Mr. Combiz Abdolrahimi
ServiceNow
Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy
Combiz Abdolrahimi is Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy at ServiceNow, a global leader in AI and digital transformation. Having served in The White House, U.S. Departments of State, Treasury, and Commerce, he has worked with governments and businesses worldwide to harness emerging technologies for inclusive economic growth. Combiz is a champion of AI-ready workforce development, innovation-friendly regulation, and investment partnerships that scale innovation. With deep experience across the world and global markets, he is committed to advancing U.S.-Africa collaboration to build a resilient, future-ready digital economy across the continent.
ServiceNow
Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy
Combiz Abdolrahimi is Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy at ServiceNow, a global leader in AI and digital transformation. Having served in The White House, U.S. Departments of State, Treasury, and Commerce, he has worked with governments and businesses worldwide to harness emerging technologies for inclusive economic growth. Combiz is a champion of AI-ready workforce development, innovation-friendly regulation, and investment partnerships that scale innovation. With deep experience across the world and global markets, he is committed to advancing U.S.-Africa collaboration to build a resilient, future-ready digital economy across the continent.
Mr Moshood Abolade
Africa50
Investment Director - Project Development
Moshood Abolade is an infrastructure finance professional with project development and finance experience in many African markets and a keen interest in sustainable development and unlocking the complexities of infrastructure development in Africa. He is currently an Investment Director in the Project Development team at Africa50 with a focus on early-stage infrastructure investment opportunities in the power sector and particularly for transmission line public private partnerships
Africa50
Investment Director - Project Development
Moshood Abolade is an infrastructure finance professional with project development and finance experience in many African markets and a keen interest in sustainable development and unlocking the complexities of infrastructure development in Africa. He is currently an Investment Director in the Project Development team at Africa50 with a focus on early-stage infrastructure investment opportunities in the power sector and particularly for transmission line public private partnerships
Mr Yinka Adegoke
Semafor Africa
Editor
Yinka Adegoke is the founding editor of Semafor Africa, part of Semafor, a global publication launched in October 2022, where he has also co-led events including the Next 3 Billion, Semafor Africa Summit and the World Economy Summit. Before this he was Editor for Strategic Initiatives at Rest of World, covering the impact of technology on emerging markets. In 2018 Yinka was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine, recognizing his impact on African media. He launched Quartz Africa in 2015 where he led a team covering African innovation, business, politics and culture.
Semafor Africa
Editor
Yinka Adegoke is the founding editor of Semafor Africa, part of Semafor, a global publication launched in October 2022, where he has also co-led events including the Next 3 Billion, Semafor Africa Summit and the World Economy Summit. Before this he was Editor for Strategic Initiatives at Rest of World, covering the impact of technology on emerging markets. In 2018 Yinka was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine, recognizing his impact on African media. He launched Quartz Africa in 2015 where he led a team covering African innovation, business, politics and culture.
Mr. Wilson Agostinho
Angolan Corporate Governance Association (ACGA)
President
Wilson Agostinho is the president of the Angolan Corporate Governance Association.
He has a law degree from the Faculty of Law of the Agostinho Neto University, a post-graduate degree in Financial Markets, and a Master's degree in Legal and Business Sciences from the same institution. He is also a trainee lawyer, regularly registered in the Angolan Bar Association.
A professional dedicated to matters of corporate governance and financial regulation, he has co-authored several articles and works in the financial system, having worked in banking and currently serving as Deputy Director of the Regulatory Office of the Angolan Capital Markets Commission.
Angolan Corporate Governance Association (ACGA)
President
Wilson Agostinho is the president of the Angolan Corporate Governance Association.
He has a law degree from the Faculty of Law of the Agostinho Neto University, a post-graduate degree in Financial Markets, and a Master's degree in Legal and Business Sciences from the same institution. He is also a trainee lawyer, regularly registered in the Angolan Bar Association.
A professional dedicated to matters of corporate governance and financial regulation, he has co-authored several articles and works in the financial system, having worked in banking and currently serving as Deputy Director of the Regulatory Office of the Angolan Capital Markets Commission.
Mr Nii Kwashie Allotey
Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
Director General
Dr. Allotey is the Director General of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Ghana. He is a Chartered Civil/Earthquake Engineer by profession and has worked on various nuclear power plants in the world. He was the former Director of the Nuclear Power Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, which serves as the NEPIO for Ghana's nuclear power programme, and let the development of all nuclear infrastructure issues for Ghana to complete Phase 1 of its nuclear power programme.
Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
Director General
Dr. Allotey is the Director General of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Ghana. He is a Chartered Civil/Earthquake Engineer by profession and has worked on various nuclear power plants in the world. He was the former Director of the Nuclear Power Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, which serves as the NEPIO for Ghana's nuclear power programme, and let the development of all nuclear infrastructure issues for Ghana to complete Phase 1 of its nuclear power programme.
Miss Felicia Appenteng
Africa-America Institute
Program Architect
Felicia Appenteng is a Ghanaian-American executive with over 15 years of experience in strategy, transformation, and operations. She is Program Architect at the Africa-America Institute, designing impactful programs across AAI’s pillars. Previously, she advised MIT’s Legatum Center and led regional transformation as VP at the International Center for Research on Women. Appenteng also founded the IE Africa Center in Madrid and directed The IE Fund. A former Wesleyan University trustee and Council on Foreign Relations Term Member, she holds a BA from Wesleyan University and an MA in History from the City College of New York.
Africa-America Institute
Program Architect
Felicia Appenteng is a Ghanaian-American executive with over 15 years of experience in strategy, transformation, and operations. She is Program Architect at the Africa-America Institute, designing impactful programs across AAI’s pillars. Previously, she advised MIT’s Legatum Center and led regional transformation as VP at the International Center for Research on Women. Appenteng also founded the IE Africa Center in Madrid and directed The IE Fund. A former Wesleyan University trustee and Council on Foreign Relations Term Member, she holds a BA from Wesleyan University and an MA in History from the City College of New York.
Mr Mahmoud Bah
Corus International
Chief Operating Officer
Mahmoud joined Corus International in May 2023 as it’s first Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, Mahmoud oversees the broad portfolio of businesses and non-for-profits, focusing on program operations, business development, impact and partnerships and legal and compliance.
Prior to Corus, Mahmoud worked for nearly 13 years at Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). He served as Deputy CEO, a presidential appointed position in an U.S. foreign assistance agency; and one of President Biden’s designated Acting CEO overseeing the agency’s operations & administration during the transition period leading up to the confirmation of the CEO by the U.S. Senate.
Corus International
Chief Operating Officer
Mahmoud joined Corus International in May 2023 as it’s first Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, Mahmoud oversees the broad portfolio of businesses and non-for-profits, focusing on program operations, business development, impact and partnerships and legal and compliance.
Prior to Corus, Mahmoud worked for nearly 13 years at Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). He served as Deputy CEO, a presidential appointed position in an U.S. foreign assistance agency; and one of President Biden’s designated Acting CEO overseeing the agency’s operations & administration during the transition period leading up to the confirmation of the CEO by the U.S. Senate.
Mr Guy Baron
Tony Blair Institute
Head of Investments
Guy Baron is the Global Lead of the Investments practice at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which advises governments in 40 countries, including 18 in Africa.
Prior to his current role, Guy was Chief Investment Officer of the Rwanda Development Board and previously spent over two decades at RBC Capital Markets, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse First Boston. Guy is an alum of Boston University and Harvard Business School.
Guy serves on the boards of Village Capital and the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund as well as on the advisory board of Texas Children’s Hospital Global HOPE program.
Tony Blair Institute
Head of Investments
Guy Baron is the Global Lead of the Investments practice at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which advises governments in 40 countries, including 18 in Africa.
Prior to his current role, Guy was Chief Investment Officer of the Rwanda Development Board and previously spent over two decades at RBC Capital Markets, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse First Boston. Guy is an alum of Boston University and Harvard Business School.
Guy serves on the boards of Village Capital and the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund as well as on the advisory board of Texas Children’s Hospital Global HOPE program.
H.E. Mrs Nardos Bekele-Thomas
African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
Chief Executive Officer
Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas is a visionary leader with over four decades of experience driving transformative development across Africa. As the Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), she spearheads Africa’s strategic agenda for sustainable development leading the continent’s charge towards the attainment of Agenda 2063—a blueprint for a united, prosperous, and self-reliant Africa.
Before joining AUDA-NEPAD, Mrs. Bekele-Thomas was a highly accomplished leader having held senior leadership roles within the UN which included Senior Director in the Office of the Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa, Kenya and Benin.
African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
Chief Executive Officer
Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas is a visionary leader with over four decades of experience driving transformative development across Africa. As the Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), she spearheads Africa’s strategic agenda for sustainable development leading the continent’s charge towards the attainment of Agenda 2063—a blueprint for a united, prosperous, and self-reliant Africa.
