Archives: Speakers

Experienced professional in the Development Finance world, with more than 10 years at different positions at the French Development Agency (AFD) and its subsidiary dedicated to the private sector (Proparco), at the head office in Paris and in Latin America. Current position: principal invetsment officer in Proparco’s team in charge of corporate debt to the… Read more »

Catherine has more than twenty-five years professional experience and is an African entrepreneur with executive level experience across several businesses, including a successful corporate career, holding various senior and executive positions in companies including Deloitte, Chevron and SAP, managing multi-million dollar budgets and large teams. She is the founder of Thinkroom and Managing Partner of… Read more »

As Managing Director, Investments at Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), and previously as Director of Investments and interim CEO, Cax has lead the organization through critical transitions, while leading the investment team and overseeing the deployment of capital. Cax holds a Masters in Economics from Copenhagen University and has 20 years of experience investing in… Read more »

Carisa Graf-Suleman is an experienced international executive with significant investment, operations and marketing experience across ICT, technology, consumer goods, automobile, beverage, hotel and aviation sectors. Carisa built one of the largest internet services companies in Kenya, capturing 30% of the corporate market. As CEO of CallKey Networks, she drove growth and client satisfaction to earn… Read more »

Brenton has been a principal figure in introducing blockchain technology and cryptocurrency to Africa. He was among the youngest members to join the IFWG, a South African Reserve Bank initiative, to regulate cryptoassets. As one of only 30 industry stakeholders in South Africa, he has actively contributed to the South African National Blockchain Alliance (SANBA)… Read more »

Brad is both a Director of SAMANU and represents one of the largest investors in SAMANU. Chairing the Audit Committee and Environmental, Health and Safety Committee, Brad has overseen much of the transformation of the business into a sustainable supplier of much needed, affordable, locally branded products in Ethiopia, with its flagship brand Tena the… Read more »

Bowale Odumade Adeoye is a senior investment executive with two decades of experience driving sustainable infrastructure development and financing across transport and logistics, energy, manufacturing and industrial zones. At the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), she has spearheaded strategic initiatives, managed risk, and represented the organisation on the boards of investee companies. Additionally, she has led… Read more »

Bessem Soua – a Tunisian National – has over 22 years of progressive experience holding various senior positions at the Central Bank of Tunisia and the Islamic Development Bank Group (the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit “ICIEC”). He is currently the regional Head for Sub-Saharan Africa & Europe at ICIEC… Read more »

Benjamin Fernandes Founder and CEO NALA Benjamin Fernandes is an award-winning Tanzanian speaker and entrepreneur. Benjamin grew up in Tanzania, then earned scholarships that took him to America for the first time at the age of 17. At age 21, Benjamin was the youngest African in history to ever be accepted into Stanford Graduate School… Read more »