Celebrating the MyData Award 2024–2025
On September 25, 2025, in Espoo, Finland, I had the honour of receiving the MyData Award 2024–2025—a recognition shared with 28 remarkable individuals and 41 pioneering organisations from around the world. Standing among such dedicated advocates, technologists, policymakers, and community leaders was both humbling and energising.
Being recognised by MyData Global in the categories of Governance and Technology holds deep significance for me. These areas reflect the heart of my work: building bridges between policy and practice, and championing digital systems that put people—not institutions or algorithms—at the centre.
Why This Award Matters
The MyData Principles serve as a compass for a more just and human-centric digital era. They remind us that personal data is not merely a resource to be extracted; it is an extension of human dignity. People must have:
Control over their own data,
Choice in how it is used, and
Understanding of what is at stake.
These principles push us to rethink digital governance in a way that is transparent, fair, and respectful of individual rights—especially across regions like Africa, where emerging digital ecosystems hold both tremendous opportunity and significant risk.
A Collective Effort, Not an Individual Achievement
While this award is an important personal milestone, it is fundamentally a celebration of a much broader movement. I owe immense gratitude to the many colleagues, partners, and quiet changemakers working behind the scenes in Libya and across Africa. Their dedication—often unseen and unacknowledged—continues to inspire my work and fuels my belief in a more equitable digital future.
The recognition also highlights the power of the global MyData community, whose members continue to innovate, regulate, and advocate for digital systems that uplift people rather than exploit them. This is a community that understands that dignity, agency, and trust must form the foundation of the digital world we are building.
Looking Ahead: Collaboration as Our Path Forward
As we confront the complexities of data governance, AI, and digital transformation, one truth becomes increasingly clear: no country, no institution, and no sector can do this alone. A human-first internet can only be achieved through genuine collaboration—across borders, disciplines, and generations.
I hope this award serves as a reminder of the importance of collective action and as encouragement for all of us to continue pushing for systems that respect people’s rights and enhance their lives.
With Gratitude
To all fellow awardees—congratulations. Your work is inspiring, essential, and deeply impactful.
And to everyone working to shape the #AfricaWeWant, let us continue striving, innovating, and praying for more good to come. The journey toward human-centric digital futures is long, but together, we are making meaningful progress.
