Mr. Sergio Tati
Anda
Co-Founder & CEO
Sergio is the Co-Founder and CEO of Anda, Angola’s leading mobility fintech startup, focused on formalizing the country’s expansive informal transport sector through digital payments and asset financing. He is a Schwarzman Scholar and graduate of IE Business, School, Harvard College, and Tsinghua University as a Schwarzman Scholar, deeply passionate about Africa’s role in the global economy. He speaks four languages fluently and has lived in nine countries. Before founding Anda, Sergio worked in Private Equity at Goldman Sachs in London.
Anda
Co-Founder & CEO
Sergio is the Co-Founder and CEO of Anda, Angola’s leading mobility fintech startup, focused on formalizing the country’s expansive informal transport sector through digital payments and asset financing. He is a Schwarzman Scholar and graduate of IE Business, School, Harvard College, and Tsinghua University as a Schwarzman Scholar, deeply passionate about Africa’s role in the global economy. He speaks four languages fluently and has lived in nine countries. Before founding Anda, Sergio worked in Private Equity at Goldman Sachs in London.
Mr. Armand Tchokokam
Cybastion
CFO
Armand Tchokokam is Executive Vice President and Global CFO at Cybastion, where he oversees global financial strategy, budgeting, and project financing. A co-founder of the company, he brings over 20 years of experience in banking, financial modeling, and corporate finance. His prior roles include senior positions at AOL, Wachovia Bank, and The George Washington University. Mr. Tchokokam holds an MBA from American University and is a Certified Government Financial Manager. He earned a bachelor's in Agricultural Economics from the University of Turin and is known for his strategic insight, operational leadership, and commitment to financial excellence.
Cybastion
CFO
Armand Tchokokam is Executive Vice President and Global CFO at Cybastion, where he oversees global financial strategy, budgeting, and project financing. A co-founder of the company, he brings over 20 years of experience in banking, financial modeling, and corporate finance. His prior roles include senior positions at AOL, Wachovia Bank, and The George Washington University. Mr. Tchokokam holds an MBA from American University and is a Certified Government Financial Manager. He earned a bachelor's in Agricultural Economics from the University of Turin and is known for his strategic insight, operational leadership, and commitment to financial excellence.
Dr. Papa Demba Thiam
Value Chains Development
International Economist
Dr. Papa Demba Thiam is an international economist, an expert in value chains based industrial development, a professor and an entrepreneur. He is the author and co-author of several renowed publications.
Value Chains Development
International Economist
Dr. Papa Demba Thiam is an international economist, an expert in value chains based industrial development, a professor and an entrepreneur. He is the author and co-author of several renowed publications.
Mr David Tshere
Botswana Government (mInistry of Communications and Innovation)
Minister
HONOURABLE DAVID TSHERE
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION
Honourable David Tshere is a Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering (B.S. BME) graduate from the University of Southern Califonia (USA), Los Angels in 2003. He received an intensive professional training on digital imaging diagnostic modalities and their maintenance. He implemented a digililization of imaging diagnostic in 2004 when he stated his career. He continued with his path until 2019 when he was elected as a member of parliament and served his five year term. He was re-elected to parliament during the 2024 elections and appointed as Minister of Communications and Innovation to date.
Botswana Government (mInistry of Communications and Innovation)
Minister
HONOURABLE DAVID TSHERE
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION
Honourable David Tshere is a Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering (B.S. BME) graduate from the University of Southern Califonia (USA), Los Angels in 2003. He received an intensive professional training on digital imaging diagnostic modalities and their maintenance. He implemented a digililization of imaging diagnostic in 2004 when he stated his career. He continued with his path until 2019 when he was elected as a member of parliament and served his five year term. He was re-elected to parliament during the 2024 elections and appointed as Minister of Communications and Innovation to date.
M. Félix Antoine TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO
Présidence de la République
Président de la République Démocratique du Congo
Président de la République Démocratique du Congo
Présidence de la République
Président de la République Démocratique du Congo
Président de la République Démocratique du Congo
Dr. Zainab Usman
Africa Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Director
Zainab Usman is a senior fellow and director of the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. Her fields of expertise include institutions, economic policy, energy policy, and emerging economies in Africa. She is author of the book Economic Diversification in Nigeria: the Politics of Building a Post-Oil Economy, which was selected as one of the Best Books of 2022 on economics by the Financial Times. Usman’s research has been published on various academic, policy, and media platforms including Al-Jazeera, BBC, the Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Project Syndicate, and the Washington Post.
