Product Grid
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Aaron Markowitz-Shulman

Chief Financial Officer

PawaPay

United Kingdom

Aaron Markowitz-Shulman is CFO at PawaPay, where he leads financial strategy, capital planning and commercial discipline as the business scales its payments infrastructure across Africa. He has raised over $2.6 billion in capital and has spent his career working in complex, cross-border environments. He started at ING Bank before spending more than a decade in global shipping, building a practical understanding of how money, risk and operations move across markets. Since 2017, Aaron has held senior roles in high-growth companies, focused on international expansion, capital strategy and delivering against plan. At PawaPay, his focus is simple: making sure the business holds up as it scales. That means getting the fundamentals right across liquidity, settlement and financial control.

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Abdelaziz Benyahya

Chief Strategy, Operations and Technology Officer -Atlantic Africa

AXA

Morocco

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Abderrahmane Mounir

Chief Executive Officer

Maroc Data Center

Morocco

Abderrahmane Mounir is a technology and infrastructure senior executive focused on data centers, cloud ecosystems, and digital transformation in Morocco and Africa. As a leader at Maroc Datacenter (MDC) , he drives the development of the next generation of cloud infrastructure aligned with sovereign data and AI ambitions. He works at the intersection of technology and investment, engaging with global cloud providers and national institutions to advance secure, scalable digital platforms.

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Abdoul Zakari

Co-founder & CEO

Sako

France

Abdoul is the Co-founder and CEO of Sako Money, bringing a strong technical foundation in software engineering and cloud infrastructure to the fintech space. Before launching Sako Money, he built his expertise at two iconic French institutions — L'Oréal, the world's leading beauty group, and the French Football Federation — where he honed his skills in building and scaling robust digital systems. Drawing on his international experience and deep technical background, Abdoul now channels his expertise into building innovative financial solutions designed to transform money transfers and financial access across Africa.

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Achile Sarr

Director - Africa

APL Datacenter

Morocco

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Adnane Lahbabi

Chief Strategy, Operations and Technology Officer -Atlantic Africa

AXA

United Arab Emirates

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Agusti Alentorn

Neurologue et praticien hospitalier ; Chercheur spécialisé en neuro-oncologie

Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière ; Institut du Cerveau (ICM)

France

Ahmed Djamai

Program Director

Flat6Labs

Morocco

Ahmed Mahdi mahamoud

Founder & CEO

Meras

Sweden

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Aishat Raji

Principal & Co-Head of Advisory

CrossBoundary

Nigeria

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Aissata Chanoussi

CEO

Centre National de Cybersecurité du Niger (CNAC)

Niger

Aissata CHANOUSSI a été nommée par décret présidentiel en tant que Directrice Générale du Centre National de Cybersécurité au Niger (CNAC) en Novembre 2025. Aissata capitalise au moins 12 ans d'expérience dans l'industrie des Telecom et de la Cybersécurité. Elle a occupé plusieurs postes stratégiques dans l’administration publique (Directrice de la Sécurité des Systèmes d’Information ANSI Niger) tout comme dans le privé (RSSI Zamani Telecom anciennement Orange Niger) et à l’étranger (Groupe Bouygues en France). Son expertise est soutenue par l'obtention de plusieurs certifications internationales dans le domaine du hacking éthique, de la cryptomonnaie, de la protection et sécurité des données, la sécurité informatique pour les systèmes nucléaires et industriels. Elle détient un Master en Microélectronique, Nanotechnologies et Télécommunications de l'Université de Lille 1 en France. Grâce aux initiatives de l’United State Télécommunication Training Institute (USTTI), de l’Union Internationale des Télécommunications (UIT), de l’Office des Nations Unies contre le Crime et la Drogue (UNODC), de l’Agence Nationale Pour le Société de l’Information (ANSI Niger), des Associations locales, … elle a servi et continue de servir pour le développement des talents notamment les jeunes et en particulier les femmes dans le domaine des technologies émergentes avec un focus sur la formation en cybersécurité. Aissata attache beaucoup d’intérêts à la sécurité des enfants en ligne où elle participe à des séances de sensibilisation au niveau national ainsi que dans la sous-région à travers le Ministère de la Protection de la Femme et de l’Enfant et l’initiative de childonlineafrica.

