DIGITAfrica Consultation Workshop – Speaker Presentations

Explore and download the presentations shared during the 2nd DIGITAfrica Consultation Workshop, held in Tunis, Tunisia (28 April 2026), featuring expert insights on digital research infrastructures, innovation ecosystems, and collaborative research across Africa and Europe.

Keynote Sessions

  • Prof Serge Fdida, Sorbonne Université, France (Project Coordinator)

  • Prof. Mourad Bellassoued, Director General for Scientific Research (DGRS), Chief of Cabinet Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia

Panel 1: Enabling Pan-African Research Collaboration: Landscape, Funding and Opportunities

  • Thomas Basikolo, PhD, Program Coordinator, ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB), Switzerland. Download presentation
  • Sami Trimech, Director of Strategic Development and Planning at the Arab ICT Organization, AICTO, Tunisia. Download presentation
  • Dr. Fathi El Mansouri, Consultant to the General Secretariat of the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils- League of Arab States, FASRC, Egypt. Download presentation

Session 1: From Concepts to Demonstrators: DIGITAfrica Blueprints & Proof-of-Concepts

  • Prof. Joyce Mwangama, University of Cape Town, South Africa
  • Prof. Louis Fendji, University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon

Session 2: Research Infrastructures as Enablers for Research & Innovation: EU Success Stories

  • Prof Raffaele Bruno, CNR, Italy
    • Title: SLICES-RI: Scientific Large-Scale Infrastructure for Computing /Communication Experimental Studies. Download presentation
  • Prof Giulio Rossetti, CNR, Italy

Session 3: National Perspectives on Digital Research and Innovation

  • Behjet Boussofara, Director General, Talan, Tunisia
    • Title: From Local Talent to Global Impact: How African Centers of Excellence Drive Digital Innovation. Download presentation
  • Dr. Mahuna Akplogan, Head of the Department of Innovation Valorization Sème City Development Agency, Benin
    • Title: Sèmè City: a flagship innovation, education, and entrepreneurship initiative in Benin. Download presentation
  • Dr. Youssef BEN HALIMA, Advisor in charge of Mission at the office of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia

    Panel 2: Empowering Research & Innovation Communities: Priorities, Skills and Capacity Building

    • Yousef Torman, CEO, Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN), Jordan. Download presentation
    • Prof. Eyouléki Tcheyi Gnadi Palanga, CEO, West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN), Ghana. Download presentation
    • Carmela Salzano, Senior Project Officer, Campus Africa, UNESCO, France. Download presentation
    • John Matogo, Corporate Social Responsibility Leader for Africa & the Middle East, IBM, Kenya. Download presentation 
    • Calvain Nangue, Strategic advisor, Smart Africa Alliance, Rwanda. Download presentation. Download presentation