Information and communications technology group MTN Business has announced the winners for its twelfth yearly MTN Business App of the Year awards, with an application (app) that aims to lower the cost of private healthcare access recognised as the overall winner.

The Kena Health, which provides patients access to a doctor, nurse or mental health professional for only R185 a consult, on-demand and with no long waiting times, also secured the top award for the Best Health Solution category.

The winners for each category comprised Discovery Bank for the Best Consumer Solution; Medsol Breast AI for the Best Enterprise Solution; Future DX – Thutofy for the Best Hackathon Solution; Fruit-Full 3 for the Best Gaming Solution; Broiler Operations Management for the Best Agricultural Solution; Angula for the Best Educational Solution; CPF Method for the Best Campus Cup Solution; University Qualifications for the Best Breakthrough Developer; TymeBank for the People’s Choice Award; iKhokha for the Best Financial Solution; Eyerus for the Most Innovative Solution; and Pick n Pay ASAP! for the Best Huawei App Gallery Category.

The MTN Business App of the Year winners, which were announced during a gala event in Kramerville on Thursday, showcased the vast talent in coding and development in South Africa.

“The fierce contest for recognition in the 2023 awards has demonstrated the resilience and innovative spirit of South Africa’s app developers who have fought through tough economic times, an intensely competitive market and pressure on available skills to present the country with apps that enhance the services offered by some business sectors,” said MTN Business head of marketing Kholofelo Magagane, noting that it showed that the entrepreneurial spirit that drove innovation was alive and well.

The winners of the various categories had to navigate a challenging environment that had not yet fully emerged from the uncertainty and hardships created by Covid-19 to innovate and offer unique value to users.

“To succeed, they had to create effective and user-friendly applications,” he added, highlighting that, without exception, this year’s winners revealed how technology ouldn help transform traditional business models, streamline operations and enhance productivity.

“By harnessing technology to address critical business and societal challenges, they will inspire others to adapt, evolve, and thrive in a rapidly changing environment. We look forward to the success of all our entrants and look forward to MTN Business’ role in bringing future innovative solutions to the attention of the broader business community,” he concluded.