The Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) is a prestigious recognition platform that celebrates innovation, leadership, and digital excellence across Africa’s technology, fintech, telecommunications, amongst other ecosystems.

Held as part of the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 5.0), the ATAEx Awards honour individuals, organisations, and initiatives that are redefining Africa’s digital future through creativity, resilience, and impact.

Each award recipient is celebrated not only for their achievements but also for their vision, ethical leadership, and commitment to leveraging technology for Africa’s sustainable development.

The ATAEx Awards continue to amplify Africa’s boldest innovators, the thinkers, builders, and change-makers shaping the continent’s digital independence in the AI era.

ATAEx Man of the Year 2025 – Prof. Obadare Peter Adewale

Celebrated for his unmatched contributions to Africa’s digital trust and cybersecurity landscape, Prof. Obadare Peter Adewale emerged as the ATAEx Man of the Year 2025; a recognition of his leadership, innovation, and lifelong commitment to advancing the continent’s digital transformation agenda.

As the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode Limited, Prof. Obadare has consistently demonstrated excellence in digital security, governance, and risk compliance.

His pioneering achievements include being the first PECB Certified Data Protection Officer in Nigeria, first EC-Council Licensed Penetration Tester in Africa, and first Global PECB Certified Digital Transformation Officer.

ATAEx Technology Personality of the Year Award 2025 – Mr. George Agu

George Agu stands as a distinguished technology leader and entrepreneur whose impact on Africa’s digital transformation spans over two decades and five countries.

His visionary leadership, deep technical expertise, and passion for innovation have positioned him among the continent’s most respected voices in the IT and business landscape.

ATAEx Digital Transformation Leadership Award 2025 – Muhammed Rudman

Muhammed Rudman is a visionary technology leader and the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Nigeria’s first and only neutral Internet Exchange Point.

Before leading IXPN, Rudman worked with Galaxy IT & T Limited, where he oversaw major projects including rural telephony deployments, broadband wireless networks, and VSAT-based Wide Area Networks across Nigeria and parts of West Africa.

Under his leadership, IXPN has evolved into a vital Internet infrastructure hub, improving connectivity, reducing bandwidth costs, and strengthening local Internet traffic exchange

ATAEx Fintech Leadership Personality of the Year 2025 – Dr. (Mrs.) Ebehijie Momoh

Dr. Momoh is a seasoned business executive and fintech leader currently serving as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AfriGOPay Financial Services Ltd. (AFSL), a pioneering Nigerian company driving indigenous digital payment solutions.

Under her leadership, AfriGOPay has emerged as a key player in Africa’s payment landscape, providing secure, efficient, and locally relevant financial technology infrastructure that promotes inclusion and innovation.

ATAEx Lifetime Achievement Award in Data Centre Management (2025) – Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani

Engineer Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty (Nigeria), is a groundbreaker in Africa’s digital infrastructure landscape and a driving force behind Nigeria’s data centre evolution.

Through visionary leadership, he has built one of West Africa’s most interconnected facilities, a critical hub for Internet exchange and submarine cable interconnection.

ATAEx Cybersecurity Personality of the Year 2025 – Happiness Obioha

Happiness Obioha is a highly respected cybersecurity professional and technology entrepreneur, serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Tizel Cybersecurity, a fast-rising firm dedicated to protecting digital assets and strengthening cyber resilience across Africa.

With years of hands-on experience in information security, risk management, and digital forensics, she has distinguished herself as a thought leader and advocate for data protection, cyber awareness, and enterprise security transformation.

Other awardees;

ATAEx Blockchain Advocate of the Year – CHUKWUEMEKA ENOCH MBAEBIE; ATAEx AI Leadership in Business Transformation Award – JOHN ITODO; ATAEx ICT Innovation Storyteller Award – SAMSON AKINTARO, News Editor, Nairametrics; ATAEx Digital Reporting Excellence Award – JOAN AIMUENGHEUWA, Managing Editor, Techeconomy; ATAEx National Fintech Achievement Award – AfriGO Pay Financial Services Ltd., ATAEx Outstanding AI & Cloud Transformation Personality of the Year – Olusoji Solomon Adeyemo; ATAEx Personal Branding & Digital Influence Award – Chidi Okpala; Emerging Nigerian Literary Voice of the Year (Literature Category) – Oluwatosin Emmanuel Akinrinde.

The following companies also received the 2025 ATAEx Awards:

ATAEx PR Champion of Africa Award – SKOT COMMUNICATIONS; ATAEx Best Curved Display Smartphone Under ₦300,000 – itel;  ATAEx Champion of Digital infrastructure Award – DIGITAL REALTY (NIGERIA); ATAEx Internet Exchange Point Excellence – INTERNET EXCHANGE POINT OF NIGERIA [IXPN]; ATAEx ICT Company of the Year – ActivEdge Technologies Ltd; ATAEx Cybersecurity Company of the Year – Digital Encode Limited; ATAEx Digital Trust & Security Excellence Award– TIZEL CYBERSECURITY; ATAEx Tech Hardware Innovation Award – Tecom Concepts Limited; ATAEx Excellence in Regulatory Innovation Award – Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Other categories include – Mobile App Defense Excellence Award; AI Startup of the Year; Outstanding Technology Law Practitioner of the Year; Tech Visionary Award; Global Technology Innovator Award; Rising Star in Tech Award; Excellence in Supply Chain Analytics of the Year Award; Business Intelligence Mastery Award; Smart Construction Innovator of the Year Award, and Ed-Tech Trailblazer Award. Check: africatechallianceforum.africa/ for more categories.

