Mercy Wanjau is the Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya. She was appointed to this role in October 2022. She is a commercial lawyer, regulatory and governance expert whose career spans over 20 years. She has worked in the private and public sectors, both at local and international levels, where she has recorded a history of success and transformational impact.

H.E. Ambassador Philip Thigo, MBS, is a renowned technology and public policy expert. He is the Special Envoy for Technology for the Republic of Kenya and founding director for Africa at the Thunderbird School for Global Management at Arizona State University In 2018, Apolitical named him one of the World's 100 most influential people in digital government. In 2023, Africa Com listed him among Africa's Top 100 Most Influential Leaders in Technology and Telecommunications. In 2023, the United Nations Secretary-General appointed him to his High-Level Advisory Board on Artificial Intelligence (HLAB). In August 2024, Amb. Thigo was globally recognized by Mozilla under their RISE25 Award as one of five advocates leading the development of artificial intelligence ethically, inclusively, and transparently. On December 12, 2023, during Kenya’s 60th Independence Day Anniversary, he was awarded the Presidential Commendation, Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S), for his distinguished service to the country.

Harry has 25 years of experience in the tech industry. He's the founder and the Executive Director of Kenya-founded DEMO Africa, a launchpad for emerging technologies and trends on the continent. He's also the Co-founder and Director of the African eDevelopment Resource Centre; Co-founder and Director of the Events Management Solutions.

Mary Kerema is a distinguished leader in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) within the Kenyan government. She oversees the development, deployment, and maintenance of crucial government enterprise systems, including the National Education Management Integrated System (NEMIS). Her responsibilities extend to implementing the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GPS) and spearheading the re-engineered Pension Management System. Mary plays a pivotal role in shaping Kenya's digital landscape, developing ICT Masterplans, Strategic Plans, and policies for the National Government. As the technology lead for Kenya's Digital Identity project, she guides the implementation of the e-Citizen Platform, enhancing digital services for Kenyan citizens. Her expertise and leadership have also led to her appointment as the deputy ambassador for ID4Africa for Kenya in 2024. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to ICT development in government and her distinguished service to the nation, Mary was awarded the Order of Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) by the President in 2020. Further acknowledging her impact, The Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GESCI) has recognized her as an African leader in ICT, cementing her status as a key figure in Kenya's digital transformation journey.

Veerakumar Natarajan is the Regional Manager for East Africa at Zoho Corporation, bringing nearly 20 years of industry experience to his role. For over 13 years, he has been dedicated to assisting businesses in the East African region with their IT development needs. In his current position, Veerakumar is instrumental in driving business growth through digital transformation. He focuses on forging local partnerships and expanding Zoho's presence across East Africa, ensuring that businesses in the region benefit from cutting-edge technological solutions.

Stanley Kamanguya is an experienced and trusted IT professional with over twelve years of expertise in IT consulting. His career focuses on Business & IT Transformations, business development, and project management, spanning both private and public sector projects. This extensive experience has allowed him to develop a valuable blend of business acumen and technical skills. As a seasoned team leader, Stanley excels in meeting business needs through excellent service delivery. He is adept at effectively prioritizing multiple mission-critical tasks and performs well under pressure. His professional toolkit includes strong interpersonal and presentation skills, critical thinking abilities, and a talent for problem-solving. Stanley's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering. He has further enhanced his expertise with several professional qualifications, including PMP (Project Management Professional), ITIL v3 (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), and CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control). This combination of academic knowledge and professional certifications underscores Stanley's commitment to continuous learning and professional growth in the IT field.

Immaculate Kassait currently serves as the Data Commissioner in Kenya, a role that places her at the forefront of data protection and privacy in the country. She also holds the position of 1st Vice Chair of the board of NADPA (Network of African Data Protection Authorities) and is a Member of the Editorial Board for the Global Privacy Law Review, demonstrating her influence in data protection beyond Kenya's borders. Prior to her current roles, Immaculate had a distinguished career in electoral management and civic education. She served as the Director of Voter Education Partnership and Communication at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from December 2018 to November 2020. Before that, she held the position of Director of Voter Registration and Electoral Operation for nine years, from January 2010 to December 2018. Immaculate's earlier career included work with prominent non-governmental organizations in Kenya. She was associated with the Institute for Education in Democracy (IED), a leading NGO in the field of elections. Additionally, she worked as a Programme Officer in the Women's Rights and Advocacy Programme at the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya), showcasing her commitment to legal empowerment and gender equality.

Charity is currently the Director at IBM Research Africa. Previously she led the Public Sector team whose mission was to develop commercially viable technologies that transform how governments function and provide services to their citizens. She and her colleagues worked with the Kenyan government as technical advisors to develop and help implement reforms that transform the business environment for SME's to thrive. In the first year of implementation this work resulted in Kenya's ranking on the World Bank annual Ease of Doing Business ranking improving by 21 spots and Kenya was rated the third top reformer in the world. Charity holds a PhD in Chemistry from Purdue University and a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Xavier University.

