CIO100 Symposium Kicks Off With Great Momentum

The CIO100 Symposium & Awards 2024 began on Wednesday with a dynamic start in Naivasha, Kenya, attracting IT leaders from across the region.

The event, organized by dx⁵, Africa’s premier technology driver, celebrates excellence in IT leadership and innovation. The first day of the symposium was packed with insightful keynote speeches, engaging panel discussions, and thought-provoking presentations.

In his opening remarks, Harry Hare, Chairman of dx⁵, highlighted the expanding influence of CIOs in modern organizations. Reflecting on the evolution of the CIO’s role, Hare remarked, “It’s been an interesting journey observing the importance of CIOs in organizations. This platform spotlights some of the most innovative individuals and organizations shaping the future of IT.”

Charles Washika , Director – ICT and Innovation, Co-operative Bank of Kenya,delivered an insightful presentation titled “The Future of IT Leadership in a Digital Age,” emphasizing collaboration and co-governance as critical components of IT’s future. He stated, “The future of IT leadership is to co-deliver, collaborate, and co-govern.”

Paul van der Lingen, Solutions Architect (Office of the CTO) at NetApp, explored “The 4th Wave in Digital Evolution,” pinpointing artificial intelligence as a driving force behind the new era of digital transformation. He urged IT leaders to embrace agility, openness, and readiness for change, asserting, “Lead change by transforming people, technology, and processes.”

A high-level panel discussion on “Data-Driven Innovation for Business Growth” brought together industry experts, including Hartnell Ndungi, CDO, Absa Bank Kenya; Kevin Kariuki, Sales Manager, Relational FS; Hasmukh Chudasama, General Manager – East & Southern Africa, BUI; Ken Mbuki, Business Intelligence Analyst, Moringa School; Denis Kuria, General Manager, Onfon Mobile Limited; and Francis Ngari, CTO, Naivas. The panel delved into how businesses can harness data to drive growth, foster innovation, and remain competitive.

Jacqueline Mburu, Managing Director of Metrofile Kenya, delivered a presentation on the nuances of digital transformation, explaining the distinctions between digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation. She stressed the importance of embracing these concepts for business sustainability.

The day also featured targeted discussions and masterclasses, including a session on “Edge Computing Strategies for Manufacturing” and an AI strategy masterclass by Michael Michie, AI Consultant and Co-Founder of the Nia Za Akili Zetu Foundation.

The event set a high bar for the remaining sessions, showcasing the pivotal role of IT in driving innovation and organizational success. As the symposium continues, the spotlight remains on transformative technologies, leadership strategies, and actionable insights for the IT community.