When a career hits a plateau, what do you do? For Nairobi native Lincoln Njogu, the answer was a strategic pivot fuelled by passion. Now the Head of Tech Development at the Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy), Lincoln is tearing down the walls of closed-door policy-making, building digital bridges that allow African youth and entrepreneurs to co-create the laws that govern their innovation ecosystem. His journey is a testament to the power of integrating tech know-how with community-driven purpose.
From Accelerator to Architect
For nearly a decade, Lincoln Kibethi Njogu was deeply embedded in Nairobi’s vibrant tech ecosystem, facilitating incubation programs and accelerators. Despite having an MBA and working on impactful projects, he reached a point where the work “just wasn’t challenging me any longer.”
Coincidentally timed with the onset of the global pandemic and the arrival of his first child, this moment of reflection became “Phase 1 of a larger career game plan.” He transitioned from community development to product design, which unexpectedly opened the door to policy work at i4Policy. Now, his focus is on working with AI for policy and participatory policymaking—a full circle integration of his expertise in community, technology, and design.
“A lot of people knew me as a community developer, not as a product designer,” Lincoln recalls, noting the initial challenge of winning over sceptics. He overcame the “twinge of ‘imposter syndrome’” simply by showing tangible results: the products he built were being used and subscribed to. Today, he’s also a PhD student and still a core team member for Droidcon, the annual Android developer conference in Kenya, proving that a pivot doesn’t mean leaving passion behind—it means integrating it.
Building Policy with People: A Q&A with Lincoln Njogu
We sat down with Lincoln to discuss how he’s using technology to empower grassroots ecosystems and put Africa at the forefront of the global AI conversation.
Q: i4Policy is known for participatory policy innovation in Africa. Can you unpack what that means?
It means co-creating policies with the people they affect. Most policies are made behind closed doors. We are helping tear those doors off their hinges by building platforms that empower citizens—young entrepreneurs, educators, and ecosystem builders—to meaningfully shape the laws that govern them. For entrepreneurs, this leads to more relevant, inclusive policies that reflect their on-the-ground realities and remove barriers to innovation.
Q: What role does technology play in bridging the gap between governments and grassroots ecosystems?
Technology is the crucial facilitator. It allows for open, structured, and scalable engagement. We transform scattered feedback into actionable insights, enabling governments to collaborate directly with those who make up the grassroots entrepreneurship ecosystem. It makes the conversation efficient and equitable.
Q: You’re now focusing on AI. How do you feel about Africa’s position on the global tech stage in this area?
I’m incredibly proud. Africa is not lagging in terms of adoption and technology. In fact, based on what we can do, we are actually at the forefront when it comes to AI adoption and integration.
I see developers building products that match those in the Global North, policymakers questioning AI, and academia investing in research. In Kenya, we have this synergy where CTOs, academics, and developers are meeting and collaborating. We are moving in this direction at this time, and I am proud of our continent’s position.
Q: Could you share a project that highlights the direct benefits of inclusive policymaking for young entrepreneurs?
A great example is the Citizen Engagement Platform (CEP), which we developed in collaboration with GIZ and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). This platform facilitates structured dialogue between citizens and institutions like the African Union. Through this platform, we worked with the Women, Gender & Youth Directorate (WGYD) to mobilise youth, resulting in a Youth Organisation Database with over 1,500 youth-led groups
This platform supports young people, especially young entrepreneurs, to influence the policies that impact their lives. It allows them to connect, collaborate, and showcase their impact, ensuring they remain actively involved in Africa’s development.
The Power of the Pivot
Lincoln’s journey from a career plateau to leading tech development in policy is an inspiring lesson in adaptation. He faced scepticism and self-doubt, but his belief that “tomorrow should never be the same as the previous day” pushed him to seek a greater challenge where his passions could truly integrate and amplify.
He is not just building software; he is building democratic infrastructure, one digital platform at a time, ensuring that the voice of the young African innovator is heard where it matters most.
“Africa is not lagging in terms of adoption and technology. We are actually at the forefront – and I’m proud of our continent, moving in this direction at this time.” – Lincoln Kibethi Njogu
This article was originally published by the Anzisha Prize team: https://anzisha.org/policy-powered-by-people-a-qa-with-lincoln-njogu/. Special thanks to Lynn Brown for the great feature!
