Nigeria has won the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World Government Award for being the government with the most innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) included in its national pavilion at the ITU Telecom Awards 2017.
Nigerian fintech startup, Medsaf also won the Greatest Social Impact award of the Global SMEs Awards at the ITU Telecom Awards 2017 held in Busan, South Korea.
Medsaf leverages technology to make the process of buying and selling and managing medication easy and efficient, connecting hospitals, pharmacies and clinics to safe, quality medication from leading local and foreign drug manufacturers.
Another Nigerian fintech, Ubenwa was a finalist at the Most Innovative Use of ICTs awards category for pioneering a cry-based diagnostic mobile app for birth asphyxia. In addition, Mavis Computel was granted Recognition of Excellence Certificate as the best and most innovative individual exhibitor in the Nigerian Pavilion at ITU Telecom World 2017.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was awarded Certificate of appreciation for the ITU Telecom World 2017 National Pavilions and Thematic Pavilions, as well as loyal participants and supporters of the annual event over a number of years. Innovative digital solutions with social impact came under the spotlight at the prize ceremony on the closing day of the event.
From micro-lending to a location-based shopping platform, an artificial intelligence-powered concierge robot, a digital data analytics solution and a voice recognition-based diagnostic system for babies, the third edition of the ITU Telecom World Awards celebrated creativity and innovation in digital solutions meeting real-world social needs.
Winners and finalists in several categories were presented with trophies and certificates by ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao in a high-profile ceremony in the presence of ministers, industry leaders, representatives of media, academia and international organizations from across the globe.
According to ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao:
“Winning an ITU Telecom World Award and having innovative solutions recognized by a global panel of experts at our event will help these talented enterprise owners to grow and scale up their business, taking it to the next stage. Previous award winners have enjoyed great success, coming back to later events as exhibitors and sponsors – I look forward to following the developments of this year’s awards alumni.”