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Aissatou Sylla

Partner - Technology, Data & Media

Asafo & Co

France

Aissatou Sylla is a Partner at Asafo & Co.’s Paris office, leading the Technology, Data and Media practice which covers, amongst others, Artificial Intelligence, Technology Transactions, Data Protection, Cybersecurity, Electronic Transactions, Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure, Fintech, Blockchain and Creative Industries. She advises on French/EU law with a particular focus on the Middle East and Africa region. Qualified and experienced in both common law and civil law jurisdictions, she previously worked at global firms Dentons and Hogan Lovells, as well as the international retail group Kingfisher plc. She regularly works with African ICT and data protection authorities and has contributed to data-related policies and regulatory frameworks of some Anglophone and Francophone African countries over the years, including Côte d'Ivoire's National Data Strategy and data protection regulations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria When advising private-sector clients on technology, intellectual property and privacy, she works with a network of over 50 law firms based across the region

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Akim Benamara

Founder & Chief Editor

TechAfrica News

South Africa

With over 15 years of experience in B2B marketing and strategy across tech, telco, and media, Akim Benamara has served as CMO for a leading global IPTV and STB provider. As Founder & Chief Editor of TechAfrica News and head of INVICTUS 46664, they specialize in data-driven marketing, brand strategy, and digital transformation initiatives. Passionate about Africa’s digital future, they drive innovation, business growth, and impactful campaigns that connect markets and communities, empowering the continent through technology and strategic insights

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Alberto Wenceslas Mounguengui Moudoki

Director General (DG)

ANINF (Agence Nationale des Infrastructures Numériques et des Fréquences)

Gabon

Alberto MOUNGUENGUI MOUDOKI is a distinguished and award-winning expert in IT, cybersecurity, and national security, serving as The Chief executive officer of Gabon's National Agency of Digital Infrastructure, Radiofrequencies and Cybersecurity (ANINF). With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in cybersecurity, cyber defense, and digital transformation, establishing himself as a strategic leader in the development and implementation of technology strategies. Graduating from The George Washington University with a master’s degree in cybersecurity strategies and IT Management and several top industry certifications such as CCIE, CISM, Alberto has been instrumental in enhancing organizational performance and driving technological advancements. His comprehensive skills span areas like smart cities, critical infrastructures, zero trust architecture, broadband strategy, and blockchain technologies as well as AI security. Alberto MOUNGUENGUI MOUDOKI develops and implements ANINF's vision and technology strategy, driving change, developing organizational maturity, fostering operational consistency and enhancing the user experience. Recognized for his significant contributions to national security, Alberto is also a renowned international speaker. As leader of the Gabonese government's digital transformation of public administration and digital identity, he is leading the ambitious Gabon Digital and e-Gabon projects. Alberto’s focus on IT and data security, data privacy, risk management, regulatory compliance, and fostering operational consistency. PhD Candidate in Cyber Defense, Alberto continues to drive change, develop organizational maturity, and enhance user experiences, ensuring a secure and innovative digital future for Gabon and beyond.

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Ali ElKortobi

CEO

infoCorvus

United States of America

Ali ElKortobi – CEO of infoCorvus - is a data and analytics professional, specializing in data discovery, movement, transformation, migration, and data AI enablement. He focuses on transforming complex Data-based workflows into scalable governed solutions.

