Microsoft has appointed Angela Nganga as its Country Lead for East Africa, putting an experienced regional executive at the helm as the technology giant expands its focus on artificial intelligence, digital transformation and local innovation.
Nganga will lead Microsoft’s engagement with governments, businesses and technology stakeholders across Kenya and the broader East African region, with a mandate that includes expanding AI skills, supporting workforce readiness and strengthening partnerships across the region’s technology ecosystem.
“I am delighted to lead Microsoft’s work in East Africa as the region strengthens its position as an innovation and AI hub,” Nganga said. “I look forward to partnering with governments, enterprise and the local startup ecosystem to build AI skills and workforce readiness, and to help partners develop and scale locally relevant solutions to real-world challenges.”
She added that enabling East African companies to become producers as well as consumers of AI innovation will be critical to the region’s participation in the global digital economy.
Based in Nairobi, Nganga joined Microsoft in 2012 and has held several senior positions across the company’s Middle East and Africa business. Most recently, she served as Regional Director of Customer Success for East and West Africa.
Her previous roles include Director of Corporate Affairs for the Middle East and Africa and Education Industry Director for Africa, where she was involved in customer success, digital transformation and strategic engagements across the continent.
Nganga brings more than two decades of experience spanning technology, telecommunications, healthcare, public affairs and policy. Before joining Microsoft, she held senior corporate affairs and public policy positions at Telkom Kenya and AAR Health Services Ltd.
Her appointment comes as East Africa’s technology market enters a new phase of AI adoption, building on the region’s established strengths in mobile technology, fintech and digital services.
Microsoft said Nganga’s leadership will support its efforts to advance inclusive digital and AI transformation while deepening investment in local innovation, skills development and strategic partnerships.
The region’s young population and growing startup ecosystem have also created opportunities for technology companies to develop solutions tailored to local markets. For Microsoft, the focus increasingly extends beyond deploying technology to building the skills, partnerships and businesses needed to create it.
Nganga’s appointment therefore places regional leadership at the center of Microsoft’s broader AI strategy, as governments and businesses across East Africa look to use artificial intelligence to improve productivity, create new services and build globally competitive technology companies.
Microsoft said the appointment reinforces its commitment to East Africa’s role in the global digital economy.