Eminent IT Expert Inyi Kemabonta joins African ICT Foundation

His pioneering work, along with other professionals, in the ICT space for the Nigerian government, helped in the establishment of the Nigerian National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and several industry platforms in ICT. Kemabonta was the Director of Standards and Regulation in NITDA until 2014

Former Director of Standards and Regulation in Nigeria Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and a World Bank Consultant on Nigeria's Digital Economy, Dr. Inyi kemabonta has joined the Executive Council of the African ICT Foundation (AfICTF) as Policy and Regulatory Affairs Director.

According to a statement from the President of the Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Tony Ojobo announcing his appointment, Kemabonta will amongst other functions provide vision and leadership in the development of AfICTF's strategy and policy work concerning ICT Policy in Africa and include regular speaking engagements at industry conferences/events globally for the Foundation. He said Kemabonta was appointed into the Executive Council of the Foundation in line with the existing template of appointment introduced by the founders of the Foundation in 2009 following nomination by watchers of the ICT/Telecoms industry in Africa.

Kemabonta is an Information Technology Attorney, Consultant, Public Speaker and Trainer. Over the last two decades, he worked in both the Legislative and Executive Arms of government during which he chaired and served on several developmental initiatives in the Nigeria ICT industry including the Federal Government program on ICT innovation and entrepreneurship in 2012. He helped to develop several policies and regulations, among which is the Local Content Initiative in ICT, which have shaped the Nigerian ICT industry. He has worked on several pieces of legislation for the Nigerian government, such as the Cybercrime Bill, Electronic Transaction Bill, Public Key Infrastructure Regulation, Data Protection Bill, and the NITDA Act of 2007. He has represented the Nigerian government at several international technology events, including ICANN.

His pioneering work, along with other professionals, in the ICT space for the Nigerian government, helped in the establishment of the Nigerian National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and several industry platforms in ICT. Kemabonta was the Director of Standards and Regulation in NITDA until 2014. He was also the pioneer National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Content in ICT during which he set up and implemented the legal and institutional framework for the development of an indigenous ecosystem in ICT across the spectrum of human capital, infrastructure, software, hardware and services. He has a deep understanding of the workings of Information Technology in the Public Sector. In his acceptance letter to the Board, he said Africa has so much potential and opportunities in ICT saying that Information Technology Regulation and Policy Development are areas where a lot can be achieved in a short time and in a sustainable manner.

"I am eager to begin work on a pet project: "Africa's Digital Transformation through Regulation and Policy Development" using my position as a Director. Nigeria might be a good starting point for the project. An aspect of the project is "Computer in Every Home Campaign" which I am eager to kick start as soon as possible", he said. He currently consults for the World Bank on Nigeria's Digital Economy and is a Regional Representative of AfICTA on the African Union Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) train-the-trainer program. Apart from ICT, Law and Behavioural Sciences, his professional and academic background includes Communication, Industrial Relations and Human Capital Development. He conducts pieces of training in Transformational Leadership, ICT Regulation, Business and Developmental Communication, Negotiation Skills and Knowledge Management.

(With inputs from African ICT Foundation)