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Ali Fry

GVP Technical & Product Services (EMEA)

Concentrix

United Kingdom

Ali Fry is a Global Vice President at Concentrix, where he leads the Technical & Partner Services (TPS) division across EMEA. He is responsible for driving large-scale technology transformation, partner strategy, the adoption of digital platforms and AI-enabled services across the region. With a strong consulting background, Ali brings deep experience leading complex transformation programmes across EMEA and Asia, working with organisations in multiple industries including retail, financial services, and medical devices. His career has focused on helping organisations modernise operating models, leverage technology more effectively, and translate strategy into scalable, real-world outcomes. Ali is particularly passionate about transformation that delivers measurable value - combining platform thinking, data, and AI to help organisations move faster, operate smarter, and build sustainable growth in an increasingly complex technology landscape.

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Ali Sami, MD

"Université Hassan II - MBA, Texas State University - CEO Blink Pharma "

-

France

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Alpha Amadou Dia

Director of Operations & Investment Lead

DPENP–CEAC

Senegal

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Alpha THIAM

Director General

ADEPME

Senegal

Alpha Thiam, Director General of the ADEPME, a public agency dedicated to supporting the development and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Senegal by providing technical assistance, capacity building, access to financing, and strategic guidance to enhance their competitiveness and sustainability.

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Alphonse Kouagou

CEO

Ibi Ventures

United States of America

Alphonse Ibi Kouagou is a seasoned executive and development finance professional with over 30 years of experience across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. He spent 22 years with the World Bank Group, including 18 years at the IFC and service as Executive Director representing 23 African countries on the World Bank Group Board. He currently serves as the African Borrowers Representative for IDA21, advocating for African voices in the replenishment and implementation cycles. Alphonse has deep expertise in structuring corporate and project finance—notably in infrastructure, venture capital, and private equity—and in portfolio management. At IFC, he led the development of the Investment Portfolio Valuation Framework, marking-to-market equity and quasi-equity holdings. His experience includes blending financial instruments such as guarantees, derivatives, and other de-risking tools to ensure project bankability. Through Ibi International Finance Ventures, he provides investment and advisory services focused on ESG-aligned project structuring, helping startups and public-private sponsors access risk capital and develop bankable ventures. Alphonse holds an MBA from the University of Maryland, a BSc in Accounting from Marymount University, and is a U.S. Certified Public Accountant (CPA). His extensive global expertise and leadership make him a key contributor to Africa’s economic development and a trusted advisor within the investment community.

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Amanda Drury

Anchor

CNBC

Australia

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Amara Brewah

Director General

National Communications Authority

Sierra Leone

Amaru Chavez-Pujol

Chief Technology and Information Officer

Bayobab Group

United Arab Emirates

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Amine Benchekroun

Vice President, Secure Power & Datacenters

Schneider Electric

Morocco

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Amine El Ammari

Vice President, Market Development

Space42

United Arab Emirates

Amine El Ammari is a global executive with over 25 years of leadership experience spanning SpaceTech and IT across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. As Vice President of Market Development at Space42, he spearheads business development initiatives across the business verticals including Satellite services, Geospatial solutions, AI platforms, and mobility applications. Amine is also driving the company's strategic expansion in next-generation space technologies including D2D (Direct to Device) services Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) through partnerships with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other system integrators. Previously, he served as Executive VP of Global Business Development at Yahsat and held senior positions at Thuraya Telecommunications, where he orchestrated growth strategies, and was part of several M&A transactions. His career previous roles included consultancy across multiple sectors. Amine is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. He also holds an MBA in International Business from Ecole des Ponts Paris Tech, France and a BBA in Finance from AUI University in Morocco. Amine currently chairs the Marketing Committee for the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) which main vision is to integrate terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks to deliver scalable, sustainable and affordable connectivity to any device, anytime, anywhere.

