The Young CIO of the Year Award is one of the stand-out categories of the CIO Awards. It celebrates the future of IT by recognising technology leaders under 40 years, who have demonstrated strategic vision, innovation and measurable business impact.
Every year, during South Africa’s premier celebration of IT leadership, the CIO Awards shine a spotlight on the industry’s rising stars with the Young CIO of the Year Award. As the CIO Awards enter their third instalment, it’s time to recognise young talent: those under 40 who have combined technical vision with executive influence to propel their organisations into the digital future.
Since its inception, the CIO Awards – also known as the “Oscars of IT” – have recognised CIOs, CTOs, CDOs and senior IT executives whose strategic use of technology has driven business growth, elevated customer experience and streamlined operations.
By shining a light on excellence across sectors, the awards foster knowledge sharing and encourage local enterprises to continually innovate.
Young executives bring fresh perspectives, agility and a willingness to embrace risk. Highlighting their achievements also inspires peers and signals to boards the value of investing in next‑generation talent.
Last year, Bidvest Bank’s Nomonde White-Ndlovu walked away with the honour and in 2023, it went to Stellenbosch University’s Denisha Jairam-Owthar. Denisha encourages the new nominees to follow in her footsteps: “Have the courage to dare, have the courage to challenge… We rely on you to show young people the way forward.”
Read more: 2023 Young CIO of the Year welcomes second annual CIO Awards
To qualify for the Young CIO of the Year Award, candidates must be:
- Part of the executive team in the organisation
- In their current role for at least two years
- 40-years-old or younger
Nominees are evaluated on strategic vision, innovation in technology delivery, measurable business outcomes and evidence of team development.
If your CIO meets these criteria and has shown the courage required to carry your team into the future, nominate them today!
Please note: Nominations close on 23 May 2025. The next steps will be communicated with shortlisted candidates.
