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa Nominations will run until 22nd September, after which the nominees will be unveiled on the 30th day of the same month. Voting will then kick off until 14th November, 2025 when the overall winners will be announced and crowned.

  1. Financial Inclusion Excellence.
  2. Digital Banking Excellence.
  3. Banking Innovation Excellence.
  4. Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence. 
  5. FinTech Start-up of the Year.
  6. FinTech of the Year.
  7. Financial Services Digital Excellence. 
  8. Consumer Goods and Services Digital Excellence. 
  9. Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence.
  10. Technology Services Digital Excellence 
  11. CEO of the Year (DFS).
  12. Digital Brand of the Year. 

Visit www.digital-impact-awards.com to submit your nomination or reserve your participation slot today.

Nominations for the 14th HiPipo Music Awards open, with two new special categories

deejaynick20
-
0
Nominations for the 14th HiPipo Music Awards open, with two new special categories

As HiPipo celebrates 20 years of existence and 14 consecutive years of hosting the prestigious HiPipo Music Awards, the organising committee has announced two special recognition categories for this year’s gala.

Scheduled for November 14th, 2025 at the Kampala Serena Hotel, the 2025 HiPipo Music Awards will, once again, convene, recognise and award Africa’s best in the music industry.

In addition to recognising musical excellence, this year’s event will honour the Media Personality of the Year (Radio and TV) and Influencer of the Year.

These categories have been introduced to recognise the contributions of mainstream and social media personalities in promoting the music industry through their platforms.

In a distinct way, winners of the two special categories and the Breakthrough Artiste of the Year will each receive a plot of land.

Now in its 14th consecutive season, the HiPipo Music Awards stand as a beacon in Africa, renowned as the continent’s most consistent platform for showcasing and celebrating outstanding talent. Over the years, it has not only honoured but also empowered countless artists, reaffirming its dedication to musical excellence.

With the addition of the special recognition categories, the total number of award categories now stands at 14.

Only songs that were released for the past one year are eligible for nomination. Nominations will run until September 22nd, after which the nominees will be unveiled. Voting will run until November 14th when emerging winners will be announced and awarded.

Follow the link to nominate your favourite artiste/s https://hma.hipipo.com/nominate/

#HMA2025 Categories.

Africa

  1. Africa Best ACT/Song
  2. Africa Number One

East Africa

  1. East Africa Best Artist
  2. East Africa Best ACT/Song

Uganda

  1. Best Regional Song
  2. Breakthrough Artist
  3. Most Viral Song 
  4. Song of the Year
  5. Video of the Year
  6. Best Male Artist
  7. Best Female Artist
  8. Artist of the Year

Special Recognition

  1. Media Personality of the Year (Radio and TV)
  2. Influencer of the Year

HiPipo Wins Big at 2025 FinTech Awards: Crowned Best Financial Inclusion Organisation in MEA, CEO Named FinTech Leader of the Year

deejaynick20
-
0
HiPipo Wins Big at 2025 FinTech Awards: Crowned Best Financial Inclusion Organisation in MEA, CEO Named FinTech Leader of the Year

HiPipo has clinched top honours at the 2025 Wealth & Finance International FinTech Awards, securing two prestigious accolades that reaffirm its trailblazing role in advancing digital and financial inclusion across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

The Ugandan-based impact-driven organisation was named Best Financial Inclusion Organisation 2025 – Middle East & Africa, while its founder and CEO, Innocent Kawooya, NIM, was crowned FinTech CEO of the Year (MEA).

The double win follows a highly competitive and merit-led evaluation process, with the judging panel recognising HiPipo’s significant efforts to extend access to financial services to underserved populations — including women, youth, and rural communities — through inclusive digital innovation.

“This award is for the millions we serve — the women now budgeting for the first time, the youth building startups from remote villages, and the communities lighting their homes with Solar M7,” said Innocent Kawooya. “It is a celebration of impact. And it reminds us: true innovation must always include everyone.”

HiPipo’s recognition as Best Financial Inclusion Organisation speaks to the success of its holistic and high-impact initiatives, such as:

  • Include Everyone – its flagship program advocating for equitable digital economies
  • Women in FinTech – empowering women-led innovations
  • 40 Days 40 FinTechs – spotlighting startups transforming lives through financial technology
  • Interoperability campaigns, last-mile connectivity, and digital literacy training

Kawooya, who has emerged as a continental voice for inclusive innovation, was hailed for his leadership in driving ecosystem collaboration, policy advocacy, and investment in homegrown FinTech solutions. His stewardship has positioned HiPipo as a force for good within the digital financial services landscape.

This milestone also underscores HiPipo’s broader vision: a digitally empowered Africa where every individual — regardless of gender, geography, or income level — can thrive in the economy of the future.

As the organisation celebrates this global recognition, it reiterates its commitment to a future where no one is left behind in accessing health, finance, education, or opportunity.

Equity Bank Set to Open in UAE

deejaynick20
-
0
Equity Bank Set to Open in UAE

In a landmark decision, Equity Group has received shareholder approval to establish a Representative Office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant step in its strategic expansion beyond Africa.

