7 Revolutionary African Tech Leaders

Africa's technology leaders are at the forefront of driving innovation, solving complex challenges, and creating transformative solutions.

In this first article of our three-part series on tech solution leaders, we highlight seven trailblazers whose contributions to the technology and telecommunications landscape are shaping Africa’s future. From enhancing cybersecurity to expanding digital inclusion, their work exemplifies leadership and impact.

Alex Okosi

Managing Director, Africa, Google

Alex Okosi is the Managing Director for Google in Africa and previously was the Managing Director for YouTube in EMEA Emerging Markets. Okosi is responsible for Google’s operations in Africa including programs to help businesses and economies on the continent to grow, as well as expanding access and providing tools to help the next billion users get more from the Web.

Okosi is a seasoned media, entertainment, and technology leader. Prior to joining YouTube, he held the position of Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Viacom International Media Networks Africa and BET International. In his most recent position at YouTube, Okosi played a pivotal role in steering the platform’s growth and expansion across Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey.

Hardy Pemhiwa

President & Group CEO, Cassava Technologies

Hardy Pemhiwa is the President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Cassava Technologies. Hardy was Group Chief Executive & Managing Director of Econet for six years, one of the pioneers of the mobile telecoms industry in Africa.

He has over 20 years’ experience of senior management positions and is a seasoned board-level practitioner with extensive experience across Eastern and Southern Africa in financial services, development banking, telecommunications, media, and infrastructure.

Hardy holds engineering and business degrees from Queen Mary College (University of London) and the Edinburgh Business School.

President Ntuli

Managing Director, South Africa, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

President Ntuli is Managing Director, Hewlett Packard Enterprise - South Africa. He leads HPE’s growth within South Africa across Edge, Cloud and AI offerings. Previously he spent two years as Senior Director for HPE GreenLake Cloud Services in UKIMEA driving as-a-Service transformation across the region, and also oversaw the service provider business.

President is passionate about innovation and sustainability. He believes technology innovation not only provides a platform to disrupt traditional business models, but it is instrumental in improving the lives of all people, irrespective of their socio-economic standing. This, together with his ability to construct complex commercial deals, the value he places in partnerships, his deep understanding of technology and mission to make a difference is what makes President a leader.

Ravi Bhat

Chief Technology & Solutions Officer, Microsoft Africa

Ravi Bhat, Chief Technology and Solutions Officer at Microsoft Africa since April 2023, brings over 30 years of experience across Africa and the Middle East in leading digital transformation for large enterprises.

Joining Microsoft in 2015 as Azure Business Group Lead, he now drives the adoption of disruptive technologies like AI, empowering organizations to enhance employee experiences, reinvent customer engagement, and innovate through digital transformation.

Previously, Ravi served as Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at VMware and held leadership roles at IBM South Africa for 19 years. A Chartered Accountant with an MBA from Warwick Business School, Ravi is passionate about cycling, world cricket, music, and family travel.

Kojo Boakye

Vice President of Public Policy, Africa, Middle East and Turkiye, Meta

Kojo Boakye, Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye at Meta, is a seasoned ICT for Development expert with 20 years of experience collaborating with governments, telecom operators, development partners, and civil society.

Before joining Meta over eight years ago, he served as Deputy Executive Director at the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) and Head of Research and Consultancy at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). With an MSc in Development Studies and a BA in African History and Development Studies from SOAS, Kojo focuses on broadband affordability, tech regulation, AI, and the Metaverse.

Kojo is passionate about youth empowerment and serves on the boards of Junior Achievement Africa and the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP).

Kerissa Varma

Chief Security Advisor EMEA, Microsoft

Kerissa Varma is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with extensive experience building and scaling security capabilities across various industries, including healthcare, telecommunications, transport, government, and financial services. She has held multinational Group Chief Information Security Officer roles, notably leading cybersecurity across 17 countries for Old Mutual and safeguarding over 200 million customers daily across Africa at Vodacom. A passionate advocate for technology and security,

Kerissa actively volunteers to enhance cybersecurity skills globally, with a focus on Africa. She founded and serves as President of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Southern Africa, aiming to bridge the gender divide in the region's cybersecurity sector. Additionally, she chairs the Cybersecurity Digital Alliance, a cross-sector collaboration promoting institutional improvements in South Africa's cybersecurity landscape.

Yaonya Jonathan Djié

CISO, Axian Group

Yaonya Jonathan DJIé has extensive experience in information security, business resilience, fraud management, and IT audit. Currently serving as Group Chief Information & Security Officer (CISO) at AXIAN, he oversees the execution of information security strategies and initiatives to protect information assets and ensure the group's resilience.

He holds a Master degree from Clermont Graduate School and different certifications on Business Resilience, Information Security and Fraud (CISA, Mandiant Threat Intelligence, ISO 22301, CFE...)

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover all of the innovators and changemakers featured in our second edition of the Top African Leaders in Technology and Telecommunications report.

Download the full report now and explore how these visionaries are transforming industries across the continent.