HiPipo has announced the nominees for the 2025 Digital Impact Awards Africa (#DIAA2025). After sifting through hundreds of submissions collected from July 28 to September 22, the awards celebrate the trailblazers driving financial inclusion and tech solutions for Africa’s underserved communities.
Now in its 12th year, #DIAA2025 stands as Africa’s premier platform for honoring digital pioneers who go beyond serving the elite to empower the unbanked and underbanked.
This edition introduces six fresh categories that tackle pressing real-world challenges, from revolutionizing mobility and energy access to making home tech and vehicle ownership more inclusive. These additions underscore how technology is reshaping daily life—from powering homes sustainably to easing the cost of getting around.
“Many submissions went beyond the original categories, pushing us to recognize the real changes happening in society,” said Joseph Kimbowa, HiPipo’s Chief Content Officer. “That’s why we introduced new categories and a Special Commendation for Transforming Uganda – to highlight leaders making a visible difference in people’s lives.”
For consumers, the nominees represent trusted brands tackling last-mile hurdles like affordability and reliability. For the industry, they signal emerging trends and benchmarks in digital services.
New categories spotlight everyday essentials
The revamped lineup dives into sectors that hit close to home:
- Holistic Ride-Hailing Services: Nominees include Faras, Ride Now, UNION APP, Little APP, and SafeBoda—platforms redefining urban mobility with safety and accessibility at the forefront.
- Sustainable Energy & Fuel Distribution: Heavy hitters like Shell/Vivo Energies, TotalEnergies, Rubis Energy, Stabex, Oryx, Mogas, and Texol are recognized for streamlining fuel access and promoting greener energy solutions.
- Excellent Personal and Home Technology: Innovators such as KIMA Home Security, Yunga, Transtel Ltd (Samsung), Tecno Mobile, Infinix Uganda, Hisense Uganda, Blacklyf, and M-Kopa are transforming smart living for everyday users.
- Democratizing Cars’ Ownership: Ayyan Motors, Autochek, Success Motors, Majibu Africa, Yuasa Investment, and JanJapan are breaking barriers to affordable vehicle access.
- Democratizing Motorbikes’ Ownership: Watu Credit, Mogo Uganda, Zembo EV, Spiro Uganda, Gogo Electric, Haojue Motors Uganda, Yuvraj TVS, Bajaj Boxer (Verma Co Ltd), and Union (United Boda Boda Riders Cooperative Union) lead the charge in electric and financed two-wheeler revolutions.
These categories reflect a maturing African tech ecosystem, where digital tools address mobility, sustainability, and home efficiency amid rapid urbanization.
FinTech and banking take center stage
The awards continue to shine a light on financial innovation, with standout categories including:
- Financial Inclusion Excellence: Agent Banking Insurance Scheme by SPADES Insurance, AgriShare, aXiom Zorn, ClinicPesa, FutureLink Technologies, Pride Bank, and My Doctor Connected Care Platform.
- Digital Banking Excellence: ABSA Bank, Centenary Bank, Equity Bank, I&M Bank, Stanbic Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank.
- Banking Innovation Excellence: FlexiPay by Stanbic Bank, Craft Silicon, Islamic Banking and Green Financing by Salaam Bank, QuickTeller Agents Partnership by Interswitch and Centenary Bank, and PDM digitization by WENDI Digital Wallet/Post Bank (Pearl Bank).
- Community/MFI Banking Innovation Excellence: Centenary Bank, Finca, Finance Trust Bank, Letshego, Post Bank (Pearl Bank), and Pride Bank.
- FinTech Start-up of the Year: Fido, Furaha, HamzPay, Kacyber, Kanzu Finance Limited, PayTota, and PesaJet.
- FinTech of the Year: FutureLink Technologies, Interswitch, Jumo, SafeBoda, School Pay, and Yo Uganda.
Other key nods go to Financial Services Digital Excellence (Airtel Money, Interswitch, MTN MoMo, Stanbic Bank, Standard Chartered), Consumer Goods and Services Digital Excellence (Belle Beauty, Glovo Uganda, Jumia Uganda, Jude Color Solutions, Movit Products), and Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence (NWSC, URA, URSB, UDB, UEDCL).
In leadership, the CEO of the Year (DFS) category features Fabian Kasi (Centenary Bank), Japhet Aritho (Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited), Julius Kakeeto (PostBank), Moris Seguya (Interswitch), Richard Yego (MTN MoMo), Sanjay Rughani (Standard Chartered Bank), and Veronicah Gladys Namagembe (Pride Bank).
Rounding out the pack, Digital Brand of the Year honors Airtel Uganda and Airtel Money, Centenary Bank and Centenary Group, MTN Uganda and MTN MoMo, NWSC, Stanbic Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank. Tech services giants like Airtel Uganda, Cente Tech, DHS Africa, Comviva, Ericsson, Huawei, and MTN Uganda vie for Technology Services Digital Excellence.
Voting opens
The public has a say—voting kicks off Friday, October 3rd, and closes on Friday, November 14th, at 8:00 AM EAT. Head to www.digital-impact-awards.com to support your favorites and shape the winners.
The excitement culminates at the Grand Finale on November 14, 2025, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, coinciding with the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit. This hybrid event brings together innovators, leaders, and consumers for unfiltered discussions on the future of African digital finance.
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