Speaker Bio
ATU SG 2026 SADC Heads of State Endorsed Candidate
At the helm of this transformation is Cynthia Lesufi, a respected policymaker and advocate for the digital economy. Standing on the shoulders of giants, her experience spans national, sub-regional, regional, and global telecommunications policymaking in South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), and beyond.
Having served as South Africa’s Minister Counsellor Attaché to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and a key player in global digital governance forums, including World Telecommunications Development Conference (WTDC), World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), Internet Governance Forum (IGF), coordinator for Africa region’s Digital Innovation in Geneva and for several other digital initiatives.
Cynthia is not just a leader – she is a collaborator, a strategist, and a visionary, committed to harnessing Africa’s digital potential to drive economic integration, innovation, and inclusivity.
With over 20 years of experience in ICT policymaking and digital transformation, Ms. Cynthia Lesufi has played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s telecommunications landscape. Before assuming her role as Minister Counsellor for Communications and Digital Technologies at the ITU, she held several leadership positions in the ICT sector, driving policies that have expanded digital access and strengthened Africa’s position in the global digital economy.
Notably, she played a pivotal role in ensuring that Africa, in collaboration with other regions, secured the allocation of the second digital dividend at the World Radiocommunications Conference 2012 (WRC-12). This spectrum has proved to be critical in facilitating the rollout of mobile broadband services throughout the region and beyond.
A staunch advocate for digital inclusion, Ms Lesufi has a proven track record of forging innovative partnerships to advance connectivity, economic prosperity, job creation, skills development, gender equality, and socio-economic inclusion across Africa.
As Director of Telecommunications Policy at the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (2014 – 2021), she played a key role in developing and implementing policies that positioned South Africa as a regional leader in ICT infrastructure, regulation, and innovation.
She actively contributed to policy development and led some of the initiatives in:
- Government support and investment in digital infrastructure projects, ensuring robust connectivity across urban and rural areas.
- Expanding mobile and internet access, with a strong focus on 4G and 5G deployment and connectivity in underserved communities.
- Addressing the growing demand for digital education and e-learning solutions, equipping African youth with the skills for the digital age.
- Supporting the adoption of e-commerce and online business models, enabling African entrepreneurs and SMES to thrive in the digital economy.
- Attracting investment in data centres and cloud services, strengthening Africa’s digital sovereignty and AI-readiness.
Beyond policy, Ms Lesufi has been a tireless champion for gender equality in the ICT sector, advocating for greater representation of women in technology, leadership, and policymaking. She has actively supported women’s professional growth through mentorship, academic initiatives, and networks that promote gender-balanced participation in global ICT forums and decision-making processes. She is currently African, leading the force on the WSIS+20 review process.
Ms Lesufi holds a Law degree from North-West University, a Master’s in ICT Policy and Regulation from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practices from the Henley Business School in Johannesburg, and a Certificate in Telecommunications Policy, Regulation, and Management from the Wits LINK Centre.