Shikoh Gitau

The first African to win the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship, Gitau received that honor at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, recognized for her inventions and thesis work.

A Kenyan computer scientist, Gitau completed her undergraduate studies in Computer Science at Africa Nazarene University and earned her PhD at the University of Cape Town. She is known for inventing M-Ganga and Ummeli, mobile applications designed to promote health and medicine and to connect unemployed workers with employment opportunities. Until August 2017, she contributed to and managed the Technology Innovations for Inclusive Growth program at the Africa Development Bank.

Gitau founded Qhala in 2020, a technology company focused on Africa's digital transformation, and became its Chief Executive Officer.