The challenge

A new organization had to become known and trusted by governments, partners and media in East Africa, quickly, and connect its African work to its global story.

What we did

• Partner scouting in Nairobi: researched AI leaders, reached Qhala by cold email and introduced its CEO to Wadhwani AI Global
• End-to-end PR and event communications for the AI for Impact Global South Forum in Kigali and Nairobi: agendas, moderator briefing books, press kits and post-event reports
• Executive thought leadership for CEO Nakul Jain: LinkedIn content, op-eds, newsletters and a CEO fireside chat
• Media relations: pitched 30+ regional and international outlets, and secured a TV interview on East Africa Media Group TV (EAMGTV), coverage in The Standard (Nairobi) and Tech Review Africa, and publication of the Smart Africa partnership release on Smart Africa’s own site
• Messaging and media distribution for the Memorandum of Understanding with the Smart Africa Secretariat, signed at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi
• Stakeholder mapping and government outreach in Kigali and Nairobi, including Rwanda’s Ministries of Education, Health and ICT

Who was in the room

1. Kigali · 21 January 2026Co-organised with the High Commission of India in Rwanda, Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, and UNDP. Speakers included Hon. Yves Iradukunda, Minister of State for ICT and Innovation; Sunil Wadhwani, Founder and Chairman, and Nakul Jain, CEO, Wadhwani AI Global; Dr. Olugbemiga Adelakin, UNFPA Rwanda; Olivier Twagirayezu, Rwanda AI Scaling Hub (C4IR); Nasser Kanesa, GIZ Rwanda; and Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, University of Rwanda.
2. Nairobi · 30 January 2026Held at the UN offices in Nairobi with the High Commission of India in Kenya, with Qhala, Microsoft and UNDP. Speakers included H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, High Commissioner of India; Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Technology; Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala; Rachel Sibande, Gates Foundation; Akua Gyekye and Winnie Karanu, Microsoft; Lars Tushuizen, UNDP Kenya; Dr. Njeri Kamere, The Aurum Institute; and Simon Mbae, Medic Mobile.