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 Jean-Raymond Boulle
Jean Boulle Group
Founder and Chairman
Critical Minerals – The Crucial Components
Closing Ceremony
Jean Raymond Boulle, founder of the Jean Boulle Group, was one of the first African representatives to engage the U.S. during the establishment of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which remains at the centre of U.S. economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa.
The Jean Boulle Group has a strong track record of investing in commercial projects and non-profit causes since its foundation in 1996. It has completed over US$5 billion of corporate transactions and stock exchange listings and is today engaged in the Mining, MedTech, Therapeutics, Energy, Agriculture and Luxury sectors.
Mr. Boulle leads co-investment alongside nation states, sovereign pension funds and World Bank entities to discover, evaluate and develop new enterprises and commercial projects which generate social and environmental benefits. He founded Diamond Fields Resources Inc, , America Mineral Fields Inc and Titanium Resources Group Ltd; four publicly traded companies with deposits of nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, titanium and diamonds.
He has maintained a longstanding involvement with the Corporate Council on Africa (‘CCA’) since it was established in 1993 to promote business and investment between the United States and the nations of Africa. In 2024 he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the CCA.
Mr. Boulle was also awarded Sierra Leone’s highest order of merit – Commander of the Order of the Rokel – by His Excellency Alhadji Ahmad Tejan, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in recognition of the contribution that Mr Boulle has made to the country and people of Sierra Leone over 30 years.
Jean Boulle Group
Founder and Chairman
Critical Minerals – The Crucial Components
Closing Ceremony
Jean Raymond Boulle, founder of the Jean Boulle Group, was one of the first African representatives to engage the U.S. during the establishment of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which remains at the centre of U.S. economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa.
The Jean Boulle Group has a strong track record of investing in commercial projects and non-profit causes since its foundation in 1996. It has completed over US$5 billion of corporate transactions and stock exchange listings and is today engaged in the Mining, MedTech, Therapeutics, Energy, Agriculture and Luxury sectors.
Mr. Boulle leads co-investment alongside nation states, sovereign pension funds and World Bank entities to discover, evaluate and develop new enterprises and commercial projects which generate social and environmental benefits. He founded Diamond Fields Resources Inc, , America Mineral Fields Inc and Titanium Resources Group Ltd; four publicly traded companies with deposits of nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, titanium and diamonds.
He has maintained a longstanding involvement with the Corporate Council on Africa (‘CCA’) since it was established in 1993 to promote business and investment between the United States and the nations of Africa. In 2024 he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the CCA.
Mr. Boulle was also awarded Sierra Leone’s highest order of merit – Commander of the Order of the Rokel – by His Excellency Alhadji Ahmad Tejan, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in recognition of the contribution that Mr Boulle has made to the country and people of Sierra Leone over 30 years.
Mr. Marie Pierre Boulle
Jean Boulle Group
Director
Saving Africa's Rarest Species
Bertrand has worked for De Beers and various independent diamond producers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry. He has over 20 years’ senior management experience in global financial services markets within the EU and Mauritius with various banks that include BNP Paribas and Banco Popular.
Bertrand is also a non-executive director of Omnicane Ltd, a cane sugar and energy producer listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius and of Diamond Fields Resources, a gold exploration company listed on Toronto’s TSX Venture Exchange. He is also a director of the Jean Boulle Group that has completed over US$5 billion of corporate transactions and stock exchange listings involved in the Mining, MedTech, Therapeutics, Energy, Agriculture and Luxury sectors. Bertrand is a keen historian and focuses on the Mascarenes and on Portuguese discoveries along the microcontinent of Mauritia, a fragmented African continental crust that emerged when India broke apart from Madagascar eighty-five million years ago.
Jean Boulle Group
Director
Saving Africa's Rarest Species
Bertrand has worked for De Beers and various independent diamond producers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry. He has over 20 years’ senior management experience in global financial services markets within the EU and Mauritius with various banks that include BNP Paribas and Banco Popular.