Before joining AUDA-NEPAD, Mrs. Bekele-Thomas was a highly accomplished leader having held senior leadership roles within the UN which included Senior Director in the Office of the Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa, Kenya and Benin.
Mr. Rodrigue Bila
Coca-Cola
Vice-President West Islands & Mid-Africa Franchise
Rodrigue Bila is a seasoned executive with over 25 years in the Consumer-Packaged Goods industry. As Vice President of Operations, he oversees Coca-Cola's West Islands and Mid-Africa franchise, managing 30 markets. He has significantly contributed to growth and transformation within Coca-Cola’s African operations, benefiting both industry leaders and local communities. Before joining Coca-Cola, Rodrigue held leadership roles at ExxonMobil, where he gained expertise in lubricant operations, supply chain, sales, and engineering. A Polytechnical Engineer, Rodrigue is committed to Africa’s development, having volunteered as a professor in Senegal and serving on multiple corporate and social impact boards.
Coca-Cola
Vice-President West Islands & Mid-Africa Franchise
Rodrigue Bila is a seasoned executive with over 25 years in the Consumer-Packaged Goods industry. As Vice President of Operations, he oversees Coca-Cola's West Islands and Mid-Africa franchise, managing 30 markets. He has significantly contributed to growth and transformation within Coca-Cola’s African operations, benefiting both industry leaders and local communities. Before joining Coca-Cola, Rodrigue held leadership roles at ExxonMobil, where he gained expertise in lubricant operations, supply chain, sales, and engineering. A Polytechnical Engineer, Rodrigue is committed to Africa’s development, having volunteered as a professor in Senegal and serving on multiple corporate and social impact boards.
Mr. Conor Coleman
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Chief of Staff and Head of Investments
Conor Coleman is the Head of Investments at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, he plays a key leadership role in shaping and advancing DFC’s investment strategy. He sits on the agency's Investment Committee and is actively involved with investment-related activities. In addition to his role, Mr. Coleman is the Chief of Staff and serves as the principal advisor to the CEO and a senior leader in the agency’s strategic and operational management. Mr. Coleman coordinates agency priorities and ensures effective implementation of DFC’s foreign policy and investment agenda.
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Chief of Staff and Head of Investments
Conor Coleman is the Head of Investments at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, he plays a key leadership role in shaping and advancing DFC’s investment strategy. He sits on the agency's Investment Committee and is actively involved with investment-related activities. In addition to his role, Mr. Coleman is the Chief of Staff and serves as the principal advisor to the CEO and a senior leader in the agency’s strategic and operational management. Mr. Coleman coordinates agency priorities and ensures effective implementation of DFC’s foreign policy and investment agenda.
Mrs. Lisa Coppe
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
Senior Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa
Lisa Coppé is the Senior Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). She has fifteen years of experience working on infrastructure projects across Africa and has originated transactions that have led to over $3 billion in sales for U.S. companies. She is responsible for business development, project preparation and evaluation, and supervision of USTDA’s activities in Africa. She has worked on deals in over 20 African countries. She is also the cybersecurity lead on the Digital Infrastructure Team at USTDA. Mrs. Coppé holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Bucknell University.
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
Senior Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa
Lisa Coppé is the Senior Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). She has fifteen years of experience working on infrastructure projects across Africa and has originated transactions that have led to over $3 billion in sales for U.S. companies. She is responsible for business development, project preparation and evaluation, and supervision of USTDA’s activities in Africa. She has worked on deals in over 20 African countries. She is also the cybersecurity lead on the Digital Infrastructure Team at USTDA. Mrs. Coppé holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Bucknell University.
Mr Sam Ogbemi Daibo
PIND (Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta)
Executive Director
Sam Ogbemi Daibo is a distinguished executive with over 35 years of expertise in the private and development sectors. Renowned for his ability to harmonize diverse agendas and craft effective strategies, Sam has held senior positions in the oil and gas industry. His notable achievements include transforming Corporate Social Responsibility into a reputable enterprise in the Niger Delta and revolutionizing community engagement strategies. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of PIND, championing sustainable development in the Niger Delta. Previously, Sam was the Director of Government Affairs and Area Manager for Policy, Government & Public Affairs at Chevron.
