Mr. Geoff Pyatt
U.S. Department of State
Assistant Secretary for ENR
Critical Minerals – The Crucial Components
Geoffrey R. Pyatt, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Career Minister, was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources on September 19, 2022. Ambassador Pyatt served as U.S. Ambassador to Greece from 2016 to 2022 and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine from 2013 to 2016. Among other recognitions, he received the State Department’s Robert Frasure Memorial Award in recognition of his leadership of the U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014. Previously, Ambassador Pyatt was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs from 2010-2013. He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna, Austria from 2007 to 2010. He also served three times at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2006 to 2007, Political Counselor from 2002 to 2006, and Political Officer from 1992 to 1994. Ambassador Pyatt was Economic Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong from 1999 to 2002 and Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan from 1997 to 1999. Since joining the Foreign Service in 1989, he has also served on the National Security Council staff, on the staff of Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott and at the U.S. Embassy in Honduras. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked with The Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank that brings together leading citizens of the Americas. Ambassador Pyatt grew up in La Jolla, California and holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Yale and B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine
U.S. Department of State
Assistant Secretary for ENR
Critical Minerals – The Crucial Components
Geoffrey R. Pyatt, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Career Minister, was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources on September 19, 2022. Ambassador Pyatt served as U.S. Ambassador to Greece from 2016 to 2022 and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine from 2013 to 2016. Among other recognitions, he received the State Department’s Robert Frasure Memorial Award in recognition of his leadership of the U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014. Previously, Ambassador Pyatt was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs from 2010-2013. He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna, Austria from 2007 to 2010. He also served three times at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2006 to 2007, Political Counselor from 2002 to 2006, and Political Officer from 1992 to 1994. Ambassador Pyatt was Economic Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong from 1999 to 2002 and Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan from 1997 to 1999. Since joining the Foreign Service in 1989, he has also served on the National Security Council staff, on the staff of Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott and at the U.S. Embassy in Honduras. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked with The Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank that brings together leading citizens of the Americas. Ambassador Pyatt grew up in La Jolla, California and holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Yale and B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine
His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera
Republic of Malawi
President
Celebrating 20 Years of MCC in Africa
Republic of Malawi
President
Celebrating 20 Years of MCC in Africa
Mr Dapo Otunla
IHS (Nigeria) Limited
Chief Corporate Services Officer
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Dapo Otunla is the Chief Corporate Services Officer of IHS (Nigeria) Limited. He oversees Sustainability & Corporate Communications, Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs, Data Governance & Compliance, and Legal departments.
He holds a BSc. (Honours) Degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan and an LL.B. (Honours) Degree from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. Dapo also attended a joint law and management programme at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA, and graduated with an LL.M. Degree (with Honors; Dean's List) and a Certificate in Management from Northwestern University's School of Law and Kellogg Graduate School of Management, respectively.
He is admitted to practice at the Bars of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the State of New York, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and the State of Illinois (Inactive Status) in the U.S
IHS (Nigeria) Limited
Chief Corporate Services Officer
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Dapo Otunla is the Chief Corporate Services Officer of IHS (Nigeria) Limited. He oversees Sustainability & Corporate Communications, Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs, Data Governance & Compliance, and Legal departments.
He holds a BSc. (Honours) Degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan and an LL.B. (Honours) Degree from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. Dapo also attended a joint law and management programme at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA, and graduated with an LL.M. Degree (with Honors; Dean's List) and a Certificate in Management from Northwestern University's School of Law and Kellogg Graduate School of Management, respectively.
He is admitted to practice at the Bars of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the State of New York, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and the State of Illinois (Inactive Status) in the U.S
Mrs Caroline eboumbou
All On
CEO
Lighting the Path Forward: Scaling Energy Access Down to the Last Mile in Africa
Caroline Eboumbou is the Chief Executive Officer of All On, whose mission is to increase access to commercial energy products and services for under-served and un-served off-grid energy markets in Nigeria through Impact Investments. A determined pan-Africanist, she is passionate about private sector and economic development, to which she has dedicated her career.
Under her leadership at All On, she has continued to build a portfolio that has expanded to over 130,000 connections, which has impacted over 700,000 lives, alongside other technical and non-technical support offered to the renewable energy space, in Nigeria. Caroline joined All On from The Rockefeller Foundation where she served as an Investment Director based in Nairobi, Kenya. In that capacity, her role focused on driving large-scale impact through the Foundation’s Power investments in Africa, as well as on mobilizing significant financing for extending electricity access globally. She oversaw an innovative portfolio of grants and investments aimed at realizing the full potential of mini grids, while advancing more effective integrated electrification planning and investment across key markets. Caroline was also deeply involved in the strategic design, launch and implementation of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). Prior to joining The Rockefeller Foundation, Caroline worked for the African Development Bank, and in private equity focusing on construction and long-term equity financing for solar photovoltaic projects in emerging markets. In these roles, she gained substantial project finance experience and worked on transformative projects to bring electricity to people across Africa.
