Sophia Bekele is a global strategist and Digital Sovereignty Architect shaping how nations, enterprises, and institutions navigate power in the age of AI, data, and decentralized technologies. She works with leaders worldwide to design resilient systems that strengthen autonomy, trust, and long-term value—operating ahead of conventional playbooks rather than within them.
Her portfolio spans policy advisory and project implementation roles with the United Nations, the African Union, and ICANN. She has secured precedent-setting outcomes at the Ethiopian Parliament and the National Bank of Ethiopia, as well as landmark victories in global internet-governance proceedings.
Over time, her leadership has reshaped how digital authority and governance are conceived and exercised globally. She architected and championed Africa’s digital identity through the pioneering .Africa initiative. In parallel, she leads ventures across e-commerce, AI platforms, and digital infrastructure—building systems that redefine autonomy, trust, and opportunity at scale.
Her social-impact portfolio, particularly through the DCA Digital Academy, has received global recognition for empowering women and youth with digital skills, entrepreneurial pathways, and leadership development—advancing digital inclusion as a core pillar of sustainable development. As a founder, board executive, and entrepreneur operating across continents, she works at the intersection of governance, innovation, economic sovereignty, and social impact.
Sophia’s leadership has been acknowledged through a constellation of independent global recognitions, including Global Champion of Digital Sovereignty, Internet Governance Pioneer, Visionary Woman of Our Time, Women of Influence, Africa’s Champion for the Digital Age, Brains Behind .Africa, and Generational Thinker, among others—reflecting both impact and originality of thought.
A frequent speaker at executive forums, parliaments, and global summits, Bekele advises leaders on responsible AI, cyber risk, digital power, and the architectures required to thrive in an interdependent world. She extends her influence through ongoing public commentary on leadership, human performance, societal resilience, and the evolving relationship between technology and human progress.
Having traveled to more than 150 countries, she brings a global perspective shaped by lived experience, intellectual curiosity, and cultural fluency. Known for challenging broken systems and rebalancing digital narratives, she champions the future with conviction. Her sovereign self-mastery—often referred to by peers as the #AddisHilton ethos—reflects a disciplined blend of ambition, composure, and an unapologetic commitment to living and leading well.
Achievements that matters
Speaking
Bekele is a thought leader in Business and technology Strategy, & Governance and Policy. She is active in various foras and an expert on policy, security, Internet Governance and developing economies.
Advisory
Ms. Bekele consults for Private, Governments and international organizations in the fields of development, governance and long-term strategic planning. These and the above positions in Ms. Bekele’s career play a pivotal role
Writing
Bekele makes public affairs commentary on technology for development, internet governance, regional economic integration, good governance, business and politics that have been published in different media
In News
Ms Bekele’s work has been covered constantly in the media, since the time she started her entrepreneurship. Her Companies have made great impact in technology transfer and in legal and policy sphere
Leadership
Ms. Bekele has been invited to serve on various Boards and Committees of public and private institutions, throughout her career and had Honorable mentions from her Country and others on her work.
Philanthropy
Sophia Bekele demonstrates her long-standing commitment to giving back to the community by engaging in different philanthropic activities and social entrepreneurship schemes through targeted support
Cyber Security
"As we continue to go completely digital in so many aspects of our lives, almost all of our data is being hosted on the cloud. So we can’t ignore the significance of cloud cybersecurity moving forward."
Awards
With the inspiring Cover Story in the influential US-based CIO Views , Sophia Bekele: An Influential & Fearless Trailblazer in Technology Leading Business on Her Own Terms
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Corporate Philanthropy
