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A4AI’s Eleanor Sapong promoted to Deputy Director role

A4AI’s Eleanor Sapong promoted to Deputy Director role

The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) has announced the appointment of ICT and policy pundit Eleanor Sarpong to the position of Deputy Director - Policy Lead.

Sarpong first joined the global advocacy group for affordable internet nearly six months ago as its Policy Advocacy Manager responsible for managing its country engagements across Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Sonia Jorge, Deputy Director at A4AI has welcomed Sarpong's promotion to Deputy Director which means that she will work on international advocacy efforts while overseeing the operations of the Alliance's national coalitions.

"Eleanor has quickly demonstrated absolute commitment to our mission and vision and I personally am excited to share the leadership of A4AI with such a talented colleague. It has been a pleasure to have her join us and I look forward to Eleanor taking on further responsibility with A4AI and beyond."

Sarpong has vowed to continue work across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors to ensure better regulation, universal service, data protection, and privacy

"I'm delighted to be working with the talented A4AI team and honoured by the confidence they have in me as I assume my new role. I look forward to expanding the A4AI brand and its relevance among policymakers, civil society and private sector players."

Sarpong has previously worked as a consultant to the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO).

At MTN Ghana, Sarpong was responsible for public policy and regulatory affairs. A4AI says it has established a local coalition of 20 members in Ghana alone where the country's broadband policy and implementation strategy aims to achieve national and universal broadband penetration of 90% by 2020.

A4AI does similar work to drive down prices and ensure wider access to the internet in Mozambique, Liberia and Nigeria.

The organisation managed to secure an endorsement from Nigeria's Communications Ministry for its "1 for 2" (limiting the price of a 1GB bundle to no more than 2% of an individual's monthly income) affordability target last month.

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