Research & Policy

Tether & Beacon
Institute

Advancing responsible AI governance through rigorous research, policy development, and capacity building—with a focus on emerging markets.

"Bridging the AI governance gap between developed and emerging economies through research that informs practice, and practice that shapes policy."

What We Do

Four interconnected pillars driving AI governance excellence worldwide

Research

Conducting rigorous research on AI governance frameworks, regulatory impact, and emerging market challenges. Publishing white papers and contributing to academic literature.

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Policy Development

Working with governments and regulators to craft practical, implementable AI governance policies. Advisory services for national AI strategies and regulatory frameworks.

Policy Work →

Training & Certification

Professional certification programs for AI governance practitioners. Training programs for executives, boards, and technical teams on responsible AI deployment.

Programs →

Capacity Building

Building AI governance capacity in emerging markets through partnerships with universities, civil society, and government institutions across Africa and beyond.

Our Partners →

Research & White Papers

Insights from our research on AI governance in emerging markets

White Paper

AI Governance Readiness in Sub-Saharan Africa: A 12-Country Assessment

Comprehensive analysis of AI governance capabilities, regulatory frameworks, and institutional readiness across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and eight other nations.

January 2026 42 pages
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Research Report

The EU AI Act and African Trade: Implications for Technology Exports

How the EU AI Act's extraterritorial reach affects African tech companies serving European markets. Compliance pathways and strategic recommendations.

December 2025 28 pages
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Policy Brief

Model AI Governance Framework for Emerging Economies

A practical framework for governments in resource-constrained environments to implement proportionate, effective AI governance without stifling innovation.

November 2025 16 pages
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Case Study

Rwanda's National AI Policy: Lessons for the Continent

Deep dive into Rwanda's pioneering approach to AI governance and what other African nations can learn from its successes and challenges.

October 2025 22 pages
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Certifications & Training

Industry-recognized credentials for AI governance professionals

Executive AI Governance Certificate

Designed for C-suite executives and board members. Focus on strategic oversight, risk governance, and organizational accountability for AI systems.

  • Duration: 3 days intensive
  • Format: In-person (London, Dubai, Nairobi)
  • Investment: €3,500
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EU AI Act Compliance Specialist

Focused certification on EU AI Act requirements, risk classification, conformity assessment, and compliance documentation.

  • Duration: 4 weeks (online)
  • Format: Self-paced with live sessions
  • Investment: €1,800
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AI Ethics Practitioner Certificate

Deep dive into ethical frameworks, bias detection, fairness metrics, and responsible AI development practices.

  • Duration: 6 weeks (online)
  • Format: Cohort-based learning
  • Investment: €2,200
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Advisory Board

Distinguished leaders guiding our research and policy work

Dr. Amara Okonkwo

Dr. Amara Okonkwo

Chair

Former Director of Digital Policy, African Union. 20+ years in technology governance and international development. PhD in Computer Science, MIT.

Prof. Henrik Lindqvist

Prof. Henrik Lindqvist

Research Director

Professor of AI Ethics, Oxford University. Former technical advisor to the European Commission on AI Act development. Author of "Governing Intelligence."

Fatima Al-Hassan

Fatima Al-Hassan

Policy Advisor

Former Chief Digital Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre. Board member, Global Partnership on AI. Expert in fintech regulation.

Dr. Kwame Mensah

Dr. Kwame Mensah

Africa Lead

Founder, Africa AI Policy Institute. Former advisor to Ghana's Ministry of Communications. PhD in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School.

Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen

Industry Advisor

Former VP of Trust & Safety, Google. 15 years leading AI governance at major tech companies. Board member, Partnership on AI.

Prof. James Oduya

Prof. James Oduya

Academic Advisor

Dean, School of Computing, University of Nairobi. Leading researcher in AI for development. Co-author, "AI Policy for Africa" framework.

Government & Institutional Partners

Working with leading institutions to advance AI governance globally

Government Partners

Academic Partners

International Organizations

Organizations We Work With

Leading companies committed to responsible AI deployment

Partner with the Institute

Whether you're a government developing AI policy, an organization seeking certification, or a researcher interested in collaboration—we'd like to hear from you.

Organizations we've worked with
Safaricom
Flutterwave
MTN
Paystack
Interswitch
Andela
Jumia
Standard Bank
Safaricom
Flutterwave
MTN
Paystack
Interswitch
Andela
Jumia
Standard Bank