PIND (Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta)
Executive Director
Sam Ogbemi Daibo is a distinguished executive with over 35 years of expertise in the private and development sectors. Renowned for his ability to harmonize diverse agendas and craft effective strategies, Sam has held senior positions in the oil and gas industry. His notable achievements include transforming Corporate Social Responsibility into a reputable enterprise in the Niger Delta and revolutionizing community engagement strategies. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of PIND, championing sustainable development in the Niger Delta. Previously, Sam was the Director of Government Affairs and Area Manager for Policy, Government & Public Affairs at Chevron.
Mr. Ziad Dalloul
Africell Group
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Ziad Dalloul is the Founder and Group CEO of Africell, Africa’s largest US-owned telecom company, serving over 20 million subscribers. With 30+ years of international telecom experience, he transformed Africell from a single-market operator into a multinational leader. Africell dominates markets in The Gambia and Sierra Leone and is rapidly growing in Angola and the DRC. Known for innovation and digital inclusion, Africell has earned numerous awards. Mr. Dalloul received a BS in engineering from Boston University, and an MS in engineering from Columbia University where he serves as a member of the oversight board of Columbia University’s SEAS.
Africell Group
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Ziad Dalloul is the Founder and Group CEO of Africell, Africa’s largest US-owned telecom company, serving over 20 million subscribers. With 30+ years of international telecom experience, he transformed Africell from a single-market operator into a multinational leader. Africell dominates markets in The Gambia and Sierra Leone and is rapidly growing in Angola and the DRC. Known for innovation and digital inclusion, Africell has earned numerous awards. Mr. Dalloul received a BS in engineering from Boston University, and an MS in engineering from Columbia University where he serves as a member of the oversight board of Columbia University’s SEAS.
Sr. Manuel Dias
Banco Nacional de Angola
Governador
Literary abilities:
Master in Economics from the University of Bordeaux I, France.
Professional career:
At the National Bank of Angola, he has held the posts of Director of the Statistics Department, Deputy Director of the Studies and Statistics Department and Head of the Studies Division of the studied and Statistics Department.
Banco Nacional de Angola
Governador
Literary abilities:
Master in Economics from the University of Bordeaux I, France.
Professional career:
At the National Bank of Angola, he has held the posts of Director of the Statistics Department, Deputy Director of the Studies and Statistics Department and Head of the Studies Division of the studied and Statistics Department.
Mr. Alain Ebobissé
Africa50
CEO
Mr. Alain Ebobissé is the CEO of Africa50, a pan-African infrastructure investment platform supported by 33 African countries, the African Development Bank, and two African central banks. He previously led IFC InfraVentures at the World Bank Group, where he developed and managed infrastructure investments globally. Earlier, he served as Chief Investment Officer in IFC’s Global Infrastructure and Natural Resources Department. Before joining the World Bank Group in 1998, he held finance roles in France, including Deputy Head of Project and Structured Finance at Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations. He holds an MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Africa50
CEO
Mr. Alain Ebobissé is the CEO of Africa50, a pan-African infrastructure investment platform supported by 33 African countries, the African Development Bank, and two African central banks. He previously led IFC InfraVentures at the World Bank Group, where he developed and managed infrastructure investments globally. Earlier, he served as Chief Investment Officer in IFC’s Global Infrastructure and Natural Resources Department. Before joining the World Bank Group in 1998, he held finance roles in France, including Deputy Head of Project and Structured Finance at Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations. He holds an MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mr. Jonathan Eigege
Albright Stonebridge Group
Associate Partner
Jonathan Eigege is an Associate Partner at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group (DGA-ASG) and a trusted advisor to clients seeking to navigate risk, capture opportunities, and deepen their impact in Africa’s dynamic emerging markets.
Mr. Eigege manages firm-wide mandates focused on advancing healthcare delivery, energy security, technology access, and gender equality. Mr. Eigege has also been seconded to African governments seeking to develop progressive policies and structure multisectoral partnerships to advance economic development. Before DGA-ASG, Mr. Eigege worked with the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the D.C. Mayor’s Office on African Affairs.
Albright Stonebridge Group
Associate Partner
Jonathan Eigege is an Associate Partner at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group (DGA-ASG) and a trusted advisor to clients seeking to navigate risk, capture opportunities, and deepen their impact in Africa’s dynamic emerging markets.
Mr. Eigege manages firm-wide mandates focused on advancing healthcare delivery, energy security, technology access, and gender equality. Mr. Eigege has also been seconded to African governments seeking to develop progressive policies and structure multisectoral partnerships to advance economic development. Before DGA-ASG, Mr. Eigege worked with the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the D.C. Mayor’s Office on African Affairs.