Tech and Africa: the Zinder context

With Leigh Winowiecki, David Cuarteilles, and Pam Cole.

Pam Cole says: “AI is embedding into enterprise systems faster than most governance models were built to handle. As adoption scales, hidden dependencies form across workflows, identity, security, and decision-making.” And she helps
leaders close that gap before visibility breaks down, oversight lags, and risk compounds.

The convergence of AI, cybersecurity, and connected devices (AIoT) requires building out agnostic frameworks that work across them. Currently, billions of connected devices are making autonomous decisions across critical infrastructure, healthcare, finance, and defense; each governed by frameworks built in silos, by different industries, for different threat models. Building agnostic frameworks that work across all three, while still leaving room for industry-specific adaptation, is one of the most practical things we can do right now to close the gap.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pcpc_aigovernance-agenticai-cybersecurity-share-7460014421046652928-Njzc/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAAz2MBsdkBj54iZMUzYuuLSdbl9vjP5xE

Leigh Winowiecki leads global research and action on soil and land health at CIFOR-ICRAF, based in Nairobi, Kenya. Working to elevate soil health as the foundation for food security, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience, my focus is on translating rigorous science into scalable, farmer-centered solutions, grounded in a deep understanding of the drivers of land degradation.

Nature-based solutions fuel new Resilient Landscapes initiative
https://www.forestsnews.org/68356/nature-based-solutions-fuel-new-resilient-landscapes-initiative?fnl=en

Dr. David Cuartielles, co-founder of Arduino, recently participated in a workshop titled “TinyML for Sustainable Development” in Zomba, organized by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), a category 1 UNESCO institute, and the University of Malawi. Bringing together students, educators, and professionals from Malawi and neighboring countries, as well as international experts from Brazil, Slovenia, Italy, South Africa, and Sweden, the event aimed to introduce participants to tiny machine learning (tinyML) and its applications in addressing global challenges, bringing cutting-edge technology to new frontiers.

tinyML in Malawi: Empowering local communities through technology

https://blog.arduino.cc/2025/04/16/tinyml-in-malawi-empowering-local-communities-through-technology/

Focus on:

Community Training

• Workshops for farmers, youth, and technicians on IoT use and perennial management.
• Accessible materials in English and French and local languages for inclusivity.

Governance & Ownership

• Community‑led data protocols to ensure local control.
• Partnerships with local government, NGOs, and universities.

The Zinder Project:

Community Training

• Workshops for farmers, youth, and technicians on IoT use and perennial management.
• Accessible materials in English and French and local languages for inclusivity.

Governance & Ownership

• Community‑led data protocols to ensure local control.
• Partnerships with local government, NGOs, and universities.

Sustainability & Industry Linkages

• Focus on perennial species with economic value (marula and desert date oils, fruit powders etc.).
• Connect ecological restoration to trade and livelihood opportunities.

Ecological Mapping

• Identify and catalog indigenous wild perennials (trees, shrubs, grasses).
• Define priority zones for restoration and industry potential.

IoT Infrastructure

• Rainfall sensors, soil probes, drones/satellites for vegetation monitoring.
• Data dashboards to visualize rainfall, plant survival, and ecosystem health.