Shikoh GITAU

Informations

Description

"Dr. Shikoh is the visionary CEO of Qhala, a leading Digital Innovation company spearheading transformative initiatives across Africa. With over a decade of expertise in Research, Design, Implementation, and Management of Digital Technologies, she specializes in catalyzing digital transformation for organizations in Africa and Emerging Markets. Dr. Shikoh's passion lies in solving complex challenges in key sectors including Agriculture, Education, Health, Payments, Retail, and Renewable Energies. Dr. Shikoh's remarkable journey includes the establishment of Safaricom Alpha, Africa's pioneering corporate innovation hub. In this groundbreaking role, she served as the Head of Products – Innovation and acted as the Chief Innovation Officer, leading Safaricom's transformation into a digital powerhouse. She also made significant contributions at the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), where she provided strategic counsel to governments across Africa, guiding them in adopting ICT for service delivery. Her innovative approach resulted in the development of the Digital Government Blueprint, a strategic document now embraced by Smart Africa. With experience at Google and Microsoft's emerging markets teams, Dr. Shikoh bridges business, government, and technology, earning awards for her contributions. Dr. Shikoh's influence extends to various boards in ICT companies, steering committees, and think tanks focusing on Africa and technology. As an advisor to governments, she plays a pivotal role in shaping policies related to data and digital development. She currently serves as an Advisory council member at WiDEF and sits on the Board at Longhorn, Open Institute, ANU, and Integrated Payments Service Limited (IPSL), further amplifying her impact in the technology, digital economy and development sectors. With a PhD and MSc in Computer Science from the esteemed University of Cape Town, South Africa, she combines her academic expertise with practical acumen, enabling her to adeptly navigate the intricate landscape of digital innovation. Dr. Shikoh has been honored with prestigious awards, including the ASEB Summit award for Ecosystem Builder of the Year and the Women in STEM Champion of the Year. These accolades underscore her dedication to empowering women in tech and her pivotal role in building a robust startup ecosystem in Africa. In every endeavor, Dr. Shikoh embodies a relentless commitment to innovation, making her a driving force behind Qhala's success and a trusted advisor in the world of digital transformation. "

Pays

Kenya