Tshepiso Hadebe is a Researcher and Executive Research Assistant to the Executive Director at Research ICT Africa (RIA). She contributes to the organisation's extensive research agenda on digital regulation and policy development across the African continent. An Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Tshepiso holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Business Law from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her background includes an Analyst role at Genesis Analytics, where she provided research and analytical support on digital regulation and policy projects, including innovation ecosystem mapping, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and Artificial Intelligence, across seven African countries. She also practised law at PPM Attorneys, specialising in technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) law, with significant experience in data privacy compliance, ICT commercial agreements, and regulatory advisory (e.g., ICASA compliance). Her career began with impactful tech law and policy internships at EndCode and ALT Advisory, which fostered her expertise in information rights and emerging technology in an African context. Tshepiso's research expertise lies at the critical intersection of law, technology, and policy, with a keen focus on AI governance and DPI in the Global South, exploring how regulation can foster inclusive and sustainable digital development. Her public-facing contributions include serving as a contributing author for South Africa in Freedom House's Freedom on the Internet Report for three years and as a contributor to ALT Advisory's Data Protection Africa online tool.
