The dx100 Symposium and Awards – formerly CIO 100 Awards – organized by dx5, a digital transformation company, started off successfully on its first day Wednesday 23, 2022. The first day of the three-day event saw a couple of discussions on digital transformation.
The 14th edition of the Digital Transformation awards has brought together different tech leaders from across the continent, making it the most widespread edition of the annual awards. With just the first day, the attendees have already received the ultimate magical Diani experience at the Leisure Lodge Hotel coupled with engaging tech conversations.
The highlight of the day was the panel discussion about why Digital Transformation should be a strategic priority in Africa. Moderated by dx5 Chairman, Mr Harry Hare, the panel entailed Prof Louis Fourie (Deputy VC at Cape Peninsula University), Allan Kipsang’ (Tribe Lead, Enterprise Solutions, Safaricom Plc), Catherine Muraga (Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Development Centre), and Steve Kamuya (Executive Director, Huawei Technologies Kenya)
The key discussion in this panel was how digital transformation goes beyond the technology part of it. The panelists talked about how technology is the backbone of digital transformation but, to continue growing in the digital transformation journey, organisations need to also look at the people, the culture and other factors that affect the growth.
The Microsoft ADC Managing Director, Ms Catherine Muraga, views technology as one of the key things that make a successful digital transformation project. “Digital transformation is really about selling a vision. Take an analogy of building a cathedral. In this case it’s explaining to the people who will cut the stones, those who will curve the doors, and those handling other areas. So that’s how I view technology in digital transformation, it’s one of the things needed to have a successful digital transformation journey,” Ms Muraga said.
The main purpose of the discussion was to look at why there are a lot of digital transformation projects that fail. Most panellists agreed that companies often focus on the technology and forget about other important aspects of digital transformation.
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The three-day event started off with a golf tournament. The afternoon involved the official opening of the event and a couple of important topics were discussed, led by different tech leaders from across the continent. It will be capped off with a gala night on Friday where various tech leaders will be feted for their contribution towards digital transformation in Africa.
Dx5 Chief Executive Officer, Ms Kelly Bentley, welcomed delegates and promised them a magical, educative experience for the three days they will be at Leisure Lodge Beach Hotel in Diani. Bentley talked about the peak of the event, which is the gala night, saying that there will be more people who will be feted in this edition of the awards.
“The Chief Information Officer (CIO) has always been at the centre of these awards. However, technology has grown and it’s not just the CIO who is driving the digital transformation agenda in a company. This year there will be prizes for the entire C-suite, we are all on this digital transformation journey and we need to be recognized for the efforts that we put,” she said.
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