On the first anniversary of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), Digital Cooperation Day gathered governments, standards bodies, UN agencies, civil society, and industry to answer a simple question: have we moved from principles to practice?
For as long as I can remember, I have lived in the light of a name larger than my own. My mother, Captain Lonnie Kalua-Manduwi, was the first female marine captain in Malawi — a woman whose brilliance and determination defied the boundaries of her time.
In every corner of the continent, you will meet them: some of the brightest minds of their generation, armed with prestigious degrees from world-class European universities, fluent in the language of global policy, and deeply committed to Africa’s development.
As I write this, I’m midway through the third of four semesters in my MBA journey — a moment that invites both gratitude and introspection. On paper, I’ve completed more than 80% of the program. In practice, it feels like I’ve only just begun to understand the magnitude of the work I’m meant to do in this world.