Anriette Esterhuysen was the executive director of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) - the largest ICT-focused civil society network in the world - from 2000 to 2017. She continues to work with APC as a consultant and convenes the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG), a joint initiative of APC, the African Union Commission and Research ICT Africa.

Ms. Esterhuysen has served as Chair of the Multistakeholder Advisory Committee of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum. as well as on the African Technical Advisory Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's African Information Society Initiative (1996-1999), the United Nations ICT Task Force (2002-2005), the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Working Group on Financing Mechanisms (2003-2005), the Commission on Science and Technology for Development Working Group on Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Improvements (2011-2012) and on Enhanced Cooperation (2017-2018), the Global Commission on Internet Governance and the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) of the IGF (2012-2014).

She was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame as a Global Connecter in 2013 and received an EFF Pioneer Award in 2015. Ms. Esterhuysen serves as a Commissioner on the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace and as a member of the board of directors of the .ZA (South Africa) domain name authority, ZADNA.

Ms. Celine Bal joined the Internet Governance Forum Secretariat in Geneva as a Junior Professional Officer. She has previously worked in the Director General's Office of Communications at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna, Austria, where she has been responsible for internal and external communications campaigns. Prior to her work at UNIDO, she has gained considerable experience in conference management at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where she has helped organize the General Conference, major international events, and other Policy Making Organs meetings. Before joining UN organizations, Celine has interned at Deutsche Telekom in the Change Management division in Bonn, Germany, promoting the adoption of digital collaboration tools across European subsidiaries. Celine holds a bachelor's and master's degree in international Business Administration from the Vienna University of Economics and Business, after completing an exchange semester at HEC Montreal, Canada. She specialized in Strategic Management, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

A dedicated and detail orientated accounting professional. Kiri has been in the accounting and finance field for seven years and currently works at APC as a finance coordinator who specialises in payroll, account receivable management and project accounting.

Edetaen Ojo is Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda in Nigeria. He is also Chair of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), a network of freedom of expression organizations in Africa; and a member of the Advisory Network of the Freedom Online Coalition.

He is also a member of the National Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria and a member of the Board of Directors of International Media Support (IMS), an international media development organization based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He is interested in AfriSIG2022 as he sees it as a great opportunity to improve his knowledge and understanding of internet governance through knowledge and experience sharing, particularly with respect to international cybersecurity issues and processes.

Fola Odufuwa holds a Master of Science degree in Radio Propagation (Physics) which he obtained in 1994 from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He has held several senior and executive positions throughout his career, including positions in broadcast engineering, communications, investment banking and financial services. He is a skilled project and business consultant and since 2001, he has coordinated many research and consulting assignments across four continents for several blue-chip organizations, regulators, and multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, United Nations, International Telecommunications Union, Asia Development Bank, among others. Despite being based in Nigeria, which is one of the world's most complex emerging markets, he is recognized as an expert in telecoms research, investment analysis, and business strategy across the continent. Mr. Odufuwa has extensive multidisciplinary expertise and stays up-to-date with the latest developments in his field. He frequently publishes articles and provides professional commentary in both local and international media. He is known for his broad perspective, analytical thinking, and competence that he brings to every assignment.

I am a finance professional with experience leading finance Functions in Sub-Sahara Africa for non profits. I am currently the APC Finance Manager overseeing the finance function for the organization.

Dr. Kwami Ahiabenu is an accomplished leader with a diverse background in non-profit, government, and private sectors. He is renowned for his expertise in using technology to drive change and human-centered development. With extensive experience in digital transformation, media, communication, and ICTs, he offers coaching and mentoring to various sectors. Kwami’s work spans across multiple African countries. He holds prestigious fellowships and memberships in renowned organizations and has made significant contributions to promoting good governance through his organization, penplusbytes.org. He is a sought-after consultant and serves on several boards.

Peace is a communications specialist, gender digital rights activist and policy advocate. She is a member of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) for the United Nations' Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Prior to joining APC, Peace was the executive director at Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) where she mainstreamed gender in tech policies, undertook research on topics around gender and technology, and empowered women and girls to enable them use information and communications technology. Her professional training is in international relations and diplomacy, and in her free time, she loves to read and write.

Purpose of position

To provide direction for and coordinate APC's advocacy work and movement building strategy on digital rights and internet governance in the region.

Relebohile Mariti works at Research ICT Africa as a Researcher from Lesotho. She previously worked as a Junior Researcher at Research ICT Africa and a research intern at J-PAL Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Economic Science from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the National University of Lesotho.

Sandra Makumbirofa (PhD) is a Senior Researcher at Research ICT Africa with over ten years of experience in economic research and policy. At RIA, she leads research on Economic Policy for AI, Mobile Data Pricing and Digital Trade. She has worked in the non-profit sectors with a focus on digital, trade and industrial policy.