Her project experience spans Francophone and Anglophone countries and ranges in scope from power generation to transmission projects in both private sector-led and public-private partnerships. She holds Masters from Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University.
All On
CEO
Lighting the Path Forward: Scaling Energy Access Down to the Last Mile in Africa
Caroline Eboumbou is the Chief Executive Officer of All On, whose mission is to increase access to commercial energy products and services for under-served and un-served off-grid energy markets in Nigeria through Impact Investments. A determined pan-Africanist, she is passionate about private sector and economic development, to which she has dedicated her career.
Under her leadership at All On, she has continued to build a portfolio that has expanded to over 130,000 connections, which has impacted over 700,000 lives, alongside other technical and non-technical support offered to the renewable energy space, in Nigeria. Caroline joined All On from The Rockefeller Foundation where she served as an Investment Director based in Nairobi, Kenya. In that capacity, her role focused on driving large-scale impact through the Foundation’s Power investments in Africa, as well as on mobilizing significant financing for extending electricity access globally. She oversaw an innovative portfolio of grants and investments aimed at realizing the full potential of mini grids, while advancing more effective integrated electrification planning and investment across key markets. Caroline was also deeply involved in the strategic design, launch and implementation of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). Prior to joining The Rockefeller Foundation, Caroline worked for the African Development Bank, and in private equity focusing on construction and long-term equity financing for solar photovoltaic projects in emerging markets. In these roles, she gained substantial project finance experience and worked on transformative projects to bring electricity to people across Africa.
Her project experience spans Francophone and Anglophone countries and ranges in scope from power generation to transmission projects in both private sector-led and public-private partnerships. She holds Masters from Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University.
Ms. Lesley Reddy
CrossBoundary
Principal, Head of Southern Africa Advisory
The Business and Philanthropy Nexus: Driving Sustainable U.S.-Africa Partnerships
CrossBoundary
Principal, Head of Southern Africa Advisory
The Business and Philanthropy Nexus: Driving Sustainable U.S.-Africa Partnerships
Ambassador HILDA SUKA-MAFUDZE
Permanent Representative African Union Mission to the US in Washington DC
Head of Mission
Facilitating U.S/Africa Trade and Investment: Women and the Diaspora
Permanent Representative African Union Mission to the US in Washington DC
Head of Mission
Facilitating U.S/Africa Trade and Investment: Women and the Diaspora
Mr. Pontsho C Pusoetsile
Ministry of Communication, Knowledge and Technology
Permanent Secretary
Data-Driven: Unleashing Africa’s Economic Potential
Ministry of Communication, Knowledge and Technology
Permanent Secretary
Data-Driven: Unleashing Africa’s Economic Potential
Mr. Abdul Rahman AbdulRazaq
Kwara State & Nigerian Governors Forum
Executive Governor & Chairman
Invest in Nigeria
His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq took office as the Governor of Kwara State in 2019 after defeating every other contestant at the polls, including the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, which was the ruling party in the state at the time. In his short time in office, he has focused on improving the lot of her citizenry.
He was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, into the family of the first lawyer from the country’s northern region, AGF Abdulrazaq, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who holds the prominent traditional titles of Mutawalli Ilorin and Tafida of Zazzau (Zaria). AbdulRahman, a Muslim, comes from Ilorin West Local Government, which is in the Kwara Central Senatorial District of the State. He speaks Yoruba, English, and Hausa languages fluently.
Before his foray into politics, AbdulRahman’s innate entrepreneurial spirit drove him to make history at the age of 29 when he founded NOPA Oil Services, the first indigenous company to trade in crude oil and petroleum products to the global markets (United States, Europe, and Asia) and also to import crude oil and petroleum products into Nigeria. His success story inspired other young entrepreneurs who have become accomplished oil and gas magnates. Renowned for his immense knowledge of the petroleum industry, his managerial skills and business acumen extend to agriculture, construction, information technology, shipping, and real estate. He is a consultant to various multinational oil companies and some countries.
Kwara State & Nigerian Governors Forum
Executive Governor & Chairman
Invest in Nigeria
His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq took office as the Governor of Kwara State in 2019 after defeating every other contestant at the polls, including the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, which was the ruling party in the state at the time. In his short time in office, he has focused on improving the lot of her citizenry.
He was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, into the family of the first lawyer from the country’s northern region, AGF Abdulrazaq, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who holds the prominent traditional titles of Mutawalli Ilorin and Tafida of Zazzau (Zaria). AbdulRahman, a Muslim, comes from Ilorin West Local Government, which is in the Kwara Central Senatorial District of the State. He speaks Yoruba, English, and Hausa languages fluently.
