Three Days, Three Stages, CIO100

This November, Naivasha will be the place where CIOs, CTOs and digital leaders will meet to exchange ideas, challenge norms, and reimagine what’s next. Safe to say Naivasha will be the beating heart of Africa’s technology scene.

This year, as the CIO100 Symposium and Awards returns from the 19th to the 21st of November at Enashipai Resort & Spa, think three action-packed days, three world-class stages, and three big conversations – leadership, technology, and strategy. That is what CIO100 2025 is bringing.

The excitement kicks off on the 19th of November with a full-scale, hands-on cybersecurity drill hosted by CYBER RANGES. It’s not a demo. It’s the real thing. Participants will face simulated attacks and respond in real time, testing not just systems but people, their readiness, coordination, and decision-making under pressure. It’s the kind of session that separates theory from reality and helps teams build the muscle memory needed when things really hit the fan.

Then come two days of pure engagement, when Enashipai transforms into a multi-stage tech arena. On the main stage, aptly called The Arena, the conversations turn to leadership, big-picture discussions where CEOs, CIOs, and CFOs meet to debate strategy, cost, and innovation. Picture moments like the CEO Roundtable, the now-famous “CIOs vs CEOs” panel, and an interactive debate on whether IT is still a cost centre, moderated by Serianu’s COO, Joseph Mathenge.

Next door, The Matrix will hum with the sound of transformation and innovation. This is where technology takes centre stage, where experts unpack the future of cloud, data, AI, and cybersecurity. And for those looking to connect dots between people, process, and platforms, The Nexus will offer that sweet spot where strategy meets execution.

However, what truly gives CIO100 its spark is its mix of voices, local leaders who are shaping Africa’s digital story and international experts who bring a wealth of cross-border experience to the conversation.

This year, the line-up includes Steve Jump, a veteran vCISO, strategist, coach, and mentor from South Africa’s Custodiet Advisory Services, known for his deep expertise in cybersecurity and governance. From Rwanda, Alex Ntale, CEO of the Rwanda ICT Chamber, will share how innovation ecosystems can drive national transformation. Shimelis Legesse Wossenie, CIO of Ethiopia’s Coop Bank of Oromia, adds a data-driven view of banking in emerging markets, while Frank Macha, Product Manager for Online & Channels at United Bank for Africa in Tanzania, brings insights from one of Africa’s most dynamic financial institutions. Joining them is Kwame Makundi, Chief Technology and Digital Transformation Officer at NMB Bank in Tanzania, whose work continues to redefine customer experience through tech. And rounding off the list is Kalkidan Esayas, a consultant and master trainer from Ethiopia, who brings a people-first lens to digital capability and leadership development.

Add to that a lineup of African executives from powerhouse organisations across the continent, and you get a rare kind of conversation, one that’s both global in scope and deeply grounded in Africa’s realities.

CIO100 has always been more than an event. It’s an experience. It’s where strategies are tested, partnerships are born, and leadership is redefined. Whether you’re a CIO seeking clarity in the chaos of rapid change, a CEO rethinking your digital roadmap, or a tech innovator chasing the next big shift, Naivasha in November is where you’ll want to be.

Three days. Three stages. One unforgettable experience. Bigger, better, and bolder than ever before, CIO100 2025 isn’t just about celebrating innovation. It’s about sparking it.

See you in Naivasha.