Awards and Recognitions
Over more than a decade, Sophia Bekele’s work has driven measurable impact across technology, governance, and economic development in Africa and globally. Her leadership has been recognized by international media, industry organizations, and civic institutions—not for visibility alone, but for sustained impact, principled leadership, and the ability to translate complex systems into durable outcomes that serve the public interest.
Named “The Global Champion of Digital Sovereignty”
A SURPRISE “WOMEN LEADERSHIP” Award, July 2024 Universal Women’s Leadership Forum with the European Parliament
Happy IWD23 to all the ladies out there! Sophia Bekele
March 08, 2023,
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DCA e-commerce Initiative was Nominated for the Bolds Award in Venice, Italy. March 2023
Happy New Year, 2023!
“10 Most Powerful Women Leaders in Business to Follow, 2023”
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DotConnectAfrica (DCA), named as the
“Best Digital Education in Africa”, July 2022 by the Top UK Magazine, CEO Today Africa
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100 Most Influential African Women
100 Most Influential African Women list in 2022 by the Leading African PR & Rating firm, Avance Media Africa.. Read full article | Instagram Video
2021 Women Of Influence Award
By Silicon Valley Journal, “Real Influence carries value-based leadership” – Sophia.
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Message on International Women’s Day
Listen to the insightful message from our Founder Sophia Bekele
CEO Today Africa Award for pioneering a globally emulated model of digital education and empowerment for women and youth through the DCA Digital Academy.
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2025 — Named “Global Champion of Digital Sovereignty” by Insight Success Magazine, recognizing her leadership in architecting control over digital assets, data, and technological destiny. The feature highlighted her framing of digital colonialism as a defining geopolitical risk of the 21st century.
2024 — Recipient of the Women Leadership Award for Inclusion & Social Impact, presented by the European Cooperation System in collaboration with the European Parliament and the Universal Women Leadership Forum.
2023 — Featured on the cover of CIO Views as “An Influential & Fearless Trailblazer in Technology, Leading Business on Her Own Terms.”
2023 — Honored by Success Pitchers Magazine as one of the “10 Most Powerful Women Leaders to Follow,” recognizing her work as a serial technology entrepreneur driving social and economic impact through innovation.
2022 — Listed among the “100 Most Influential African Women Leaders & Pioneers” by Avance Media, citing her leadership excellence, commitment to knowledge-sharing, and sustained efforts to bridge the gender digital divide in Africa.
2022 — Awarded the CEO Today Africa Award for pioneering a globally emulated model of digital education and empowerment for women and youth through the DCA Digital Academy.
2021 — Named a Women of Influence Honoree by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, celebrating outstanding achievement in leadership, innovation, and community impact.
2021 — Recipient of the CEO Today Africa Award for exceptional business leadership and resilience amid unprecedented global challenges.
2018 — Honored with the Champion of Development Award at the Solidarity Awards in Switzerland, presented by Africa Link.
2017 — Finalist at the ITU / UN Equals in Tech Awards for the Miss.Africa Digital Seed-Funding program, which has supported hundreds of young women and girls across 12 African countries.
In the same year, CIO East Africa named her “Industry Trailblazer” and “Internet Governance Pioneer.”2015 — Recognized by Bloomberg TV as one of Africa’s “Two Leading Ladies in ICT” and among the “African Women to Watch,” honoring visionary leadership shaping the continent’s digital future.
2014 — Named one of the “Top 20 Inspirational African Diaspora Professional Women in Europe” by ADIPWE for her work in technology transfer and global development.
2013 — Selected by NewAfrican Magazine as one of the “50 African Trailblazers – A Future Made in Africa,” recognizing her leadership of the landmark Yes2DotAfrica global campaign for the .africa domain, which reached over 30 million people worldwide and earned her recognition as the “brains behind .africa.
Additional media coverage, citations, and archival recognition are available upon request.