Abebe Chekol Hunegnaw

Abebe Chekol is an ICT for Development Expert/Consultant, working on issues at the intersection of technology use and socio-economic development in Africa. At a practical working level, Mr Hunegnaw provides policy advice, research and technical assistance to governments seeking to utilize new information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their socio-economic systems. For over eight years, Mr Hunegnaw has been advisor on, technical coordinator and working level participant in ICT policy formulation and implementation to African member States of UNECA. Mr Abebe has also helped implement the UN global knowledge network initiative in Africa and the implementation of the UNECA’s knowledge strategy through the coordination and facilitation of the UNECA-led Community of Practice (CoPs) for African development planners and statisticians. Prior to that Mr Hunegnaw led programmes for British Council Ethiopia including as Assistant Director Governance. He designed and implemented ICT initiatives and introduced the first community telecentre in Ethiopia and helped shape the ICT agenda in Ethiopia through facilitating national ICT policy conferences and high-level policy dialogue to enhance the ICT sector in the country.

In addition to his advisory work on projects for UNECA and other international organisations, he serves on a number of external advisory boards including as Board Director for Zemen Bank S.C., founding member for ISOC Ethiopia Chapter (under formation) and technical support to African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) events and other professional networks.