Hon. Sílvia Lutucuta
Republic of Angola
Minister of Health
Detection & Diagnostics: The Key to Unlocking Health System Resilience
Republic of Angola
Minister of Health
Detection & Diagnostics: The Key to Unlocking Health System Resilience
Ms. Lulu Leungo Rasebotsa
Air Botswana
CEO
The Business of Aviation in Africa
Lulu Rasebotsa possesses raw intelligence and savvy business acumen that embraces the values of social relevance, innovation and velocity as key business drivers in Organisations. Driven by passion and excellence, Lulu thrives in complex, dynamic and high paced environments. She is a prolific recruiter and motivator who develops a positive high-performance culture and has a knack for recognising and rewarding talent to generate the best return for both individuals and Organisations. Lulu is an innovative and visionary strategist, who transforms Organisations using strategies that insulate the business from changing market dynamics.
Air Botswana
CEO
The Business of Aviation in Africa
Lulu Rasebotsa possesses raw intelligence and savvy business acumen that embraces the values of social relevance, innovation and velocity as key business drivers in Organisations. Driven by passion and excellence, Lulu thrives in complex, dynamic and high paced environments. She is a prolific recruiter and motivator who develops a positive high-performance culture and has a knack for recognising and rewarding talent to generate the best return for both individuals and Organisations. Lulu is an innovative and visionary strategist, who transforms Organisations using strategies that insulate the business from changing market dynamics.
H.E. Dr. H.E. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi
Republic of Botswana
President
Unlocking Africa’s Digital Potential – Addressing Challenges and Expanding Opportunities
Facilitating U.S/Africa Trade and Investment: Women and the Diaspora
His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi was sworn in as the 5th President of the Republic of Botswana on 1st April 2018 having served as Botswana’s 8th Vice President since 12th November 2014. Following his successful run at the October 2019 General Elections, His Excellency the President Dr. M.E.K Masisi began a 5-year term as President on the 1st of November the same year. At the upcoming elections in October 2024, he is eligible for renewal of the constitutionally mandated final leg of his term of office. President Masisi has prioritized digitisation as a key driver for Botswana’s economic transformation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy. During his Presidency, he has identified the use of connectivity to achieve inclusivity of the underserved communities mostly in remote areas to enable everyone to access programmes and services. Key achievements during his first tenure included integration of ICT in teaching and learning which allows youth to be research oriented, innovative and problem solvers which serves as the gateway for innovative minds into the world of entrepreneurship.
Republic of Botswana
President
Unlocking Africa’s Digital Potential – Addressing Challenges and Expanding Opportunities
Facilitating U.S/Africa Trade and Investment: Women and the Diaspora
His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi was sworn in as the 5th President of the Republic of Botswana on 1st April 2018 having served as Botswana’s 8th Vice President since 12th November 2014. Following his successful run at the October 2019 General Elections, His Excellency the President Dr. M.E.K Masisi began a 5-year term as President on the 1st of November the same year. At the upcoming elections in October 2024, he is eligible for renewal of the constitutionally mandated final leg of his term of office. President Masisi has prioritized digitisation as a key driver for Botswana’s economic transformation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy. During his Presidency, he has identified the use of connectivity to achieve inclusivity of the underserved communities mostly in remote areas to enable everyone to access programmes and services. Key achievements during his first tenure included integration of ICT in teaching and learning which allows youth to be research oriented, innovative and problem solvers which serves as the gateway for innovative minds into the world of entrepreneurship.
Ms. Oge Onubogu
Wilson Center
Director-Africa Program
Cities – Delivering Now to and For the People of the Future
Wilson Center
Director-Africa Program
Cities – Delivering Now to and For the People of the Future
Mr. Olerile Koboto
Embassy of Botswana
First Secretary
Detection & Diagnostics: The Key to Unlocking Health System Resilience
Embassy of Botswana
First Secretary
Detection & Diagnostics: The Key to Unlocking Health System Resilience
Ms. Desta Lakew
Amref Health Africa
Group Partnership and External Affairs
Detection & Diagnostics: The Key to Unlocking Health System Resilience
Desta Lakew serves on the Executive Management and Senior Management teams of Amref Health Africa leading Global Partnerships and Global Communications divisions for Africa. In this role, she has secured high level strategic global partnerships for Amref Health Africa, raised the profile of the organization, and leads the thought leadership agenda of the organization. Her leadership role has included working closely with global partners and key stakeholders in Africa to advance public health priorities for the region. She was instrumental in the establishment and leadership of the bi-annual Africa Health Agenda International Conference. She has also been instrumental in launching a global south dialogue knowledge exchange platform on Universal Health Coverage in Africa and Asia; and the launching of various campaigns including the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Campaign in Africa and Communities at the Heart of UHC global advocacy campaign.
Desta serves on several global committees including the Thematic Working Group on Private Sector of Health Systems Global, the Future of Global Health Initiatives, the Global Patient Think Tank, and the Global Health Equity Group. Desta holds a Master of Public Health from the State University of New York.
