Former ICT Cabinet Secretary Nyambura Ndung’u appointed to senior UN role
The board, known as the DPI Safeguards Strategic Advisory Board, is led by the UN Development Programme and the Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies.
Former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u has been appointed to a top global role as senior researcher and digital policy expert in a strategic advisory board established under a United Nations digital infrastructure initiative.
The board, known as the DPI Safeguards Strategic Advisory Board, is led by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies.
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Its main responsibility is to offer independent advice on the rollout, use and development of a global framework guiding digital infrastructure across countries.
In a LinkedIn update, Nyambura welcomed the appointment, calling it a great honour and expressing optimism about shaping inclusive global digital systems.
“Feeling honoured to join brilliant minds on the DPI Safeguards Strategic Advisory Board, steered by UNDP and ODET. Together, we’ll guide policy, forge partnerships, and support countries in mainstreaming safeguards that leave no one behind,” she wrote.
The board is expected to play a key role in mobilising global players, tackling emerging digital challenges, and supporting public education on digital infrastructure safeguards. Nyambura said her focus will be to lead wide awareness campaigns and strengthen partnerships using her local and global experience.
“I aim to play a central role in large-scale dissemination efforts, raise awareness and drive broad engagement to enhance understanding of the Framework's significance and its broader impact using my varied networks at the national, continental and international level,” she added.
Nyambura is recognised for her strong background in digital policy and innovation.
She has vast experience in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data systems, and internet governance, and has worked on projects shaping Africa’s digital future.
Her recent work includes developing the African Union Data Policy Framework, overseeing an online course on internet governance used across 30 schools in Africa, and creating a 10-part curriculum for the Pan African University focused on building digital skills.
She has previously served as a consultant with the ICT Authority in the Education Ministry and worked as a Senior Research Manager under the Gender Justice in STEM Research in Africa (GeJuSTA) programme.
In the wake of the 2024 youth-led protests, Nyambura was named ICT Cabinet Secretary in a fresh Cabinet line-up by President William Ruto.
However, five months later, she was replaced by former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and was later nominated as High Commissioner to Ghana, a role she declined due to personal and family reasons.
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