She has over 17 years of experience in media, communication, and technology. She also supports the creation and development of high-impact tech companies in Africa.

Irene Phoebe Kiwia (photo), a Tanzanian tech entrepreneur based in South Africa, is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Adanian Labs, a high-impact tech venture studio that drives digital transformation across Africa. Founded in 2020, Adanian Labs focuses on the creation, development, and scaling of tech startups, emphasizing innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The studio provides expert software engineering support to help startups develop tailored solutions and has successfully created over 40 tech startups to date.

In addition to startup creation, Adanian Labs enhances the capabilities of tech teams through training programs in software development, data science, IoT, AI, and blockchain. These offerings include short courses, boot camps, and masterclasses. The studio also provides a comprehensive suite of services, including legal support, accounting, financial planning, technology management, human resources, and marketing.

Irene Kiwia is a member of Top Tier Impact, a global ecosystem of investors and entrepreneurs, and serves as the Tanzanian ambassador for the Women in Africa Initiative. She is also on the advisory board of African Women in Energy and Power.

Before co-founding Adanian Labs, Kiwia established Frontline Media Africa in 2006, a pan-African media and communications firm focused on technology. In 2017, she launched Twaa, an AI-powered knowledge-sharing and mentorship platform for women and girls in Africa. In 2019, she founded eCOBba, an AI-driven fintech company, and in 2021, she established The Africa Blockchain Center, a Web 3 company specializing in blockchain skills and solutions development.

Kiwia holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Public Administration from the University of Dar es Salaam (2004) and a master’s degree in Marketing (2011). In 2015, she was named Africa Woman of the Year by Africa Reconnect, a pan-African platform dedicated to women's empowerment and girls' education.

Melchior Koba