Hlengiwe Dube is a senior digital policy expert and advocate with over 18 years of experience advancing democratic governance and digital rights across Africa. Her work focuses on shaping inclusive, rights-respecting governance for emerging technologies, with particular expertise in AI governance, data protection, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, technology and human rights. With more than nine years at the forefront of digital rights policy on the continent, she specialises in translating complex legal and technological issues into actionable policy, credible research, and practical capacity-building initiatives. Her work has contributed to continental policy processes, including engagement with African Union institutions and regional frameworks on freedom of expression, access to information, and digital governance.
Hlengiwe has led multi-stakeholder initiatives bringing together governments, civil society, national human rights institutions, and international organisations to advance shared goals on data protection, digital inclusion, and responsible AI governance. She is also a published author, lecturer, and policy advisor on issues including surveillance, disinformation, and data governance in Africa. She holds an MPhil in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa and is currently completing doctoral research on state surveillance, public security, and human rights.
