Our Cohort
On this page, you’ll find highlights of the incredible women selected for the first cohort of The African Women School of AI. They are visionary organizers, speakers, builders, and researchers committed to shaping a more gender-inclusive AI future.
Cohort 1
Learn about each one of them
Each of these women brings unique expertise, passion, and innovation to the field, contributing to a movement that ensures AI reflects and serves diverse perspectives.
Susan Otieno
Ms.Susan Otieno is a Lawyer and researcher, based in Nairobi, Kenya, with a background in Intellectual property and a keen interest in the intersection of art and technology. Ms.Otieno explores the ethical implications of emerging technologies, delving into the ways in which legal frameworks and cultural values intersect, providing insight into how innovation can be ethically guided in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Kevin Ziyada
Ms Kevin Ziyada Aseru is an Information Technology graduate, mobile developer, and UI/UX designer with a passion for using technology to solve real-world problems. She is interested in finding ways to improve the lives of underprivileged communities by tackling the challenges they face through tech-driven solutions.
Chinatu Anyanwu
Ms. Chinatu Anyanwu, is ahighly motivated and detail-oriented person with a strong passion for learning and growth. With a background in Computer Science.
Judith Kavira
Ms. Judith Kavira, is an engineer in network and telecommunications science whose passionate about innovation. She's currently working with young people by accompanying them in the conception and implementation of their projects in line with the various of sustainable development goals.
Anne Kago
Ms. Anne Kago holds a master’s degree in Finance from the African School of Economics. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Development Economics from the University of Florence. She is also a Certified Public Accountant, well experienced in the field of Accounting, Finance and Economics. She has previously lectured at the University of Embu and The Cooperative University of Kenya, in the School of Business and Economics respectively. She has more than ten years’ experience working in the public and private sector, in the departments of Finance and Accounting and recently in the research field.
Astou DIOUF
Ms. Astou Diouf is a Doctoral student in Private Law at Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar. She is the head of Research at JONCTION, specializing in digital rights (data protection, AI, cybersecurity, cybercrime, and online freedom of expression). Legal consultant, researcher, trainer, and author of multiple studies on cybersecurity, digital governance, and internet freedom in Senegal and West Africa.
Precious Mohale
Ms. Precious Mohale is a Master’s graduate and an aspiring Data Analyst with a passion for transforming raw data into meaningful insights. Driven by curiosity and a love for data, she pivoted into Data Analytics and AI, honing her skills through hands-on project
Luzia Manuel
Ms. Luzia Xavier Manuel is in her final year of my undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Design at IIIT-Delhi, New Delhi, India. Her academic journey has been driven by a deep interest in problem-solving, algorithms and the transformative power of technology and has allowed her to explore the intersection of technology and human-centered solutions.
Chidimma Leaticia
Dr. Chidinma Frances Igboeli is a research fellow at the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre (REPRC), University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She obtained her professional training at the University of Nigeria Nsukka where she graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension in 2015, a Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension Development Communication in 2020 and a Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Extension with a specialty in Agricultural Communication in 2023.
Sadiya Muhammad
Ms.Sadiya Muhammad Kilgori is a Software Developer and AI Enthusiast passionate about bridging technology and creativity. With expertise in Agile development, Research, and Content Writing.
Samantha Katsande
Ms. Samantha Katsande (Zimbabwe) is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alumnus from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) with a BSc in Medical Imaging (Sonography). She is a dynamic health professional with a background in healthcare, research and a passion for youth development. Samantha's academic qualification is complemented by her passion for global health, particularly in mental health and maternal and child health programs.
Fay Majid Elhassan
Ms. Fay Elhassan is a research engineer at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, specializing in AI safety and efficient learning. She holds a Master’s in Mathematical Sciences - Machine Intelligence and a Bachelor’s in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, with expertise in machine learning, , reinforcement learning and natural language processing. Fay has led projects such as reinforcement learning-powered greenhouse optimization and is currently focused on embedding watermarks in large language models.
Joyce Kihara
Ms. Joyce Wandia Kihara is an accomplished legal, public policy and digital rights advocate with more than seven years’ experience currently working as a legal officer at the Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman). She holds a bachelor of Law degree from Moi University, a post-graduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law and is currently undertaking her Masters in law at the University of Nairobi specializing on law and governance.
Esther Nyapendi
Ms. Esther Nyapendi is an Information Technologist by profession and currently serving as the Technical Support Officer at Women of Uganda Network(WOUGNET) with over 5 years of experience working at the intersection of Gender and Technology and ICT4D. Currently pursuing a masters in Information Systems. She is a trainer in Digital literacy, Security and Safety as well as Digital Rights.
Nwajiunor Edgar-Odurombi
Ms. Nwajiunor Edgar-Odurombi is a data scientist with a background in architecture. I transitioned into data science to combine analytical thinking with problem-solving, focusing on areas like geospatial analysis, machine learning, and open-source contributions.
Jacqueline Jijide
Ms. Jacqueline Jijide is a passionate communications professional with expertise in youth advocacy, digital skills, peacebuilding, and social work. She holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Pentecostal Life University in Malawi, along with other certifications in digital inclusion and reproductive justice advocacy. Currently, Jacqueline serves as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Ladder to Learning,
Ifeoma Quinette Anugwa
Dr. Ifeoma Anugwa is a senior lecturer in Agricultural Extension at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a research fellow at the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre. With over 13 years of interdisciplinary research experience, her work focuses on climate change resilience, gender dynamics, food systems transformation, and sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. She applies community-based, gender-focused approaches to address climate-related challenges in food security and has published widely on climate vulnerability, indigenous adaptation, and stakeholder inclusion in farming communities.