Rachel Sibande
 | This article needs images. (May 2025) |
Rachel Chimwemwe Sibande | |
|---|---|
 in 2016 | |
| Born | January 9, 1986 |
| Occupation | Techpreneur |
Rachel Sibande (born January 9, 1986, in Lilongwe, Malawi) is a Malawian computer scientist and social entrepreneur. She is the Founder of mHub, a technology hub and incubator for innovators and emerging entrepreneurs.[1][2]
She is a technology advocate and a recipient of a Google Anita Borg Scholarship.[3][4] In 2016, she was named one of Africa's 30 most promising entrepreneurs under the age of 30 by Forbes.[5]
Early life and education
[edit | edit source]At age 15, she attended the University of Malawi's Chancellor College. She graduated with a bachelor's degree, majoring in computer science.[6]
Sibande attained a Master of Science in information theory, coding, and cryptography from Mzuzu University[6][7]
She studied for a PhD in computer science from Rhodes University[3] which she achieved in 2020 as a Google Scholar.
Career
[edit | edit source]Sibande was a Senior Officer at the Gates Foundation. She previously served as Senior Director, Data for Development at the United Nations Foundation. She pioneered initiatives to advance digital skills among girls and women. She has served as Director for USA-based non-profit entities ACDI/VOCA, Agribusiness Systems International, and the Palladium Group on socio-economic growth projects in East Africa.[citation needed]
Honors and awards
[edit | edit source]- 2019: Recipient of 'Forbes Woman Africa Gen Y Award', at the Forbes Africa Woman Summit, South Africa
- 2019: New Wealth Creator, Forbes Woman Africa, South Africa
- 2018: Won Climate-Smart track innovate to invent award at the Next Einstein Forum (NEF) Global Gathering in Rwanda for creating a thermal chemical process that generates light for rural microgrids.
- 2016: Malawi's Ambassador to the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), Senegal
- 2015:Google Anita Borg Scholarship, London[3]
- 2012:Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Washington DC
Personal life
[edit | edit source]Sibande is married to Chrispine Sibande, a Malawian human rights lawyer.[8] They have three children.
References
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