From 9:00 AM (WAT), industry leaders, regulators, investors, and digital disruptors will converge under one compelling theme: “AI and Sovereign Tech: Building Africa’s Digital Independence.”

At a time when artificial intelligence is transforming global industries, AfriTECH 5.0 stands as a rallying point, a call to Africa to own its narrative, shape its technologies, and build sustainable digital systems powered by homegrown innovation.

“This isn’t just another tech conference,” says Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTECH 5.0. “It’s where bold ideas meet real impact, where Africa’s digital journey is redefined through collaboration, vision, and courage.”

The stage will welcome a constellation of thought leaders including Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Prof. Obadare Peter Adewale, founder/Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode Ltd., George Agu, Group President, ActivEdge Technologies, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO, Digital Realty Nigeria, Muhammed Rudman, CEO, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), and Dr. (Mrs.) Ebehijie Momoh CEO, AfriGOPay Financial Services Limited.

Others are; Tokunboh George-Taylor, CEO, SKOT Communications, Mr. Chidi Okpala, Personal Branding Expert, Mr. Chudi Ajuzie, Group CEO, WTES Ltd, and John Itodo, AI & Tech Innovator for Emerging Markets.

This year’s event goes beyond speeches; it’s a story of Africa’s awakening. The Fireside Chat, hosted by Lagos Blockchain Week, featuring: Chukwuemeka Enoch Mbaebie, convener, Lagos Blockchain Week, Senator Ihenyen, lead partner at Infusion Lawyers, and past President of SiBAN, and Damilare Aregbesola, West Africa Lead – Coinbase, will ignite conversations around blockchain, transparency, and the continent’s march toward decentralized governance.

And when the day turns to mid-day, the spotlight shifts to the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence Awards (ATAEx), a celebration of excellence, honoring individuals and organizations shaping Africa’s digital destiny.

Supported by Digital Encode (Platinum Sponsor), alongside itel, SKOT Communications, Tecom, AfriGoPay, Tizel Cybersecurity, and ActivEdge Technologies, AfriTECH 5.0 is powered by a shared vision: to make Africa’s digital future truly sovereign.

Backed by over 15 media outlets including, AriseTV, TechTrends.Africa, TechBuild.Africa, RavenewsOnline.com, NigeriaCommunicationsWeek.com.ng, GrassRoots.ng, ITPulse.com.ng TechnologyMirror.com.ng, DigitalTimesng.com, CyberEra.com.ng, TechnologyMirror.com.ng ITRealms.com.ng, SwiftReporters.com, BusinessRemarks, BusinessMetricsng.com, TechandBizNews, amongst others, attendance to AfriTECH 5.0 is free, but registration is required.

For virtual participants, join live via this link.

Tomorrow, Africa doesn’t just talk tech, it makes history.

As part of the annual AfriTECH 5.0 forum, the ATAEx Awards aim to elevate excellence in digital transformation, leadership, impact and innovation, across the continent’s growing technology ecosystem.

The ATAEx Awards recognise merit and measurable impact, recipients are assessed not only on ambition but on real-world outcomes: how technology has been applied for inclusion, growth, sovereignty or transformation.

Endorsement by industry leaders and regulators gives the awards authority and visibility. For example, in 2024 high-profile individuals such as the DG of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) received major honours.

Being part of the AfriTECH platform means winners gain access to networking with policy-makers, investors and tech entrepreneurs, strengthening credibility across Africa’s digital economy.

Award Categories

Among the categories being celebrated at the upcoming ATAEx edition:

• Digital Transformation Leadership Award
• Man of the Year (Tech)
• AI Startup of the Year
• African Cybersecurity Mastery Award
• Internet Exchange Point of the Year
• Mobile App Defense Excellence Award
• Business Intelligence Mastery Award
• Trailblazer in Tech Award
• Outstanding Technology Law Practitioner of the Year
• Rising Star in Tech Award, amongst others.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony slated as part of programmes for AfriTECH 5.0, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener of AfriTECH said that each category is designed to reflect a key dimension of Africa’s tech journey, “from start-ups to established institutions, from software innovation to hardware infrastructure, from cybersecurity to data centres”.

“Nominees are usually those who have shown exceptional leadership, innovation or measurable impact across Africa’s technology sector. Winners will be announced at the AfriTECH 5.0 event on November 13, 2025 in Lagos”, he added.

This year’s edition features an expanded list of categories recognizing excellence in fintech, telecoms, digital infrastructure, sustainability, startups, policy leadership, and inclusion.

The categories are designed to spotlight the trailblazers and changemakers shaping Africa’s digital future, from transformative public institutions to visionary private enterprises and innovative individuals driving progress across the continent.

Learn more at AfricaTechAllianceForum.Africa.