Last night, Johannesburg became the electric heart of African innovation as the 2025 FNB App of the Year Awards lit up the city with a celebration of ground-breaking ideas, life-changing technology and the brilliant developers transforming the continent’s digital future. But amid the spectacle, one name rose above them all: Vula Medical, the visionary health-tech platform founded by Dr. William Mapham, was honoured as the 2025 FNB App of the Year.
In a room filled with industry giants, rising developers, investors, media and Africa’s sharpest digital creators, Vula’s victory was more than an award — it was a moment that spotlighted the power of purpose-driven innovation to reshape lives, systems and entire communities.
A Win Rooted in Humanity: How Vula Medical is Rewriting the Future of Healthcare
Born from Dr. Mapham’s experience at the Vula Emehlo Eye Clinic in rural Swaziland, the app was created to solve a problem he witnessed daily: frontline healthcare workers struggling to access specialist guidance, leading to delays, unnecessary travel and preventable complications.
Vula Medical answers that challenge with precision and compassion.
The secure medical referral system allows primary healthcare workers to communicate directly with specialists, share images, text notes and custom patient forms — all in real time. What began as a simple idea now stands as one of Africa’s most impactful digital health solutions.
And the numbers speak loudly:
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Over 2.5 million patient referrals facilitated
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More than 2 300 public and private facilities connected
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105 categories of health workers supported
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Nearly 30% of rural patients avoid unnecessary travel thanks to specialist guidance delivered through Vula
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Countless lives, communities and clinics transformed
Vula isn’t just an app; it is a healthcare lifeline — especially in rural and underserved areas where specialist access is rare and delays are dangerous.
Last night, that truth took centre stage.
The Awards That Shape Africa’s Digital Destiny
Across 14 years, the FNB App of the Year Awards have become Africa’s premier showcase of homegrown innovation. This is where some of South Africa’s biggest digital powerhouses — EskomSePush, Naked Insurance, Pineapple, Checkers Sixty60 and 2024’s winner Matric Live — first stepped into the spotlight.
This year’s edition continued the tradition of elevating high-impact, socially conscious developers who are reshaping industries and uplifting communities.
But the awards are only one part of FNB’s broader mission.
33 000 new full-stack developers trained in 2025 alone
Through the FNB App Academy’s nine-week intensive tech accelerator.
Africa’s largest hackathon: over 10 000 participants
Solving social challenges through 72 hours of relentless innovation.
These initiatives signal a continent on the cusp of a digital revolution — one built by Africans, for Africans.
Experts Spotlight Trends: AI on the Rise, Social Impact in Our DNA
Judges at this year’s awards noted unmistakable trends:
AI is here — but with an African heart.
According to longtime judge and social impact pioneer Ellen Fischat, developers are increasingly using AI to solve, not just scale. Particularly in health tech, AI is being adapted to local contexts and real-world limitations.
“Social impact is what I love most about the App of the Year competition. South African solutions are rooted in purpose — it’s in our DNA,” Fischat shared.
AI companions are emerging across categories.
Judge Gareth Tresling highlighted the rise of AI assistants in apps tackling issues like community safety, education and public transport — early-stage but ambitious and transformative.
Designing for real-world South Africa sets the best apart.
Judge Jeff Manda praised solutions focusing on offline access, accessibility and real-world constraints.
“You can see when people design with intention, and it stands out.”
2025 FNB App of the Year Winners: Solutions with Purpose
Best Consumer Solution: Mr D
Best Enterprise Solution: Droppa
Best Hackathon Solution: Usagey
Best Gaming Solution: Recess
Best Health Solution: Vula Medical
Best Agricultural Solution: FarmWise
Best Educational Solution: d6 School Communicator
Breakthrough Developer of the Year: CPF Method
Best Financial Solution: Stokvel Marketplace Powered by StokFella
Most Innovative Solution: iER (Integrated Emergency Response)
Best South African Solution: iER (Integrated Emergency Response)
The Accenture Reinvention Award: Scenda
A Night of Celebration, A Future of Possibility
From the glow of the stage lights to the energy of the crowd, the 2025 FNB App of the Year Awards felt like a declaration: Africa’s digital future is bright, bold and already in motion.
Vula Medical’s win is more than recognition — it is a national milestone. A reminder that innovation with heart, designed to solve real problems, can change the trajectory of millions.
As Dr. Mapham’s vision continues to rewrite what is possible for healthcare in South Africa, the continent applauds — and prepares for the next chapter of African brilliance.
For more information, visit www.appoftheyear.co.za.
