🗓 Wednesday, November 20 @ 11:05 AM CAT

Angela Odour Lungati, Executive Director of Ushahidi is our keynote speaker. Angela will share how Ushahidi has grown from a tool for crisis mapping in Kenya to a platform used in over 160 countries. (Yes, 160!) She’ll talk about how everyday communities take charge of their own data to solve real problems—and what’s next for empowering people to use data for good.

Bonus: Following the keynote presentation, She’ll be joined by Koliwe Majama for a fireside chat.

🗓 Thursday, November 20 @ 4:30 PM CAT

At the Data Futures Lab (DFL) Showcase, you will meet innovators from across Africa who are revolutionizing data ownership. These projects are creating new ways for communities to control their data and protect cultural heritage. Hear live expert feedback and find out who wins at the end of the showcase!

🗓 Thursday, November 21 @ 4:30 PM

We’ll close out with a series of quick, powerful lightning talks exploring the intersections of technology, art, climate justice, disability justice, gender justice, and philanthropy.

Speakers:

Jacque Njeri, Lead Artist

Granville Wood, Open Energy Labs

Tendai Miti, SISTAH SISTAH

Elizabeth Mhangami, Vanavevhu

🗓 Thursday, November 21 @ 2:20 PM

Tech governance is a global issue, and this panel brings together voices from the Global South to discuss how solidarity across regions can influence policies that matter. It’s about making sure that civil society and technologists from Africa and beyond have a say in how tech is governed.

Speakers:

Kambale Musavuli, Aether Strategies

Lori Lucas Regattieri, Climate and Land Use Alliance

Dalia Othman, The Engine Room

Moderated by J. Bob Alotta, this session will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about tech power dynamics.

🗓 Wednesday, November 20 @ 2:20 PM CAT

The gig economy is now a common way to earn a living, but who’s really benefiting from this new digital labor market? And are privacy and security being overlooked? We’ve got an all-star panel that’s diving into these tough questions, with experts like:

Dr. Chitundu Kasase, National Technology Business Center

Belinda Chaora, Sivio Institute

Joanitta Najjuko, Nawia Feminist Collective

Salome Makau, Visa

Moderated by Hugh Molotsi, this session explores how tech can empower people in the digital economy, ensuring everyone has the tools and knowledge to thrive.

🗓 Thursday, November 21 @ 11:05 AM CAT

This session is all about open-source AI—yes, the kind of tech that regular folks (like you and me!) can build, modify, and use to solve problems right in their own communities. We will explore how developers, entrepreneurs and researchers are using open-source AI to build tools that serve their communities.

Speakers:

Remy Muhire, Pindo

Stephen E. Moore, Ghana Natural Language Processing

Eugenie Humeau, GSMA