International Digital Economy Association (iDEA)

History & Founding

iDEA was established in 2024 as a Hong Kong‑headquartered nonprofit. The association was co‑founded by Shaun McCamley (Founder & Chairman) and Cristina Amor Maclang (Co‑founder & Secretary General). It emerged as a response to the perceived under‑representation of emerging and developing economies in global digital policy conversations. Within two years, iDEA grew to represent over 200 digital economy leaders from more than 100 countries, covering approximately 85% of the global population and contributing to around 45% of global GDP.

Leadership

The association is led by its co-founders. Shaun McCamley serves as Founder & Chairman, and Cristina Amor Maclang as Co‑founder & Secretary General. No other C‑level executives (CEO, CTO, CCO, COO) were explicitly confirmed in publicly available sources. The iDEA board includes members such as Segun Aina, Jochen Biedermann, Jatinder Handoo, Chia Hock Lai, Paul Li, Rodrigo Garcia de la Cruz, and Dr. Alexander Titov, but their specific executive titles at iDEA are not documented.

Headquarters & Reach

Current headquarters is in Hong Kong, with regional focus on Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eurasia. Active programmes exist in Central and Southern Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe. The association’s network spans over 100 countries.

Initiatives & Events

iDEA’s primary 'products' are its global programmes and events. Key initiatives include Global Roadshows & Spotlight Programs such as the Hong Kong Fintech Roundtable (January 2026), Roundtable & PitchFest Hong Kong (April 2026), and the Emerging Regions Series highlighting investment opportunities in Burundi, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. The DeAI Summit 2026 focuses on AI and digital finance. iDEA X Africa is a dedicated programme to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem, including a partnership with OSIANE 2026 in Brazzaville.

Advocacy & Innovation Platforms

iDEA organizes cross‑border collaborations in digital public infrastructure, fintech, AI, Web3, healthtech, e‑government, cybersecurity, and agtech/MSMEs. The Board & New Minds Initiative is a global virtual gathering to onboard new members and reintroduce the iDEA board to the international community.

Vision & Impact

iDEA’s stated vision is to ensure that the needs, challenges, and innovations of the Global Digital Majority are heard and prioritised on the global stage. Through its various programmes, the association aims to promote equitable digital transformation, responsible innovation, and deal flow between developed and developing markets.