Bertrand is also a non-executive director of Omnicane Ltd, a cane sugar and energy producer listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius and of Diamond Fields Resources, a gold exploration company listed on Toronto’s TSX Venture Exchange. He is also a director of the Jean Boulle Group that has completed over US$5 billion of corporate transactions and stock exchange listings involved in the Mining, MedTech, Therapeutics, Energy, Agriculture and Luxury sectors. Bertrand is a keen historian and focuses on the Mascarenes and on Portuguese discoveries along the microcontinent of Mauritia, a fragmented African continental crust that emerged when India broke apart from Madagascar eighty-five million years ago.
Mr. Louis-Pierre Boulle
Jean Boulle Group
Advisor
Saving Africa's Rarest Species
Louis-Pierre Boulle leads engagement on conservation projects as part of the Jean Boulle Group’s non-profit investments. He has continued to support the Boulle Group’s development of critical relationships with global NGOs and helped unite common environmental interests across the generational, cultural and geographical boundaries. A Mauritian and a keen conservationist, he was part of the successful rescue and rehabilitation team of three species of rare reptiles facing extinction following the devastating Wakashio oil spill in July 2020. The rescue was in partnership with BirdLife International, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. Through close communication with the zoological and environmental science community he has helped to broaden public understanding and interest in direct conservation activity. He was among the speakers at the 2022 Durrell Lecture Small but Mighty at the British Library in London alongside conservationists Professor Carl Jones MBE and Dr Lesley Dickie.
Jean Boulle Group
Advisor
Saving Africa's Rarest Species
Louis-Pierre Boulle leads engagement on conservation projects as part of the Jean Boulle Group’s non-profit investments. He has continued to support the Boulle Group’s development of critical relationships with global NGOs and helped unite common environmental interests across the generational, cultural and geographical boundaries. A Mauritian and a keen conservationist, he was part of the successful rescue and rehabilitation team of three species of rare reptiles facing extinction following the devastating Wakashio oil spill in July 2020. The rescue was in partnership with BirdLife International, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. Through close communication with the zoological and environmental science community he has helped to broaden public understanding and interest in direct conservation activity. He was among the speakers at the 2022 Durrell Lecture Small but Mighty at the British Library in London alongside conservationists Professor Carl Jones MBE and Dr Lesley Dickie.
Julian Pecquet
Jeune Afrique / The Africa Report
Washington Correspondent
The Business of Aviation in Africa
Julian Pecquet is the US correspondent for Jeune Afrique / The Africa Report, the leading global news source on African business and politics. Based in Washington, he covers a host of US-based institutions including the Joe Biden administration and Congress as well as the United Nations and the World Bank / International Monetary Fund.
Julian previously wrote about US policy in the Middle East and North Africa for Al-Monitor, a US-based online publication, where he won several national awards for his coverage of foreign lobbying. He is also the founder of Foreign Lobby Report, a news site dedicated to coverage of the influence industry in Washington.
Before that he covered global affairs and healthcare policy for The Hill and worked for several newspapers in Florida. A naturalized French immigrant to the US, Julian is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism and the Political Sciences Institute (Sciences Po) in Strasbourg.
Jeune Afrique / The Africa Report
Washington Correspondent
The Business of Aviation in Africa
Julian Pecquet is the US correspondent for Jeune Afrique / The Africa Report, the leading global news source on African business and politics. Based in Washington, he covers a host of US-based institutions including the Joe Biden administration and Congress as well as the United Nations and the World Bank / International Monetary Fund.
Julian previously wrote about US policy in the Middle East and North Africa for Al-Monitor, a US-based online publication, where he won several national awards for his coverage of foreign lobbying. He is also the founder of Foreign Lobby Report, a news site dedicated to coverage of the influence industry in Washington.
