The nine winners of the MTN Innovation Awards 2017 have today received their cash prizes from MTN Uganda. The nine winners picked their cash prizes totaling $27,000 (Ugx.97.2) during a handover ceremony and interaction with the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer, Olivier Prentout. The nine came top at the recently concluded MTN Innovation Awards 2017 Gala Dinner. Each of the nine winners were handed $3000 (Ugx.10.8m).
“These innovations are the future of the Ugandan economy. The developers spend a lot of their time trying to find solutions that will leave the Ugandan education system, health sector, entertainment, financial services and e-commerce in a much better way than it is right now,” explained Prentout during the handover ceremony and interaction with the winners that took place MTN Towers, Kampala.
The MTN Innovation Awards 2017 call for entries that closed in early October 2017 attracted more than 200 entries, a record number since the awards started in 2015.
Through an audit process, a shortlist of 45 nominees was made and they showcased their innovations to public. It is from the 45 nominees that the nine winners were picked.
“The heartbeat of Uganda’s economy in the future is the young population. This demographic is inclined to technology and always innovating. MTN wants to be part of supporting that ecosystem that will support innovations since its history is from a small company to a pan-African and global telecom company,” he adds.
The nine were selected by a panel of judges. The awards indicate MTN Uganda’s commitment to scale sectors critical to the improvement of lives and communities through digital innovations. The awards are in line with MTN Uganda’s mission to make the lives of Ugandans brighter.