Internet.org has presented six Innovation Challenge in Africa awards to what it describes as leading examples of ideas, apps, websites and/or online services that provide real value in the categories of education and economic empowerment.

Under education, Ghana's Esoko won a US$150 000 Innovation Challenge Award for its web and mobile apps that enable two-way data flows providing smallholder farmers with access to agricultural information and markets.

mPedigree Goldkeys from Ghana and Nigeria's SaferMom each received a US$50,000 Impact award. mPedigree Goldkeys is an anti-counterfeiting, tracking and tracing solution that uses consumers' mobile phones as a verification tool, and SaferMom provides pregnant and new mothers with simple tools to help make informed health decisions via SMS, voice services and its mobile app.

According to Internet.org South African social enterprise Hyperion Development took top honours under the Economic Empowerment category, and walked away with the Innovation Challenge Award for introducing the first online course platform for computer science education supported by the largest online community of software developers in Africa.

Under this category Ghana's Mutti by mPharma and Nigeria's Tuteria were named as Impact Award winners. Mutti by mPharma enables patients to access high quality affordable medicine with flexible payment terms through micro-payments. Tuteria is an online platform that connects people with tutors, coaches or mentors.

Internet.org released a statement saying across Africa, only 28% of the population has access to the internet. "To bring more people in Africa online, the internet needs to be accessible, affordable and educational. We need to help people understand the possibilities available to them online. Each of the submissions we received has a part in creating a more connected world."