Before that he covered global affairs and healthcare policy for The Hill and worked for several newspapers in Florida. A naturalized French immigrant to the US, Julian is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism and the Political Sciences Institute (Sciences Po) in Strasbourg.
Mr Ikechukwu Ofuani
Johnson and Johnson
Director Government Affairs and Policy Africa
Cancer Detection and Care: Importance of Diagnostics and Treatment Access
Johnson and Johnson
Director Government Affairs and Policy Africa
Cancer Detection and Care: Importance of Diagnostics and Treatment Access
Mr. Ikechukwu Sylvester Ofuani
Johnson & Johnson
Director, Worldwide Government Affairs and Policy, West and Central Africa
Health Regulatory System Strengthening
Johnson & Johnson
Director, Worldwide Government Affairs and Policy, West and Central Africa
Health Regulatory System Strengthening
mr Jas Bedi
KEPSA
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.
KEPSA
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.
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.
Mr. Shelile Mokhethi
Lesotho Government
Minister of Trade, Industry and Small Business
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Lesotho Government
Minister of Trade, Industry and Small Business
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Ms Vanessa Adams
Level4 International
CEO and Founder, Level 4 International
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Vanessa Adams, Vice President Strategic Partnerships at AGRA, and Chief of Party of the Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Innovation in Africa (PIATA) is a proven leader with strong private sector, investment facilitation and project management experience. PIATA is a 5-year $500M USD strategic partnership to improve the livelihoods of 30 million smallholder African farmers and agricultural actors in 11 priority countries including: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. AGRA is driving an inclusive agricultural transformation across value chains to leverage agricultural investments and building sustainable systems that will transition agriculture from subsistence to highly productive inclusive agriculture, increasing incomes of nearly 8 million smallholder households.
Vanessa Adams has over 25 years of professional experience, including with Fortune 500 companies.in the US. She has 18 years’ experience working in 28 African countries with governments, businesses and farmer cooperatives to increase productivity, meet buyer specifications, access finance, and compete in international markets. She partners with governments, donors and businesses to develop and implement strategies which increase productivity and international trade, expand investments, improve business environments, access financial services as well as reduce constraints to economic growth.
Previously, Vanessa led $70+ million USD projects with multi-cultural teams, facilitated over $300 million in exports from Africa, and catalyzed over $70 million in investments as well as over $140 million in credit. She contributed to the foundation of three pan-African NGOs including the African Cashew Alliance, Borderless Alliance, and Global Shea Alliance, as well as initiating the Women in Agribusiness Leadership Network in Ethiopia.
Ms. Adams has worked in 42 countries, integrating over twelve agricultural and consumer goods value chains into regional and global markets. She is fluent in English, French and speaks conversational German and Bambara. Vanessa holds an executive MBA from INSEAD.
Level4 International
CEO and Founder, Level 4 International
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Vanessa Adams, Vice President Strategic Partnerships at AGRA, and Chief of Party of the Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Innovation in Africa (PIATA) is a proven leader with strong private sector, investment facilitation and project management experience. PIATA is a 5-year $500M USD strategic partnership to improve the livelihoods of 30 million smallholder African farmers and agricultural actors in 11 priority countries including: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. AGRA is driving an inclusive agricultural transformation across value chains to leverage agricultural investments and building sustainable systems that will transition agriculture from subsistence to highly productive inclusive agriculture, increasing incomes of nearly 8 million smallholder households.
Vanessa Adams has over 25 years of professional experience, including with Fortune 500 companies.in the US. She has 18 years’ experience working in 28 African countries with governments, businesses and farmer cooperatives to increase productivity, meet buyer specifications, access finance, and compete in international markets. She partners with governments, donors and businesses to develop and implement strategies which increase productivity and international trade, expand investments, improve business environments, access financial services as well as reduce constraints to economic growth.