Africa Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Director
Zainab Usman is a senior fellow and director of the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. Her fields of expertise include institutions, economic policy, energy policy, and emerging economies in Africa. She is author of the book Economic Diversification in Nigeria: the Politics of Building a Post-Oil Economy, which was selected as one of the Best Books of 2022 on economics by the Financial Times. Usman’s research has been published on various academic, policy, and media platforms including Al-Jazeera, BBC, the Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Project Syndicate, and the Washington Post.
Mr. Jorge Vazquez
Africell Angola
Chief Executive Officer
Jorge Vazquez is the Chief Executive Officer of Africell Angola, a position he has held since November 2023. With over 15 years of executive experience in the telecommunications industry, he has played pivotal roles in launching 14 new markets and overseeing the establishment of more than 2,000 retail stores. Prior to joining Africell, Vazquez served as Vice President for Sales and Strategy at Mobilelink, a Houston-based telecom firm, and as Vice President and General Manager of AT&T's South Texas market, managing a $2 billion business unit with over 2,200 employees.
Africell Angola
Chief Executive Officer
Jorge Vazquez is the Chief Executive Officer of Africell Angola, a position he has held since November 2023. With over 15 years of executive experience in the telecommunications industry, he has played pivotal roles in launching 14 new markets and overseeing the establishment of more than 2,000 retail stores. Prior to joining Africell, Vazquez served as Vice President for Sales and Strategy at Mobilelink, a Houston-based telecom firm, and as Vice President and General Manager of AT&T's South Texas market, managing a $2 billion business unit with over 2,200 employees.
Mrs Hariana Veras
Get to Know Africa Corporation
Chief White House Correspondents for Africa
Hariana Verás Victória is a pioneering, award-winning Angolan journalist and Producer. She is the first Angolan journalist accredited as a permanent correspondent at key U.S. government institutions, including the White House, and the first African journalist in the official press pool covering a U.S. President.
She advocates for a more accurate portrayal of Africa in global media.
Hariana founded the Get To Know Africa Corporation which highlights Africa. She holds the distinction of having interviewed the most African Heads of State and her work has earned her numerous honors in both Angola and the U.S.
Get to Know Africa Corporation
Chief White House Correspondents for Africa
Hariana Verás Victória is a pioneering, award-winning Angolan journalist and Producer. She is the first Angolan journalist accredited as a permanent correspondent at key U.S. government institutions, including the White House, and the first African journalist in the official press pool covering a U.S. President.
She advocates for a more accurate portrayal of Africa in global media.
Hariana founded the Get To Know Africa Corporation which highlights Africa. She holds the distinction of having interviewed the most African Heads of State and her work has earned her numerous honors in both Angola and the U.S.
Minister Ricardo Daniel Sandao Viegas de Abreu
Government of Angola
Minister of Transportation
Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, 55 anos, licenciou-se em Economia pela Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa e tem MBA pela Universidade de Bath. Foi fundador do BAI e co-fundador do BNI, além de Vice-Governador do Banco Nacional de Angola. Lecionou na Universidade Católica do Porto e foi consultor do Ministro das Finanças. Foi Presidente do Banco de Poupança e Crédito e Secretário do Presidente para os Assuntos Económicos. Desde 2018, é Ministro dos Transportes. Membro fundador da Federação Angolana de Golfe e Vice-Presidente da Assembleia Geral e tem hobbies como leitura, música e arte
Government of Angola
Minister of Transportation
Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, 55 anos, licenciou-se em Economia pela Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa e tem MBA pela Universidade de Bath. Foi fundador do BAI e co-fundador do BNI, além de Vice-Governador do Banco Nacional de Angola. Lecionou na Universidade Católica do Porto e foi consultor do Ministro das Finanças. Foi Presidente do Banco de Poupança e Crédito e Secretário do Presidente para os Assuntos Económicos. Desde 2018, é Ministro dos Transportes. Membro fundador da Federação Angolana de Golfe e Vice-Presidente da Assembleia Geral e tem hobbies como leitura, música e arte
M. Kaniaru Wacieni
Africa50
Senior Investment Director
Senior Investment Director, Acting Head of Project Finance
has over 20 years of relevant professional experience. Joined Africa50 2019. Prior to Africa50, he was a Director at Globeleq in Nairobi focusing on power infrastructure investing across East and Southern Africa. Prior to Globeleq, he was an Executive Director at J.P. Morgan’s Power & Utilities group in New York where he advised on M&A, leveraged buyouts, restructurings and debt and equity financings across the energy sector, including several landmark transactions in the transmission and merchant power/IPP sectors. Began his career at Credit Suisse Boston, New York and London.
