The Builders of Africa’s Digital Foundation

Honouring the visionaries who built Africa’s digital backbone

Africa’s digital transformation did not happen by accident – it was built.

By entrepreneurs who laid the first subsea cables, to connect countries. Regulators who created new opportunities by liberalizing markets. Engineers who deployed fiber across borders. Policymakers who dared to imagine a connected continent. Ordinary people who have done extraordinary feats.

The Builders of Africa’s Digital Foundation Awards celebrate the pioneers, visionaries, and institutions whose ideas, investments, and leadership laid the groundwork for Africa’s digital economy – connecting hundreds of millions, creating new industries, and inspiring the next generation of builders.

These honorees represent the pillars upon which Africa’s digital future stands.

2025 Honoreess

Funke Opeke

Founder & former Chief Executive Officer, MainOne

Funke Opeke built one of West Africa’s first privately owned, open-access submarine cables, linking Nigeria to Portugal, Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. Under her leadership, MainOne became a cornerstone of Africa’s broadband revolution and the first acquisition by Equinix in West Africa.

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Strive Masiyiwa

Founder & Executive Chairman, Cassava Technologies

Strive Masiyiwa’s work liberalized Africa’s telecoms landscape, leading to mobile, cloud, and fintech innovations across the continent. His vision has connected nations, empowered entrepreneurs, and educated over 250,000 Africans through his philanthropic foundations.

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Alan Knott-Craig Sr.

Founding Chief Executive Officer, Vodacom

Alan Knott-Craig led Vodacom through its pioneering years, introducing prepaid airtime and extending mobile access across Southern Africa. His legacy remains embedded in Africa’s telecom DNA.

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Brian Herlihy

Founder, SEACOM

Brian Herlihy’s vision brought East Africa online. Through SEACOM, he delivered the region’s first major broadband link to the world, unlocking economic opportunities for millions.

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Chris Wood

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, WIOCC

Chris Wood transformed WIOCC into one of Africa’s largest connectivity providers, spanning nearly 30 countries. His leadership has deepened the continent’s digital capacity and interconnection

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Sam Darwish

Co-founder, Chairman & Group Chief Executive Officer, IHS Towers

Sam Darwish built IHS Towers from concept to a NYSE-listed powerhouse. Today, it stands as one of the largest communications infrastructure firms globally, rooted in African innovation.

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Dr. Ernest Ndukwe

Former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission

Known as “The Father of Nigeria’s Telecom Revolution,” Dr. Ndukwe liberalized the sector, set regulatory standards, and opened Nigeria to billions in private investment.

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Michuki Mwangi

Distinguished Technologist for Internet Growth, Internet Society (ISOC); Founder, Kenya IXP (KIXP)

Michuki Mwangi helped shape Africa’s internet fabric, founding the Kenya IXP and advancing interconnection policies that keep Africa’s traffic — and value — within Africa.

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Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999–2007)

President Obasanjo’s tenure ushered in the liberalization of Nigeria’s telecom sector, established privatization frameworks, and championed African-led initiatives like NEPAD.

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Andile Ngcaba

Chairman, Convergence Partners

From his tenure in South Africa’s first democratic government to leading Convergence Partners, Andile Ngcaba has financed and built the networks that power Africa’s digital growth.

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Mohamed Nasr

Former Managing Director & CEO, Telecom Egypt

Mohamed Nasr has overseen the modernization of Egypt’s telecom infrastructure, expanded its submarine systems, and strengthened Africa’s intercontinental connectivity corridors.

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Khaled Bichara

Co-founder, Orascom Telecom & Global Telecom Holding

The late Khaled Bichara played a pivotal role in transforming Africa’s telecom footprint through Orascom and Global Telecom, pioneering mergers that reshaped global connectivity.

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About the Awards

The Builders of Africa’s Digital Foundation Awards is hosted during the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa conference and conferred annually to individuals and institutions whose vision, leadership, and impact have materially advanced Africa’s digital transformation.
Each honoree has contributed to expanding connectivity, enabling innovation, and building the infrastructure upon which Africa’s $180 billion digital economy now stands.

This recognition celebrates not just the past — but the enduring blueprint for Africa’s digital future.

Contact: projects@thehyperscalers.com