Charlette N’Guessan is an AI and technology leader working at the intersection of sovereign AI, data infrastructure, digital transformation, and responsible innovation across Africa and the Global South. She leads Data Solutions and AI Ecosystem Development at AMINI, where she works with governments, enterprises, and development institutions to translate national AI ambitions into practical, scalable solutions. Her work focuses on building the data infrastructure, AI capabilities, strategic partnerships, and institutional ecosystems required for countries to develop and deploy AI sustainably and with greater sovereignty. Charlette has served as an AI Expert Consultant to the African Union’s High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET/NEPAD), advising on continental AI policy and contributing to frameworks for the responsible adoption of emerging technologies. She is also the Founder of Afrokwary, a network dedicated to amplifying African scientists, researchers, and innovators and strengthening Africa’s position in global knowledge production. Through Afrokwary, she advocates for African-led research, stronger research ecosystems, and greater visibility for African scientific and technological contributions—positioning Africa not only as a subject of global research, but as a driver of knowledge, innovation, and technological progress. Previously, Charlette co-founded BACE Group, where she served as CEO and developed a bias-aware AI identity verification solution addressing disparities in facial recognition technology, particularly for people with darker skin tones. Her work earned her the distinction of being the first woman to receive the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Across her work, Charlette focuses on a central question: how can African countries move from AI ambition to AI capability-building the infrastructure, institutions, talent, data, and partnerships needed to shape their own technological future?