Richard Gevers

He/him. Richard Gevers founded Open Cities Lab, a civic technology organisation focusing on digital and data governance and implementation to address participation, inclusion, and other urban challenges within African cities. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Tenji, a data science startup that builds data products and tools that aid socio-economic development and planning. Open Cities Lab is a non-profit civic technology lab that uses open data and civic technology in initiatives to build inclusive and responsive cities, put citizens at the centre, and enable participative democracy. Before founding Open Cities Lab, Richard worked as an economist and data scientist based in South Africa, where he interacted with both private clients and all tiers of the South African government on a range of projects in various sectors. He is an entrepreneur dedicated to advancing African communities through dynamic solutions and tools, hoping to empower socio-economic development and to affect social change. He has a deep interest in openness and transparency in society.

When he finds spare time, he grows his beard, brews beer, appreciates good coffee and likes to tell people he listens to vinyl.

Other positions held:
Executive Director and Founder, Open Cities Lab. Co-founder, Tenji Programme Director Africa Data Hub | Non-executive Director, Innovate Durban | Civic Tech Innovation Network Reference Group Member |