Mr. Auguste Yankey

Mr. Auguste Yankey is a lawyer-manager and a leading African expert in ICT for Development (ICT4D) and Information Society governance. With over 25 years of experience, he has built a distinguished career at the intersection of technology, policy, and sustainable development.

Professional Profile

Mr. Yankey has held key leadership roles across continental and national institutions, contributing significantly to the advancement of digital transformation in Africa.

At the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa, he served as Principal Officer for ICT Policies, where he led the development and implementation of continental ICT strategies within the Information Society Division. His work has been instrumental in enhancing technology accessibility, regulatory frameworks, and digital inclusion across Africa.

He has played a central role in shaping major initiatives in:

• Cybersecurity
• Internet governance
• The Africa Connect for Education & Research project

Leadership in Cybersecurity & Digital Policy

Mr. Yankey led the African Union’s flagship cybersecurity initiative, contributing to the adoption of the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection. This landmark framework strengthens the digital resilience and security of African nations in response to evolving technological threats.

Current Roles

• Special Advisor to the Director General of the Ivorian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, where he oversees strategic issues related to:
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data protection
• Active contributor to the development of the National AI Strategy of Côte d’Ivoire, aligned with the broader Continental African AI Strategy, focusing on ethical, secure, and inclusive AI deployment
• Director of Operations at the Mahatma Gandhi Technology Park (Côte d’Ivoire), an emerging innovation hub often described as an “Ivorian Silicon Valley,” supporting advancements in:
  • ICT
  • Biotechnology
  • AI-driven innovation

Research, Publications & Impact

An accomplished author and contributor to scientific research, Mr. Yankey supports African countries in building robust, resilient digital infrastructures. His work focuses on:

• Accelerating digital transformation
• Strengthening cybersecurity frameworks
• Addressing emerging technological challenges

Education

• MSc in Law and Management of ICT, University of Namur (Belgium)
• MSc in ICT for Development (ICT4D), University of Manchester (UK)
• Executive MBA, Paris Sorbonne Business School (France)

He is currently pursuing a PhD in Cybersecurity, with a strong research focus on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, security, and data governance.

Areas of Expertise

• Artificial Intelligence policy & governance
• Cybersecurity and data protection
• ICT for Development (ICT4D)
• Digital transformation strategies
• Internet governance