Tanui, John

Principal Secretary Ministry of Information Communication and the Digital Economy, Kenya

Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, CBS, is a visionary leader driving Kenya’s digital revolution. Currently serving as the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, he oversees the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy. Tasked with transforming Kenya into a robust, digitally-enabled society, Eng. Tanui champions strategic infrastructure deployment, cutting-edge digital solutions, and progressive policies. His ambitious goal is to position Kenya as the technology hub of the region while fostering a thriving digital ecosystem to support the government’s Bottom-up Digital Transformation Agenda (BETA).

An accomplished engineering graduate, Eng. Tanui holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Communication Engineering and an MBA in International Business. With over 25 years of experience spanning both the private and public sectors across multiple continents, he brings a wealth of expertise as a technology professional. His career is defined by a passion for engineering large-scale strategic projects, nurturing innovation, and forging industry collaborations for sustainable development and economic transformation. Notably, he is celebrated for turning Konza Technopolis—often dubbed the “Silicon Savanna”—from a visionary concept into a thriving smart city, a project of critical national importance.

Beyond Kenya, Eng. Tanui has made significant contributions to the global innovation landscape. From 2021 to 2024, he served as President of the African Division of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP). During his tenure, he spearheaded the development of a robust ecosystem of science parks and innovation hubs across Africa. A highlight of his leadership was Kenya’s hosting of the IASP World Conference—the first time the event was held in Kenya and only the second time in Africa—marking a milestone for the continent’s innovation community.