Top government IT professionals from Uganda, Rwanda appointed ID4Africa ambassadors

ID4Africa recently announced the appointment of Grace Nanyanzi, Information Systems Manager, National Identification and Registration Authority, Uganda and Jacques Kayisire, Director of ICT infrastructure, National Identification Agency (NIDA), Rwanda to its 2019 Ambassador Class.

The ID4Africa Ambassadors are senior-level government officials (appointed one per country) that work for government identity stakeholders in their country. They are key drivers within the Movement who serve to maintain active collaboration between ID4Africa and the identity stakeholders and influence the agenda and direction of the Movement. Collectively, through the ID4Africa Identity Council, they will also provide guidance and support of the decision-making process for developing Pan-African identity ecosystems.

“I’m excited to see the Program become the largest institutionalized body for south-south cooperation around identity matters in Africa, and that the role of the Ambassadors continues to evolve in significant ways,” commented Dr. Joseph J. Atick, Executive Chairman of ID4Africa. He continued: “While they currently act as key liaisons between the Movement and their countries, they have also become a thought leadership body that can provide Pan-African guidance and promote the exchange of experiences and knowledge among the represented countries.”

The two make up a class of 43 ambassadors. Up from 29 countries in 2018, this expansion reflects a strong endorsement from the African Governments of the ID4Africa Ambassadors Program, and a clear recognition of the importance of the evolving role the Ambassadors play. The 2019 class covers the entire continent including Northern Africa, and Africa’s sovereign islands.

Grace Nanyanzi

Nanyanzi is the Information Systems Manager at the Uganda’s National Identification and Registration Authority. She is a multi-skilled ICT professional with well-rounded supervisory and technical expertise. She has extensive practical knowledge in building complex systems, hardware and software specifications, testing and implementation, network support, technical support and computer repairs.

Grace has a wealth of experience in ICT policy development, strategic planning, infrastructure design, project evaluation, national identification and registration systems, biometrics systems, and system integration. She was part of the National ID project implementation team that achieved 14 million adults registered within 4 months.

In the past, she was also a member of the system specification and testing team and was IT lead overseeing 24/7 operations for a period of one year. She is currently focusing on system integration to ensure various institutions can verify identities and share information online.

Jacques Kayisire

Kayisire serves as Director of ICT infrastructure at the National ID Agency of Rwanda (NIDA). He possesses nearly 14 years of professional experience in the field of ICT and has been with NIDA for over 9 years.

He started as a member of the ID Project Task Force, approved by Cabinet in 2008, as the Charge of ICT. Jacques graduated in 2002 from PSG College of Technology and holds a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

In 2009 he completed his Masters in IT Communication Management from Kigali Institute of Technology and later received a Post Graduate degree in Project Management from Maastricht School of Management in The Netherlands. He has been involved in the planning and execution of Rwanda’s ID Project, and has served a valuable role in other government projects.

ID4Africa first annual Ambassadors’ Summit

In supporting the Ambassadors’ expanded role, ID4Africa is launching the first annual Ambassadors’ Summit at its 5th Annual Meeting in Johannesburg, 18-20 June 2019. The Summit is open only to the Ambassadors and members of the ID4Africa Advisory Board. This first meeting will define the responsibilities and priorities of this collective group, called the ID4Africa Identity Council.

For further information about the Ambassadors Program and the list of current Ambassadors click here.