IT Leaders Set To Convene In Naivasha For CIO100

The stage is set for the 17^th edition of CIO100 Awards and Symposium, famously dubbed the greatest tech leadership gathering in Africa, which will bring together IT leaders from across the continent with discussions revolving around emerging technologies. The event is slated for 19-21 November 2025 at Enashipai Resort & Spa, Naivasha.

Over the past year, a lot of companies in Africa have tapped into emerging technologies to help them scale, simply processes, and in turn serve their customers better. The CIO100 Awards are tailored to celebrate the companies and individuals who have played a role in the adoption of emerging technologies to solve African problems.

CIO Africa by dx⁵, the organisers of the event, today held a teaser session at Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, bringing together tech leaders who have been part of technology growth in Africa. The session involved a panel discussion on tech leadership with Geoffrey ‘GG’ Gitagia, the CIO of the Year 2024 and the Group IT Manager at Avenue Healthcare, and Timothy Laku, Fractional CIO/CTO, among other tech leaders.

Speaking to media at the session, Andrew Karanja, Director at dx⁵ said “This event is not just a celebration; it’s a testament to the relentless spirit of innovation that drives our continent. By recognising those at the forefront of integrating technology with business strategy, we are setting a standard and inspiring a future where technology is a key part of business success in Africa. This journey wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners such as the media and sponsors. This commitment inspires innovation, and supports the vision of digital transformation on the continent,” Karanja noted.

The CIO100 Symposium & Awards is further anchored by the CIO100 MegaTrends Report. This report is more than just research into the technological space in Africa. It is the analytical backbone of the CIO100 Awards.

“The CIO100 MegaTrends Report is a compilation of the business value technology brings to organisations. It is the result of insights from Africa’s digital leaders who are setting their own trends, not following global trends. They are designing technology that fits Africa’s challenges with practical solutions that impact every day realities and aspirations,” said Karanja.

The report shows that Cloud Computing is the leading among the emerging technologies being used by African companies.

“Artificial Intelligence (54.8%), analytics (43.8%), and cybersecurity (43.6%) follow closely, showing how intelligence, insight, and security now power business growth. Emerging technologies like machine learning, IoT, and edge computing are fueling automation, prediction, and real-time performance,” Karanja explained.

The CIO100 Awards

The CIO100 Awards highlight both individual leadership that bridges innovation and strategy, as well as showcasing organisations that have made technological leaps.

Geoffrey “GG” Gitagia, CIO of Avenue Healthcare and the reigning CIO of the Year Africa clinched his title with a winning project – a digital initiative on patient care that gets them from the door to the doctor in three minutes. “Our goal was to simplify the onboarding process and improve how we manage patient data,” Gitagia said. “It’s about creating systems that not only work but also make healthcare more accessible and efficient.”

The major highlight of the event is the CIO of the Year award, celebrating an individual who has led a project that integrates technology with the organization’s vision and business strategy. Apart from Gitagia, other past winners include Moses Okundi, CTO/CIO of Absa Bank; Jaine Mwai, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, Standard Chartered Bank; and Kenneth Ogwang’, Head of Digital and Technology for Eastern and Southern Africa at Diageo.

The CIO100 Symposium & Awards will feature high-level panels, masterclasses, roundtables and networking sessions, culminating in a gala celebrating Africa’s top 100 technology leaders. It serves as a platform for CIOs, CTOs, and digital strategists to exchange insights, showcase innovation, and collaborate on Africa’s technology future.

The event’s sponsors include Google Cloud Africa, Nathan Claire Africa, Paix Data Centres, CloudPlexo, Tenece, radware, Africa Data Centres, DownToEarth Technologies DTE), Manage Engine, DataGroup IT, Incentro, Computer Learning Centre, and DataComms Training.