Rachel Sibande (born January 9, 1986, in Lilongwe, Malawi) is a Malawian computer scientist and social entrepreneur. She is the Founder of mHub, a technology hub and incubator for innovators and emerging entrepreneurs. She is a technology advocate, a recipient of a Google Anita Borg Scholarship. In 2016, she was named one of Africa's 30 most promising entrepreneurs under the age of 30 by Forbes. Sibande has championed the development and deployment of innovative technology solutions in agriculture, public health, election monitoring, citizen engagement, disaster management and Digital Financial Services in 18 countries. She has over ten years of industry experience spanning academia, development and social enterprise domains.

Early life and education

At age 15, she attended the University of Malawi's Chancellor College. She graduated with a bachelor's degree, majoring in computer science. Sibande attained a Master of Science in information theory, coding, and cryptography from Mzuzu University in 2007 with a distinction. She attained a PhD in computer science from Rhodes University in 2020 as a Google Scholar.

Career

Rachel Sibande serves as Senior Officer at the Gates Foundation. She previously served as Senior Director, Data for Development at the United Nations Foundation. Rachel pioneered initiatives to advance digital skills among children, girls, youth, and women. She has previously served as Director for USA-based non-profit entities ACDI/VOCA, Agribusiness Systems International, and Palladium Group on socio-economic growth projects in East Africa.

Honors and awards

* 2019: Recipient of 'Forbes Woman Africa Gen Y Award', at the Forbes Africa Woman Summit, South Africa * 2019: New Wealth Creator, Forbes Woman Africa, South Africa * 2018: Won Climate-Smart track innovate to invent award at the Next Einstein Forum (NEF) Global Gathering in Rwanda for creating a thermal chemical process that generates light for rural microgrids. * 2016: Malawi's Ambassador to the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), Senegal * 2015:Google Anita Borg Scholarship, London * 2012:Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Washington DC

Personal life

Sibande is married to Chrispine Sibande, a Malawian human rights lawyer. They have three children.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sibande, Rachel 1986 births Living people Malawian women computer scientists Malawian computer scientists Technology company founders Women company founders People from Lilongwe Mzuzu University alumni University of Malawi alumni Rhodes University alumni