Carnegie India 34d ago

This episode of the Anahita Speaker Series, features Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala, a digital innovation company driving Africa’s digital transformation. In conversation with Sumbul Jahangeer, Shikoh reflects on her journey from growing up in Kenya to becoming a leading voice in technology, innovation, and digital policy across Africa. The conversation explores how early experiences shaped her belief in education and technology as tools for opportunity and social change. Shikoh speaks about building technology grounded in real-world problems, the importance of human-centered innovation, and her work across sectors including healthcare, employment, digital governance, and AI. She also discusses Africa’s evolving digital ecosystem, the growing role of local innovation, and how digital platforms are enabling new voices and opportunities across the continent. Reflecting on her experiences as a woman in STEM, Shikoh shares insights on navigating leadership in male-dominated spaces, creating stronger pathways for women in technology, and the importance of building inclusive systems that move beyond token representation. The episode also explores the future of AI, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build technology that creates lasting impact for future generations. Chapters 00:00 From Humble Beginnings to Tech Innovator 07:29 Driving Technology with Real-World Impact 12:23 Innovation at Scale: Lessons Learned 14:02 Africa's Digital Evolution: A New Narrative 18:21 Navigating STEM as a Woman: Challenges and Triumphs 24:21 Building a Legacy: Pioneering Future Technologies