Every thriving innovation ecosystem has two kinds of infrastructure: the visible, such as devices, networks, and platforms, and the invisible, which are the women who design, optimise, and expand it. The 2025 Innovator Trust Women in Tech (WIT) Awards celebrated this invisible infrastructure. They marked more than a decade of partnership between the Innovator Trust and the Vodacom Group. This partnership made one point unmistakable: women are stepping into the tech economy with support, momentum and the tools to shape what comes next.
That momentum is reflected in the Innovator Trust’s investment in equipping women founders with the structure, insight, and practical support needed to grow enduring businesses. It creates real pathways for women to not only participate in tech but to build and scale with confidence, especially in an AI-driven era.
By design, AI was the thread running through every keynote, panel and conversation. When women are given the tools and engage with the intelligence reshaping our world, they begin architecting the future with intention. The Awards reflect this journey by celebrating all that women are: creators, leaders, thinkers, and builders who bring depth and originality to South Africa’s digital landscape.
“When women build in the tech ecosystem, they shape industries with intention and bring solutions that speak to the realities of our communities. Our focus is to provide the environment, expertise, and networks that allow their ideas to grow into strong, competitive enterprises. Code It. Shape It. Scale It. captures the discipline and purpose with which women approach growth, and the Awards honour the full power of who they are and what they bring to the future of technology,” emphasises Tashline Jooste, CEO of the Innovator Trust.
The Awards brought together founders, industry leaders and partners who reflected on the evolution of women in the digital economy and the growing need for African solutions built with local relevance.
Local relevance extends to ensuring that the tech and AI developed speaks to all people within the African ecosystem. Atenkosi Ngubevana furthered this insight that AI should not just be adopted and embraced by Africans but developed by us: “Nothing for us without us.” She reminded the room that diversity is a commercial imperative. When diverse teams build, they create solutions that are relevant, grounded, and built for the people they serve.
These insights carried into the plenaries, skillfully moderated by Nozipho Tshabalala’s presence and expertise, who drew the entire room into the conversation effortlessly. Under her direction, speakers explored the role of AI, digital tools, and cross-border integration in strengthening SMME growth.
Winners, nominees and Innovator Trust alum reflected on their incubation experience and the interventions that helped them refine operations, strengthen governance, and approach growth with intention. The Awards concluded with the announcement of the 2025 recipients across the Innovator Trust Enterprise Development, Supplier Development, and Youth categories.
2025 WOMEN IN TECH SMME AWARD WINNERS
The Enterprise Development Winners are:
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT TOP FEMALE ACHIEVER QUARTER 1 (APR-JUN)
Overall Winner: Bilion Power Networks – Tanya Ahjam
First Runner Up: Samo Engineering – Nonhlanhla Moloko
Second Runner Up: New Era IT – Unathi Nuku
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT TOP ACHIEVER HIGHEST % GROWTH
Overall Winner: Simphiwe Security Consulting – Moira Mazibuko
First Runner Up: Tsokotla Engineering – Lethabo Ramotshela
Second Runner Up: Olem Business Boutique – Aphiwe Tafeni
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT TOP EMPLOYMENT CREATOR
Winner: Olem Business Boutique – Aphiwe Tafeni
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REVENUE TOP ACHIEVER
Overall Winner: Thamani Technologies & Systems Bongeka Nyembezi
First Runner Up: Unathi Nuku
Second Runner Up: Simphiwe Security Consulting – Moira Mazibuko
INNOVATOR TRUST ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PINNACLE AWARD
Winner: Olem Business Boutique – Aphiwe Tafeni
The Vodacom Supplier Development Award Winners are:
SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT TOP ACHIEVER HIGHEST % GROWTH
Bolunga Systems – Siphokazi Simandla
VODACOM INNOVATOR TRUST PINNACLE AWARD
Winner: Khayakhulu Enterprise – Akhona Mfaba
THE YOUTH TOP ACHIEVER 2025
Ayanda Nene
This award Celebrates the leading young woman entrepreneur on the Innovator Trust Youth Entrepreneurship Program, under the age of 35, who has shown significant achievement and innovation.
As the celebration closed, Jooste’s words of inspiration resounded through the room: “You have to code in courage. You have to code in conviction. You have to code in care.” The Innovator Trust SMME Awards 2025 remind us that when women have the space and resources to grow, their impact extends beyond technology and strengthens the future of South Africa as a whole.
For more information about the Innovator Trust Women in Tech Awards and how you can get involved with the organisation, visit any of the Innovator Trust online platforms below:
Instagram: @innovatortrust
Facebook: @innovatortrust
Twitter: @innovatortrust
YouTube: Innovator Trust
Website: www.innovatortrust.co.za
