HiPipo has officially opened nominations for the 13th Annual Digital Impact Awards Africa (#DIAA2026), inviting individuals, organisations, institutions and industry stakeholders from across Africa and around the world to nominate outstanding brands, organisations, innovations and leaders contributing to Africa’s digital transformation.Nominations opened on 10 August 2026 and will close on 18 September 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT+3 (East Africa Time). Nominations may be submitted from anywhere in the world, provided the nominee or nominated initiative demonstrates relevant impact in Africa.The Digital Impact Awards Africa recognise organisations and leaders using digital technology and innovation to improve lives, strengthen businesses, expand access to essential services, advance inclusion and contribute to sustainable economic and social development.The #DIAA2026 programme features 30 competitive award categories, structured to reflect the continued evolution of Africa’s digital economy and the increasing role of technology across critical sectors.The categories span digital financial services; commerce and enterprise; transport and mobility; energy, utilities and climate; digital health; agriculture and food systems; government and public services; technology and connectivity; artificial intelligence and emerging technologies; education, skills and inclusion; and leadership.Digital financial services remain a cornerstone of DIAA, with recognition covering FinTech, digital banking, financial inclusion, banking innovation, community and microfinance innovation, and digital payments. This reflects the continued importance of accessible, affordable and interoperable financial services to Africa’s economic transformation.The 2026 edition also strengthens recognition of digital innovation in sectors with direct implications for livelihoods and inclusive development, particularly agriculture, healthcare, energy, education and public service delivery.Agriculture receives particular attention through Digital Agriculture & AgriTech Excellence, Farmers Digital & Financial Inclusion, and Agricultural Value Chain Innovation, recognising the growing role of technology, finance, information and market connectivity in strengthening productivity, farmer livelihoods and food systems.Digital health is similarly represented through categories recognising digital healthcare, telemedicine, healthcare innovation, and health financing, reflecting technology’s potential to make quality healthcare more accessible, efficient, and affordable.Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are incorporated into the 2026 framework with an emphasis on practical application and measurable impact. The Awards will recognise solutions that move beyond technological novelty to address meaningful economic, social and institutional challenges.Government institutions and public-sector innovators will also be recognised for digital transformation and digital public infrastructure that improve accessibility, efficiency, interoperability and the delivery of essential services to citizens.At the pinnacle of the competitive programme is Digital Brand of the Year, the premier competitive honour of the Digital Impact Awards Africa. It recognises the organisation or brand demonstrating the strongest overall performance across digital innovation, adoption, customer experience, accessibility, engagement, trust, influence and measurable economic or societal impact.The nomination process is deliberately open and inclusive. Members of the public, customers, employees, industry professionals, businesses, governments, development organisations and communities may nominate deserving organisations, brands, products, initiatives and leaders. Self-nominations are also accepted, and there is no fee to submit a nomination.Each submission should nominate one organisation, brand, product, initiative or individual for one award category. Where a nominee appropriately qualifies for more than one category, separate nominations may be submitted.Nominators are encouraged to provide clear and verifiable evidence of achievement and impact. Depending on the category, this may include people reached, customers served, transactions enabled, farmers supported, patients reached, businesses empowered, jobs created, communities impacted, geographic reach, digital adoption, improvements in accessibility and affordability, financial inclusion, environmental impact and other measurable outcomes.Following the close of nominations, eligible submissions will undergo review and verification by the DIAA Secretariat and Jury, leading to the selection and announcement of the official #DIAA2026 nominees.Now in its 13th annual edition, the Digital Impact Awards Africa continues to provide a platform for recognising organisations, innovations and leaders whose work demonstrates that digital transformation should ultimately translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives, stronger institutions and more inclusive economies.The Awards are anchored in HiPipo’s longstanding Include Everyone philosophy and its commitment to Maximising the Digital Dividend by advancing digital and financial inclusion, inclusive innovation and technology-led development across Africa.Nominations are open until 18 September 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT+3 (East Africa Time). Submit a nomination for the 13th Annual Digital Impact Awards Africa — #DIAA2026. https://www.digital-impact-awards.com/diaa2026-nominations-open/The post HiPipo Opens Nominations for the 13th Annual Digital Impact Awards Africa appeared first on The Insider.