Ory Okolloh, a prominent entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader renowned for driving innovation and impactful change across Africa, has been appointed to the board of the GSMA Foundation.
This appointment underscores Okolloh’s expertise in leveraging technology for social and economic development.
The GSMA, established in 2007, is a global organization uniting the mobile ecosystem to identify, develop, and deliver innovations crucial for fostering positive business environments and societal progress. Its core mission is to unlock the transformative power of connectivity, enabling individuals, industries, and societies to thrive.
Representing mobile operators and organizations throughout the mobile ecosystem and related sectors, the GSMA focuses on three key pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Solutions, and Events.
Okolloh joins the board alongside two other leaders: Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo, who leads operations across ten countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia; and Frehiwot Tamiru, Chief Executive Officer of Ethio Telecom, a highly influential leader recognized for her consistent and determined approach and her track record of driving significant organizational change and success.
“We are thrilled to welcome Frehiwot, Ory, and Aziz to the GSMA Foundation Board,” said Kaan Terzioğlu, Group Chief Executive Officer of VEON Group and Chair of the GSMA Foundation Board.
“Their diverse vision, talent, and expertise will be invaluable in shaping our future direction and growth. The Board is deeply committed to our mission of driving sustainable and impactful change through innovation and digital technology.”
Frehiwot Tamiru CEO, Ethio Telecom and Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo the transformative Group Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo.These three new members join Kaan Terzioğlu, Group CEO, Veon Group and Chair, GSMA Foundation, John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA and President, GSMA Foundation, Akinwale Goodluck, Deputy CEO, AfricaNenda, Lisa Hehenberger, Associate Professor, ESADE; Director, Esade Center for Social Impact, Louise Easterbrook, Chief Financial Officer, GSMA and Treasurer, GSMA Foundation and Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA, on the Board.
Okolloh’s appointment is expected to bring a unique African perspective to the GSMA Foundation’s work, further strengthening its ability to address critical challenges and opportunities on the continent.
Currently, Ory is a partner at Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, a venture capital firm that backs exceptional founders in and from Africa. Her role involves empowering visionary founders to create transformative businesses that redefine industries and communities.
Career Background
Ory has had a very successful professional journey, which has led to recognition by Time 100 and Forbes as one of Africa’s most influential women.
As a leader, she has been at the forefront, championing the use of technology to advance good governance and transparency in Kenya.
Previously, Ory served as the Managing Director at Omidyar Network and as the Policy Manager for Africa with Google.
In 2006, she co-founded the parliamentary watchdog site Mzalendo. A platform that sought to increase government accountability by systematically recording bills, speeches, MPs, standing orders, etc.
In 2007, during post-election violence following a disputed presidential election, Okolloh co-created Ushahidi, a website and tool that collected and recorded eyewitness reports of violence using text messages and Google Maps. The technology has since been expanded to include monitoring elections and tracking pharmaceutical availability and is used in several other countries.
Okolloh has a personal blog, Kenyan Pundit, which was featured on Global Voices Online.
She has worked as a legal consultant for NGOs such as Covington and Burling, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, and the World Bank.
In 2015, Okolloh was appointed to the Board of Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company, where she served as the deputy chair until her retirement in December 2024.
Okolloh has also served as an independent director at Safaricom from February 2023 to July 2024. She also previously served on the board of Stanbic Bank Foundation Kenya from April 2020 to July 2024 and as a Non-Executive Director for Stanbic Bank till December 2020, when she resigned.
Ory is also a member of the Africa Advisory Board of Harvard University’s Center For African Studies.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh and graduated from Harvard Law School in 2005 with a Juris Doctor.
Her appointment to the GSMA board is a powerful inspiration to countless girls and women pursuing careers in STEM.
Women in STEM Careers
Her appointment comes at a time when the world is celebrating the 10th anniversary of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, 11 February, and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, two significant milestones in the global effort to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
According to the UN, gender equality in science is crucial for building a better future for all, yet women and girls continue to face systemic barriers and biases in pursuing scientific careers.
Closing the gender gap in science requires breaking stereotypes, promoting role models to inspire girls, supporting women’s advancement through targeted programs, and fostering inclusive environments through policies and actions that promote inclusion, diversity, and equity.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, On the tenth anniversary of this important day, and as we reflect on 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, let’s help pave a path to STEM careers that women and girls deserve—and our world needs.
The GSMA believes that having a diverse board will help it meet the needs of its global membership, as the organisation offers equal opportunities for joining its board, regardless of race, nationality, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, religious or political belief, caste, or tribe.
Because the GSMA represents the interests of its members, its leadership reflects this through a global board made up of leaders from the operator community.
With this team, GSMA aims to continue driving innovation in digital technology to reduce inequalities across the globe.
