The WATEF International Award Conference 2024, held on November 7th, 2024, was more than just an event; it was a statement about Africa’s growing influence in the global technology landscape. Organised by Watech Events and powered by the West Africa Tech Excellence Forum (WATEF), the annual gathering once again reaffirmed its reputation as one of the continent’s most respected platforms for celebrating innovation, leadership, and digital transformation.

For years, WATEF has stood as a symbol of progress, bridging the gap between innovation and impact, and giving African talents the global recognition they deserve. The 2024 edition solidified that legacy, drawing participation from policymakers, innovators, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs who shared one goal: to shape Africa’s digital future.

“WATEF continues to redefine excellence by celebrating innovation that drives Africa’s digital future.”

Founded in 2020, the West Africa Tech Excellence Forum (WATEF) was created with a simple but powerful vision: to spotlight creativity and innovation that redefine West Africa’s place in the global digital economy. At the time, the region was witnessing a surge in technology-driven entrepreneurship. What started as isolated efforts in fintech, healthtech, and agritech quickly evolved into a continental movement of digital transformation.

WATEF became the unifying platform for these emerging voices — a space where innovation is not just celebrated but nurtured, where collaborations are born, and where the next generation of African tech leaders find their footing.

Technology in Africa is no longer just a tool of convenience; it has become the heartbeat of growth, entrepreneurship, and social transformation. Across cities like Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, and Kigali, start-ups are rewriting what’s possible, solving local problems with global relevance. WATEF recognised this early and built its mission around amplifying that impact.

WATEF’s mission has remained consistent and clear — to recognise, connect, and empower the innovators, engineers, and entrepreneurs shaping Africa’s digital future.

The forum’s work goes beyond recognition. It builds bridges across key sectors such as finance, healthcare, governance, and education, promoting collaboration that drives inclusive progress. Over the years, WATEF has become a convener of change-makers — those who understand that Africa’s progress will depend on how well technology integrates with everyday life, governance, and business.

By spotlighting excellence and sharing success stories, WATEF inspires a culture of innovation that cuts across borders and industries. It’s not just about awards; it’s about building a future where technology becomes a sustainable driver of social and economic transformation.

WATEF’s journey is marked by consistent evolution and impact. Each year tells a new story of growth, influence, and excellence.

2020 – Founding: The forum launched as the region’s first dedicated platform for recognising excellence in technology and innovation, setting the tone for what would become an annual celebration of African ingenuity.

2021 – First Regional Recognition: WATEF honoured over 100 innovators across categories such as fintech, healthtech, artificial intelligence, and agritech. This milestone confirmed that the forum was not just an idea but a movement gaining momentum.

2023 – Expansion: The introduction of the Women in Tech Excellence and Tech for Social Good categories showcased WATEF’s commitment to inclusivity and societal impact. It celebrated female innovators and tech-driven initiatives transforming communities across the continent.

2024 – Global Spotlight: This year marked WATEF’s transition from a regional to a globally recognised platform. With international media coverage, new partnerships, and participation from investors and global tech policymakers, WATEF stepped confidently onto the world stage.

Each phase has deepened the forum’s impact, creating a culture of recognition that encourages innovation, inspires mentorship, and drives sustainability.

The WATEF International Award Conference 2024 adopted a hybrid format, enabling participation both virtually and in person. The event was held under the theme “Building Bridges, Powering Possibilities,” reflecting WATEF’s commitment to collaboration and shared progress.

Attendees from across Africa and beyond joined thought-provoking keynote discussions, high-level panel sessions, and exhibitions that showcased groundbreaking ideas and emerging technologies. Innovators demonstrated tools reshaping financial access, healthcare delivery, e-learning, and smart governance.

The highlight of the conference, as always, was the Tech Excellence Awards — a night dedicated to honouring the innovators, professionals, and organisations driving Africa’s digital transformation.

“From start-ups to policymakers, the forum unites visionaries building a sustainable tech ecosystem for generations to come.”

This year’s award winners stood as living proof of what dedication, creativity, and vision can achieve. From emerging start-ups redefining financial inclusion to established enterprises integrating AI into public services, the honourees represented the best of Africa’s tech brilliance.

The 2024 WATEF Awards recognised individuals and organisations who have turned challenges into opportunities, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital innovation. Each awardee embodied the resilience and excellence that the African tech ecosystem has come to symbolise.

To all the winners and nominees, their achievements echo far beyond the ceremony halls. They represent a new generation of leaders who are not waiting for global validation but are actively shaping Africa’s own tech narrative — on their terms, with global relevance.

The importance of the WATEF Awards extends beyond celebration. In a continent where technology is rapidly redefining education, healthcare, governance, and finance, recognition plays a vital role in sustaining innovation.

WATEF provides more than visibility; it offers a sense of community, validation, and inspiration. Its awards serve as a call to action for innovators to dream bigger and build solutions that respond to Africa’s unique realities. By promoting excellence and inclusivity, WATEF is helping shape a sustainable ecosystem where ideas are nurtured, collaborations thrive, and innovation becomes a shared responsibility.

As global investors and policymakers increasingly turn their attention to Africa, platforms like WATEF ensure that the continent’s brightest minds are seen, heard, and supported.

2024 also marked WATEF’s growing international partnerships. From collaborations with global tech hubs to dialogues with policy institutions and venture networks, WATEF is expanding Africa’s voice in global innovation conversations.

International media coverage further cemented its reputation as a credible and respected platform. What this means is that the world is not just watching Africa’s tech evolution — it’s now participating in it, and WATEF is one of the major catalysts for that shift.

Through these global partnerships, WATEF is positioning Africa not as a recipient of innovation but as a contributor, shaping the technologies that will define the next century.

As the curtains closed on the 2024 edition, one thing was clear: the momentum is unstoppable. The event was not just about looking back at achievements but also about charting the course for the future.

Platforms like WATEF remind us that Africa’s greatest resource is not its minerals or markets, but its people — the creators, thinkers, and builders turning problems into possibilities.

Looking ahead, WATEF has already announced the 2025 edition, scheduled for November 2025, and has called for nominations from innovators, start-ups, and organisations across the continent. The invitation is open to all who believe in the power of technology to build a better, more inclusive future.

The WATEF International Award Conference 2024 was a reminder that Africa’s story is changing. What once seemed impossible is now being built daily by innovators who refuse to wait for the future — they are creating it.

By recognising excellence, fostering collaboration, and connecting ideas with opportunity, WATEF continues to play a vital role in shaping the continent’s digital destiny.

As Africa stands at the crossroads of innovation and global relevance, WATEF serves as a beacon of what’s possible when vision meets action. The spirit of resilience, creativity, and excellence celebrated at the 2024 conference will continue to inspire generations long after the lights of the ceremony fade.

Congratulations to all 2024 award winners and nominees. Your work is a testament to Africa’s boundless potential and a powerful reminder that the future belongs to those who build it.