Artefact, a global data and AI consultancy, has appointed Médéric Chomel to the newly created position of managing partner for Africa.

Chomel, who will be based in South Africa, is anticipated to build on the progress made by Artefact's Moroccan office, to expand the company's operations on the continent.

Artefact’s Africa bureau opened in Morocco in 2020, and it already has a local team of roughly 40 data and digital personnel.

Chomel, a graduate of École Polytechnique in Paris, joins Artefact after a 12-year stint with telecoms group Orange, where he held numerous responsibilities in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, regularly collaborating with Artefact. 

His most recent position was as Orange France's chief data officer, where he managed the deployment of a company-wide data and AI transformation plan that included the development of an AI-based tool to assure fibre installation compliance.

Vincent Luciani, CEO and co-founder of Artefact, said: "Africa is an exciting region for us – the evidence, to date, indicates that data and AI will play a pivotal role in the continent's continued transformation."

Chomel said: "When looking for my next challenge, the combination of being an Artefact partner and working in Africa, with its dynamic economy and vibrant youth culture that continues to embrace new technologies, was irresistible."