Arnold Kibuuka
Project Officer, Standardization Bureau, ITU
Arnold Kibuuka is a cybersecurity and digital financial services specialist serving as a Project Officer at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where he supports the Digital Financial Services (DFS) Security Lab within the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. In this role, he supports initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience, trust, and security of digital financial ecosystems, working closely with regulators, telecommunications providers, and financial institutions to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and regulatory oversight. Arnold contributes to the implementation of international DFS security standards and recommendations through security assessments, technical knowledge transfer programmes, cybersecurity capacity building, and the operationalization of DFS Security Labs across multiple countries. Prior to joining ITU, he spent six years specialized in enterprise and telecommunications security operations, mobile network security, and infrastructure protection.
 Brian Nuwagaba Ludovic Senior Officer for Cyber Incident Handling and Digital Forensics, Uganda Communications Commission Brian Nuwagaba Ludovic is a cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience spanning cyber incident response, financial services security, and telecommunications infrastructure protection. He currently serves as a Senior Officer for Cyber Incident Handling and Digital Forensics at the Uganda Communications Commission, supporting CERT UG in safeguarding critical communications systems. Brian has previously led security engineering and governance initiatives for high‑value digital payment platforms at the National Social Security Fund and Stanbic Bank Uganda. He holds an MSc in Computer Network Security including certifications such as CISM, ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer and a Certified Android Penetration tester among others.
 Zivo Keith Chamba CIRT and Enforcement Manager, Data Protection Unit (DPU) at POTRAZ
Zivo Keith Chamba is a distinguished cybersecurity and data protection specialist with extensive hands-on experience spanning technical operations, policy development, and regulatory enforcement. He currently serves as the CIRT and Enforcement Manager in the Data Protection Unit (DPU) at POTRAZ, where he leads incident response and drives compliance with cybersecurity and data protection frameworks. Zivo brings deep technical expertise in penetration testing, with a particular specialisation in mobile application security — identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening defenses across complex digital ecosystems. Beyond the technical domain, he has served as a senior cybersecurity policymaker, contributing to the development and refinement of national and regional-level policies that shape the security posture of Zimbabwe's digital landscape. His rare ability to bridge hands-on technical practice with high-level strategic policy makes him a uniquely versatile and influential voice in the African cybersecurity and data protection space.
Tumane James Mahloane Cybersecurity Manager, Lesotho Communications Authority
Tumane Mahloane is an ICT expert with over 18 years of experience securing critical digital infrastructure. As Cybersecurity Manager at the Lesotho Communications Authority, he spearheaded the end-to-end establishment and operationalization of the Lesotho Communications Sector Computer Incident Response Team (LS ComCSIRT), which now serves as the National CSIRT. Tumane led the establishment of Lesotho’s DFS Security Lab in collaboration with the ITU, integrating its specialized testing services into the LS ComCSIRT framework. An EMBA graduate and M.Sc. student in AI Engineering, he specializes in incident response and threat intelligence, focusing on building resilient frameworks that align national priorities with global security standards.
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 Endashaw Tesfaye
Digital Finance Country Lead, UNCDF, Ethiopia
Endashaw is the Digital Finance Country Lead for UNCDF, spearheading transformative initiatives such as the Digital Finance for Resilience Programme (DFS4Res) and the CICO Project. He has a wealth of expertise as a seasoned digital financial services (DFS) consultant, having played a pivotal role in implementing one of Ethiopia's pioneering mobile money services. Endashaw's proficiency extends across the spectrum of DFS, encompassing strategic areas such as Budgeting, Team Motivation, Analytical Skills, Market Research, and innovation. He holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the prestigious International Leadership Institute, underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and leadership excellence.
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Denise Nsubuga
Specialist, Cyber Security Operations, MTN Mobile Money
Denise Nsubuga is a cybersecurity professional with expertise in network security, threat analysis, and vulnerability management. She holds a master’s degree in information systems from Nkumba University and a bachelor’s degree in computer security & Forensics from UTAMU. Denise has experience working in financial and telecom sectors, including roles at Centenary Bank and MTN Uganda. She is actively involved in AI and data science communities such as IndabaX Uganda, Black in AI, and Data Science Africa, where she has held leadership roles. Her interests span cybersecurity adoption, AI applications, and strengthening digital systems for sustainable development.
 Josephat MutepfaDeputy Director, National Payments Systems Financial Markets, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
Dr. Mutepfa is the Deputy Director, Financial Markets Division, National Payment Systems Department at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. He has over two decades’ banking and payment systems experience. He has also worked for the UNCDF as Digital Payments Advisor for Ethiopia 2020 to 2021 on sabbatical, leading implementation of their maiden National Digital Payment Strategy. He is also the Payment Systems Country Leader for Zimbabwe and has been involved in the SADC, COMESA and Africa Regional Integration Projects. Dr Mutepfa is also chair of the Zimbabwe Digital Financial Services Working Group, Chair for the Payment Systems Oversight Committee for the Pan African Payment System, inaugural Chair for the Advisory Board of the National University of Science and Technology Faculty of Commerce. Dr Mutepfa as a thought leader and expert in digital financial Services and has championed successfully policy research, formulation, advocacy and implementation in Zimbabwe, regionally and internationally.
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