When Kenyan PhD student Gladys Kemboi was named winner of the 2026 Young LIS Professional Award, it was more than a personal triumph. It was a reminder to boardrooms and policymakers alike that knowledge—how it is managed, preserved and shared—is fast becoming the currency of competitiveness.
“At this stage of my career, it is both an honour and a reminder that work grounded in service, mentorship and community impact can gain national and international recognition,” she says.
The award, which recognises excellence in library and information science across eastern, central and southern Africa, comes amid rising global demand for professionals capable of managing knowledge systems, preserving digital information and helping institutions convert information into long-term organisational value.
Ms Kemboi, who was nominated by the Kenya Library Association, says the recognition reflects years of work focused on advancing knowledge management, digital preservation and indigenous knowledge systems in Africa.
“Knowledge is increasingly becoming one of the continent’s most valuable resources for innovation, digital transformation, research and sustainable development. Across sectors such as agriculture, health, education, development, digital media, community archives and cultural heritage, there is growing demand for professionals who can help organisations digitise, preserve, manage and use knowledge effectively for organisational success.”
From her experience working internationally, Ms Kemboi says African professionals already possess strong expertise in several of these areas.
“Many international organisations are increasingly looking to Africa, especially Kenya, for expertise in knowledge management and experience in designing and implementing knowledge management strategies, resource mobilisation and managing donor-funded projects,” she says.
However, while opportunities are expanding, she believes structural gaps still make it difficult for many African professionals to gain visibility globally.
“Many professionals are often unable to participate due to a lack of mentorship.”
According to Ms Kemboi, another challenge is that African research, local innovations and indigenous knowledge systems remain underrepresented in global conversations.
“Strengthening mentorship, investing in research and publishing, supporting conference participation and creating stronger institutional pathways for global engagement can help African professionals build sustained visibility and credibility internationally.”
The recognition she has received over the years has helped expand her own visibility across global professional and academic networks.
Among her previous honours are the 2025 Knowledge Manager of the Year Award from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in the UK, the 2024 Digital Preservation Coalition Fellowship Award and the Maggie Weaver Joy of Information Fellowship in Canada.
She says the awards have translated into tangible professional opportunities.
“Yes, global recognition has significantly strengthened my career leverage. For example, I was invited as a keynote speaker to share expertise with the United States Army Knowledge Management Working Group, among other similar opportunities.”
Her growing international profile reflects a broader shift in how global institutions are engaging with expertise from Africa.
“Global institutions are increasingly recognising Africa not only as a source of local knowledge, but also as an important contributor to global innovation, research and sustainable development,” she says.
Ms Kemboi believes Africa’s future competitiveness will depend heavily on how much it invests in knowledge systems and the professionals driving them.
“I believe the future of Africa lies in investing in its knowledge management and library and information science professionals,” she says.
“They are valued contributors in knowledge production and co-creators in shaping global solutions, innovation and knowledge systems.”
Her own work has increasingly focused on digital preservation and indigenous knowledge systems, an area she says is becoming more important globally as organisations search for locally grounded solutions to climate change, healthcare and sustainability.
Earlier this year, she participated virtually in hearings organised by the World Health Organization. She contributed technical input to discussions around the Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples.
She has also participated in international convenings involving experts from countries across Africa, Europe, North America and Asia on digital preservation strategies and knowledge systems.
This month, she was selected among 35 global experts for the Research Agenda Advisory Collective convened by the Society of American Archivists in Chicago.
She also recently participated in an international experts meeting organised by the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles that brought together professionals from countries including Australia, Chile, Ireland, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United States to discuss digital preservation strategies.
“These engagements demonstrate that African expertise is increasingly influencing and transforming the future of global knowledge systems and digital preservation practice,” she says.
Despite spending significant time working and studying abroad, Ms Kemboi says her focus remains strongly connected to Kenya and Africa. She has mentored, trained and supported more than 1,000 professionals in knowledge management and library and information science since 2014.
“Many young professionals have secured jobs in knowledge management and library and information science and won international grants and bursaries in Belgium, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom,” she says.
She argues that many young Africans still misunderstand what it takes to build a global career.
“Many young professionals believe that global career opportunities are only available to people with connections or privileged backgrounds. That is a misconception. Global careers are also built through volunteering, mentorship, collaboration, professional networks and willingness to learn and contribute.”
Ms Kemboi points to online professional communities and digital collaboration platforms as major equalisers.
“Through these communities, people can learn, contribute and build global relationships while also gaining mentorship and visibility,” she says.
Another misconception, Ms Kemboi says, is that professionals must permanently relocate abroad to build international careers.
“Today, you can work remotely as a global knowledge manager while living in your village.”
Looking ahead, she believes knowledge management is evolving from a back-office support function into a strategic leadership discipline tied directly to innovation, digital transformation and institutional performance.
Ms Kemboi sees major future opportunities emerging in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital preservation, data governance and protection of Indigenous knowledge systems.
For Kenyan institutions, she argues, the next step lies in investing more heavily in research, innovation and international knowledge partnerships.
“Kenyan institutions and professionals can better position themselves for global recognition by investing in research, innovation and international knowledge partnerships,” she says. “Institutions should create communities of practice that connect students, researchers, graduates and industry leaders across local and global contexts.”=
Ultimately, Gladys says her long-term goal is to help build stronger and more equitable knowledge ecosystems where African knowledge systems are preserved, valued and integrated into global conversations.
“My goal is to help create sustainable knowledge systems where African and Indigenous knowledge is recognised, preserved and valued as an important part of shaping the future.”
