The World CIO 200 – Kenya Edition Toasts to Innovation

The World CIO 200 – Kenya Edition concluded successfully, bringing together the brightest minds in the technology landscape to discuss, deliberate, and drive the future of digital transformation in the region. This landmark event, hosted by the Global CIO Forum, was a confluence of thought leaders, innovators, and technology experts who are shaping the digital future of Kenya and beyond.

The event kicked off with a warm and insightful welcome note by Jeevan Thankappan, Managing Editor of GEC Media Group, who set the tone for the day by emphasizing the crucial role of CIOs in steering the digital transformation journey. His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and leadership in navigating the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The Country Inaugural Keynote was delivered by Bernard Rono, Head of ICT at Kenya Tea Packers Limited. Bernard highlighted Kenya’s unique position as a burgeoning tech hub in Africa and the importance of leveraging ICT to drive economic growth and sustainability. His keynote set the stage for a day filled with thought-provoking discussions and actionable insights.

In the panel discussion titled “Unleash the Might: Creating a Unified Vision,” moderated by Bernard Rono, industry leaders including Gilbert Mutai (Head of ICT, Car and General), Duncan Eric Ogonji (Regional Director IT, Plan International), and Maurine Awuor Onyango (Director ICT, County Government of Kisumu), delved deep into the critical need for aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for transformation. The panel emphasized that true transformation is only achievable through a unified approach, where all stakeholders are engaged and aligned towards a common goal.

Imran Abdulla, GM of Middle East and Africa at Orbus Software, then took the stage to discuss “Accelerate Enterprise Transformation with Practical AI.” His session provided practical insights into how AI is revolutionizing enterprise operations, driving efficiency, and enabling smarter decision-making across industries.

The final panel of the day, moderated by Jeevan Thankappan, explored “Gen AI – Use Cases, Infrastructure Readiness, and Adaptability.” The panel featured leading experts including Samuel Loki Mbai (Chief ICT Officer, University of Nairobi), Nilton Mutungi (ICT Manager, Women Enterprise Fund), Hartnell Ndungi (Chief Data Officer, Absa Bank Kenya PLC), and Hamilton Opiyoh (Chief Technology Officer, BuntuLabs). They shared real-world examples of AI implementation, discussed the challenges of infrastructure readiness, and the importance of adaptability in harnessing AI’s full potential.

Attendees left the event inspired and equipped with new ideas and strategies to implement within their organizations, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the digital revolution.

Winner of the Kenya Edition of World CIO 200