H.E. Mr Eng Belal Al-Hafnawi
Commissioner & Board Member, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Jordan

H.E. Eng Belal Al-Hafnawi is an ICT executive leader experienced in technology, management, leadership, regulatory and strategy. Currently working as Commissioner and full time Board Member at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC).
His Excellency Belal has 20 years’ experience in technology, telecommunications, information technology and digital transformation. He has worked with several international mobile network vendors and service providers including Huawei, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung Electronics and STC.
He has wide work experience in various telecommunications fields, which include management, advisory, strategy, technical consulting, managing complex programs and projects, operation management and quality.
He holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Telecommunications from the University of Jordan, and holds executive certification in Management and Leadership from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United states, which focused on business implications in Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things and platform strategies.
He is a technical writer, author and international speaker.
Memberships:

• Internet of Things Community USA, Advisory board member
• Jordan Engineers Association; DigiEng Committee; expert member.
• Princess Sumaya University for Technology, engineering Industrial Advisory Committee (EIAC), board member.
• German Jordanian University, Council of the Deanship of Postgraduate Studies; member with specialization and experience; Technology and leadership
• Mentor in MIT (Massachusetts institute of technology) for seasonal Hackathons

Dinesh Balsingh
Managing Director, Airtel Tanzania Plc

Mr. Dinesh Balsingh is currently the Managing Director of Airtel Tanzania Plc.
In January 2022: Airtel Tanzania Plc announced a change in its leadership team with the appointment of Mr. Dinesh Balsingh as Managing Director designated for Airtel Tanzania Plc, he has played a key role since he joined Airtel Tanzania Team within two Years of his leadership.
He is a Sales & Marketing professional with over 20 years of experience, primarily spanning across telecommunications. He has experience in Sales & Marketing, spanning Distribution, Brand Management, Customer Service, Products, CLM, Data & Content, Revenue Planning, Market Planning. He holds a Master of Business Administration – Marketing from Thiagarajan School of Management, Madurai, India.
Mr. Dinesh has managed to grow Airtel Tanzania PLC market share, and customer base to be among Tanzania’s largest telecom company. With his focus on data services, he has been able to build a strong data brand.  He has established Rural penetration strategy to support the company’s growth and provide a platform for financial inclusion by offering Airtel Money services.
Prior to his current role, he was the Chief Commercial Officer for Airtel Nigeria where he led the operation to become a strong No.2 operator in Africa’s largest market. He also led National Prepaid product operation for India with Tata Docomo and drove market share gains for the operator during his stint. He also worked across multiple regions like Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi where he led Marketing functions for Bharti Airtel.

Jabiri Kuwe Bakari
Director General, Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)

Jabiri Kuwe Bakari (Ph.D) is the Director General of Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) following the presidential appointment in April, 2021.
Dr. Bakari is a Tanzanian pracademic who holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer and System Sciences from Stockholm University in Sweden (2007), specialized in ICT Risks and Security Management, a Master’s of Science Degree (Engineering) in Data Communication from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Sheffield University, UK (1999), and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania (1996). His experience spans both the academic and practical realms. He is also a researcher, trainer, analyst and advisor of repute with over 25 years of experience in ICT Management.
He has been the first CEO of the former e-Government Agency who took the lead to establish it from its inception in April, 2012 to January, 2020. He also spearheaded the Agency’s transformation to become e-Government Authority (e-GA) following enactment of the e-Government Act No.10 of 2019, where he became the first Director General of the same until April, 2021.
Prior to his services at e-GA, he worked for five (5) years (2007 – 2012) as a Senior Lecturer and Director of Institute of Educational Technology (IET) at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), the post he took after ten (10) years (1996 – 2007) of holding various technical, management and leadership posts at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) including that of Associate Director of the University Computing Centre (UCC).
Working as a Director and Lecturer at the Institute of Educational Technology (IET) at the OUT, he was the force behind transformation of the institute that witnessed establishment of ICT Training Centers countrywide especially the regional centers. Moreover, Dr. Bakari is an active member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Tanzanian Chapter, where he also served as a Vice President, between 2011 and 2015. He is also a Certified Director and has been a part time facilitator of Directorship programs focusing on ICT Governance at the Institute of Directors in Tanzania (IoDT) from 2017 to date. He also serves as a Board member of Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) since 2016.