Before his foray into politics, AbdulRahman’s innate entrepreneurial spirit drove him to make history at the age of 29 when he founded NOPA Oil Services, the first indigenous company to trade in crude oil and petroleum products to the global markets (United States, Europe, and Asia) and also to import crude oil and petroleum products into Nigeria. His success story inspired other young entrepreneurs who have become accomplished oil and gas magnates. Renowned for his immense knowledge of the petroleum industry, his managerial skills and business acumen extend to agriculture, construction, information technology, shipping, and real estate. He is a consultant to various multinational oil companies and some countries.
Hon. Hon. Shelile Mokhethi
Kingdom of Lesotho
Minister of Trade
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Kingdom of Lesotho
Minister of Trade
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Mr. Jas Bedi
Bedi Investments
Chairman
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Jas is a textile graduate (1984) and has attended numerous executive business courses
in Harvard Business School, IMD and IIM. His business acumen has been recognized by
Government of Kenya whereby HE President Mwai Kibaki decorated Jas with a medal,
Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) in 2012. Further in 2016 Jas was nominated a finalist
in the Africa CEO forum awards and subsequently awarded Sikh CEO of the year.
Thereafter in 2017, HE President Uhuru Kenyatta decorated Jas with a medal, Elder of
the Burning Spear (EBS). Additionally in 2023, Jas was awarded a ‘Doctor of Philosophy
Honoris Causa' by Desh Bhagat University, India in the field of expansion of export
market.
Bedi Investments
Chairman
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Jas is a textile graduate (1984) and has attended numerous executive business courses
in Harvard Business School, IMD and IIM. His business acumen has been recognized by
Government of Kenya whereby HE President Mwai Kibaki decorated Jas with a medal,
Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) in 2012. Further in 2016 Jas was nominated a finalist
in the Africa CEO forum awards and subsequently awarded Sikh CEO of the year.
Thereafter in 2017, HE President Uhuru Kenyatta decorated Jas with a medal, Elder of
the Burning Spear (EBS). Additionally in 2023, Jas was awarded a ‘Doctor of Philosophy
Honoris Causa' by Desh Bhagat University, India in the field of expansion of export
market.
Ms Aisha Rimi
Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission
Executive Secretary
Invest in Nigeria
Africa Investment Opportunity Types, Processes and Framework
Ms. Aisha Rimi was recently appointed as the Chief Executive Office/Executive Secretary
of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. Prior to this, Ms. Rimi was managing
partner in the Corporate Commercial and Private Client practice group of Africa Law
Practice, a leading commercial Law Firm in Lagos, Nigeria.
As a leading transaction lawyer, Ms. Rimi has over 30 years if experience in general
corporate commercial law with expertise in foreign investments, regulatory compliance,
and business advisory services for ‘doing business in Africa’.
Her areas of specialisation and experience include project finance, corporate and
operational joint ventures, all manners of commercial structures and advisory services such
as joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, manufacturing, licensing and distribution
agreements, divestments, mergers and acquisitions; corporate restructuring and
government and regulatory compliance.
In recent times, she led teams that advised DFI’s on multi-million dollar investments in
large infrastructure development projects; the restructuring of a multi-billion naira facility;
conducted value for money and legal audits; rendered business advisory and transaction
structuring advise to corporate and government agencies in areas of acquisitions, mergers
and private equity investments. With responsibility for growing the firms evolving Private
Client group, she has overseen the organic expansion of this service to include, wealth
management and personal investment services.
She also has international experience as a project finance attorney at Chadbourne & Parke,
(now Norton Rose Fulbright New York, US) where she worked on infrastructure projects
across various sectors.
She holds an LL.B and an LL.M from the University of Buckingham, was called to the
Nigerian Bar in 1991 and recently obtained a post graduate diploma in Organisational
Leadership from Said Business School (Oxford University)
Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission
Executive Secretary
Invest in Nigeria
Africa Investment Opportunity Types, Processes and Framework
Ms. Aisha Rimi was recently appointed as the Chief Executive Office/Executive Secretary
of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. Prior to this, Ms. Rimi was managing
partner in the Corporate Commercial and Private Client practice group of Africa Law
Practice, a leading commercial Law Firm in Lagos, Nigeria.
As a leading transaction lawyer, Ms. Rimi has over 30 years if experience in general
corporate commercial law with expertise in foreign investments, regulatory compliance,
and business advisory services for ‘doing business in Africa’.
Her areas of specialisation and experience include project finance, corporate and
operational joint ventures, all manners of commercial structures and advisory services such
as joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, manufacturing, licensing and distribution
agreements, divestments, mergers and acquisitions; corporate restructuring and
government and regulatory compliance.
