Last Friday, @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University convened CIOs, policymakers, and technology leaders at Trademark Hotel, Village Market, Nairobi, for Pre-Mission Connect 2026, a strategic forum designed to explore leadership challenges and opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
At the heart of the event was a focus on the Chief Information Officer (CIO) Leadership Programme — an initiative by @iLabAfrica aimed at equipping current and future CIOs with the strategic, governance, and execution skills needed to lead digital transformation in organisations across sectors.
Pre-Mission Connect 2026 brought together leaders to reflect on how cross-border digital partnerships, notably between Thailand and Kenya, can inform and elevate CIO practice, contributing to national competitiveness, organisational resilience, and sustainable digital ecosystems.
Partnerships, Leadership, and Strategic Dialogue
The forum opened with remarks by Miss Piyaporn Putanapan, Chargé d’Affaires at the Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi, who underscored the potential of international collaboration in driving innovation and economic value.
“Together, let us transform the vision of a robust Thailand–Kenya digital partnership into tangible reality — building bridges between our nations that create lasting value for our people,” said Miss Putanapan.
She highlighted areas of mutual interest including financial services platforms, broader private sector digitalisation, and sustainability-oriented technologies — all of which hinge on CIO leadership to implement at scale.
Mr. Panuwat Jantharajit, Director of the Thai Trade Centre in Nairobi, introduced the incoming Thai technology delegation, outlining how participating companies bring knowledge, expertise, and technology solutions that can contribute to shared innovation.
CIO Leadership in Practice: Insights from Dr. Manish Shah
A central feature of the event was a keynote masterclass by Dr. Manish Shah, Chairman of Kingsway Group of Companies. His address focused on how CIOs must evolve beyond traditional technical roles into strategic leaders capable of navigating organisational and global challenges.
“CIOs are no longer just technologists. They are strategists who must lead digital transformation and cybersecurity at board level,” said Dr. Shah.
He also commended @iLabAfrica’s role in shaping future-ready leaders:
“@iLabAfrica- Strathmore University stands out as a state-of-the-art facility — equipping leaders with the strategic skills needed for the future digital economy.”
Dr. Shah further noted that while cross-border digital partnerships present opportunities, they demand vision and strong execution — a theme that resonated throughout the forum.
“A dialogue with vision and execution makes new digital partnerships possible.”
Bridging Skill Gaps Through CIO Leadership Development
Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University, closed the session by reinforcing the strategic intent behind the CIO Leadership Programme.
“We designed the CIO programme to prepare technology leaders not just to manage systems, but to lead strategy, engage boards, and guide organisations through digital transformation.”
Dr. Sevilla emphasised that the programme fills a critical gap in executive education — providing tailored leadership and management skills for CIOs who must now operate at the nexus of technology, business, and policy.
Conversations at Pre-Mission Connect 2026 mirrored real-world demands faced by CIOs: articulating strategy, managing digital risk, and engaging across organisational boundaries to create impact. These are precisely the competencies the CIO Leadership Programme is designed to develop.
Looking Forward
Pre-Mission Connect 2026 reaffirmed @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University’s role as a convenor of strategic dialogue and leadership development, connecting local and global perspectives on digital transformation.
By placing CIO leadership at the centre of global digital conversations, the forum underscored the importance of strategic competence, collaborative engagement, and execution-oriented thinking in shaping the future of digital economies.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like the Chief Information Officer Leadership Programme stand as vital platforms for building the next generation of technology leaders.
To learn more about how @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University is developing future-ready technology leaders through its Chief Information Officer Leadership Programme, visit: