Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue Hosts Trusted Tech Roundtable with African Diplomats

Multi-Sector Leaders Chart Practical Solutions to Grow Africa’s Middle Class,
Scale Infrastructure and Streamline Barriers 

Washington, DC — On June 17, the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue partnered with Year of Return Africa (YORA) to convene senior African diplomats from 12 countries, U.S. government officials, technology leaders, academics from Purdue University and African schools, and private sector executives for a high-level roundtable on advancing trusted technology and economic partnerships across Africa.

The discussion, moderated by Len Khodorkovsky, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the Krach Institute, identified numerous economic opportunities and explored practical ways to overcome the challenges for African nations in the tech-driven global economy. The participants discussed growing the middle class on the continent, expanding digital infrastructure, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, enhancing financial mechanisms, mitigating risks, and accelerating workforce development.

The Krach Institute’s Tech Diplomacy Academy was spotlighted as a powerful resource for equipping public- and private-sector decision makers at the intersection of technology, business, policy and global commerce. The Institute’s Global Trusted Tech (xGTT) Standard initiative to define and label trusted technology emerged as a practical framework to fast-track seamless collaboration across borders and industries.

“Bringing together leaders from strategic sectors to solve big challenges in the new tech age is what the Krach Institute does best,” said Michelle Giuda, CEO of the Krach Institute. “Africa’s youth, energy, and strategic importance make it essential to the future of innovation. This dialogue is just the beginning of a powerful partnership built on shared values.”

“Africa stands at the cusp of a technological renaissance, where trusted and secure technologies are not just tools but the foundation for inclusive growth and global leadership,” said Peter Kegode, YORA Co-Founder and Director for Strategy and Partnerships. “By embracing AI, smart manufacturing, and clean energy, and fostering partnerships, like the one between YORA and the Krach Institute, we can ensure that Africa’s innovation ecosystem thrives, safeguarding our digital future while empowering every citizen.”

Notable attendees included:

• Jean Barege, Ambassador of Burundi to the U.S.
• Kassoum Coulibaly, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to the U.S.
• Mohamed Douale, Ambassador of Djibouti to the U.S.
• David Kerich, Ambassador of Kenya to the U.S.
• Sarah Bhoroma, Charge d’Affaires of Zimbabwe to the U.S.
• Lucia Cherinda, Deputy Chief of Mission of Mozambique to the U.S.
• Other senior African diplomats from Angola, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius and Nigeria
• Senior officials from the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce
• David Malpass, Former World Bank President and Purdue Distinguished Fellow
• Obi Ezekwesili, Former World Bank Vice President and Nigerian Minister of Minerals and Education
• Representatives from IBM, AWS, GM, Deloitte, Strider, Opportunity International and TalentCraft
• Purdue University faculty, including Margaret Gitau, Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Marisol Koslowski, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean for Global Engineering Programs and Partnerships

The roundtable also featured insights from recent U.S.-African private-sector partnerships and highlighted initiatives like AWS Cloud rollout on the continent and IBM’s new operating model in several African countries.

For more information about the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue and its strategic partners, visit www.techdiplomacy.org.

About the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue
The Krach Institute is the world’s preeminent trusted technology accelerator. As the leader in the new category of Tech Diplomacy, the Institute integrates technology expertise, Silicon Valley strategies and foreign policy tools to build the Global Trusted Tech Network of governments, companies, organizations and individuals to accelerate the innovation and adoption of trusted technology and ensure technology advances freedom.

Visit the Krach Institute online at TechDiplomacy.org and follow on LinkedIn, X and YouTube. Enroll in the Tech Diplomacy Academy to learn what you need to know now about key emerging technologies and their impact on business, policy and the global economy. Subscribe to the Institute’s weekly newsletter Tech Diplomacy Now for the latest news at the intersection of high tech and foreign policy.

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 For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Megan Stencel at megan@javelindc.com or 703-490-8845.