The Connected Africa Summit 2025 (CAS25) has officially opened its call for submissions for the annual Innovation Awards, a flagship recognition program aimed at celebrating groundbreaking African technology solutions.
The awards will be presented during the Summit, which will take place from May 26–29, 2025, at Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort in Diani, Kenya.
- The awards are open to companies that meet the following criteria: Must be a registered company.
- The product or service must be fully developed and in the market for at least six months.
- The innovation should be targeted at African end-users — either directly or through third-party organizations.
Award Categories
The 2025 Innovation Awards will focus on solutions in key sectors, including:
- AgriTech — including precision farming, smart agriculture, agri-fintech solutions, post-harvest and value addition technologies.
- GreenTech — innovations in renewable energy, climate-smart technologies, and sustainable solutions.
- Creative Economy — covering digital storytelling, gaming, eSports, animation, cultural heritage, and tourism technology.
- AI & Cybersecurity — such as AI-powered fraud detection, secure digital payments, and risk assessment solutions.
Why Apply?
Winning an Innovation Award offers:
- High-Level Recognition — winners will be honored at the Connected Africa Summit 2025.
- Increased Visibility — the awards offer direct exposure to government leaders, industry experts, investors, and potential business partners.
- Networking Opportunities — awardees can engage with a community of innovators, policymakers, and tech leaders from across Africa and beyond.
- Trophy — A formal recognition of the innovation’s contribution to Africa’s digital transformation.
Selection Process
Submissions are reviewed by a panel of experts through a structured scoring process, followed by a 2–3 day deliberation period to finalize selections. The awards ceremony will take place during the Summit, offering winners a platform to showcase their innovations to influential stakeholders.
The application process is streamlined into three clear steps:
- Provide basic personal and company information.
- Submit details about the innovation.
- Upload additional supporting documentation.
Deadline
Interested innovators are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to secure consideration ahead of the Summit. Full submission details and forms are available on the Connected Africa Summit 2025 website.
The Connected Africa Summit (CAS) was first held in 2009 as a public sector forum aimed at nurturing partnerships and innovative ideas that leverage technology to drive Africa’s development, in line with the continent’s Agenda 2063. Over the years, the Summit has expanded to include policymakers, business leaders, innovators, and investors, fostering cross-sector collaboration for digital growth.
