Title: Director, Digital Infrastructure, Skills and Empowerment
Organization: Smart Africa
Location: Ghanaian | Rwanda
About Thelma Quaye
Thelma Quaye is a distinguished digital leader with 20 years of experience across telecommunications, ICT, and banking. As Chief Digital Infrastructure, Skills, and Empowerment Officer at Smart Africa, she plays a critical role in advancing Africa’s digital transformation. She also serves on the boards of the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership and First Atlantic Bank Ghana, shaping policy and governance at strategic levels.
Her core strengths include telecom network design, data privacy, digital policy, project management, and people leadership. Under her leadership, Smart Africa has rolled out broadband, data governance, and gender empowerment strategies in multiple countries putting Africa on a forward-looking digital path.
One of her signature initiatives, the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), was awarded the WSIS Champion Award in 2024, highlighting her commitment to inclusive digital education.
Beyond her roles, Thelma is a mentor to many aspiring women across disciplines from science to teaching, law, and project management. Her influence is helping shape the next generation of African women leaders.
Thelma Efua Quaye is a woman whose professional journey tells the story of vision, resilience, and deep commitment to service. With over two decades of experience shaping Africa’s digital infrastructure, Thelma has moved from engineering networks to influencing boardrooms and shaping continental policy always with the goal of creating opportunities for others, especially women, to lead boldly in the digital age.
A Defining Moment of Visibility
Like many women navigating demanding careers and motherhood, Thelma faced moments of doubt. One such defining moment came after her second maternity leave, a time when she felt invisible and emotionally drained. It was then she met Lucy Quist, a newly appointed CEO who saw beyond Thelma’s role and recognized her untapped potential.
That brief encounter became transformative. Lucy’s quiet confidence, encouragement, and belief in Thelma’s abilities gave her the push she needed. It reminded her of the power of intentional mentorship and the importance of being seen. In time, Thelma stopped shrinking and began showing up fully, boldly, and with renewed purpose.
Principles That Guide Her Work
Three values serve as the foundation for Thelma’s leadership: integrity, impact, and inclusion.
- Integrity is her bedrock. Across roles in telecom, banking, and policy, she’s learned that credibility is the most valuable currency. Even when inconvenient, her decisions are guided by unwavering values.
- Impact is her compass. Whether building digital infrastructure or shaping strategic policies, she always asks: What change will this bring? Who will it serve?
- Inclusion is her heartbeat. Thelma believes innovation must be co-created, not just delivered. Her decisions are shaped by who isn’t yet in the room and how to bring them in.
Influences That Shaped Her Path
Thelma draws inspiration from both personal mentors and timeless wisdom. A quote shared by her teacher, Mrs. Torgah, left a lasting imprint:
“Even if you end up sweeping the streets, sweep such that you will be remembered.”
It’s a powerful reminder that excellence and pride in one’s work matter no matter the task.
Lucy Quist, her mentor, also played a pivotal role in shaping Thelma’s confidence and leadership style. Lucy’s presence and belief in her gave Thelma the courage to step into her full potential.
Wellness as Discipline
Thelma recharges through weightlifting and family time, two powerful rituals that ground her. Lifting weights is more than physical for her; it’s mental training. On the toughest days, she finds strength in showing up for herself at the gym. She also places high value on protecting family time, ensuring she draws clear boundaries between work and home life.
The Quiet Leader
Despite her visibility on global stages speaking at events like MWC Africa and MWC Barcelona many are surprised to learn Thelma is deeply introverted. She draws her energy from solitude, reflection, and stillness. Her best ideas are born in early morning silence, long walks, and quiet contemplation. This ability to find clarity in quiet moments fuels her public presence and leadership.
Advice to Young Women Finding Their Voice
Thelma offers this advice to young girls navigating today’s world:
“Your voice isn’t something you stumble upon, it’s something you shape over time by listening deeply to yourself and staying true to what matters. You don’t need to be loud to be heard. The most powerful voices are grounded, consistent, and authentic.”
She recalls being told she wasn’t loud enough for a C-level role, yet she thrived by embracing her own leadership style. Her success affirms that authenticity, not volume, is what truly matters.
What She Wishes She Knew
Looking back, Thelma says:
“I wish I knew that I was enough right from the start. Not after the promotion, not after proving myself. Just as I was: raw, learning, growing, and imperfect.”
In male-dominated industries, she often felt pressure to be tougher, louder, or less vulnerable. She spent years trying to earn a seat at the table before realizing her voice already had value.
Staying Confident Through Challenges
Confidence, for Thelma, comes from conviction a deep sense of why she does what she does. When faced with pressure, she returns to her purpose. She recounts a recent situation where she resisted calls to make a public statement. Though unpopular at the time, she knew the true impact would come not from speaking loudly, but from acting wisely. The noise eventually faded, but the integrity of her decision stood firm.
Core Values for Young Women to Hold Close
If she had to distill her advice into four guiding values for young women, they would be:
- Integrity: Your compass in challenging rooms where you may be the only woman or the lone voice of reason.
- Self-awareness: Knowing yourself is the lever that unlocks growth.
- Courage: Not just to speak up, but to sit with discomfort, fail publicly, and rebuild quietly.
- Community: Growth is faster and richer when you walk with people who see you and push you to be your best.
Thelma Efua Quaye’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about volume, but about vision, conviction, and a deep commitment to impact. Her voice, steady, intentional, and bold is helping shape the digital future of Africa.