Amref Health Africa
Group Partnership and External Affairs
Detection & Diagnostics: The Key to Unlocking Health System Resilience
Desta Lakew serves on the Executive Management and Senior Management teams of Amref Health Africa leading Global Partnerships and Global Communications divisions for Africa. In this role, she has secured high level strategic global partnerships for Amref Health Africa, raised the profile of the organization, and leads the thought leadership agenda of the organization. Her leadership role has included working closely with global partners and key stakeholders in Africa to advance public health priorities for the region. She was instrumental in the establishment and leadership of the bi-annual Africa Health Agenda International Conference. She has also been instrumental in launching a global south dialogue knowledge exchange platform on Universal Health Coverage in Africa and Asia; and the launching of various campaigns including the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Campaign in Africa and Communities at the Heart of UHC global advocacy campaign.
Desta serves on several global committees including the Thematic Working Group on Private Sector of Health Systems Global, the Future of Global Health Initiatives, the Global Patient Think Tank, and the Global Health Equity Group. Desta holds a Master of Public Health from the State University of New York.
Mr. Gavin van der Burgh
Afritex Ventures
Founder of the Africa Trade
Prosper Africa: Leveraging Innovation, Technology and Collaboration to Transform U.S.- Africa Trade
Born and raised in South Africa, Gavin's academic journey at the University of Johannesburg cemented his understanding of entrepreneurship's pivotal role in job creation across Africa. His career took a significant turn when he moved to the USA in 2020, settling in Orlando, Florida with his family. Drawing from his African roots, Gavin transformed his business by focusing on adding value to products sourced from the continent, turning them into premium meals now available in over 6,500 stores across the USA. In 2023, Gavin further enhanced his expertise by completing advanced courses in Marketing and Artificial Intelligence at Columbia University. He integrates this cutting-edge knowledge into every facet of the US African Trade Desk ecosystem, which he founded with the support of Prosper Africa. This innovative platform unites industry leaders from retail, supply chain, finance, and aggregation within a groundbreaking ERP/CRM system. It offers US retailers comprehensive visibility throughout the supply chain, ensuring the sustainability and ethical standards that American consumers demand. Gavin's remarkable contributions to transcontinental trade and economic development have earned him the prestigious recognition as an honored listee in the 2024 edition of Marquis Who's Who in America. Through his efforts, Gavin not only fosters economic growth but also bridges continents, bringing high-quality African goods to global markets.
Afritex Ventures
Founder of the Africa Trade
Prosper Africa: Leveraging Innovation, Technology and Collaboration to Transform U.S.- Africa Trade
Born and raised in South Africa, Gavin's academic journey at the University of Johannesburg cemented his understanding of entrepreneurship's pivotal role in job creation across Africa. His career took a significant turn when he moved to the USA in 2020, settling in Orlando, Florida with his family. Drawing from his African roots, Gavin transformed his business by focusing on adding value to products sourced from the continent, turning them into premium meals now available in over 6,500 stores across the USA. In 2023, Gavin further enhanced his expertise by completing advanced courses in Marketing and Artificial Intelligence at Columbia University. He integrates this cutting-edge knowledge into every facet of the US African Trade Desk ecosystem, which he founded with the support of Prosper Africa. This innovative platform unites industry leaders from retail, supply chain, finance, and aggregation within a groundbreaking ERP/CRM system. It offers US retailers comprehensive visibility throughout the supply chain, ensuring the sustainability and ethical standards that American consumers demand. Gavin's remarkable contributions to transcontinental trade and economic development have earned him the prestigious recognition as an honored listee in the 2024 edition of Marquis Who's Who in America. Through his efforts, Gavin not only fosters economic growth but also bridges continents, bringing high-quality African goods to global markets.
Mr. Jason Ferraro
Garland Ventures
Director of Culinary Development
Prosper Africa: Leveraging Innovation, Technology and Collaboration to Transform U.S.- Africa Trade
Jason is the Director of Culinary Development for Afritex Ventures, a boutique innovative food
company, based out of Dallas, Texas. That creates and develops retail, foodservice and private
label product lines. Through value-added applications with seafood, meat and plant-based items.
Jason has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry with a diverse background in fine
dining restaurants and hotels. Working for multiple James Beard awarded Chefs and Michelin rated
hotels. From these influences, Jason developed a strong culinary foundation rooted in
understanding flavor profiles. His culinary emphasis is on understanding local-regional influences
though culinary history and global trends.
Jason graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a B.A. in Graphic Design.
Garland Ventures
Director of Culinary Development
Prosper Africa: Leveraging Innovation, Technology and Collaboration to Transform U.S.- Africa Trade
Jason is the Director of Culinary Development for Afritex Ventures, a boutique innovative food
company, based out of Dallas, Texas. That creates and develops retail, foodservice and private
label product lines. Through value-added applications with seafood, meat and plant-based items.
Jason has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry with a diverse background in fine
dining restaurants and hotels. Working for multiple James Beard awarded Chefs and Michelin rated
hotels. From these influences, Jason developed a strong culinary foundation rooted in
understanding flavor profiles. His culinary emphasis is on understanding local-regional influences
though culinary history and global trends.
