Olila Steven

I’m Olila Steven, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar pursuing an MSc in Global Technology and Development at Arizona State University. I care deeply about how technology shapes access to rights, services, and opportunity — especially in contexts where systems are meant to help, but often end up excluding the people who need them most.

My academic and professional work focuses on digital public infrastructure, particularly digital identity and civil registration systems in the Global South. Having worked on national registration and data collection initiatives in Uganda, I’ve seen firsthand both the power and the limitations of large-scale digital systems. Those experiences continue to shape how I approach research, policy, and applied projects.

I’m interested in questions around data governance, inclusion, and accountability: who gets counted, who gets left out, and what it takes to design systems that actually work for people. My goal is to contribute research and practical solutions that strengthen inclusive institutions and support equitable development, especially for youth and rural communities.