Philip Besiimire
Managing Director, Vodacom Tanzania Plc

Philip is currently the MD of Vodacom Tanzania Plc and is responsible for running all facets of the business.
Prior to that, Philip held various senior roles across sub-Saharan Africa including Chief Sales, Distribution and Regional Operations Officer in South Africa, Executive Regional Operations in South Africa, Chief Executive Officer in South Sudan, Chief Marketing Officer in Zambia and Chief Marketing Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer in Swaziland.
He has over 15 years’ experience in leadership and commercial execution working with one of the largest telco companies in Africa. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Netherlands and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Philip brings international leadership experience and valuable knowledge to this important role. He has an exceptional track record of growing businesses and delivering strategic transformation.
Philip is also sitting as chairman of the Tanzania Mobile Network Operations Association (TAMNOA).

Cristina Bueti​​
Counsellor, Focus Group on metaverse

Cristina Bueti is the ITU Focal Point on Smart Sustainable Cities. She is also the Counsellor of ITU-T Study Group 20 “Internet of things (IoT) and smart cities and communities (SC&C)” and the Counsellor of the Focus Group on metaverse at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). She also serves as TSB/ITU focal point for Latin America. Cristina Bueti graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, Law and International Cooperation and Development of the University of Florence, where she completed postgraduate studies in International Cooperation and Telecommunications Law in Europe. She ​also holds a specialization in Environmental Law with a special focus on Telecommunications. In 2003, Ms. Bueti built on her academic credentials by completing a specialized course in peace keeping and international cooperation with special focus on telecommunications at the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, before joining the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva in January 2004. As part of the International Women’s Day 2016, she was named as one of the twenty Geneva-based inspirational women working to protect the environment. She has authored over 40 reports on telecommunication issues. A native Italian speaker, Cristina is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.​​​

Wendy Teresa Goico Campagna
Vice-chairman, United for Smart Sustainable Cities Initiative (U4SSC)

A devoted career diplomat with a background in both architecture and diplomacy, boasts over 25 years of dedicated service to the Dominican Republic State. She currently holds the position of Counsellor (Economic and Cooperation Affairs) at the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations in Geneva. Proficient in four languages, Wendy serves as a focal point to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and oversees the coordination of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) within the ITU. Recently assuming the position of Vice-Chair of the UN U4SSC Initiative, her appointment highlights her influential role and leadership within the UN landscape. She served as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Pension Plan management Board (2022-2023) further emphasizes her multifaceted contributions.
Wendy played a pivotal role in enhancing trade, investment, and tourism relations during her tenure as a Counsellor at the Dominican Embassy in Canada (2014-2021) and to the Embassy of the Dominican Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium (2007-2014). From 1996 to 2007, Wendy Teresa served as an Architect at the Ministry of Public Works and Communication of the Dominican Republic, marking the beginning of her career in the public sector.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master’s Degree in International Trade, continuously expanding her knowledge through ongoing education. Her expertise in diplomacy, international relations, and trade promotion has significantly bolstered the Dominican Republic’s global presence.

Nguyen Tien Dung
Managing Director, Viettel Tanzania PLC (Halotel)

Nguyen Tien Dung is the Managing Director for Viettel Tanzania PLC (Halotel) overseeing overall company’s Business and Technical Operations that led the company being the Most Affordable and Reliable with Largest network coverage in Tanzania. 

Being the lead Company Strategists he managed to expedite Business Operations which geared to the potential achievements including the extension of the standard communication infrastructure all over Tanzania reaching most remote areas. With his expertise in Sales strategies, offering the best solutions in products and service to Tanzania Halotel has achieved more than 8 Million Subscribers.  

He has great experience in Management position in other countries Like Viettel Group in Vietnam, Peru, Cambodia and others. 

Irene Godson
Country Manager (Ag) , Smile Communications Tanzania

Currently, CPA Irene Godson is the Country Manager (Ag) of Smile Communications Tanzania Limited with a vision to become the broadband provider of choice to everyone in Africa and enable Smile customers to fully benefit from the internet world. CPA Irene Holds bachelor degree in Accounting and finance from Mzumbe university and Master’s degree in Corporate Management, certified board director, trained and recognized by Institute of Directors Tanzania. She is also the non-executive Director of KEGO & Sons Insurance Broker Tanzania Limited.  
CPA Irene Godson served as the Chief Finance Officer of Britam Insurance Tanzania Limited Between 2011 to March 2021. At Britam, she was leading Finance and administration team, played a key role in implementation of the ERP accounting system and managing investment portfolio of the Company.
CPA Irene Godson, is the senior finance and business professional with eighteen years of experience in Accounting and Finance, Banking, Insurance and Telecom Industries with consistent record of delivering results, developing cross-functional relationships, and building strong teams. Experience in evaluation and implementation of financial systems. Successful at balancing the need for strong financial controls with maintaining operational efficiency.

Hyoung Jun Kim
Chairman, ITU-T Study Group 20

Dr. Hyoung Jun Kim joined ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) in 1988, and he is currently in charge of the Intelligent Convergence Research Lab in ETRI as Senior Vice-President. He has had about 33 years research experiences in various divisions of ETRI including Info-Communications Technology Division, IT Strategy Research Division, Information & Telecommunications Technology Division, and Protocol Engineering Centre. He has been currently serving as Vice-chair of ITU-T SG20 and its co-Chair of WP1/20 and the co-Convenor of JCA-IoT/SC&C under SG20. Also he served as Vice-chair of SG13 and its Chair of WP3/13. In addition, he also had been served as Rapporteur of Q25/16 since 2004 as well as served as Vice-Chairman of FG on M2M Service Layers and Chairman of WP2 of the FG in ITU-T SG11 and Vice-Chairman of FG on Future Networks in ITU-T SG13. In addition to this, he is also now cserving as Chair of ASTAP(Apt STAndardization Program) in APT. Regarding his research and academic achievements, he has contributed more than 450 proposals for standards and published more than 150 papers in academic journals and conference as well as more than 100 patents and 20 official technologies transfers to the domestic companies. He was awarded the National President’s citation in 2003 and 2009 respectively as well as many Certificates of Appreciation from int’l standard-related organizations including ITU-T. In particular, he got his second National President’s Award at the “World Standards Day 2009 in Korea” for honouring his efforts on international standardization.

Yong-Jick Lee
President, Center for Accessible ICT, Korea

Dr. Yong Jick Lee is a president and an ICT accessibility researcher at Korea Center for Accessible ICT, a research center that concerns information and communication technology accessibility for persons with disabilities, persons with age-related disabilities and those with specific needs. The research center is conducting research on assistive technologies for persons with disabilities, and developing tools used in rehabilitation treatment areas, including occupational therapy and speech therapy.  Dr. Lee is also participating in developing ICT accessibility international and domestic standards through ITU-T, W3C, ASTAP(Asia-Pacific), and TTA(Korea). He played a role as an editor in developing ITU-T Recommendations, including Y.4204 Accessiblity requirements for Internet of Things applications and services, Y.4211 Accessiblity requirements for smart public transport, and Y.4219 Accessibility requirements for user interface of smart applications supporting IoT. He also participated in researching the status of mobile accessibility in Asia-Pacific regions through APT ASTAP.  Prior to joining Korea Center for Accessible ICT, he worked as a professor in Jungwon University and JEI University in Business Administration, majoring in Information Systems. His current research interest includes accessibility services in disaster management services, accessible IoT and smart cities, accessible mobile applications, metaverse accessibility, etc.

Chao Ma
Director of Business development of Industry and Internet of Things institution, CAICT

Chao Ma is the Director of Business development of Industry and Internet of Things institution of China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT). Dr. Ma has a PhD in electronics and communications. He has worked in Universities and Carriers for years with LTE systems, cognitive radio systems, wireless networks, and other communication systems. He has numerous publications in esteemed journals and conferences, and he’s the author of several books in electronics.
As the Director of Business development, Dr. Ma is responsible for the building of digital industry infrastructure in China, and seeks the development an implementation of sustainable and effective digital services in the Chinese Market. Currently he is serving as the Q3 rapporteur of the ITU-T Study Group 20 (SG20) on IoT and its architecture, QoS/QoE including smart cities and communities and the vice chairman of ITU-T SG20 Regional Group for Asia and the Pacific (SG20RG-AP) to disseminate information on the relevant work of Study Group 20 within the Asia and Pacific region.

