Mariam Sanusi Wins 2023 Dratech International Innovation Award for Cybersecurity Excellence

By Kelvin Uju, Technology Correspondent

In a year that spotlighted Africa’s growing influence in digital transformation, Nigerian cybersecurity professional Mariam Sanusi emerged as one of the continent’s brightest minds. At the Dratech International Innovation Conference 2023 held in Lagos, she was honored with the Cybersecurity Innovation Excellence Award, one of the most competitive and prestigious categories of the night.

The recognition celebrates her groundbreaking work in advancing cloud security frameworks, AI-driven defense systems, and data protection strategies that strengthen Africa’s digital resilience. Out of 15 distinguished nominees across the continent, Mariam’s name stood out for her technical expertise, leadership, and her unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Since its inception in 2022, the Dratech International Innovation Awards have become a defining platform for African innovation, creativity, and excellence. Organized by Dratech International, a pan-African innovation hub that tells the stories of African talents and celebrates their impact, the awards recognize individuals and organizations redefining the continent’s digital and creative industries.

Each year, the ceremony brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across Africa and beyond. The 2023 edition, hosted in Lagos, focused on “Innovation for a Secure Digital Future,” drawing participants from more than ten countries.

Speaking at the event, Joseph Sunday, Founder and CEO of Dratech International, described the awards as a mirror of Africa’s progress.

“The Dratech Awards exist to showcase Africa’s brilliance to the world,” he said. “Innovators like Mariam Sanusi remind us that the continent’s future is secure, intelligent, and inspiring.”

The Dratech Awards are not just a celebration of success but a reflection of credibility and merit. Each category undergoes a three-stage evaluation: peer nomination, technical validation, and final assessment by a panel of industry experts.

Nominees are evaluated based on measurable innovation impact, leadership, technical excellence, and contributions to the African tech ecosystem. In the Cybersecurity Innovation Excellence category, judges reviewed submissions from cybersecurity professionals across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana.

The judging panel, made up of 12 regional and international experts, praised the depth of innovation and real-world application shown by this year’s participants. But it was Mariam’s blend of technical brilliance, ethical leadership, and advocacy for women in tech that set her apart.

“Mariam Sanusi exemplifies the innovation and resilience that define Africa’s next generation of cybersecurity leaders,” the judges noted in their citation.

A graduate of Caleb University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and a Master’s degree student in Cybersecurity from the University of Texas Dallas, Mariam Sanusi represents the face of Africa’s rising tech leadership. She also holds multiple industry certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity, and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

Her professional work spans cybersecurity architecture, cloud infrastructure protection, and the deployment of AI models for threat intelligence. Beyond her technical achievements, Mariam has become a mentor and role model, actively supporting young women in cybersecurity through global programs such as WomenTechsters and WiCyS (Women in Cybersecurity).

“Mariam Sanusi represents Africa’s growing confidence in digital security and innovation,” one of the event’s hosts remarked.

The 2023 Cybersecurity Innovation Excellence category drew a remarkable pool of talent, showcasing the diversity and depth of Africa’s cybersecurity community. Among the notable nominees were:
• Fatoumata Diarra (Senegal) – nominated for her innovative research on privacy-preserving encryption models in mobile financial systems.
• Tinashe Moyo (Zimbabwe) – recognized for creating a cyber risk assessment platform tailored for small and medium enterprises in emerging markets.
• Leila Ahmed (Egypt) – honored for her leadership in advancing cloud-based security governance within North African banking networks.
• Josephine Banda (Zambia) – celebrated for developing women-led cybersecurity capacity-building programs across universities in Central Africa.
• Abdulrahman Yusuf (Nigeria) – acknowledged for his cutting-edge work on predictive threat intelligence using machine learning.
• Chiamaka Eze (Nigeria) – recognized for her development of biometric authentication protocols, enhancing access control in government databases.
• Tobi Adebayo (Nigeria) – honored for building a cybersecurity awareness platform that trains startups and SMEs on digital safety practices across West Africa.

Each nominee was recognized for advancing cybersecurity in their respective regions, but Mariam’s holistic approach, blending innovation, inclusion, and sustainability, earned her the top honor.

Mariam’s influence extends far beyond her professional role. Her advocacy for women and youth in technology continues to inspire a new wave of digital talent across Africa. Through mentorship and public engagement, she encourages more participation in cybersecurity, especially among underrepresented groups.

She is also known for her strong voice on ethical technology, urging companies and policymakers to adopt responsible data governance. Her work continues to reinforce Africa’s role not just as a consumer of global technology but as a contributor shaping its direction.

“The Dratech Awards celebrate not just achievement but the vision shaping Africa’s future,” said one of the judges during the ceremony.

Dratech International is a technology and innovation platform dedicated to promoting African excellence in technology, business, and creativity. Through its Dratech International Innovation Awards, the organization highlights innovators whose work is transforming industries, building ecosystems, and inspiring a generation of thinkers and builders across the continent.

Since its launch in October 2022, Dratech has honored exceptional individuals in areas such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and Cybersecurity, recognizing them as key players in Africa’s innovation story.

As the applause fades from the 2023 ceremony, the significance of Mariam Sanusi’s win continues to resonate across the continent. Her story embodies what Dratech International set out to achieve: to honor innovation that not only solves problems but also inspires a secure and inclusive digital future.

Her message after receiving the award summed up the spirit of the night.

“This recognition is not just mine,” Mariam said. “It belongs to every African woman, proving that innovation knows no borders.”

The next edition of the Dratech International Innovation Conference is already on the horizon, and anticipation is building fast. Nominations for the 2024 cycle are set to open in early November, drawing fresh innovators from across Africa. The bar has been raised, and Mariam Sanusi’s triumph stands as proof that the continent’s brightest minds are ready for the global stage.