HE/Mr. Lacina Koné

Mr. Lacina Koné is the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa, a position he has
held since March 2019.

He leads the process of defining and advancing Africa’s digital agenda and has overseen the
development of continental blueprints on Digital Identity, ICT Start-ups and Innovation Ecosystems,
Smart Villages, and Africa’s Smart Broadband 2025 Strategy, in addition to driving other key continental
initiatives.

In recognition of his work, Mr. Koné was ranked 12th in 2021 among the 50 personalities advancing
Africa’s digital transformation, and 3rd among the 10 African digital trendsetters in the 2022 Jeune
Afrique technology ranking.

Before joining Smart Africa, he served as Advisor to the President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
(2011–2019), responsible for Digital Transformation and Public Reforms. With over 25 years of
experience in telecommunications, satellite, and intelligent transport systems, Mr. Koné has also held
senior technical and managerial positions with prestigious firms such as Booz Allen Hamilton and
Intelsat.

Mr. Koné has pursued studies across three continents: he earned a bachelor’s degree in electronic
engineering from Ajman University (United Arab Emirates), validated his Polytechnique rank at Brunel
University (United Kingdom), and obtained an MBA from George Washington University (the United
States).

He is also a Commissioner in the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development (BBCOM) and,
since May 2024, a member of the Board of Directors of the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa
(PDAA).

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