Dr. Michael Ochieng
Board Member – Policy, Innovation & Youth Inclusion Strategist
Dr. Michael Ochieng is a development policy expert and advocate for youth-centered innovation ecosystems across Africa. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, he brings a wealth of expertise in designing and scaling programs that integrate technology, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
Michael previously worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Kenya’s Ministry of ICT on national strategies for youth empowerment and digital inclusion. He played a key role in the rollout of community innovation hubs and digital job training programs, including Ajira Digital and the Constituency Innovation Hubs initiative.
He holds a PhD in Public Policy, Master’s Degree in Public Policy & Management both from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics & Political Science from Kenyatta University. Michael has also completed advanced training in AI Governance, Responsible Innovation, and Digital Inclusion Policy from institutions such as Oxford Internet Institute and UNESCO’s AI Ethics Academy.
A strong believer in ethical AI and inclusive innovation, Michael contributes to AI Know Zone Foundation’s mission by guiding public-private partnerships, advising on policy alignment, and ensuring that the foundation’s impact reaches disadvantaged and underserved youth across urban and rural Kenya.