Akua’s Biography

Akua Gyekye is Microsoft’s Regional Government Affairs Director for Africa, where she leads strategic public policy engagement on AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and data privacy. With over 20 years of experience in law, technology policy, and international development, she has held leadership roles at WhatsApp and Meta, where she helped launch the company’s first Africa Policy Team and led efforts around election integrity and digital inclusion. She previously advised the World Bank, IFC, and USAID on governance and development finance across Sub-Saharan Africa. Akua is qualified to practice law in both the US and UK and fluent in English and German. She is a sought-after speaker, dedicated mentor, and most recently co-authored “Governing AI in Africa,” a Microsoft whitepaper offering policy frameworks for inclusive and responsible AI on the continent. She currently resides in Nairobi with her husband.