David MANSET

Sr Advisor, United Nations ITU | exCommander, FASF Ops Reserve | Knight, Academic Palms Order | Sr Krav Maga Practitioner | Tech Diplomacy | Proud Dad

[Cosmas Zavazava @ITUBDTDirector]

Last week, my team joined the Connected Africa Summit @CAS2025_ in Nairobi, contributing to discussions on building the African data space, with a focus on governance, standards, and interoperability.
Through the Open-Source Ecosystem Enabler initiative, we are supporting Kenya in operationalizing its Open-Source Program Offices and advancing Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods.
Great to see growing interest across the region to adopt open, interoperable, and sovereign digital solutions. #OSEE #OSPO

[AI for Good 🇺🇳 #AIforGood @AIforGood]

⏳ 50 days until the #AIforGood Global Summit, 7–10 July in Geneva, the UN leading #AI event of the year.

Join pioneers, industry #experts, and decision-makers driving the future of AI through breakthrough technologies, live demonstrations, and interactive #experiences. From #youth in AI to #quantum innovation, explore the ideas and solutions shaping tomorrow.

🎟️ Register now: https://t.co/jjecfjkywq

[Doreen Bogdan-Martin @ITUSecGen]

#ITUCouncil ensured that @ITU remains equipped to navigate a fast-changing digital world. Proud of what we’ve achieved to strengthen our Union and keep it on a future-ready path.

[Cosmas Zavazava @ITUBDTDirector]

Proud to celebrate the graduants of the Women in GovTech Challenge 2026. As part of our #GovStack Programme, this cohort of 200 mentees, supported by 80+ mentors, is strengthening a global network of women in GovTech, designing people-centred digital public services and contributing to digital transformation efforts in their countries.

Thank you to our partners @BMZ_Bund, @MFAestonia, @giz_gmbh, @ODET_UN, @UN and @WorldBankGroup, and everyone involved for making this initiative a success.

[Cosmas Zavazava @ITUBDTDirector]

Last week, Kenya completed its second National Open-Source Programme Office (OSPO) training under the Open-Source Ecosystem Enabler (OSEE), equipping public servants with advanced skills in Linux system administration and cybersecurity to support secure, resilient digital government.

A milestone delivered with @ITUDevelopment, @UNDP, the @EU_Partnerships, and @GovtOfKenya to strengthen readiness for digital sovereignty, Digital Public Infrastructure adoption, and scalable public service delivery.

[Cosmas Zavazava @ITUBDTDirector]

Following a strong global response to the @ITU-IEEE Humanitarian Technologies GenAI for Good Challenge, with 300+ submissions from 79 countries, I am pleased to congratulate the 9 finalist teams, representing 13 countries, advancing to Phase 2.

Their work focuses on practical solutions to support smallholder farmers, strengthen health prevention, and build climate resilience, grounded in local needs.

In this next phase, the teams will develop and test prototypes in close collaboration with partners on the ground.
Learn more 👉🏼 https://t.co/joEqfklfgt

[David MANSET @dmanset]

Timely & insightful discussion at the Iraqi #DigitalSpaceForum, where I was invited by the International Chamber of Commerce in Iraq (ICC Iraq) to contribute to the national dialogue on trusted digital development, on #DigitalPublicInfrastructure.
Info -> https://t.co/cyJmNPsckt

[David MANSET @dmanset]

Energising @DPGAlliance Annual Members Meeting in Brasilia 🇧🇷! I contributed to the session “From Pilots to Platforms: Strengthening Capacities for Sustainable and Scalable #DPG4DPI Adoption.” More info here: https://t.co/O41MZ6GpIN

[Cosmas Zavazava @ITUBDTDirector]

The Baku Action Plan to be adopted by #ITUWTDC will serve as our new, ambitious blueprint for global digital development. I am confident that it will be a bold, practical and inclusive roadmap for our digital future.

My profound thanks to the Government of Azerbaijan @AzerbaijanMFA @MDDTAzerbaijan for hosting us.

[Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui,CBS @tanuijohn]

Establishment of the Kenya National Open Source Programme Office (OSPO) announced AT THE GLOBAL DPI SUMMIT in Cape Town

Today, at the Global Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit, Kenya marked a significant milestone in our digital transformation journey with the joint announcement of the establishment of the Kenya National Open Source Programme Office (OSPO), developed under the Open-Source Ecosystem Enablement (OSEE) Project in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and supported by the Government of Germany through BMZ.

This landmark initiative positions Kenya among the first countries globally—and the first in Africa—to set up a national OSPO in collaboration with ITU. The OSPO will serve as a central hub to coordinate, promote and sustain open-source adoption across government, innovation ecosystems, academia, private sector and our developer communities.

We appreciate the leadership and recognition from Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, who joined the session to congratulate Kenya for this bold and strategic step. We also acknowledge the presence of Ms. Katherina Mänz, Acting Head of Digital at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), underscoring the strong international partnership supporting Kenya’s Digital Public Infrastructure agenda.

🔹 Why this matters for Kenya and Africa

This initiative is more than a technology program — it is about digital sovereignty, innovation, skills development, and empowering nations to co-create, co-own and co-innovate digital public goods. The OSPO will:
• Build national capacity on open-source development, security and governance
• Promote reuse of digital public goods and reduce duplication of government ICT investments
• Strengthen interoperability and co-creation of digital solutions across government
• Enable Kenya to serve as a regional lighthouse, sharing learnings with other African nations

This collaboration aligns strongly with Kenya’s Digital Master Plan 2022–2032, the Africa digital transformation agenda, and the global movement towards open, inclusive and interoperable DPIs. This is timely coming ahead of the planned Software and AI Summit to be held in Eldoret from 10th to 12th November and Moi University Annex Campus.

