Best companies in tech innovation to be honoured

Harry Hare, MD CIO EAST AFRICA speaking during the CIO 100 Awards in Kigali last year

Nairobi; Kenya: Businesses that are innovative in the use information technology (IT) to improve efficiency in their operations will be recognised this year. According to CIO East Africa, the organisers of The CIO100 Awards East Africa Chapter, the awards seek to celebrate 100 firms and their staff for using IT in innovative ways to deliver business value.

“This will be based on whether they create competitive advantage, optimising business processes, enabling growth or improving relationships with customers,” said Harry Hare, managing director, CIO EAST AFRICA and founder of CIO100 Awards East Africa.

Hare (pictured) said the awards, themed “Measuring Enterprise Innovation,” seeks to encourage increased investment and innovation. During the two-day event, participants and sponsors will gain from presentations from leading technology providers and latest solutions from exhibitors. “Besides, participants and sponsors will gain insight and knowledge on future IT trends and innovations through peer-peer learning of case studies of some of the most innovative firms,” he said.

The event will also be perfect for networking with industry peers. Some of the major IT adoptions by the government, he said, include the adoption of cloud computing solutions, Huduma Centres, the Kenya Revenue Authority’s iTax system and National Treasury’s IFMIS project.

“Technology is also a key driver in improved efficiency, productivity, increased market for products and services due to high incomes, hence derive improved profitability,” he said ahead of the ceremony. This year, the award winners and honorees will be recognised at the CIO100 Annual Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner to be held from the 13th to 14th of November, 2014 at Enashipai Resort, Naivasha.

In its fifth year, Hare noted that the stature of the event is increasing as more and more companies invest massively in IT as a critical component of their business strategy.

He said that about 360 applications have been received so far and more are expected before the deadline on October 17. Recipients of the CIO 100 Award are selected through a three-step process. In the first stage, companies fill out an online application form detailing their innovative IT and business initiatives.

In the second phase, a panel of external judges, led and supported by PricewaterhouseCoopers Kenya will review the applications in depth. The last stage involves the CIO 100 editors reviewing the judges’ recommendations and selecting the final 100 entries. “We are in discussion with IT firms such as IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Cyberoam and other local companies, including Seven Seas Technology Group, Soliton Telemec and Computer Learning Centre for sponsorship.”