Earlier this month, the Research ICT Africa Board (RIA) announced the appointment of Pria Chetty as the new Executive Director Designate (EDD). RIA is delighted to formally welcome Pria, who brings a wealth of experience in digital policy, regulation and technology law, with over two decades of work across the African continent. Her deep commitment to advancing inclusive and equitable digital governance makes her uniquely suited to lead RIA into its next chapter.
Reflecting on the appointment current Executive Director Dr Alison Gillwald shared, “Besides my ringing endorsement of Pria’s appointment as a member of the RIA board, I want to say more personally how very confident I am of her ability to harness this extraordinary and unique resource that is RIA—a result of the collective efforts of dozens of people across the continent over 20 years—to meet the challenges and opportunities offered in this dynamic and globalised environment, in the interests of Africans and in solidarity with the Majority World.”
Pria responds, “I have long admired RIA’s commitment to digital access and innovation that is just, equitable and inclusive. Under Dr Gillwald’s leadership, RIA has provided crucial insights, bringing to light the unique challenges facing the continent, and engaging in constructive dialogue with policymakers, industry leaders, and the public to shape a digital future that serves the public interest.
Africa’s digital landscape is evolving rapidly, presenting both extraordinary opportunities and unprecedented policy provocations. I am deeply honoured to join RIA at this pivotal time and work alongside the accomplished RIA team to continue the mission of Africa’s preeminent digital policy think tank.”
Following a six-month transition period, Alison will remain engaged with RIA in an advisory capacity as a Distinguished Fellow, ensuring that her invaluable expertise continues to inform and strengthen our work, as we remain committed to building on our legacy while adapting to the evolving digital landscape in Africa.