🌍 Global Context

ITU is currently working with a small number of countries to establish OSPOs under the OSEE and GovStack initiatives. With today’s announcement, Kenya joins the front-runners, alongside countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, the Philippines and Ukraine, as champions of Open Digital Public Infrastructure.

Kenya remains committed to building a vibrant, secure and sustainable open-source ecosystem that advances digital inclusion, innovation, and prosperity for all.

#DigitalKenya #OpenSource #DPI #GovStack #ITU #BMZ #OSEE #Innovation #DigitalEconomy #AfricaRising

[David MANSET @dmanset]

🧩 Building capacity as vital as building code! As highlight of #GlobalDPISummit2025 in Cape Town was our session on “Strengthening Local Capacity for #OpenSource, #DPGs, and #DPI, organized by #OSEE and @UNDP. More info here: https://t.co/1lJDUPsLkb

[Int’l Telecommunication Union @ITU]

⏳ 3 weeks to our #GenAI4GoodChallenge deadline!
3 focus areas:
🌾Agriculture
⚕️Health
💧Climate
Up to USD 25K in funding.
Attend Office Hours today at 09:00 ET/15:00 CET for a live Q&A on architecture, implementation + submission logistics https://t.co/SMZgfgGfVf #AIforGood

[Cosmas Zavazava @ITUBDTDirector]

Proud to see our shared commitment take shape with the announcement of Kenya’s Open Source Programme Office #OSPO Implementation Framework at the @GlobalDPISummit 2025 in South Africa.

A milestone under the Open Source Ecosystem Enabler #OSEE initiative led by @ITUDevelopment & @UNDP, with support from @EU_Commission. This Framework provides the foundation for the establishment of the country’s first national #OSPO.

Grateful to the @GovtOfKenya & @MoICTKenya for their leadership, and to @GIZ_gmbh for their partnership, as 🇰🇪 strengthens collaboration and advances Africa’s digital public infrastructure landscape.

[David MANSET @dmanset]

🌍 Yesterday’s Global Development Conference #GDC2025 in Clermont-Ferrand, hosted by #FERDI, offered an inspiring prelude to the upcoming Global DPI Summit next week! In my contribution, I emphasized the critical importance of #openness

[David MANSET @dmanset]

Our latest session on #GenAIforGood sparked inspiring discussions and ideas, with over 350 participants from around the world! 🌍 If you missed it, the full replay is now available:
📺 https://t.co/rhzFCHMYm7

[AI for Good 🇺🇳 #AIforGood @AIforGood]

Tomorrow, don't miss out on this #AIforGood Discovery session with Antonia Nichols (IEEE), Mary Kerema (Ministry of ICT&DE, @GovtOfKenya) & @DrNenehS (@WHO), moderated by @dmanset (ITU) and Mariela Machado Fantacchiotti (IEEE).

Discover the #GenAI for Good Challenge, a global initiative by @IEEEorg Humanitarian Technologies and @ITU empowering innovators to design and deploy open-source GenAI solutions for health, agriculture, and climate resilience.

Register now:
🗓️ 28 October
⏰14:30–15:30 CET
🌐 https://t.co/zyqddcGk5s

[AI for Good 🇺🇳 #AIforGood @AIforGood]

How can open-source #GenerativeAI drive real-world impact?

Join this #AIforGood Discovery session to explore the #GenAI for Good Challenge, a global initiative by @IEEEorg Humanitarian Technologies and @ITU empowering innovators to design and deploy open-source GenAI solutions for health, agriculture, and climate resilience.

This session with Antonia Nichols (IEEE), moderated by @dmanset (ITU) and Mariela Machado Fantacchiotti (IEEE), will showcase how partnerships between global organizations, academia, and practitioners are advancing responsible and inclusive AI innovation, ensuring that technology serves local communities and the public good.

Register now:
🗓️ 28 October
⏰14:30–15:30 CET
🌐 https://t.co/zyqddcGk5s

[Int’l Telecommunication Union @ITU]

Applications now open for the #GenAI4GoodChallenge with real-world deployment!
3 focus areas: Health
Agriculture
Climate
Up to USD 25K in funding.
Sign up to the live info sessions on 13-14 October to get started https://t.co/9Z1SQ0ONO4

[H.E William Kabogo Gitau, E.G.H @honkabogo]

I was privileged to deliver Kenya’s statement at the High-Level Multistakeholder Consultation on the Global Dialogue on AI Governance at the United Nations.

Kenya reaffirmed that the UN must remain the universal platform where all nations, especially those in the Global South, can shape the governance of transformative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.

We shared our journey: the National AI Strategy 2025–2030, strong data protection and cyber-security laws, our upcoming National AI & Data Governance Policies, and a bold Digital Public Infrastructure agenda designed to make AI-enabled services inclusive, trusted, and accessible to all.

We also called for global financial reforms, echoing President @WilliamsRuto’s call to make technology financing fairer and more predictable, and to ensure that AI capacity — from data and compute to skills and institutions, is built everywhere, not just in a few nations.

Kenya stands ready to work with all partners to build an equitable, accountable, and human-centred AI future for all humanity. #UNGA #AIGovernance #KenyaDigital

[Ministry of Info, Comms & The Digital Economy KE @MoICTKenya]

Speaking on behalf of ICT & Digital Economy PS Eng. John Tanui during the DPI Roadmap Develop breakfast meeting, Secretary ICT E-government & Digital Economy Ms. Mary Kerema noted that DPI will be the foundation of service delivery, innovation & competitiveness in Kenya's Economy