Ms. Catherine Muraga

Catherine Muraga is a technology and business leader operating at the intersection of engineering scale, business growth and technology governance. She holds two leadership roles at Microsoft: Engineering Director in the Identity and Network Access group, where she leads teams developing products used by hundreds of millions of people, with accountability for delivery, revenue, AI adoption and security; and Managing Director of the Africa Development Centre (ADC), where she leads more than 400 engineers and shapes talent strategy, championing the belief that Africa is a producer of world-class technology, not merely a consumer.

Her commitment to developing Africa’s technology ecosystem is reflected in initiatives such as the ADC WINS programme, which has mentored more than 200 women in STEM, the upskilling of 300 university faculty members, and partnerships with 18 universities to strengthen and modernise STEM curricula.

With over 20 years of cross-sector experience spanning financial services, aviation, FMCG and big technology, Catherine brings a distinctive ability to bridge engineering realities and business strategy at the highest levels. She also serves as an Independent Director and Chair of the Board at Kopokopo, a Kenyan fintech, contributing her technology and digital expertise to board-level decision-making.

Her academic credentials include the Fintech Programme at Oxford Saïd Business School and Digital Strategies for Business at Columbia University. Beyond her executive and board responsibilities, Catherine engages in board director assignments, particularly where technology, artificial intelligence and digital strategy are central to the growth agenda. She is also a keynote speaker on technology leadership, AI governance and Africa’s digital opportunity.