Dr. Esther Olembe holds a PhD in Information and Communication Sciences and is a leading expert in the field of documentary information science. She is currently the Director of the National Archives of Cameroon, a position she has held since April 2016, and also teaches at the University of Yaoundé II-SOA. For ten years, she was head of the Department of Documentary Information at ESSTIC, University of Yaoundé II, where she played a significant role in shaping the curriculum in archives, library science, and documentation. 

Dr. Olembe has been pivotal in many international projects, including as an expert for UNESCO and as a facilitator for global standards development projects in the evaluation of heritage institutions and the sustainable management of information. As a plenipotentiary of archival diplomacy and representative of Cameroon in various international forums, Dr. Olembe is a member of several academic and professional societies, including the International Society of Knowledge Organisation (ISKO), the French Committee of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), and the International Council on Archives (ICA). 

Her research focuses on historical epistemology, with an emphasis on the production of knowledge, information management, public policies, archival practices, and the cultural heritage of Africa. 

Deborah has a long association with the ICA and has served the network in various roles, including chairing a section (SLMT), a regional branch (EURBICA) and being a PCOM member. She has also contributed to the drafting of some important ICA policies, including the policy on New Professionals, the review of ICA income in 2009, and the reviews of the ICA Executive Board (EB) and PCOM in 2019. She regularly contributes to responses to United Nations calls on behalf of ICA and SAHR, notably that on Arms trafficking and mercenaries and mercenary related actors, where the management of the documentary and written contractual evidence which underpins the issue is paramount. Her focus within ICA at the moment is the Section on Archives and Human Rights, for which she is the secretary.  

Professionally, she trained as an archivist in Dublin and as a historian in Paris and the UK. She directed the London Archives service for almost 20 years. 

Ali Salano Mohamed is a dedicated Records and Information Management (RIM) professional with over five years of experience in key government institutions, including the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, Teachers Service Commission, Public Service Commission, Kenya Electricity Generating Company, and Kenya Revenue Authority. Known for high integrity and teamwork, Salano has developed strong leadership and analytical skills in managing records and information systems. 

Passionate about advancing Records and Archives Management in Africa, Salano specializes in Taxonomy and Metadata Development, Information Governance, and the digitalization of records and archives processes. This includes expertise in digitization, data retention schedules, and data mapping, all aimed at improving organizational efficiency and sustainability. 

Salano is committed to contributing to the field through research, training, and consultancy, with the goal of enhancing operational effectiveness and fostering growth in RIM practices across Africa. Salano holds a bachelor’s degree in information science from Kenyatta University, focusing on Records Management and Information Technology. 

As an active member of the Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA) and the ICA, Salano continues to drive the development of best practices in the field, aiming to make a meaningful impact on records management systems in Africa. Ali Salano is a dedicated Records and Information Management professional, specializing in taxonomy, metadata development, and digitalization. He has worked with key government institutions in Kenya and is committed to advancing records and archives management across Africa.