Africa50
Senior Investment Director
Senior Investment Director, Acting Head of Project Finance
has over 20 years of relevant professional experience. Joined Africa50 2019. Prior to Africa50, he was a Director at Globeleq in Nairobi focusing on power infrastructure investing across East and Southern Africa. Prior to Globeleq, he was an Executive Director at J.P. Morgan’s Power & Utilities group in New York where he advised on M&A, leveraged buyouts, restructurings and debt and equity financings across the energy sector, including several landmark transactions in the transmission and merchant power/IPP sectors. Began his career at Credit Suisse Boston, New York and London.
Mrs Emma Wade-Smith OBE
De Beers Group
Senior Vice President Government Affairs
Emma Wade-Smith OBE joined De Beers in February 2024 following a distinguished career as a British Diplomat.
Emma’s last government assignment was as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America and Consul General to New York. This followed five years as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa. Before working on trade and investment, Emma led foreign and security policy at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. and headed the UK Government’s International Crisis Response Team. She was awarded an OBE for helping British Nationals to safety from all around the world.
De Beers Group
Senior Vice President Government Affairs
Emma Wade-Smith OBE joined De Beers in February 2024 following a distinguished career as a British Diplomat.
Emma’s last government assignment was as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America and Consul General to New York. This followed five years as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa. Before working on trade and investment, Emma led foreign and security policy at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. and headed the UK Government’s International Crisis Response Team. She was awarded an OBE for helping British Nationals to safety from all around the world.
Mme Katharina WAGNER MBUYI
Présidence de la République Démocratique du Congo
Conseiller Diplomatique du Chef de l'Etat
Conseiller Diplomatique du Chef de l'Etat
Présidence de la République Démocratique du Congo
Conseiller Diplomatique du Chef de l'Etat
Conseiller Diplomatique du Chef de l'Etat
Mr Ian Wakefield
BD
General Manager Africa
Ian is a Medical Scientist by training and has completed his studies at the University of Cape Town. He has extensive experience in the healthcare sector in Africa and has built a rich career within the medical device field.
Ian has been the General Manager for BD Africa for the past 7 years. He is responsible for spearheading strategies to advance the company’s business goals for the region. He is passionate about advancing healthcare in Africa and believes that through public private partnerships a more efficient healthcare system can be developed to deliver better quality care to African patients.
BD
General Manager Africa
Ian is a Medical Scientist by training and has completed his studies at the University of Cape Town. He has extensive experience in the healthcare sector in Africa and has built a rich career within the medical device field.
Ian has been the General Manager for BD Africa for the past 7 years. He is responsible for spearheading strategies to advance the company’s business goals for the region. He is passionate about advancing healthcare in Africa and believes that through public private partnerships a more efficient healthcare system can be developed to deliver better quality care to African patients.
Mr. Herb Wallen
The Boeing Company
Executive Director, Commercial Sales & Marketing
Herb Wallen is Executive Director, with responsibilities for Commercial Sales
and Marketing in Southern Africa Countries, Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean
Islands. He previously had sales responsibilities in East Africa, West Africa and
Middle East Countries. Prior to sales, he served as Marketing Director with responsibilities in the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Poland and Africa.
He received his MBA from the Foster School of Business, University of Washington, and his Bachelor of Engineering from the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science, Hofstra University. Herb is a native of Jamaica and lives with his family in Dubai, UAE.
The Boeing Company
Executive Director, Commercial Sales & Marketing
Herb Wallen is Executive Director, with responsibilities for Commercial Sales
and Marketing in Southern Africa Countries, Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean
Islands. He previously had sales responsibilities in East Africa, West Africa and
Middle East Countries. Prior to sales, he served as Marketing Director with responsibilities in the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Poland and Africa.
He received his MBA from the Foster School of Business, University of Washington, and his Bachelor of Engineering from the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science, Hofstra University. Herb is a native of Jamaica and lives with his family in Dubai, UAE.
Dr. Thierry Wandji
Cybastion
CEO
Dr. Wandji is the CEO of Cybastion, an American tech company driving digital transformation across Africa. A U.S. cybersecurity expert of Cameroonian origin, he has expanded operations to over eight African countries, including building national data centers and launching cybersecurity agencies. He advises African Heads of State and the White House, and sits on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's U.S.-Africa Business Center board. Dr. Wandji holds degrees in engineering and cybersecurity from Polytechnique Montréal, Morgan State, the University of Maryland, and George Washington University. Cybastion is also a member of the Corporate Council on Africa.