H.E. Mr Kundo Mathew
Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Tanzania

Kundo Mathew, also known as Kundo Andrea Mathew, is a Tanzanian politician and Deputy Minister for Information, Communication and information Technology and presently serving as the Chama Cha Mapinduzi ‘s member of parliament for Shinyanga Urban constituency since November 2020.

Emmanuel C. Manasseh
Lecturer, Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) Arusha

Dr. Emmanuel C. MANASSEH a Lecturer at Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) Arusha. Prior to his current position, he was a Director, Industry Affairs at Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). From April 2013 to March 2014, he was an Assistant Professor at Hiroshima University in the Department of System Cybernetics. Dr. Manasseh began his career at Celtel Tanzania Limited (Now Airtel Tanzania), as a Telecommunications Engineer, working on Operation & Maintenance of all 2G/3G Base Station Subsystem (BSS) from 2005 to 2007.
Dr. Manasseh holds different leadership roles, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Tanzania Education and Research Network (TERNET); Board Member of Maendeleo Bank PLC. and a Vice Chair of ITU -T Study Group 20, Internet of Things and Smart Sustainable Cities.
He is also a member of professional institutes and bodies including, Engineers Registration Board of Tanzania (ERB); Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Dr. Manasseh holds Doctor of Engineering (Dr. Eng.) from the department of System Cybernetics, Hiroshima University, Japan in 2013; Masters of Engineering (M.Eng.) from Hiroshima University, Japan in 2010; and BSc. degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania in 2005.

H.E. Mr John Mongella
Regional Commissioner of Arusha, Tanzania

John Mongella is currenctly serving as the Regional Commissoner of Arusha Region, Tanzania. As the current longest serving Regional Commissioner in Tanzania, Hon. John Mongella is also the chairperson of the Regional Commissioners Group.

John holds MBA from Institute of Accountancy Arusha in 2021. He finished his bachelor study in Com (Economics) at University of Delhi, India.

Davis G. Mwamfupe
Mayor, Dodoma City, Dodoma

Prof. Davis Mwamfupe is the Mayor of Dodoma city, the new national capital city of the United Republic of Tanzania. He was first elected in July 2017 and re-elected in October 2020 and he is serving his second five-year term. Prior to his current role as Mayor of the city, Davis Mwamfupe lectured at the University of Dar es Salaam and later University of Dodoma focusing mainly on urbanization and population studies.
Prof. Mwamfupe holds a Ph.D. degree (1994) in human geography from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He has wide work experience in research and consultancy in various fields in social sciences. Mayor Mwamfupe’s vision is to have an inclusive growth and climate resilient city. He is also working side by side with the central government in the Greening Dodoma campaigns in which tree planting and environmental management in and around the city have been the major components. Prof. Mwamfupe is passionately pursuing the ‘Smart Dodoma’ mission in which essential services to the urban population will be provided through the use of digital technology. This will make Dodoma city being among the smart cities in the East African region.

Kyunghee Oh
Director of Digital Policy Division, Seoul Metropolitan Government

Kyunghee Oh is the Director for the Digital Policy Division, Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG). She leads the Digital Policy Division, and it is through this division that SMG establishes and implements Seoul Smart City Master Plan, operate Smart City Cooperative System, promotes Seoul smart city policies locally and aboard, and implements IoT projects.  Ms. Oh is currently focusing on applying metaverse throughout Seoul and cooperating with private sector and citizens to develop livable and sustainable smart city.

