Talk:Lacina Koné

Lacina Koné is an Ivorian telecommunications executive and the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Smart Africa Alliance, a pan-African initiative focused on accelerating digital transformation across the continent. Appointed in March 2019, Koné has overseen the expansion of the alliance to 40 member states and the launch of initiatives in areas such as digital identity, broadband infrastructure, AI governance, and digital skills development.

Early life and education

Koné was born in Côte d'Ivoire. He holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Brunel University in the United Kingdom, and an MBA from George Washington University in the United States.

Career

Koné began his career in the early 1990s in London, working as a network manager at Fairs & Exhibitions Ltd., managing ICT infrastructure for aerospace industry clients. He later joined Intelsat in Washington, DC, where he served as Commercial Director for Internet Video and Telephony, contributing to a significant increase in revenue from internet-based services between 1996 and 1999.

From 2001 to 2009, Koné worked at Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, Virginia, where he directed ICT consulting projects for government and private sector clients, including due diligence for telecom and aerospace investments.

He subsequently co-founded CVT Global in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as Vice President for ICT Strategy, focusing on telecommunications development in emerging African markets.

Between 2011 and 2019, Koné served as an advisor to the President of Côte d'Ivoire on ICT and telecommunications policy. During this period, he contributed to initiatives such as the launch of national satellite broadcasting and the development of a national digital agenda.

In 2019, Koné was appointed Director General and CEO of Smart Africa, an alliance headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda. His tenure has been marked by the launch of several regional initiatives, including:

• The One Africa Network (OAN), aimed at reducing roaming charges across Africa
• The Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA)
• The Smart Broadband 2025 strategy
• A framework for digital identity across member states
• The establishment of an African AI Council

Public engagement and recognition

In 2021, Jeune Afrique listed Koné among the 50 most influential figures in Africa's digital transformation landscape.

In a 2023 interview with African Business, Koné stated that artificial intelligence (AI) presents significant opportunities for the African continent.

He has emphasized the importance of data sovereignty and continental digital governance frameworks.

Publications

• "Integrated Automation Challenges for Vital and Non-Vital Systems (Communication & CBTC)", American Public Transportation Association Rail Conference, Toronto, June 2007.