Cybastion
CEO
Dr. Wandji is the CEO of Cybastion, an American tech company driving digital transformation across Africa. A U.S. cybersecurity expert of Cameroonian origin, he has expanded operations to over eight African countries, including building national data centers and launching cybersecurity agencies. He advises African Heads of State and the White House, and sits on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's U.S.-Africa Business Center board. Dr. Wandji holds degrees in engineering and cybersecurity from Polytechnique Montréal, Morgan State, the University of Maryland, and George Washington University. Cybastion is also a member of the Corporate Council on Africa.
Mr. Daniel Witt
International Tax and Investment Center
President
Daniel A. Witt is President of the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC), a nonprofit research and education organization which he helped found in 1993. Mr. Witt has been working to promote free markets and helping to lower the barriers to tax, trade, and investment in transition economies for over 30 years. Having worked with 85 countries, he has co-developed a unique neutral table to bring together the public sector, private sector, and academics to advance pro-investment economic policy reforms.
ITIC is a global brand that is trusted as a reliable source of tax and investment policy and administration expertise.
International Tax and Investment Center
President
Daniel A. Witt is President of the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC), a nonprofit research and education organization which he helped found in 1993. Mr. Witt has been working to promote free markets and helping to lower the barriers to tax, trade, and investment in transition economies for over 30 years. Having worked with 85 countries, he has co-developed a unique neutral table to bring together the public sector, private sector, and academics to advance pro-investment economic policy reforms.
ITIC is a global brand that is trusted as a reliable source of tax and investment policy and administration expertise.
Dr. Danielle Wood
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Professor
Professor Danielle Wood is an Associate Professor in the Program in Media Arts & Sciences and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor Wood serves at MIT as the Faculty Lead for African and African Diaspora Studies. Prof. Wood is the director of the Space Enabled Research Group which designs systems that use tools from space to promote sustainability on Earth.
Prof. Wood's background includes satellite design, earth science, systems engineering, and policy. Previously, Professor Wood held positions at NASA, Aerospace Corporation, Johns Hopkins University, and the United Nations.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Professor
Professor Danielle Wood is an Associate Professor in the Program in Media Arts & Sciences and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor Wood serves at MIT as the Faculty Lead for African and African Diaspora Studies. Prof. Wood is the director of the Space Enabled Research Group which designs systems that use tools from space to promote sustainability on Earth.
Prof. Wood's background includes satellite design, earth science, systems engineering, and policy. Previously, Professor Wood held positions at NASA, Aerospace Corporation, Johns Hopkins University, and the United Nations.
M. Karim Zidane
Ministry of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies
Minister
Mr. Karim Zidane was appointed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, on October 23, 2024, as Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, responsible for Investment, Convergence, and the Evaluation of Public Policies.
With a solid experience in both the public and private sectors, Mr. Karim Zidane has demonstrated deep expertise in leading strategic projects, coordinating multisectoral initiatives, and building high-level partnerships.
A graduate of prestigious national and international institutions, he brings over twenty years of experience managing complex economic portfolios, with a particular focus on sustainable growth policies and attracting foreign investment to Morocco.
Ministry of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies
Minister
Mr. Karim Zidane was appointed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, on October 23, 2024, as Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, responsible for Investment, Convergence, and the Evaluation of Public Policies.
With a solid experience in both the public and private sectors, Mr. Karim Zidane has demonstrated deep expertise in leading strategic projects, coordinating multisectoral initiatives, and building high-level partnerships.
A graduate of prestigious national and international institutions, he brings over twenty years of experience managing complex economic portfolios, with a particular focus on sustainable growth policies and attracting foreign investment to Morocco.
Mr Samaila Zubairu
Africa Finance Corporation
President & CEO
Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, has led transformative infrastructure investments across Africa for over three decades. Under his leadership, AFC has doubled its membership, tripled investments, and more than doubled profits by 2023. Recognized globally, AFC has won multiple awards, including Pan-African Champion (2024) and DFI of the Year (2022). Mr. Zubairu co-chairs the WEF’s clean energy network, and his efforts in climate finance have set benchmarks in emerging markets. A former CFO of Dangote Cement, he is an Eisenhower Fellow and Chartered Accountant with a BSc in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University.
Africa Finance Corporation
President & CEO
Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, has led transformative infrastructure investments across Africa for over three decades. Under his leadership, AFC has doubled its membership, tripled investments, and more than doubled profits by 2023. Recognized globally, AFC has won multiple awards, including Pan-African Champion (2024) and DFI of the Year (2022). Mr. Zubairu co-chairs the WEF’s clean energy network, and his efforts in climate finance have set benchmarks in emerging markets. A former CFO of Dangote Cement, he is an Eisenhower Fellow and Chartered Accountant with a BSc in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University.