Seizo Onoe
Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU

Seizo Onoe took office as Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023. Known in the industry as “the father of LTE” (Long-Term Evolution mobile broadband), he now aims for global outreach to bridge standardization gaps, deliver the benefits of technology widely and speedily, and ensure meaningful and affordable broadband access for everyone. Before his election as TSB Director by ITU Member States, he completed an over 30-year career with Japanese mobile operator NTT DOCOMO. In 2021, he became Executive Vice President and Chief Standardization Strategy Officer for NTT Corporation and a Fellow of NTT DOCOMO. From 2017, he served as NTT DOCOMO’s Chief Technology Architect and President of its subsidiary DOCOMO Technology. From 2012 to 2017, he served as NTT DOCOMO’s Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, a Member of the Board of Directors, and Managing Director of R&D Innovation Division. Earlier, he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of NTT DOCOMO’s R&D Strategy Department and Managing Director of the company’s Radio Network Development Department. Mr Onoe holds a Master’s degree in electronics from the Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering.

Rosemary Staki Senyamule
Dodoma Region Commissioner, United Republic Tanzania.

Hon Rosemary is the Region Commissioner of Dodoma with long records of successfully leadership in Government and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO’s)
Under her leadership, Rosemary  create a positive Social and Economic impact to Dodoma citizen by improving infrastructure, modernizing  government services, increasing accessibility, accelerating economic growth  and promoting sustainability.
Rosemary holds Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and Human Nutrition at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) (1994) and Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development at University of Dar es salaam (UD) (2005).  Currently, she studies Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Leadership and good governance at Open University.

Peter Ulanga
Director General, Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL)

Eng. Peter R. Ulanga is a seasoned Telecommunications/ICT professional with over 25 years of experience in overseeing operations, regulations, and the provision of telecommunications and ICT services across the country, including rural and underserved areas.
Currently, Peter serves as the Director General of Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation, a role he assumed in March 2022 following his appointment by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan. He has been dedicated to transforming the corporation’s operations, fostering business growth, and striving to position it as a leading ICT and Telecommunications service provider in Africa and the world.
Peter has extensive knowledge of ICT sector development. He acquired this experience in his previous work in Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited and in Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, his notable contributions in the Regulatory Authority include, leading the costing study for interconnection and in the development of converged licensing framework. He has extensive experience in ICT network planning and operations, policy, legal and regulations. He uses his analytical skills to chart way forward within UCSAF. He has an extensive working knowledge of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) using ArcGIS, a primary tool for analysis in the Fund.
He is also active in standardization work in ITU-T for over 15 years where he held leadership positions in several of the committees of Study Group 5. He has participated in several international conferences on ICTs as a speaker and a panelist. He is a hobbyist programmer with extensive knowledge in Python, Android and Swift programming. When he has some free time, he enjoys grabbing his Canon DSLR camera and capturing nature and wildlife photos.
Peter has a Masters’ Degree in Telecommunications from University of Essex, United Kingdom (Awarded with Distinction), MBA from University of Southern Queensland, Australia and Bachelors of Science in Engineering from University of Dar es Salaam (Honours). He is a Senior Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and he is a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) of Tanzania. Peter also dedicates his time to part-time teaching at the University of Dar es Salaam.”

Christina Yan Zhang
CEO, The Metaverse Institute

Christina is a metaverse pioneer. She started her master research on the topic in 2006 to develop universities’ international strategies. In 2012, with full scholarship, she completed a PhD in using digital twin in the metaverse to augment the AEC industry.
Christina is an award-winning business leader with 17 years of experience turning forward-thinking ideas into high growth businesses. She was China Director for QS, the world university ranking agency 2013-2020.
She has sat on 20+ advisory committees for UNESCO, World Bank, Commonwealth, EU, and UK Governments. She is Vice Chair of the UN ITU Metaverse Working Group on Sustainability, Accessibility & Inclusion and Co-chair on Citiverse Task Group. She sits on TechUK’s digital twins board, financial service council, and advisory council for International Science Council on the future of science.
She chairs a weekly online discussion with experts on pragmatic use of future tech, which is promoted to a global community of 100,000 leaders. She advises governments, UN, investors, corporates to use metaverse, AI, Smart cities technologies, including producing the world’s first people centred metaverse strategy Vision 2040. She recently chaired the opening panel for WIPO’s summit on IP and Metaverse, addressed UNESCO on metaverse education, UN HLPF on cities.