MMUST’s Researcher Dr. Sum Psusma Tecla Recognized as Winner of the CIO & C-Suite Awards Africa 2026 – HealthTech Category
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) researcher Dr. Sum Psusma Tecla has been named the Winner of the HealthTech Category at the CIO & C-Suite Awards Africa 2026. This earns her continental recognition for exemplary leadership and contributions to advancing health innovation, research commercialization, technology incubation, and digital transformation. Dr. Sum, who is the Director of the Science Park, Innovation and Incubation Centre (SPIIC) and Founder of MMUST Innovation Academy at MMUST, emerged among Africa’s leading innovation and technology leaders following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the awards’ project team, which includes global professional services firms Deloitte and KPMG.
The CIO & C-Suite Conference & Awards Africa is described as a premier Pan-African platform celebrating visionary leadership and technological excellence. The awards recognize outstanding Information Technology and C-suite leaders across more than 13 African countries, highlighting individuals shaping the future of technology and business on the continent. The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 27th October 2026, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The event will bring together leading CIOs, C-Suite executives, policymakers, innovators and technology leaders from across the continent to celebrate excellence, exchange insights and spotlight transformative contributions to Africa’s digital and technology landscape.
Dr. Tecla Sum during the launch of the MMUST Innovation Academy.
A notable dimension of her innovation leadership is the development and advancement of eKonnect and Eco-She technologies for the cloud-based emergency tracking application system and the Sanitary towels for menstrual health Hygiene respectively. This demonstrates the potential of digital technologies to improve emergency response and coordination in resource-constrained settings and to convert biomass (sugarcane bagasse) into valuable products. Her broader innovation portfolio and commitment to research is evidence to MMUST’s capacity to generate solutions that are locally relevant while possessing potential for continental and global application.
This recognition celebrates Dr. Sum’s contribution to strengthening the link between research, innovation and real-world impact, particularly in the health technology space. Her leadership at SPIIC continues to support the development, incubation and commercialization of innovative ideas while creating opportunities for researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to translate knowledge and technology into solutions for societal challenges.
We congratulate Dr. Tecla Sum on this prestigious continental recognition and celebrate her continued contribution to advancing research, innovation and technology for sustainable development. The award further elevates MMUST’s profile on the continental innovation and technology platform, while showcasing the institution’s growing pool of expertise leading impactful solutions for sustainable development.
By Linet Owuor
