Dr. Justina Dugbazah

Executive Director

Justina Dugbazah is a seasoned international development professional and strategist known for driving innovation and strategic growth in organizations at the intersection of harnessing emerging technologies for sustainable development. She has a robust academic foundation in development economics with sub-sectors of community development and gender mainstreaming. Her extensive work experience spans technical advisory and strategic leadership in evidence-based policy formulation and review, science and technology, and capacity strengthening within development sub-sectors such as agriculture, education and health. Justina has a proven track record of leveraging data to inform policy decisions and optimize resource allocation for results-oriented project management. Prior to the Sahara Institute, Justina held leadership positions in several institutions, such as the African Union development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the International Development Department of the University of Birmingham, UK and the City of Ottawa, Canada. An advocate for collaboration across sectors, Justina has worked closely with governments, NGOs, and the private sector to promote innovative solutions that drive measurable impact. She is a sought-after speaker on the global stage, sharing insights on the future of economic development and the role of technology in shaping resilient economies. With a commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, Justina aims to inspire governments, policy and decision makers as well as private sector to push boundaries and achieve transformative outcomes in sustainable development and inclusive growth.