Philip Thigo

Philip Thigo is a Technology, data & public policy expert. He is the Director for Africa for the Thunderbird School for Global Management. Mr. Thigo is also a Technical Advisor at the Office of the Deputy President on Data, Innovation and Open Government, recognized by Apolitical as one of the World's 100 most influential people in digital government in 2018. . He is currently a member of the newly formed World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Futures Councils on Global Public Goods for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Mr. Thigo has previously advised the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, key in developing the Joint Agriculture Mechanism, the Big Four Food and Nutrition Security Presidential Priority and the Agriculture Transformation and Growth Strategy. He was at this time Member of the World Economic Forum Global Councils on Food Systems Innovation.

He has previously held executive positions, notably Infonet Africa and Foundation El Taller with experience spanning across Asia, Africa, MENA & Latin America. He has co-created unique technology initiatives such as Apps4Africa with the US State Department, Uchaguzi to monitor Elections in over 9 Countries in Africa, Budget Tracking Tool for citizen engagement and Sauti Yetu (Huduma) on public service delivery monitoring, #GOKInteracts for engaging high level Government Officials with the public. Mr. Thigo has previously supported the African Union Commission, Bureau of the Chairperson & the African Governance Architecture (AGA) where he co-created the first ever AU digital engagement through #DGTRENDS.

He currently serves as the Point of Contact for Open Government Partnership (OGP), acts as national focal point for the Global Partnership on Sustainable Development Data., which he co-founded with colleagues from Governments of the United States, Colombia, the United Kingdom and Private Sector.

Mr. Thigo is a founding curator of the Africa Regional Data Cube (ARDC), member of the phase one and set-up steering committee member of Digital Earth Africa seeking to bring free satellite data and resource for Africa's development challenges. He now serves in its Technical Advisory Committee.

He is an Advisory Board Member of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Nairobi Hub and the Chair of the Board of Mtoto News, an award winning digital platform based in Kenya that uses technology to make children and their issues visible.

Philip was honored at the 50th Anniversary of the Academy of Achievement as Delegate.