Ciku Mbugua

Ciku Mbugua is the Chief Executive Officer of EdTech East Africa, a regional body fostering effective, inclusive, and resilient learning through technology. She leads one of the most influential professional communities in East Africa's education technology ecosystem, convening practitioners, policymakers, and innovators working to transform how learning is delivered across the region.

Ciku holds an MSc in Public and Urban Policy from the University of Glasgow and brings over a decade of experience working with social enterprises in East Africa, applying iterative and human-centred approaches to test and scale development interventions. Prior to her current role, she served as Innovation and Country Lead for Kenya at EdTech Hub, deploying the Sandbox approach to support and grow EdTech interventions across complex contexts.

Her work connects policy, pedagogy, and technology — ensuring that digital education tools are not only innovative but inclusive, accessible, and contextually appropriate for learners across East Africa's diverse socioeconomic landscape.

At the NGO Summit 2026, Ciku brings EdTech East Africa's regional intelligence on education technology adoption, youth learning outcomes, and the urgent need for civil society to advocate for digital equity and inclusive education — particularly for marginalised and out-of-school populations.