Subject to regulatory approvals from the Central Bank of Kenya and UAE authorities, this move is poised to unlock a wealth of business, trade, and investment opportunities, connecting East and Central Africa with the UAE, Middle East, India, Central Asia, and South Asia.

For the thousands of Equity Bank Uganda customers living and working in the UAE, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia, this development promises a transformative leap in accessing tailored financial services they’ve long awaited.

The approval, ratified during Equity Group’s 21st Annual General Meeting held on 25th June 2025, reflects a vision to bridge continents, with the Dubai office set to serve as a vital link for diaspora customers interested in one on one customer service, trade facilitation, diaspora banking, and capital raising, amongst others.

This milestone also builds on Equity Bank Uganda’s proactive efforts to engage its diaspora, a journey that began gaining traction in recent years through past initiatives where Equity Bank Uganda’s service and management teams visited Dubai and Saudi Arabia, offering specialized financial and banking services to address their unique needs—ranging from remittances to investment opportunities, efforts that resonated deeply with the diaspora community.

For many Ugandans in the Gulf, the lack of direct banking support has been a persistent challenge. Working as professionals, or entrepreneurs and laborers in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, they’ve relied on informal remittance channels or distant banking relationships, often facing delays or high costs.

The new UAE Representative Office, expected to be operational in early 2026, will change this narrative. It will provide on-site support for letters of credit and supply-chain finance, reducing settlement delays, while enhancing remittance and mobile-money services for the millions of East Africans in the region. This aligns with Equity’s promise to become Africa’s “one-stop financial services platform,” as articulated by Dr. James Mwangi, Group Managing Director.

The move also opens doors for Gulf investors to tap into East Africa’s burgeoning markets, particularly in agribusiness, infrastructure, and energy—sectors where Ugandan expatriates often seek to invest.

Include EveryOne Program is having Tremendous Impact in COMESA – CBC CEO

deejaynick20
-
0
Include EveryOne Program is having Tremendous Impact in COMESA – CBC CEO

COMESA Business Council (CBC) is committed to continue working with HiPipo on the actualization of the Include EveryOne Program across the twenty-one COMESA member states.

This was confirmed by Teddy Soobramanien, the Chief Executive Officer of COMESA Business Council (CBC) while giving an update on the Include EveryOne Program implementation in the COMESA region, who noted that the program’s initial phase covering Zambia and Malawi continues to have tremendous impact on informal cross border traders, women and youth entrepreneurs plus FinTech stakeholders in general.

“We have initially covered two countries; Zambia and Malawi. We are having a tremendous impact with this project on the ground with cross border traders, young entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and FinTechs in general. We are making a huge difference and hope that some leaders in the FinTech industry will emerge from this project,” Teddy Soobramanien, the CBC CEO said, adding

“Our partnership with HiPipo on the Include EveryOne program has been a great example of collaboration and partnership. Collaboration is key when working on projects of such magnitude as it ensures they have expected impact. With collaboration, we are able to leverage on the comparative advantage of each and every one of us and I believe all stakeholders need to have an active involvement in such projects so that they are a success.”

First implemented in East Africa, the Include Everyone program is a broad Financial Inclusion program that engages all stakeholders with the ultimate aim of sustainably promoting financial inclusion. It promotes the adoption of secure digital financial services as a vital tool for financial inclusion.

The Include EveryOne Program has since October 2024 to date impacted thousands of beneficiaries from both Zambia and Malawi including over 100 Women in FinTech Hackathon Participants, Mentors and Facilitators, 40 FinTech organizations that participated in the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative and their end-users, more than 100 Traders’ leaders that participated in the Women in Leadership trainings and thousands of Informal Women Cross Border Traders operating in Chipata and Mwami-Mchinji One Stop Border Point – which is the main border between Zambia and Malawi.

Soobramanien highlighted that HiPipo’s Include EveryOne program well aligns with CBC’s Digital Financial Inclusion Project which aims at fast-tracking Financial inclusion, increasing participation of MSMEs in regional trade, increasing volumes of cross border transactions, increasing visibility of African products within regional markets and directly respond to the intra-trade deficit in the region.

“The move in to Digital Financial Inclusion is to solve a major problem we have in the region, which is the low level of financial inclusion. CBC has been very much involved in a number of projects aimed at empowering women, young people and SMEs to join the main stream of financial market and also help their financial inclusion. We are in the process of developing an online retail payment platform to help small traders, cross border traders, women entrepreneurs and young people trade at the level of the COMESA Region,” he said.

He acknowledged the generous contribution of the Gates Foundation in actualizing the Include EveryOne program in the COMESA region, and appealed for more support in order for the entire COMESA region to benefit from this digital and financial inclusion revolution.

“Since COMESA represents twenty-one countries, this is such a wonderful project which we would really want to extend to other countries so that the whole of the COMESA countries can benefit from the Include EveryOne Program. This project has benefited tremendous from funding from the Gates Foundation. We do hope that as we expand this program to other countries, we will continue to get funding and support from the Gates Foundation,” he concluded.

123...153Page 1 of 153
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv