By PRINCE OSUAGWU

Etisalat Nigeria, last week gathered the top technology experts practising in Africa to sieve through heaps of nominations and applications in its 2013 Pan African Prize for Innovation Awards and select the undoubted winners.

It is expected however, that the tough job may not be too difficult for the judges based on their experiences in different fields that prospective awards recipients would be scrutinized on

Etisalat’s Pan-African Prize for Innovation is at its second edition and serves as the telecom company’s vision of recognizing and celebrating innovation across the African continent.

Unveiling the Judging panel in Lagos last week, Etisalat said it was proud to announce that Senior Director of Business Development and Managing Director, West Africa, Qualcomm, Mr. Alex Dadson, Head of Developer Outreach in the Emerging Markets team, Google, Mr. Chukwuemeka Afigbo, Principal, McKinsey & Company , Mr. Reinaldo Fiorini and Mr. Simdul Shagaya, a serial technology and media entrepreneur, who founded Dealdey and Konga, were among the team.

Others included Mr. Tayo Oviosu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Paga, a leading money transfer and payments service in Nigeria; Mr. Audu Maikori, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City Group and Mr. Wilson Feng, Director at Huawei.

According to the Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, the Etisalat Pan-African Prize for Innovation was founded on the premise of rewarding the most innovative mobile broadband idea, product, or service that provides a significant utility to mobile users. “There is an abundance of innovative talent in technology residing in the continent. We believe in showcasing these talents that not only create viable opportunities for individuals but also improves the social and economic livelihood of people who use these technologies,” he said.

The Etisalat Pan-African Prize for Innovation will be awarded at the 16th Annual AfricaCom Conference holding in Cape Town, South Africa, in November.