2026 NOMINATIONS

2026 Nomination Portal

Welcome to the 2026 EAfrica Awards/Zambia Ecommerce Awards Nomination Portal. Please begin by first selecting Nominee Category.

AgriTech Innovation of the Year

Purpose: Recognize tech-driven solutions revolutionizing agriculture, food security, and rural economies in Africa.

Eligibility: Startups, enterprises, or NGOs leveraging technology in farming, agri-supply chains, or food distribution.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation in applying technology (e.g., AI, IoT, drones, blockchain) to improve yields, sustainability, or market access.
• Scalability and measurable impact (e.g., number of farmers supported, reduction in post-harvest losses, income growth).
• Alignment with climate resilience or support for smallholder farmers.

Examples: Drone-based crop monitoring systems, AI-powered pest prediction tools, blockchain-enabled fair-trade platforms.

Digital Banking Application of the Year

Purpose: Recognize cutting-edge banking apps that redefine financial services, enhance customer experiences, and drive financial inclusion across Africa.

Eligibility: Banking apps developed by financial institutions, fintech startups, or collaborative ventures (e.g., bank-fintech partnerships).

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Unique features (e.g., AI-driven financial insights, biometric authentication, voice banking).
• User Experience: Seamless design, accessibility for low-literacy users, and inclusivity (e.g., multilingual support).
• Impact: Demonstrated reach to underserved populations (e.g., rural users, SMEs) and measurable outcomes (e.g., reduced transaction costs, increased savings rates).
• Security: Robust cybersecurity measures and compliance with regulatory standards.

Examples: Apps offering zero-fee SME banking tools, AI-powered personal finance coaches for low-income users, blockchain-integrated apps for cross-border remittances.

Digital Commerce Platform of the Year

Purpose: Recognize platforms transforming how Africa buys, sells, and engages in commerce through innovative digital solutions.

Eligibility: E-commerce websites, apps, or social commerce platforms operating in Africa.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• User-centric innovation (e.g., AI personalization, voice commerce, AR/VR shopping features).
• Inclusive impact (e.g., empowering SMEs, serving rural/underserved markets).
• Measurable growth (e.g., transaction volume, user retention, geographic expansion).

Examples: Platforms integrating local payment methods, social commerce tools for informal traders, apps with AR try-on features for African fashion.

Digital Infrastructure Pioneer

Purpose: Celebrate advancements in connectivity and infrastructure enabling Africa’s digital transformation.

Eligibility: ISPs, tech firms, or projects focused on connectivity (e.g., broadband, 5G, satellite internet).

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation in deploying affordable, scalable connectivity solutions (e.g., rural internet, low-cost hardware).
• Measurable impact on digital inclusion (e.g., users connected, regions covered, cost reductions).
• Sustainability and partnerships (e.g., collaborations with governments or NGOs).

Examples: Satellite internet projects for remote areas, partnerships to reduce data costs, 5G rollout initiatives.

Digital Rising Star

Purpose: Spotlight emerging talent under 35 driving innovation in Africa’s tech ecosystem.

Eligibility: Individuals under 35 in tech roles (e.g., founders, developers, product managers).

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Demonstrated achievements (e.g., product launches, user growth, technical breakthroughs).
• Innovation in solving African challenges (e.g., fintech for unbanked populations, agritech tools).
• Potential for scalable impact and leadership in the tech sector.

Examples: Young founders of fast-growing startups, developers of impactful open-source tools, innovators bridging tech and informal sectors.

Digital Business Partner of the Year Award

Purpose: Honor organizations or alliances that empower African businesses through transformative digital partnerships, enabling innovation, scalability, and sustainable growth.

Eligibility: Tech providers, consultancies, NGOs, or cross-industry collaborations driving digital adoption for African enterprises.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Deployment of cutting-edge solutions (e.g., cloud computing, AI, automation) tailored to African business needs.
• Impact: Measurable outcomes for partner businesses (e.g., revenue growth, operational efficiency, market expansion).
• Scalability: Demonstrated potential to replicate partnerships across sectors or regions.
• Sustainability: Commitment to long-term upskilling, local talent development, or ethical tech adoption.

Examples: IT firms providing SMEs with affordable ERP/CRM tools, cloud providers enabling startups to scale infrastructure cost-effectively, digital marketing agencies boosting online sales for informal retailers, fintech-bank partnerships expanding credit access for women-owned businesses.

EdTech Pioneer of the Year

Purpose: Honor platforms revolutionizing education through technology and improving access for African learners.

Eligibility: EdTech platforms, apps, or initiatives serving African students/educators.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation in addressing education gaps (e.g., AI tutors, gamified learning, offline-first tools).
• Measurable impact (e.g., learners reached, improved outcomes, teacher empowerment).
• Scalability and inclusivity (e.g., solutions for low-bandwidth areas, marginalized groups).

Examples: Apps teaching coding to rural youth, platforms offering accredited online courses, VR tools for STEM education.

Fintech Platform of the Year

Purpose: Recognize platforms driving financial inclusion, innovation, and economic empowerment across Africa through technology.

