Mr. Andrew Herscowitz
Overseas Development Institute North America
Executive Director
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Overseas Development Institute North America
Executive Director
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation
Former Vice President of Nigeria and Guardian
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN served as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(2015 - 2023), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State (1999 -
2007), playing key roles in the formulation and implementation of government initiatives
and policies for economic and judicial reform, social investments, human capital
development, digital and creative economy, climate action and energy security.
He remains dedicated to climate action and innovation advocacy through various roles,
including Global Advisor to the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Board Chair
of the Climate Action Platform for Africa, and Guardian of the timbuktoo Africa Innovation
Foundation.
Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation
Former Vice President of Nigeria and Guardian
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN served as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(2015 - 2023), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State (1999 -
2007), playing key roles in the formulation and implementation of government initiatives
and policies for economic and judicial reform, social investments, human capital
development, digital and creative economy, climate action and energy security.
He remains dedicated to climate action and innovation advocacy through various roles,
including Global Advisor to the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Board Chair
of the Climate Action Platform for Africa, and Guardian of the timbuktoo Africa Innovation
Foundation.
Mrs Yvonne Ike
Bank of America
Managing Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa (Ex-RSA)
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Bank of America
Managing Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa (Ex-RSA)
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Mrs Carol Oyedeji
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated
Acting Group Executive, Commercial Banking
Turbocharging SMEs: Strategies for Accelerating U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated
Acting Group Executive, Commercial Banking
Turbocharging SMEs: Strategies for Accelerating U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment
Mr. Mahmood Ahmadu
Africa Business Council
Chair, ICT and Digital Economy Cluster
Mahmood Ahmadu, a serial entrepreneur, has been instrumental in shaping Africa's digital
landscape by introducing cutting-edge technologies, nurturing talent, driving rapid
innovation, and ensuring the continent's technological progression. With over three decades
of experience in information and communication technology, Ahmadu has established
Online Integrated Solutions as a global brand spanning 110 countries. Recently appointed
as the chairperson of ICT and Digital Economy unit at Africa Business Council, alongside
three years as president of Nigerian Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce, Ahmadu is
committed to empowering African youth by sharing expertise and fostering an environment
conducive to their success. Ahmadu advocates for equal opportunities, believing in a future
where everyone can thrive
Africa Business Council
Chair, ICT and Digital Economy Cluster
Mahmood Ahmadu, a serial entrepreneur, has been instrumental in shaping Africa's digital
landscape by introducing cutting-edge technologies, nurturing talent, driving rapid
innovation, and ensuring the continent's technological progression. With over three decades
of experience in information and communication technology, Ahmadu has established
Online Integrated Solutions as a global brand spanning 110 countries. Recently appointed
as the chairperson of ICT and Digital Economy unit at Africa Business Council, alongside
three years as president of Nigerian Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce, Ahmadu is
committed to empowering African youth by sharing expertise and fostering an environment
conducive to their success. Ahmadu advocates for equal opportunities, believing in a future
where everyone can thrive
Mr Ayodeji Balogun
AFEX
Group CEO
Ayodeji Balogun is the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of AFEX, where he is leading
global teams of experts leveraging technology, innovative finance, and inclusive agriculture to
connect agriSMEs and smallholder farmers to commodity and financial markets. He is a global
executive with a demonstrated history of driving growth and profitability in Africa’s commodities market.
Ayodeji began his stint at AFEX by developing the company’s new market entry strategy in East
and West Africa. He then resumed as the Country Manager for AFEX Commodities Exchange
Limited in Nigeria, and the Business Lead for Africa Exchange Holdings Limited in West Africa.
In both roles, he pioneered the development of a private sector-led commodities exchange
and warehouse receipt system, and doubled as the Product Development Manager, leading
value chain development in the agriculture Sector, and designing physical and derivative contracts for commodities across markets in Africa.
His interest in commodity trading was stoked early when he began learning about trade in the
family business. His first solo run as an entrepreneur was at the age of thirteen when he had to
consummate a transaction worth USD 4,000 (at today’s value), and he grew to manage the
family-owned commodities trading business, with a turnover of over USD15 million, before
joining the MBA program at Lagos Business School. He also founded a haulage business, was
part of a mobile service start-up, and part-owned an agribusiness venture.
He holds an MBA from Lagos Business School and a certificate in Creative Leadership from the
THNK School of Creative Leadership. He has also graduated from the Global CEO – Africa program of IESE Business School, and the Managing Fast Growing Companies Executive Program
of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Ayodeji has almost twenty years of experience
trading across West Africa as well as in building and scaling businesses across Sub-Saharan
Africa. He serves on several capital market boards and works with several institutions on food
security and financing agriculture.
AFEX
Group CEO
Ayodeji Balogun is the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of AFEX, where he is leading
global teams of experts leveraging technology, innovative finance, and inclusive agriculture to
connect agriSMEs and smallholder farmers to commodity and financial markets. He is a global
executive with a demonstrated history of driving growth and profitability in Africa’s commodities market.
Ayodeji began his stint at AFEX by developing the company’s new market entry strategy in East
and West Africa. He then resumed as the Country Manager for AFEX Commodities Exchange
Limited in Nigeria, and the Business Lead for Africa Exchange Holdings Limited in West Africa.
In both roles, he pioneered the development of a private sector-led commodities exchange
and warehouse receipt system, and doubled as the Product Development Manager, leading
value chain development in the agriculture Sector, and designing physical and derivative contracts for commodities across markets in Africa.
His interest in commodity trading was stoked early when he began learning about trade in the
family business. His first solo run as an entrepreneur was at the age of thirteen when he had to
consummate a transaction worth USD 4,000 (at today’s value), and he grew to manage the
family-owned commodities trading business, with a turnover of over USD15 million, before
joining the MBA program at Lagos Business School. He also founded a haulage business, was
part of a mobile service start-up, and part-owned an agribusiness venture.
He holds an MBA from Lagos Business School and a certificate in Creative Leadership from the
THNK School of Creative Leadership. He has also graduated from the Global CEO – Africa program of IESE Business School, and the Managing Fast Growing Companies Executive Program
of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Ayodeji has almost twenty years of experience
trading across West Africa as well as in building and scaling businesses across Sub-Saharan
Africa. He serves on several capital market boards and works with several institutions on food
security and financing agriculture.
Mrs. Lamia Merzouki
Casablanca Finance City Authority
COO
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Lamia Merzouki is Chief Operating Officer at Casablanca Finance City Authority (CFCA), Chair of the United Nations-led Financial Centers for Sustainability Network (UNDP-FC4S), and Vice-Chair of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC). A graduate of both ESSEC Business School and Harvard Business School, Lamia is also President of the We4She association and the Women Working For Change Network (Pan African network). Recently nominated for the "Best Woman Leader in Africa" Award by the Africa Investments Forum and Awards, Lamia is certified by the IMA (Moroccan Institute of Board members) and serves as an independent board member for several companies.
Casablanca Finance City Authority
COO
Partnering to Accelerate Africa’s Industrialization
Lamia Merzouki is Chief Operating Officer at Casablanca Finance City Authority (CFCA), Chair of the United Nations-led Financial Centers for Sustainability Network (UNDP-FC4S), and Vice-Chair of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC). A graduate of both ESSEC Business School and Harvard Business School, Lamia is also President of the We4She association and the Women Working For Change Network (Pan African network). Recently nominated for the "Best Woman Leader in Africa" Award by the Africa Investments Forum and Awards, Lamia is certified by the IMA (Moroccan Institute of Board members) and serves as an independent board member for several companies.
H.E. José Neves
Republic of Cabo Verde
President
Celebrating 20 Years of MCC in Africa
High-Level Dialogue - Strengthening Health Systems in Africa
Republic of Cabo Verde
President
Celebrating 20 Years of MCC in Africa
High-Level Dialogue - Strengthening Health Systems in Africa
H.E. Mr. H.E. Joseph Boakai
The Presidency, Republic of Liberia
President
Celebrating 20 Years of MCC in Africa
From Food Insecurity to Thriving Agribusinesses: The Case for a U.S. - Africa Strategic Agribusiness Partnership
The Presidency, Republic of Liberia
President
Celebrating 20 Years of MCC in Africa
From Food Insecurity to Thriving Agribusinesses: The Case for a U.S. - Africa Strategic Agribusiness Partnership
Mr. Paul Sullivan
Acrow Bridge
President, International Business at Acrow Bridge
Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Sustaining Growth
Acrow Bridge
President, International Business at Acrow Bridge
Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Sustaining Growth
Ms. Nisha Biswal
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Deputy CEO
Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Sustaining Growth
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Deputy CEO
Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Sustaining Growth
Hon. Amos Hochstein
National Security Council
Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the President for Energy and Investment
Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Sustaining Growth
National Security Council
Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the President for Energy and Investment
Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Sustaining Growth