Jason graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a B.A. in Graphic Design.
Mr. Michael Oke
Aura Financial
Senior Partner
Saving Africa's Rarest Species
Michael founded Aura in May 2004, with a range of long-standing former clients, to advise listed and private companies, regulators, governments, shareholders and individuals. Michael previously established Prospero Financial within Bridgepoint Capital’s Hatch-Group, specialising in financial communications and investor relations. Michael has advised clients including BHP Billiton, L’Oréal, Rank Group, the UK Cabinet Office, Stagecoach, Gucci Asda, Xstrata and the London Metals Exchange. He has advised on completed corporate transactions with a total value in excess of US$200 billion.
Aura Financial
Senior Partner
Saving Africa's Rarest Species
Michael founded Aura in May 2004, with a range of long-standing former clients, to advise listed and private companies, regulators, governments, shareholders and individuals. Michael previously established Prospero Financial within Bridgepoint Capital’s Hatch-Group, specialising in financial communications and investor relations. Michael has advised clients including BHP Billiton, L’Oréal, Rank Group, the UK Cabinet Office, Stagecoach, Gucci Asda, Xstrata and the London Metals Exchange. He has advised on completed corporate transactions with a total value in excess of US$200 billion.
Mr. Bertrand Boulle
Jean Boulle Group
President
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
President
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
Conservation 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
Conservation 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.
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
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. Kazeem Oladepo
IHS
Chief Operating Officer, IHSN
Unlocking Africa’s Digital Potential – Addressing Challenges and Expanding Opportunities
Kazeem Oladepo oversees IHS active services subsidiary business (Global Independent Connect Limited - GICL) responsible for deployment, commercialization, operations, and maintenance of fiber optic transmission networks (FTTX), Network as a Service (Rural Telephony networks), IoT, Data Centers, and other complementary value-added services.
Prior to this, he had the responsibility for corporate, commercial, operational, and business development functions for MainOne (connectivity, data center and cloud services) in multiple jurisdictions in and outside Nigeria, including Francophone West Africa (Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Togo, Chad, Benin Republic, and Senegal) and Ghana where MainOne has services, customers and/or operations.
He has over 16 years of diverse C-Level experience in business strategy and operations across West Africa, with a focus on business development and commercial transactions (sales and marketing), corporate and project finance, legal, regulatory and compliance, project management, and corporate strategy.
IHS
Chief Operating Officer, IHSN
Unlocking Africa’s Digital Potential – Addressing Challenges and Expanding Opportunities
Kazeem Oladepo oversees IHS active services subsidiary business (Global Independent Connect Limited - GICL) responsible for deployment, commercialization, operations, and maintenance of fiber optic transmission networks (FTTX), Network as a Service (Rural Telephony networks), IoT, Data Centers, and other complementary value-added services.
Prior to this, he had the responsibility for corporate, commercial, operational, and business development functions for MainOne (connectivity, data center and cloud services) in multiple jurisdictions in and outside Nigeria, including Francophone West Africa (Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Togo, Chad, Benin Republic, and Senegal) and Ghana where MainOne has services, customers and/or operations.
He has over 16 years of diverse C-Level experience in business strategy and operations across West Africa, with a focus on business development and commercial transactions (sales and marketing), corporate and project finance, legal, regulatory and compliance, project management, and corporate strategy.
Ms. Jennifer Dent
BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH)
Presidsent and CEO
Cancer Detection and Care: Importance of Diagnostics and Treatment Access
Jennifer oversees BVGH’s strategy, programs, and partnerships. She establishes public-private partnerships through international industry experience to tackle global health challenges with sustainability, scalability, and priorities set by low- and middle-income country partners. Jennifer’s 25+ years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology experience includes negotiation, global discovery management, and alliances. Jennifer began her career in various positions for Parke Davis/Pfizer and Genentech. Following Roche’s acquisition of Genentech Canada, she held senior management positions in global product strategy, business development, and alliance management for multiple countries. Jennifer co-founded Sound Biotechnology after serving as Vice President, Business Development, Marketing, and Sales at CombiMatrix Corporation.
BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH)
Presidsent and CEO
Cancer Detection and Care: Importance of Diagnostics and Treatment Access
Jennifer oversees BVGH’s strategy, programs, and partnerships. She establishes public-private partnerships through international industry experience to tackle global health challenges with sustainability, scalability, and priorities set by low- and middle-income country partners. Jennifer’s 25+ years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology experience includes negotiation, global discovery management, and alliances. Jennifer began her career in various positions for Parke Davis/Pfizer and Genentech. Following Roche’s acquisition of Genentech Canada, she held senior management positions in global product strategy, business development, and alliance management for multiple countries. Jennifer co-founded Sound Biotechnology after serving as Vice President, Business Development, Marketing, and Sales at CombiMatrix Corporation.
Dr. Olayemi Dawodu
Lancet Laboratories Nigeria
CEO
Cancer Detection and Care: Importance of Diagnostics and Treatment Access
Lancet Laboratories Nigeria
CEO
Cancer Detection and Care: Importance of Diagnostics and Treatment Access