advertisement
Qhala Wins Innovation Award In New York For AI Governance Work
Qhala, a Nairobi-based technology company, has received the Innovation Award at the African Leadership Roundtable in New York during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The award recognises the Nairobi-based technology firm’s work in advancing artificial intelligence governance and adoption across Africa, including efforts to equip policymakers and institutions to participate in shaping the continent’s AI future.
Dr Shikoh Gitau, founder and chief executive of Qhala, said the recognition highlights the importance of strengthening African participation in the development and governance of emerging technologies.
advertisement
Qhala was recognised alongside Iyinoluwa Samuel Aboyeji of Future Africa and Eric Osiakwan of Chanzo Capital, both investors in African technology companies.
Aspen Initiative Nairobi nominated Qhala, citing the company’s work to strengthen African participation in AI governance and build capacity around responsible AI adoption.
Qhala’s work is based on the position that African countries should have a role in shaping AI governance frameworks rather than simply adopting rules developed elsewhere.
advertisement
The company focuses on training policymakers, convening cross-sector discussions and developing tools that help governments assess their AI readiness.
One of its initiatives is the Africa AI Village, which Qhala staged in Paris in February 2025 alongside international AI policy discussions taking place in the French capital. Aspen Initiative Nairobi sponsored the event.
Qhala has also participated in the Africa AI Dialogues, a platform convening policymakers, technology companies, investors and civil society organisations to discuss AI adoption across the continent.
advertisement
Founded by Gitau in 2020, Qhala has positioned itself at the intersection of technology, policy and innovation.
Gitau previously worked at Google’s emerging markets division, iHub Research, the African Development Bank and Safaricom.
Her earlier technology initiatives include M-Ganga, which focused on healthcare access, and Ummeli, a mobile platform launched in 2010 to connect job seekers with employers in South Africa and other African markets.
Gitau completed her undergraduate studies at Africa Nazarene University and holds a doctorate from the University of Cape Town. In 2013, she became the first African recipient of the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship.
She currently serves on the board of the Kenya National Innovation Agency and the council of Africa Nazarene University.
The award comes as African countries increase their participation in global discussions on AI governance.
The United Nations General Assembly appointed 40 members to the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence in February 2026, with African states holding eight seats. The Global Dialogue on AI Governance held its inaugural meeting in Geneva in July 2026.
Kenya has also adopted a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy covering 2025 to 2030.
Qhala’s work comes against a backdrop of limited AI infrastructure on the continent. The African Actors of Data Center Association’s 2026 economic report estimates that Africa accounts for about 0.6 per cent of global installed data centre capacity.