African CIO Awards 2026, : Marrakech crowns 17 tech leaders

On April 8, 2026 in Marrakech, the third edition of the African CIO Awards honored 17 African digital champions, highlighting innovation, artificial intelligence and strategic IT alignment driving Africa’s transformation. By the editorial team

Africa News Agency 15 avril 2026

3 minutes de lecture

The Four Seasons Resort, at Marrakech, hosted on 8 April the third edition of the African CIO Awards (ACA) in a context marked by the acceleration of Africa’s digital transformation. Organized by CIO Mag, the event brought together leading figures from Africa’s tech ecosystem and international institutions, including Lacina Koné, Director General of Smart Africa, Hamadoun Touré, former Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as well as Lamin Jabbi, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of The Gambia. Former minister Hadja Fatimata Ouattara Sanon and former French international footballer Mamadou Sakho were also in attendance.

The highlight of the ceremony was the African CIO Awards 2026 Grand Prize, awarded to three outstanding leaders recognized for their ability to align strategic vision with technological execution. The winners are Morad El Mazyani (AI Crafters, Morocco), Insaf Ayari (SPIRAW, Tunisia) and Kevin Degila (ASIN, Benin). They will benefit from a fully funded Learning Expedition in Geneva 2026, organized by CIO Mag in partnership with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG), allowing them to bring Africa’s digital voice to global discussions on technology governance.

3 countries in the rankings: Morocco, Ivory Coast and Benin, highlighting the emergence of regional digital hubs

The event reflects a broader acceleration of Africa’s digital ecosystems. Organizers emphasize that national tech strategies are increasingly driven by digital sovereignty agendas, artificial intelligence adoption and public sector digitization. This momentum is reflected in the strong performance of three countries in the rankings: Morocco with 8 awards, Ivory Coast with 2, and Benin with 2, highlighting the emergence of regional digital hubs.

In his speech, Mohamadou Diallo, founder of the African CIO Awards and CEO of CIO Mag, underlined Morocco’s strategic leadership in Africa’s digital landscape. He stated:“I wish to warmly congratulate the Kingdom of Morocco for its visionary leadership. By hosting GITEX Africa, Morocco clearly asserts its role as a continental digital hub. This vision demonstrates that our continent can be an actor, a driver and a global reference for innovation.”

This statement underscores the growing importance of major tech events in strengthening Africa’s digital positioning and regional integration.

Technology is never just about machines. Behind every tool, there are choices. Behind every innovation, there is a vision. And behind every vision, there are men and women making decisions

Jury President and former minister Elisabeth Moreno emphasized the human dimension of technology, stating: “Technology is never just about machines. Behind every tool, there are choices. Behind every innovation, there is a vision. And behind every vision, there are men and women making decisions.”
She also praised the winners, noting they are helping “write another story for the continent: an Africa that does not wait to be told what to do, but invents, collaborates and takes its place.”

Beyond the main awards, the 2026 edition introduced two new categories: the Youth Award, won by Ahmed Billa (Morocco), and the Public Choice Award, awarded to Bebbe El Mane (Mauritania), Technical Director at the National Population and Secure Documents Registry Agency.

Sectoral awards and the “AI for Good” trophies highlighted real-world applications ranging from judicial digitalization in Ivory Coast to road safety systems in Morocco and digital identity solutions in Benin. These projects illustrate the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into public policy across Africa.

The African CIO Awards are not just a ceremony. They are a collective dynamic and a strong commitment to Africa’s digital future

The 2026 edition also carried symbolic weight as it marked the 20th anniversary of CIO Mag, founded in Marrakech. For Mohamadou Diallo, the awards go beyond recognition. He stated:“The African CIO Awards are not just a ceremony. They are a collective dynamic and a strong commitment to Africa’s digital future.”