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.
Mrs Manirambona Adeline
Burundi Government
Head of office
Head of the socio-cultural office at the Prime Minister s office
Burundi Government
Head of office
Head of the socio-cultural office at the Prime Minister s office
Sr Akinwumi Adesina
African Development Bank
President
Dr.Akinwumi A.Adesina was elected 8th President of the African Development Bank Group in 2015 and re-elected in 2020.He previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture.
He is an alumnus of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University),Nigeria,and Purdue University, USA, from where he obtained his PhD in Agricultural Economics.
Under Dr.Adesina’s Presidency,the African Development Bank Group increased its capital from $93 billion to $318 billion.
Dr.Adesina is 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, 2019 Sunhak Peace Prize Laureate and recipient of several international awards,national honors,and honorary doctorates from universities in the US,Africa,Canada
African Development Bank
President
Dr.Akinwumi A.Adesina was elected 8th President of the African Development Bank Group in 2015 and re-elected in 2020.He previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture.
He is an alumnus of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University),Nigeria,and Purdue University, USA, from where he obtained his PhD in Agricultural Economics.
Under Dr.Adesina’s Presidency,the African Development Bank Group increased its capital from $93 billion to $318 billion.
Dr.Adesina is 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, 2019 Sunhak Peace Prize Laureate and recipient of several international awards,national honors,and honorary doctorates from universities in the US,Africa,Canada
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 Mohit Agrawal
Arise IIP
AVP - Projects
Mohit Agrawal is Associate Vice President at Arise IIP, leading industrial zones developer across Africa. Formerly CEO of the Gabon Special Economic Zone, he advanced sustainable raw material sourcing and timber sector industrialization. With 15+ years of experience, he has led major infrastructure projects in Gabon, ROC, and Mauritania. Mohit holds an Architecture degree from SPA, New Delhi and a Finance certificate from LSE.
Arise IIP
AVP - Projects
Mohit Agrawal is Associate Vice President at Arise IIP, leading industrial zones developer across Africa. Formerly CEO of the Gabon Special Economic Zone, he advanced sustainable raw material sourcing and timber sector industrialization. With 15+ years of experience, he has led major infrastructure projects in Gabon, ROC, and Mauritania. Mohit holds an Architecture degree from SPA, New Delhi and a Finance certificate from LSE.
Ms Clare Akamanzi
NBA Africa
CEO
Clare Akamanzi an accomplished business executive and international trade and investment lawyer. Named NBA Africa CEO in December 2023. Overseeing the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts in Africa and responsible for continuing to grow the popularity of basketball, the NBA and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) across the continent, through grassroots basketball development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility initiatives that improve the livelihoods of African youth and families. Before the NBA, Akamanzi spent six and a half years as CEO, Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Recognized by Forbes as one of Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.
NBA Africa
CEO
Clare Akamanzi an accomplished business executive and international trade and investment lawyer. Named NBA Africa CEO in December 2023. Overseeing the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts in Africa and responsible for continuing to grow the popularity of basketball, the NBA and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) across the continent, through grassroots basketball development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility initiatives that improve the livelihoods of African youth and families. Before the NBA, Akamanzi spent six and a half years as CEO, Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Recognized by Forbes as one of Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.
Ms Anne Aliker
Standard Bank
Group Head - Client Coverage CIB
Anne has over 30 years experience in financial services in domestic and global banks, covering investment banking strategy and roles in transactions that leverage the full suite of investment banking solutions. A Ugandan now based in the UK, Anne currently leads specialised sector teams across the 20 markets in which Standard Bank operates. These are positioned to provide industry knowledge and insight across a range of sectors, working with the Investment Banking, Global Markets and Transactional Products and Services business units. Anne has substantial experience as a Non-Executive Director including membership of the Investment Committee at a Private Equity firm.
Standard Bank
Group Head - Client Coverage CIB
Anne has over 30 years experience in financial services in domestic and global banks, covering investment banking strategy and roles in transactions that leverage the full suite of investment banking solutions. A Ugandan now based in the UK, Anne currently leads specialised sector teams across the 20 markets in which Standard Bank operates. These are positioned to provide industry knowledge and insight across a range of sectors, working with the Investment Banking, Global Markets and Transactional Products and Services business units. Anne has substantial experience as a Non-Executive Director including membership of the Investment Committee at a Private Equity firm.
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.
The Honourable Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea
Government of Mauritius
Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives
Government of Mauritius
Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives
M. Marcellin Andrianarivelo Razafy
FRAISE Group Madagascar
Managing Partner
HBS alumnus, Pdt of Harvard Alumuni Association in Madagascar, YPO member , IVLP
Board member of Malagasy Employers Association, founding member of the American Chamber (AmCham), Board member of Chamber of Mines. Board Member at the Central Bank of Madagascar
Co-Liaison Director of Stanford Seed Program
The Fraise Group is a family business group performing in different areas: Construction, Energy, Automative Industry, Tourism, through 4 leading companies in Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles (Henri Fraise Fils (CATERPILLAR / John Deere dealer), Carlton Hotel, MADAUTO, SOMECA). Fraise Group also operates in other business fields such as Vanilla and Cloves Export, Airplane Services
FRAISE Group Madagascar
Managing Partner
HBS alumnus, Pdt of Harvard Alumuni Association in Madagascar, YPO member , IVLP
Board member of Malagasy Employers Association, founding member of the American Chamber (AmCham), Board member of Chamber of Mines. Board Member at the Central Bank of Madagascar
Co-Liaison Director of Stanford Seed Program
The Fraise Group is a family business group performing in different areas: Construction, Energy, Automative Industry, Tourism, through 4 leading companies in Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles (Henri Fraise Fils (CATERPILLAR / John Deere dealer), Carlton Hotel, MADAUTO, SOMECA). Fraise Group also operates in other business fields such as Vanilla and Cloves Export, Airplane Services
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.
Ms Nastassia Arendse
CNBC AFRICA
Senior Business Anchor
Nastassia Arendse is a Senior Business Anchor at CNBC Africa hosting a daily weekday program which explores the most interesting topics in finance, markets, economics, and business. With a career spanning 16 years, she has established herself as a smart, compelling, and creative financial journalist. Her versatility is evident in her experience across various platforms, including print, audio, digital news, and TV. Her breadth of international experience, which has taken her across the globe, further underscores her adaptability and wide-ranging skills.
CNBC AFRICA
Senior Business Anchor
Nastassia Arendse is a Senior Business Anchor at CNBC Africa hosting a daily weekday program which explores the most interesting topics in finance, markets, economics, and business. With a career spanning 16 years, she has established herself as a smart, compelling, and creative financial journalist. Her versatility is evident in her experience across various platforms, including print, audio, digital news, and TV. Her breadth of international experience, which has taken her across the globe, further underscores her adaptability and wide-ranging skills.
Monsieur BABEL BABOMBA NLANDU
AMBASSADE DE LA RDC EN ANGOLA
PREMIER CONSEILLER
PREMIER CONSEILLER D'AMBASSADE
AMBASSADE DE LA RDC EN ANGOLA
PREMIER CONSEILLER
PREMIER CONSEILLER D'AMBASSADE
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 Richard Barke
ExxonMobil Upstream Company
Director, South Atlantic Exploration, Exploration & New Ventures
ExxonMobil Upstream Company
Director, South Atlantic Exploration, Exploration & New Ventures
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.
