Deadline for AfricaCom Awards entries is 6 September

Categories

Best Network Improvement

This award recognises an eye-catching, successful initiative that has significantly improved a network in Africa, since the end of November 2012.

Best Quality User Experience

Customers in Africa are increasingly demanding cool and engaging products, and this category recognises offerings from all sectors - service providers, device manufacturers, broadcasters, app developers, etc. So this award recognises a successful initiative in Africa that's offered a superior quality of user experience in the past year.

Best Cost Efficiency Solution for Africa

Recognises an outstanding new initiative from a telecoms or ICT solution provider, or from an operator/ service provider (mobile, wireless, fixed or ISP), which has enabled greater cost-efficiency in the provision of telecoms, media and ICT services in Africa since November 2011.

Rural Telecoms Award

Recognises an exceptional vendor solution, or operator/service provider initiative or service, which has extended and/or improved telecommunications services in rural and under-served Africa since November 2011.

Best Connectivity Solution for Africa

This award recognises an initiative or solution that has considerably improved connectivity in Africa or in a sub-region of Africa in the last year. The successful initiative may cover fibre, satellite or wireless solutions, international connectivity or backhaul initiatives, which created measurable improvements in capacity, quality and reliability of service.

Best Marketing Campaign

Recognises an inspiring and effective marketing campaign (can include new brand launch), advertising campaign, or innovative distribution strategy, launched by an operator/service provider in Africa since November 2011.

Best Mobile Marketing Campaign

Mobile marketing creates great opportunities for brands and telcos to reach customers in new ways. This award recognises a campaign that has shown creativity and successfully reached the client's KPIs.

Best Digital Music Initiative

This category is all about the innovation and creativity taking place in the African music market. The award recognises a successful initiative, product or service from an operator, music label, digital service provider or industry organisation that improves access to music services and/or recognises local artists.

Best Mobile Money Service

The mobile money market in Africa is developing rapidly and this award recognises the innovation shown in mobile money services on the continent. The award will recognise a service that shows growth potential and uses an innovative business model.

1. Best App for Africa *Free to enter

   This category recognises the most innovative and relevant application for African markets, either for smartphones or feature phones. The winning app may provide entertainment, education or enterprise opportunities to the consumers and reflect the creativity of African developers.

   Most Innovative Service

   This prize recognises a popular new offering which, from conception to execution, has been an innovation. It could be for the consumer or the enterprise markets, and could be messaging, m-commerce, video, etc. It will be in an African market, and should have offered significant new prospects for revenue and delighting customers since November 2011.

   Best Pan African Initiative

   Recognises an initiative taken by an organisation or a group of organisations to improve telecommunications services at a regional or continental level across Africa since November 2011.

   Industry Personality of the Year

   This illustrious award is in honour of the most upstanding and inspiring figures working in Africa's telecoms, ICT and media industries - the winner will be nominated and voted for by their peers.

   Changing Lives Award

   This special award recognises an inspiring initiative that has significantly impacted African telecommunications in the community and contributed to economic and social development since November 2011.

The AfricaCom Awards are open to any operator, vendor and regulator, of any size, and any location who offers solutions or products anywhere within Africa.

Find out more about the entry criteria, and make sure to apply by 6 September 2013 through the online entry system.

For full details of this year's Awards - including the categories, gala dinner and entertainment, go to www.africacomawards.com.