Apolitical has announced the list of the world's 100 most influential people in digital government for 2018, and it includes Code for Africa founder, Justin Arenstein.
Code for Africa is an open-data initiative for countries across the continent. Arenstein set up the platform to improve availability and quality of government information in African nations. It also provides fellowships and skills training for pioneers in civil society and government, and supports the development of tools to increase access to data.
Apolitical, a global policy platform, says the list aims to highlight what's working in digital government, and through the work of those named to provide both a snapshot and a road map for the future of digital policy.
To create the list, Apolitical explains, it sought nominations from hundreds of digital government experts from national governments, international organisations, academia and business, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Open Government Partnership, the United Nations and USAID.
The list includes public servants from all levels of government alongside representatives of the private and third sectors, and academia.
"People working in digital government often go unrecognised by the wider public, yet the work they do is vital as both the opportunities and risks of digital technologies increase," says Apolitical.
Apolitical CEO Robyn Scott adds: "It's a been a joy to produce this list recognising the most influential individuals in the field, including some incredible unsung heroes, from around the world."
Those in the top 20 include: Nana Akufo-Addo, president of Ghana; Beth Noveck, co-founder of GovLab; Audrey Tang, minister for digital in Taiwan; and Jennifer Pahlka, founder and executive director of Code for America.
Click here to view the complete list of names.
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