National Innovation and Technology Awards 2025 nominees revealed

The South African technology and innovation landscape will take centre stage on May 3rd, 2025, when the National Innovation & Tech Awards (NITA) returns as part of the South Africa Trade & Consumer Expo (SATCE) at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria. Widely regarded as one of the country’s most forward-looking business accolades, NITA 2025 promises to highlight the individuals, startups, and organisations leading the next wave of digital transformation, sustainable development, and tech-enabled social impact across the continent.

Presented in association with National Media & News Group, BusinessToday.co.za , Capital Radio South Africa and the National Post newspaper, NITA 2025 arrives at a time when Africa’s innovation ecosystem is accelerating in both scale and sophistication. This year’s edition recognises over 70 nominees across five core categories, reflecting SA’s expansive and cross-sectoral innovation momentum — from artificial intelligence and green tech to ecommerce, education, and creative technology.

“Innovation has moved from buzzword to survival imperative,” says Jordan Kensington, SATCE’s President/CEO  “NITA honours not only the disruptors and coders behind South Africa’s most promising tech, but also the community-minded innovators reshaping lives through impact-driven digital solutions.”

Among the most closely watched categories this year are Tech Startup of the Year, featuring frontrunners like VALR, Carry1st, Planet42, and Droppa — as well as Best South African Entrepreneur in Tech, where leading figures such as Vinny Lingham (Newtown Partners), Katlego Maphai (Yoco), and Farzam Ehsani (VALR) are nominated for their trailblazing leadership.

In a nod to South Africa’s growing AI capabilities, the Best AI & Machine Learning Innovation shortlist includes emerging platforms such as Akiba Digital, inQuba, and Flowplan, alongside fintech titans like VALR. The popular E-Commerce Disruptor Award brings together innovative platforms revolutionising online transactions and last-mile logistics, with entries including Kandua, Bioniq, and Seso Global.

Sustainability-focused categories reflect a growing urgency around environmental resilience and smart infrastructure. Nominees in the Green Tech & Sustainability category include GreenGrid Africa, SunStream Energy, and Matter Industries, while the Smart City & Infrastructure Innovation segment casts a spotlight on scalable urban solutions from players such as iKapa Smart Grid and CitySmart Africa.

The awards also give a nod to South Africa’s rising digital creative economy. Categories such as Best Tech in Entertainment & Media and Gaming & Metaverse Innovation include the likes of Showmax Originals, VooVix TV, Carry1st Gaming Division, and VirtuAfrica Gaming, illustrating the intersection of content, storytelling, and technology.

Importantly, the Social & Community Impact segment will honour tech-for-good ventures making measurable social contributions. Platforms such as HealthBridge SA, SA Cares Digital Platform, and EmpowerNet lead the nominations, while the Women in Tech Leadership Award pays tribute to influential figures including Aisha Pandor (SweepSouth), Rapelang Rabana (Rekindle Learning), and Nomso Kana, a nuclear scientist and digital inclusion advocate.

NITA 2025 will culminate in a red-carpet ceremony hosted within the SATCE main stage arena. The event will feature keynote speeches from industry leaders, live startup showcases, and media coverage by Capital Radio SA, BusinessToday.co.za, and National Post Newspaper. Winners will be selected by a panel of experts representing academia, venture capital, public policy, and global tech organisations.

Here is the Official full list of nominees for the National Innovation and Technology Awards 2025:

1. 🚀 Startup & Entrepreneurial Excellence

Tech Startup of the Year

1. Qwili

2. SV Capital

3. Tipped

4. TUNL

5. Stitch

6. Bioniq

7. Melon Mobile

Best South African Entrepreneur in Tech

1. Farzam Ehsani – VALR

2. Cordel Robbin-Coker – Carry1st

3. Khathutshelo Mufamadi – Droppa

4. Alexander Botha – Bioniq

5. Marnus van Heerden – Pineapple

6. Vinny Lingham – Newtown Partners

7. Katlego Maphai – Yoco

8. Calvin Collett – Melon Mobile

Most Innovative SME Solution

1. Flowplan

2. Wamly

3. Akiba Digital

4. inQuba

5. MobiLife

6. Flow

7. SweepSouth

8. Melon Mobile

2. 🤖 Digital Transformation & AI

Best AI & Machine Learning Innovation

1. VALR

2. Kolleno

3. Akiba Digital

4. inQuba

5. Flowplan

6. Wamly

7. MobiLife

Fintech Innovation of the Year

1. VALR

2. Sava

3. Akiba Digital

4. Kolleno

5. MobiLife

6. Pineapple

7. Yoco

8. Ecentric

E-Commerce Disruptor Award

1. Carry1st

2. Droppa

3. Kandua

4. Flow

5. Bioniq

6. Seso Global

7. Planet42

3. 🌱 Sustainability & Smart Solutions

Green Tech & Sustainability Award

1. ELDO

2. Matter Industries

3. BATTALION Technologies

4. Dust BioSolutions

5. GreenGrid Africa

6. SunStream Energy

7. EcoSmart Solutions

Smart City & Infrastructure Innovation

1. iKapa Smart Grid

2. InfraTech Solutions

3. CitySmart Africa

4. UrbanNet Technologies

5. AfriBuild Systems

6. SmartHub Infrastructure

7. EcoCity Dynamics

Agritech & Food Security Innovation

1. AgUnity South Africa

2. AgriEdge Solutions

3. FreshBox

4. AgriTech Africa

5. GreenGrow Technologies

6. AgriSmart Farms

7. CropSafe Solutions

4. 🎬 Media, Entertainment & Creative Tech

Best Tech in Entertainment & Media

1. Showmax Originals

2. VooVix TV

3. AfroTech Media

4. YFM Digital

5. Podcast Connect SA

6. MediaX Africa

7. StreamZone

Gaming & Metaverse Innovation Award

1. Carry1st Gaming Division

2. Metaverse Africa

3. VRPlay South Africa

4. GameZone Africa

5. PlayTech Studios

6. ARConnect Africa

7. VirtuAfrica Gaming

Content Creator Tech Excellence

1. CreatorHub Africa

2. Influencer Connect SA

3. ContentWorks Studios

4. VideoLab Africa

5. Podcasters United SA

6. Visionary Creators Network

7. Streamline Media

5. 💡 Social & Community Impact

Tech for Good Award

1. HealthBridge SA

2. EduTech Africa

3. FinAccess

4. SA Cares Digital Platform

5. ImpactTech Africa

6. EmpowerNet

7. UpliftTech

8. Password Kid

9. Telephonos

Best IT Company

• Rectron

• Pinnacle

• Westech

• Gijima

• Mustek

• Frontosa

• Datatec Ltd

• Alviva Holdings Ltd

• Prosus

• Bytes Technology

Education & EdTech Innovation

1. UniRepublic

2. EduTech Africa

3. SkillShare SA

4. FutureLearn SA

5. Code4SA

6. LearnSmart Technologies

7. BrightPath Academy

Women in Tech Leadership Award

1. Rapelang Rabana – Rekindle Learning

2. Aisha Pandor – SweepSouth

3. Arlene Mulder – WeThinkCode_

4. Thulisile Volwana – Zulzi

5. Emma Ruttkamp-Bloem – AI Ethics Expert

6. Dr. Mmaki Jantjies – Digital Learning Advocate

7. Nomso Kana – Nuclear Scientist & Tech Entrepreneur

8. Thulile Mthethwa – Memeza

   Want to attend? Get your tickets now via Ticket Republic @ [www.ticketrepublic.co.za ] — and be part of Africa’s biggest celebration of innovation. 🎟️✨