ACCRA, Ghana, December 19, 2025 — Afrobarometer has appointed four new members to its board of directors, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to rigorous research, youth leadership, accountable governance, and citizen-centred evidence across Africa.
The newly appointed board members bring diverse expertise spanning governance, elections, youth empowerment, technology, and finance, strengthening Afrobarometer’s ability to respond to emerging social, political, and technological dynamics on the continent.
The new board members are:
Bupe Lughano Kabaghe, a governance and development professional specialising in policy research, stakeholder engagement, and youth empowerment. With experience across Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, she designs initiatives that promote inclusion and sustainable development. She 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 empowered more than 450 young people through leadership and advocacy programmes.
Mathias Hounkpe, a Beninese elections and governance expert with more than 20 years of experience supporting democratic processes in West Africa. He currently serves as country representative of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Gabon and has previously led IFES programmes in Mali and Chad. He is a former head of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa’s Political Governance and Democratic Consolidation programme and a lecturer and co-author of comparative research on electoral-management bodies.
Rita Sraha, a chartered accountant and business consultant with nearly three decades of experience in finance, corporate governance, and strategic management. She currently serves as acting managing director and board member of Ghana Post Company Ltd. and has held senior leadership roles across both public and private sectors in Ghana and internationally.
Sherif Helal, an Egyptian electrical engineer working at the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and social development. His work focuses on using innovation to promote accountability, data sharing, and inclusive growth, including the development of the Social Knowledge Engine, an AI-powered concept designed to support public good outcomes.
Afrobarometer Board Chair Amina Oyagbola said the appointments reflect the organisation’s strategic focus on youth leadership, governance, and digital transformation.
“Africa’s future will be shaped by a new generation of leaders and by how effectively we harness technology for the public good,” Oyagbola said. “These appointments strengthen Afrobarometer’s capacity to generate citizen-centred data that reflects the aspirations of young Africans and supports evidence-based decision-making across the continent.”
The appointments further enhance Afrobarometer’s role as a leading source of trusted data and analysis on African public opinion, supporting policymakers, civil society, and development partners with insights grounded in citizens’ lived experiences.