In recent times, she led teams that advised DFI’s on multi-million dollar investments in
large infrastructure development projects; the restructuring of a multi-billion naira facility;
conducted value for money and legal audits; rendered business advisory and transaction
structuring advise to corporate and government agencies in areas of acquisitions, mergers
and private equity investments. With responsibility for growing the firms evolving Private
Client group, she has overseen the organic expansion of this service to include, wealth
management and personal investment services.
She also has international experience as a project finance attorney at Chadbourne & Parke,
(now Norton Rose Fulbright New York, US) where she worked on infrastructure projects
across various sectors.
She holds an LL.B and an LL.M from the University of Buckingham, was called to the
Nigerian Bar in 1991 and recently obtained a post graduate diploma in Organisational
Leadership from Said Business School (Oxford University)
Mr. Chaitan Jain
United Airlines
Director, Policy
The Business of Aviation in Africa
Chaitan is currently the Director of Regulatory Affairs at United Airlines, based in Washington D.C. In his current capacity he serves as a liaison to US Federal Government Agencies on regulatory matters and leads United’s engagement with the DC diplomatic corps. Chaitan also leads United’s engagement with the Department of Transportation on the airline’s international joint ventures. He has been heavily involved in United’s COVID-19 response, working across the company on testing requirements, repatriation flights, and the future customer journey.
Prior to joining United in 2019, Chaitan worked for over a decade at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), based in Geneva, Switzerland. At IATA he had a variety of roles, most recently Assistant Director of External Affairs, leading IATA’s engagement several global policy issues and advising regional colleagues on ongoing industry challenges in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. In this position Chaitan lead a project to define how aviation will evolve over the next 20 years, which became the heart of the association’s strategic planning process. He also served on the leadership team of IATA’s largest division, with over 700 employees, and led teams to provide that division with strategic planning and communications services.
Before joining IATA Chaitan worked as a consultant to the Abu Dhabi government and the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation in Mumbai, India. He also worked for an India-based NGO, the GIVE Foundation, leading a business unit which aimed to bring greater transparency to India’s non-profit sector and increase charitable giving. He began his career at Exxon Mobil Corporation in Washington and Houston, serving in a variety of communications and international government affairs roles.
He holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, and Bachelor of Arts in Quantitative Economics and International Relations from Tufts University. Chaitan is fluent in English and French and proficient in Hindi.
United Airlines
Director, Policy
The Business of Aviation in Africa
Chaitan is currently the Director of Regulatory Affairs at United Airlines, based in Washington D.C. In his current capacity he serves as a liaison to US Federal Government Agencies on regulatory matters and leads United’s engagement with the DC diplomatic corps. Chaitan also leads United’s engagement with the Department of Transportation on the airline’s international joint ventures. He has been heavily involved in United’s COVID-19 response, working across the company on testing requirements, repatriation flights, and the future customer journey.
Prior to joining United in 2019, Chaitan worked for over a decade at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), based in Geneva, Switzerland. At IATA he had a variety of roles, most recently Assistant Director of External Affairs, leading IATA’s engagement several global policy issues and advising regional colleagues on ongoing industry challenges in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. In this position Chaitan lead a project to define how aviation will evolve over the next 20 years, which became the heart of the association’s strategic planning process. He also served on the leadership team of IATA’s largest division, with over 700 employees, and led teams to provide that division with strategic planning and communications services.
Before joining IATA Chaitan worked as a consultant to the Abu Dhabi government and the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation in Mumbai, India. He also worked for an India-based NGO, the GIVE Foundation, leading a business unit which aimed to bring greater transparency to India’s non-profit sector and increase charitable giving. He began his career at Exxon Mobil Corporation in Washington and Houston, serving in a variety of communications and international government affairs roles.
He holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, and Bachelor of Arts in Quantitative Economics and International Relations from Tufts University. Chaitan is fluent in English and French and proficient in Hindi.
Dr. Msokoli Ntombana
Tshwane Automotive SEZ
Senior Manager, Business Development
Special Economic Zones: Linking Africa to Regional and Global Supply Chains
Tshwane Automotive SEZ
Senior Manager, Business Development
Special Economic Zones: Linking Africa to Regional and Global Supply Chains
H.E. H.E. Mohamed Ould Bilal Messoud
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Prime Minister
Navigating Africa's Energy Future
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Prime Minister
Navigating Africa's Energy Future
Mr. Rishon Chimboza
Tony Blair Institute
Managing Director, Africa
Lighting the Path Forward: Scaling Energy Access Down to the Last Mile in Africa
Tony Blair Institute
Managing Director, Africa
Lighting the Path Forward: Scaling Energy Access Down to the Last Mile in Africa