Solomon Assefa

Solomon Assefa is the Vice President | IBM Research : Africa & Emerging Market Solutions encompassing the South African and Kenyan labs. He leads by defining strategy, executing research-and-development projects, hiring top-notch scientists and fostering an innovation ecosystem. The lab aims to develop breakthrough technologies and advance science by gathering experts in decision analytics, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, human-computer interaction and interactive design.

Previously, he was the director of research strategy and growth initiatives for Africa at IBM. In that role, he developed research strategies by identifying emerging trends, developing human capital and enabling the expansion of IBM Research in Africa. He has also served as a program manager in the office of science and technology, being responsible for evaluating science and technology roadmaps for IBM’s worldwide research laboratories. 

As a research scientist, Solomon Assefa has worked on IBM’s nanophotonics technology, with responsibilities spanning research, development and technology transfer to commercial foundries. His research contributions include high-speed optical detectors, nanostructured platforms for bio-sensing, and quantum information processing. He has co-written more than 50 scientific articles, has over 45 patents to his name, and has appeared as a guest speaker at numerous conferences worldwide. 

Dr Assefa holds a BS in physics, a BS and MS in electrical engineering and computer science, and a PhD, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology