CEO, Qhala.

Dr. Shikoh Gitau is the CEO of Qhala, a premier digital innovation company enabling transformative change across Africa. With over a decade of expertise in research, design, and implementation of digital technologies, she leads efforts to unlock digital transformation across sectors including agriculture, education, health, retail, payments, and renewable energy. She founded Safaricom Alpha, Africa’s first corporate innovation hub, where she played a pivotal role in Safaricom’s shift into a digital leader as Head of Products – Innovation and Chief Innovation Officer. She also served at the African Development Bank, where she advised governments on using ICT for public service delivery and co-authored the Digital Government Blueprint, adopted by Smart Africa. 

Dr. Shikoh has worked with global tech giants such as Google and Microsoft, focusing on emerging markets and the intersection of technology, policy, and impact. Dr. Shikoh currently serves on the boards of Longhorn Publishers, Open Institute, Africa Nazarene University, and IPSL, and is an Advisory Council Member at WiDEF. 

Holding a PhD and MSc in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town, she combines deep technical expertise with strategic foresight. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the ASEB Ecosystem Builder of the Year and Women in STEM Champion of the Year. A respected thought leader, Dr. Shikoh is passionate about building inclusive, scalable digital ecosystems across Africa