Previously, Vanessa led $70+ million USD projects with multi-cultural teams, facilitated over $300 million in exports from Africa, and catalyzed over $70 million in investments as well as over $140 million in credit. She contributed to the foundation of three pan-African NGOs including the African Cashew Alliance, Borderless Alliance, and Global Shea Alliance, as well as initiating the Women in Agribusiness Leadership Network in Ethiopia.
Ms. Adams has worked in 42 countries, integrating over twelve agricultural and consumer goods value chains into regional and global markets. She is fluent in English, French and speaks conversational German and Bambara. Vanessa holds an executive MBA from INSEAD.
Ms. Colleen Pempho Zamba
Malawi Government
Secretary to the President and Cabinet
Scaling Agribusiness Ventures: Opportunities and Challenges in Taking African Agriculture to the Next Level
A seasoned development professional with over thirty-five years of experience, including twenty-five years in Executive/Senior management roles at national and international levels. Skilled in economic policy, strategic planning, and fostering sustainable development. Demonstrated expertise in resource mobilization, analysis, decision-making, and team leadership within multicultural environments.
Education
▪ M Phil. Economic Planning, University of Glasgow, UK
▪ Post Graduate Diploma in Development Policy, University of Glasgow, UK
▪ Bachelor of Social Science (Economics), University of Malawi
Professional Experience (Selected)
1) Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Malawi Government
2) Head, Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) and Chief Advisor to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and International Affairs
3) Country Director a.i., UNDP (Zambia, Nigeria)
4) Economic Advisor and Head, Policy and Strategy, UNDP
5) Country Coordinator for Malawi UN Millennium Project
6) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Industry, Malawi Government
7) Principal Secretary, Debt & Aid Management, Ministry of Finance- Malawi Government.
8) Secretary, Cabinet Committee on the Economy
9) Principal Secretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance- Malawi Government
10) Comptroller of Statutory Corporations responsible for the State Corporations in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC)
Selected Publications & Presentations
Co-authored various reports and publications on economic development, poverty alleviation, and sustainable growth in Nigeria and Malawi.
Malawi Government
Secretary to the President and Cabinet
Scaling Agribusiness Ventures: Opportunities and Challenges in Taking African Agriculture to the Next Level
A seasoned development professional with over thirty-five years of experience, including twenty-five years in Executive/Senior management roles at national and international levels. Skilled in economic policy, strategic planning, and fostering sustainable development. Demonstrated expertise in resource mobilization, analysis, decision-making, and team leadership within multicultural environments.
Education
▪ M Phil. Economic Planning, University of Glasgow, UK
▪ Post Graduate Diploma in Development Policy, University of Glasgow, UK
▪ Bachelor of Social Science (Economics), University of Malawi
Professional Experience (Selected)
1) Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Malawi Government
2) Head, Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) and Chief Advisor to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and International Affairs
3) Country Director a.i., UNDP (Zambia, Nigeria)
4) Economic Advisor and Head, Policy and Strategy, UNDP
5) Country Coordinator for Malawi UN Millennium Project
6) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Industry, Malawi Government
7) Principal Secretary, Debt & Aid Management, Ministry of Finance- Malawi Government.
8) Secretary, Cabinet Committee on the Economy
9) Principal Secretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance- Malawi Government
10) Comptroller of Statutory Corporations responsible for the State Corporations in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC)
Selected Publications & Presentations
Co-authored various reports and publications on economic development, poverty alleviation, and sustainable growth in Nigeria and Malawi.
Ms. Lilowtee Rajmun-Jooseery
Mauritius Export Association (MEXA)
Director
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Mauritius Export Association (MEXA)
Director
Real World Suggestions about What Works under AGOA and How to Improve It
Ms. Noemia Muíssa Escrivao
Medicines Regulatory Authority (ANARME)
Director of the Entity Inspection and Licensing Division
Health Regulatory System Strengthening
Medicines Regulatory Authority (ANARME)
Director of the Entity Inspection and Licensing Division
Health Regulatory System Strengthening