Stephen Rakoma

Research Consultant & PhD Candidate University of Antwerp

Stephen Kgadi Rakoma is a research consultant and PhD candidate in applied economics at the University of Antwerp. His work focuses on the economic viability of interorganizational collaborative digital innovation in maritime supply chains and logistics. His research interests include artificial intelligence and federated learning for demand forecasting, zero trust architecture, collaborative digital twins, port community systems, and the economics of maritime cybersecurity.

He advises on the conditions under which digital projects can be successfully implemented, with a particular focus on cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, research, and the evaluation of digital technology investments. Stephen currently holds a World Bank consultancy on the quantification of Port Community System value.

He has a decade of applied industry experience from the South African Maritime Safety Authority, where he worked across fleet financial management, procurement, contract management, and regulatory compliance. He holds an MSc in Maritime Affairs from the World Maritime University and a BCom in Accounting and Auditing. Stephen is particularly interested in how AI, collaborative data sharing, and trusted digital ecosystems can deliver measurable value to ports, terminals, and project-cargo supply chains without compromising trust, security, or data sovereignty.