Eligibility: Fintech startups, mobile money providers, or digital banking solutions operating in Africa.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Use of cutting-edge technology (e.g., blockchain, AI, DeFi) to solve financial challenges.
• Impact: Demonstrated reach to unbanked/underbanked populations or SMEs (e.g., users onboarded, loans disbursed).
• Scalability: Potential to expand across markets or integrate with broader financial ecosystems.

Examples: Cross-border payment platforms, microloan apps for informal traders, blockchain-based remittance solutions.

InsurTech Innovation of the Year

Purpose: Recognize groundbreaking digital solutions democratizing access to insurance, enhancing risk management, and protecting vulnerable populations across Africa.

Eligibility: Insurtech startups, insurance providers, or tech-driven partnerships offering digital insurance products/services in Africa.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Use of technology (e.g., AI, IoT, blockchain) to simplify underwriting, claims processing, or customer engagement.
• Accessibility: Solutions targeting underserved groups (e.g., smallholder farmers, informal workers, low-income households).
• Measurable Impact: Policies sold, claims settled efficiently, or risk mitigation outcomes (e.g., reduced farmer losses).
• Scalability: Potential to expand across regions or integrate with broader financial ecosystems.

Examples: Parametric insurance using satellite data for drought-prone regions, microinsurance apps offering pay-as-you-go coverage via mobile money, AI chatbots streamlining claims for health or auto insurance.

Pan-African Digital Collaboration

Purpose: Celebrate partnerships driving cross-border innovation, integration, and shared growth in Africa’s digital economy.

Eligibility: Joint initiatives, consortia, or public-private partnerships operating in ≥3 African countries.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Collaboration: Clear evidence of multi-stakeholder teamwork (e.g., governments, startups, NGOs).
• Impact: Tangible outcomes (e.g., harmonized regulations, expanded market access, shared infrastructure).
• Scalability: Potential to inspire or replicate across other regions.

Examples: Regional payment interoperability systems, cross-border e-logistics networks, joint cybersecurity frameworks.

Public Sector Digital Transformation

Purpose: Recognize government or public institutions leveraging technology to improve service delivery, transparency, and citizen engagement.

Eligibility: Government agencies, public-private partnerships, or civic tech initiatives.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Use of digital tools (e.g., AI, blockchain, data analytics) to streamline public services.
• Impact: Measurable improvements in efficiency, citizen satisfaction, or cost savings.
• Scalability: Potential to replicate solutions across regions or sectors.

Examples: National digital ID systems, AI-driven tax collection platforms, e-governance portals for rural communities.

RetailTech Innovator

Purpose: Celebrate platforms redefining Africa’s retail landscape through technology.

Eligibility: Startups or enterprises digitizing retail experiences, inventory management, or customer engagement.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Use of AI, IoT, or AR/VR to enhance shopping (e.g., smart shelves, virtual try-ons).
• Impact: Empowerment of informal traders/SMEs or growth in user adoption.
• Sustainability: Solutions reducing waste or carbon footprints in retail supply chains.

Examples: Social commerce platforms for informal markets, AI-driven demand forecasting tools, QR-code payment systems for street vendors.

Smart Logistics & Last-Mile Delivery

Purpose: Honor tech-driven solutions optimizing supply chains and delivery networks across Africa.

Eligibility: Logistics companies, startups, or platforms using technology to enhance delivery efficiency.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Use of drones, IoT sensors, or AI for route optimization, real-time tracking, or warehousing.
• Sustainability: Reduced carbon emissions or waste in logistics operations.
• Measurable Impact: Faster delivery times, cost reductions, or expanded reach to remote areas.

Examples: Drone delivery for medical supplies, crowd-sourced last-mile networks, blockchain-enabled cargo tracking.

Tourism & Hospitality Tech

Purpose: Award digital solutions boosting Africa’s tourism sector and enhancing visitor experiences.

Eligibility: Platforms, apps, or initiatives digitizing travel, hospitality, or cultural tourism.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Use of AI, VR, or big data to improve tourism accessibility or marketing.
• Impact: Growth in tourist engagement, bookings, or revenue for local communities.
• Sustainability: Promotion of eco-tourism or preservation of cultural heritage.

Examples: Virtual safari platforms, AI-powered travel assistants, apps connecting tourists to local artisans.

Women in Tech Leadership

Purpose: Recognize women driving innovation, mentorship, and equity in Africa’s tech ecosystem.

Eligibility: Female founders, executives, or leaders in tech roles.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Leadership: Proven impact in scaling ventures, shaping policies, or fostering inclusivity.
• Mentorship: Initiatives supporting women in STEM/tech careers.
• Advocacy: Efforts to close gender gaps in funding, representation, or pay.

Examples: Female-led unicorn startups, mentorship programs for girls in coding, advocacy for gender-responsive tech policies.

Youth-Led Digital Venture

Purpose: Spotlight ventures led by young innovators (under 30) solving African challenges through technology.

Eligibility: Startups or projects founded/co-founded by individuals aged 15–30.

Criteria (Note: Committee vets nominations based on this):

• Innovation: Tech-driven solutions addressing education, unemployment, or climate issues.
• Impact: User growth, revenue, or social outcomes (e.g., jobs created, students trained).
• Scalability: Potential to expand across markets or attract investment.

Examples: Apps connecting youth to gig economy jobs, e-waste recycling platforms, AI tools for smallholder farmers.