Airtel’s Money head feted at the Annual IT Women Conference

Airtel Kenya’s Head of Airtel Money Topyster Muga has been crowned the IT Woman of the Year at the first Annual IT Women Conference in Sub-Saharan Africa organized by Techno Brain- Kenya. 

Dubbed the Pink Potential Initiative, the event brought together over 100 women in the IT industry to mentor, inspire and network and is aimed at celebrating the great achievements by women in the industry.

Lydia Njaaga, Microsoft Products Director presents a certificate to Airtel's head of Airtel Money, Topyster Muga.

Topyster was recognized for her contribution in the IT industry having spearheaded innovation of the Airtel Money Pesa Card – a Visa card mirroring the Airtel Money account, being part of the project steering committee to spearhead the formation of the mobile money association of Kenya and winning the Nelson Mandela scholarship award to undertake an MBA at INSEAD Business School in France and previously while at Vodafone Group, leading the launch of M-Pesa in several emerging markets.

“Pink Potential fosters a mentoring approach.  Mentoring is a critical link to career advancement because it enhances employee satisfaction, improves retention, advances business objectives, and increases productivity.  It can also enrich the professional and personal lives of both mentor and protégé. We are excited for Topyster and for Airtel for demonstrating their support for women in IT,” said Sarah Richson, Global HR Director, Techno Brain Group.

She added: “One of our key objectives is to recognize and celebrate IT women who are making a difference in their world as well as to inspire more women into an IT career trajectory and leadership. Toppy has exhibited this in her leadership and the strides she has made at Airtel.”

On her part, Topyster noted: “I am humbled to be the recipient of this award. This clearly is a recognition of the continuous effort that women in Kenya continue to put in the IT sector. This recognition is a great motivation to hundreds of women who continue to give their contribution in different sectors of the economy and is also a challenge to our young women who are inspired to achieve their dreams.”     

“Women are breaking barriers and succeeding in careers that many could never have imagined. Topyster’ s recognition is a timely motivation to our women employees and many others in different sectors who need to believe in their potential to succeed in whatever fields they want to pursue,” noted Airtel Kenya Chief Executive Officer Adil El Youssefi.

The Annual Women IT conference is an event that seeks to acknowledge individuals who have spearheaded innovative new software or products, or generally-available IT services, that make the biggest contribution to business technology or to IT in general.