Martin is an associate director in KPMG’s Technology Transformation unit. He has over 12 years of experience in the area providing project management and quality assurance consultancy services during selection and implementation of business technology solutions, development and review of digital strategies, process control assessment, comprehensive IT audits, Network infrastructure review and IT audit training. Martin has also been keen on supporting various industrial sectors in IT systems benefits realization, data conversion exercises, application control reviews, IT general controls assessment. Martin is part of the digital transformation team at KPMG. He has been involved in the identification, mapping and integration of emerging and disruptive technologies to the prevalent business needs across the various industries. His international work experience extends to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, Sultanate of Oman, Bahrain, India and United Kingdom.

Meet Andrew Lewela, the Chief Evangelist & CEO at KeNIC. Andrew brings a diverse range of experiences and expertise to his role. Prior to joining KeNIC, he worked at Sambali Group Ltd, where he focused on building a technology and government affairs advisory practice. During this time, Andrew provided valuable guidance to clients in the areas of cybersecurity investments. Before his work at Sambali Group Ltd, Andrew served as an advisor at Checkpoint Software Technologies. In this role, he specialized in advising government entities and telecommunication companies on cybersecurity strategies and investments. With over 18 years of experience in the public and private sectors, Andrew has held various positions in software/technology sales, country marketing, strategic planning, project management, government affairs, and product development. Throughout his career, Andrew has been involved with prominent organizations such as the ICT Authority, Safaricom, Oracle, International Trade Centre, and Cellulant. His expertise extends beyond his professional endeavors, as he has also shared his knowledge as a lecturer in project management at Kenya Methodist University’s Nairobi campus. Andrew’s research interests lie in the intersection of policy, development, and the digital economy. His wealth of experience and diverse background make him a valuable.

Martin Mirero is an experienced CIO/CTO with a unique blend of technology sales and management expertise. His skill set is enhanced by sound knowledge of IT Governance through COBIT2019 and CGEIT training, as well as Enterprise Architecture using TOGAF 9.1. Martin has significant pre-sales experience in large-scale public sector ICT engagements. This includes conceptualizing and authoring World Bank-grade proposals and RFP responses, as well as negotiating and closing deals. He has led software engineering projects involving both on-shore resources and off-shore development partners. His project management experience spans both PMI's PMBOK and PRINCE2 methodologies. Martin is also versed in Software Process Improvement (SPI), utilizing frameworks such as Capability Maturity Model Integration for Software Development (CMMI-SW) and Six Sigma. Throughout his career, Martin has had the privilege of working with both Multinational Companies (MNCs) and local and regional organizations, across both public and private sectors. This diverse experience is further enriched by his exposure to various cultures, having lived and worked in multiple countries including Kenya, UK, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, The Philippines, and Zimbabwe.

Lucas Omollo is a seasoned professional with a strong background in ICT and Smart City Solutions. With over a decade of experience in this field, he currently serves as the Manager of ICT and smart City Solutions at the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KOTDA). In this role, he has been instrumental in driving innovation and technological advancements in Kenya's development. Lucas's career journey at KOTDA began in December 2013, and he has consistently contributed to the organization's growth and success. His dedication and expertise have made him an essential part of the team.

Munyala Mwalo is a versatile professional with a rich background in various fields, demonstrating a commitment to unconventional problem-solving approaches in the early stages of their career. This diverse experience has cultivated their capacity to learn, unlearn, and adapt, fostering invaluable agility. Discovering the field of design proved transformative, as it allowed Munyala to appreciate the significance of their multidisciplinary journey. In his current role as the Chief Design and product Officer at SpaceAI, Munyala leads efforts to establish a platform that facilitates service fulfillment to the last mile through a decentralized and conversation-based advanced digital agent network (ADAN)

Richard Hechle serves as the Managing Director for Dimension Data’s East and West African operations, where he thrives within a forward-thinking team that continually inspires his innovative spirit. With over 25 years of experience in dynamic, consumer-facing industries, Richard is driven by a passion for developing business solutions that make a meaningful difference in people's lives and empower individuals to achieve their full potential. As a dedicated leader, he champions leading by example and adopts a hands-on approach, which has been instrumental in refining his strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills throughout his career. Richard's commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire those around him make him a pivotal force in his organization’s ongoing success.

Karthik Ananda Rao has over 20 years of IT experience. Today, He is the Chief Technical Evangelist for ManageEngine and heads the Technical Research and Marketing Team for MENA region. He has hands-on experience in all IT domains: IT/Enterprise Service Management, IT Operations Management, Active Directory and Identity Management, Security and Information Event Management, Unified Endpoint Management, Privileged Access Management, and Data Analytics. He has had the privilege of delivering guest lectures at several educational institutions across Oman, Malaysia, India, France, Morocco, Belgium, the UK and the US.

