Ian Makamara is a technology policy lawyer based in Kenya, with experience in the fields of data protection, startup law, intellectual property law, digital rights, public policy, public relations, and corporate communications. Aside from his Bachelor’s Degree in Law, he holds certifications in Gender Analytics and International Organisations Management, from the University of Toronto and The University of Geneva, respectively.
He has worked with organizations such as the Microsoft Policy and Innovation Centre, the Lawyers Hub, the ITU, the International Lawyers Project, and the World Future Council, where he has provided research, advisory, and consulting services on matters surrounding tech policy. Most recently, he has worked with USAID and Making Cents International in the development of a legal framework for defining digital harm in Africa, for the purposes of making the internet safer for children across the continent.
Ian has worked in the marketing and communications teams of various organizations including MCN, The Joint SDG Fund, and UNHCR. At the moment, he provides public policy and communications advisory services to Tiktok for Kenya and is a digital strategy and youth engagement consultant for Fairtrade Africa, where his work is centered around designing engagement strategies aimed at greater involving African youth in agriculture. At BFA Global, Ian contributes to content creation, outreach strategy, and social media management within the communications and influence team.
