Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the world, but the question of who guides this transformation—and whose interests it serves—remains crucial. For Africa, this is especially pressing: will the continent simply consume technologies designed elsewhere, or will it play a decisive role in shaping how AI evolves? Among the African women ensuring the latter is our A+ Alliance colleague and MENA Hub Leader, Dr. Nagla Rizk, recently recognized on the 19 African Women Leading the Global AI Transformation list published by Leading Ladies Africa.
Dr. Rizk’s inclusion on this list is not just a personal achievement—it reflects decades of work at the intersection of economics, digital rights, and inclusive innovation. As the Founding Director of the Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D) at the American University in Cairo, she has consistently placed equity and justice at the heart of debates about data and AI. Her leadership has made A2K4D a regional hub for critical research on how digital technologies impact societies, from data governance frameworks to questions of fair labor in the gig economy.
Her expertise extends far beyond Egypt. Dr. Rizk is also a Faculty Associate at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, where she contributes to global discussions on responsible digital transformation. Through her roles in international bodies such as the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Councils, the Paris Peace Forum, and the Global Partnership on AI, she has ensured that the voices and realities of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are not sidelined in global technology policymaking.
What distinguishes Dr. Rizk’s work is her insistence on grounding AI and data governance in lived realities—especially for women, marginalized communities, and workers in precarious economies. She has consistently highlighted how biased or unregulated digital systems can reinforce inequality, locking people out of opportunities and silencing alternative knowledge systems. At the same time, she sees the transformative potential of technology when it is designed with inclusion and fairness in mind: AI that supports small businesses, protects labor rights, and enhances civic participation.
Being named among the 19 African women shaping global AI signals recognition of a vital truth: the continent’s future in AI is not only about coding breakthroughs or new startups, but also about ensuring that the governance of technology reflects African values, priorities, and knowledge systems. Dr. Rizk embodies this vision, blending economic analysis, policy leadership, and advocacy for gender equality into a coherent agenda for a more just digital future.
In celebrating her, we also celebrate the growing ecosystem of African women leaders transforming AI—from scientists to entrepreneurs, policymakers to grassroots innovators. Together, they demonstrate that Africa will not be a passive recipient of imported technologies but an active agent, shaping the ethical, social, and economic frameworks that govern AI worldwide.
Dr. Nagla Rizk’s recognition is a call to continue investing in inclusive research, policy, and advocacy. It is also a reminder that the fight for responsible AI is global, and voices from Africa and the MENA region are central to ensuring technology serves humanity as a whole.
