Afrobarometer Expands Board with Experts in Governance, Youth Leadership, and Technology
ACCRA, Ghana, December 19, 2025 — Afrobarometer has strengthened its board of directors with the appointment of four accomplished professionals, reinforcing the organisation’s dedication to high-quality research, youth leadership, and citizen-focused evidence to inform public policy across Africa.
The newly appointed directors bring a diverse range of expertise in governance, elections, youth development, technology, and finance, adding depth and breadth to Afrobarometer’s leadership.
Bupe Lughano Kabaghe is a governance and development specialist whose work centres on policy research, stakeholder engagement, and youth empowerment. With professional experience spanning Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, she designs and implements initiatives that advance inclusion and sustainable development. Kabaghe holds a master’s degree in global governance and diplomacy from the University of Oxford and is the founder of the Abana Afrika Foundation, which has supported more than 450 young people through leadership and advocacy programmes.
Mathias Hounkpe brings more than two decades of experience in elections and governance in West Africa. A Beninese national, he currently serves as the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ country representative in Gabon and has previously led IFES programmes in Mali and Chad. He is a former head of the Political Governance and Democratic Consolidation programme at the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, a lecturer on elections and governance, and a co-author of a comparative study on electoral-management bodies in the region.
Rita Sraha is a chartered accountant and business consultant with nearly 30 years of experience in finance, corporate governance, and strategic management. She currently serves as acting managing director and a board member of Ghana Post Company Ltd. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Kwame Asante & Associates and extensive experience across both the public and private sectors in Ghana and internationally.
Sherif Helal is an Egyptian electrical engineer specialising in the application of technology and artificial intelligence to social and economic development. Working at the intersection of engineering, innovation, and public interest, he is developing the Social Knowledge Engine—an AI-driven concept aimed at promoting accountability, data sharing, and inclusive growth.
Welcoming the new members, Afrobarometer Board Chair Amina Oyagbola said their appointments reflect the organisation’s strategic priorities around youth leadership, accountable governance, and technological advancement.
“Africa’s future will be shaped by a new generation of leaders and by how effectively technology is harnessed for the public good,” Oyagbola said. “These appointments strengthen Afrobarometer’s ability to produce citizen-centred data that reflects the aspirations of young Africans and supports evidence-based decision-making across the continent.”