Majala Mlagui is a transformative leader with a proven track record in technology, governance, and business operations. Currently, as Business Development Director at Maarifa Solutions (EA) Ltd., she focuses on streamlining and simplifying human capital management for the SME Market in Africa through HR and Payroll software. Her experience includes notable public service as Deputy Governor of the County Government of Taita Taveta also serving as the CECM for ICT, Transformation, and Public Administration. She was instrumental in implementing digital transformation strategies and strengthening public sector efficiencies through technology-driven solutions. Majala’s private sector experience spans international roles at Thomson Reuters (USA/UK), Standard Life (UK), Aviva (UK), Informa (UK), where she contributed to business process optimisation and project management including shared service centres setup, systems consolidation and driving operational efficiency initiatives. As a Software Engineering graduate from the University of Sheffield and certified project manager, Majala aims to ensure that technological innovations align with business goals. Her mission is to simplify and improve business processes, focusing on solutions that drive agility, transparency, and productivity. She has consistently advocated for the application of human-centred design in digital business models, enabling organisations to balance cost efficiencies with the human element of their workforce.

She is the Founder and CEO of DataScience Ltd - a data engineering firm focused on building information systems that help organizations make data informed decisions. She has in the past been a Mozilla Foundation Fellow, consultant at the World Bank and UNDP, and served as the Project Manager for the Kenya ICT Authority on the Kenya Open Data Initiative and Open Government Partnership. Her background is in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Analysis and Geographical Information Systems. She’s recognized as one of the World’s 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government and a top 3 finalist in the Bloomberg award of global open data champions.

I currently serve as Google's Regional Director, Government Affairs & Policy, Sub Saharan Africa. In this capacity, I am responsible for overseeing engagement with Governments & Regulators to promote digital transformation through progressive policy, to achieve economic growth. I assumed this role after almost six years as Google’s Country Director for Kenya and interim country Director for South Africa in 2019 overseeing in-country revenue growth. Parallel to my core responsibilities, I served as the Diversity and Inclusion lead for EMEA emerging markets, working with the global EMEA team to build a more equitable organisation in which every employee can thrive. For over two decades, I have helped some of the world's leading tech, media and entertainment companies to define their strategy, grow, and advance their footprint in emerging markets. This includes roles at MTV Base, Warner Bros., and Turner Broadcasting - where I served as the Director of Business Development and Strategy. While at Turner, I spearheaded the development & launch of an Arabic Cartoon Network channel and conceptualised the Cartoon Network Academy to train a generation of Arabic animators. I also serve as a Non-exec Board Director for Absa Bank Kenya, and previously served as a Board Director for CSQuared, a Google portfolio company. Outside work, I love good food, art and farming, and I am passionate about leveraging technology to drive economic development.

Joel Karubiu is a dedicated professional committed to thriving in an enabling environment. He is an instigator of innovation, consistently identifying and monetizing opportunities with a focus on diligent planning and relentless execution. Joel's unwavering determination ensures successful product market entry by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. He offers selfless and ethical leadership, serving as an influencer and agent of positive change. As an astute marketer, Joel brings extensive experience in both service and product marketing, with a particular interest in sports marketing and country branding. His wide-ranging experience covers new product development, product launches, and route-to-market execution, making him an excellent brand custodian. Specialties: sports marketing, organizational and country branding, rebranding, brand custodianship, and engaging in intellectual discourse on marketing and proposal analysis.

Onur is a Public Policy, Government Affairs, and Business Development Specialist with fifteen years of international and Washington, D.C.-based experience working with international organizations, bilateral donors, emerging market governments, and consulting firms in mobilizing funds for, designing, implementing, and monitoring social and economic development programs. Recruited into The World Bank through the highly competitive Young Professionals Program. Successful track record managing large teams and complex projects, establishing lasting partnerships and networks, and delivering actionable policy advice in politically sensitive environments. Specialized technical expertise in digital governance and public service modernization.

Prof. J Catherine Ngila is a Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg and the Executive Director of the African Foundation for Women and Youth in Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (AFoWYESTI), which promotes quality education and STEM mentorship for women and youth. She is Vice President of the International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development (IOCD) for emerging economies and a member of the United Nations 10-Member Group on technology facilitation for sustainable development goals. Prof. Ngila is a member of the UNESCO Global Multistakeholder Advisory Committee for Women and Girls in Science and has served as the Acting Executive Director of The African Academy of Sciences (AAS). She is a Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, and a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). She has also co-chaired the Commonwealth Science Conference and mentors through various initiatives including the Mastercard Foundation. Her work in analytical and environmental chemistry focuses on water quality, pollution monitoring, and nanotechnology-based water treatment. Prof. Ngila has mentored over 100 postgraduate students and taught at several universities, including the University of Johannesburg, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Botswana, and Kenyatta University. Her achievements include the 2021 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, the 2017 African Union Kwame Nkrumah Award for Scientific Excellence, and the 2016 South African Distinguished Women in Science Award.

Chris has been in the ICT Channel industry for over 14 years in different technical and commercial roles focused on storage, virtualization, networking , cloud technologies and services. Over the last three years he has shifted attention to the area of Employee Experience and how to create superior experiences for workforces using emerging cloud and A.I. technologies.

My passion is using technology and innovative learning solutions to facilitate capacity building, knowledge sharing and peer learning. My experience in working across multiple sectors has equipped me with necessary skills and competencies to develop and deliver training programmes to address identified needs.