Distinguished Faculty & Keynotes

Featured Speakers

Convening Africa’s leading electoral authorities, artificial intelligence researchers, platform integrity leads, investigative journalists, and democracy champions.

Opening Keynotes & Plenary Leaders

Plenary Faculty

SI

Samson Itodo

YIAGA AFRICA

Executive Director & Convener, AI and Democracy Forum 2026

Key Address: "Defending the Republic from Algorithmic Coercion: A National Call to Action for 2027"
MY

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

INEC NIGERIA

Hon. Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission

Key Address: "Institutional Preparedness, Biometric Integrity and Platform Safeguards for 2027"
AZ

Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid

AFRICAN UNION

AU Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy & Digital Transformation

Key Address: "The Continental AI Strategy: Protecting African Sovereignty & Democratic Norms"
CM

Cynthia Mbamalu

YIAGA AFRICA
Director of Programs

Electoral reform strategist with over 16 years leading parallel vote tabulations and citizen oversight across West Africa.

Civil Society
BA

Dr. Bayo Adekanmbi

DATA SCIENCE NIGERIA
Founder & CEO

Leading artificial intelligence practitioner pioneering localized machine learning models and data governance frameworks in Africa.

Tech & AI
KB

Kemi Busari

DUBAWA / CJID
Editor & Fact-Checking Lead

Investigative journalist specializing in digital forensics, synthetic media detection, and coordinated disinformation campaigns.

Media & Fact
CN

Engr. Chidi Nwafor

INEC NIGERIA
Director of ICT

Chief architect of Nigeria's digital electoral innovations, including the BVAS accreditation device and IReV result portal.

Electoral Body
NS

Dr. Nanjira Sambuli

TECH POLICY COALITION
International Technology Policy Fellow

Global researcher on digital governance, algorithmic accountability, and platform policies across the Global South.

Tech & AI
FA

Femi Falana, SAN

LEGAL DEFENSE CONSORTIUM
Senior Advocate of Nigeria

Leading constitutional and human rights jurist addressing legal admissibility of synthetic evidence in election petitions.

Legal & Policy
OA

Oladayo Olaide

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION
Deputy Director, Nigeria Office

International development leader funding innovative anti-corruption, electoral transparency, and civic technology initiatives.

Civil Society
MA

Motunrayo Alaka

WSCIJ
Executive Director / CEO

Media freedom advocate pioneering newsroom resilience, AI integration, and investigative election coverage in Nigeria.

Media & Fact
EA

Emilar Gandhi

BIG TECH COALITION
Head of Public Policy, Election Integrity

Expert on platform governance, automated content moderation, and election risk mitigation across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Tech & AI
Call for Speakers

Nominate an Expert or Apply to Speak

Are you conducting pioneering research on algorithmic bias, deepfake detection in African dialects, or electoral platform regulation? We welcome speaker nominations for thematic breakout tracks and masterclasses.

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