Amine Jdid

Senior Associate

Plug and Play

United Arab Emirates

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Amine Kandil

Chief Executive Officer

N+ONE Datacenters

Morocco

Amine Kandil is the CEO and Founder of N+ONE DATACENTERS, Morocco’s leading independent data center provider. Since founding N+ONE, Amine has overseen the development of the largest data center network in the country, designed to meet the specific needs of the local market. His company has been at the forefront of integrating innovative digital solutions, including Private and Public Cloud platforms, across Morocco and is expanding its operations across Africa. With over 25 years in the industry, Amine’s approach combines technical expertise with practical strategies for growth, leading a team of more than 100 professionals specialized in data center management and cloud services. He also lends his expertise as an advisor to several Moroccan and international tech companies and is a regular speaker at industry events. Amine’s contributions to the tech community have been recognized in industry rankings, including Data Economy’s “FUTURE 100,” which highlights key influencers in data centers and cloud markets globally. He holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an Executive MBA from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

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Aminoulaye Mounkaila

Chef de departement Partenariat

ANSI (Agence Nationale pour la société de l'Information)

Niger

Head of the Partnership Department at ANSI, the National Agency for the Information Society, Aminoulaye MOUNKAILA is the cornerstone of the institution's strategic relationships. He works every day to build and strengthen the partnerships that drive Niger's digital society forward.

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Anass Majbar

Professeur en chirurgie générale à Université Mohamed 5. Rabat | Chirurgie viscérale, Chef de la Division des Affaires Médicales et des Stratégies, CHU Ibn Sina

-

France

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Angelo Paci, MD, PhD

Professor of Pharmacokinetics and Oncology in the School of Pharmacy – Paris Saclay University and Head of the Pharmacology Department at Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France. Me

-

France

Angelo PACI, PharmD, PhD, is Professor of Pharmacokinetics and Oncology in the School of Pharmacy – Paris Saclay University and Head of the Pharmacology Department at Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France. Member of the French Academy of Pharmacy. He obtained his PharmD in 1999 and his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry-Pharmacology in 2000 from the University of Paris V, France. He joined Gustave Roussy in 2001 and created the pharmacology department in 2009. Since 2006, he has developed a clinical pharmacology activity dedicated to patients with onco-haematological malignancies, including therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies of anticancer drugs and metabolic biomarkers. He is a member of the AACR, ESMO and a member of the Pharmacology and Oncology Group of Unicancer, France. He has developed his research since 2003 in the Laboratory of Pharmacology and New Anticancer Treatments UPRES 3535 Paris Sud University and since 2010 in the Laboratory of Vectorology and Anticancer Therapeutics UMR 8203 at the Institut Gustave Roussy in the field of nanodrug delivery. He is now a member of the "Molecular Radiotherapy and Innovative Therapies" INSERM U1030 team at Gustave Roussy. He is involved in the drug delivery and metabolism programmes. He is co-founder of Findimmune SA. In addition to his clinical and scientific activities, in 2012 he validated a Master in Management and Health Economics at the ESSEC Business School in Paris, including several seminars in Shanghai hospitals and at Fudan University. Between 2022 and 2024, he was Senior Project leader in R&D Oncology therapeutic area at Servier laboratories. He created the University Diploma entitled “Therapeutic Innovations in Oncology” and he participates to several Masters at Université Paris-Saclay. Author of more than 150 scientific publications (including papers in Cancer Discovery, Nature Comm or J. of Clinical Oncology) and holder of 6 patents.

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Anita Erskine

Executive Director

Erskine Global Communications

Ghana

Anita V.M. Erskine, MCM is a globally acclaimed strategic communications leader specializing in high-level convenings where policy, business, and innovation intersect. She is trusted by the United Nations system, the World Bank Group, the African Union, the European Union, and governments to convene and lead global dialogue on critical development priorities, and by multinational organizations including MTN Group, Nestlé S.A., and Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) to steer executive leadership conversations that shape strategy, influence, and impact worldwide. She serves as Executive Director of Erskine Global Communications, a strategic communications and advisory firm focused on translating complex global challenges into human-centred narratives that drive alignment and action across institutions and industries. She holds a Master’s degree in Communications Management from McMaster University (Canada) and a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies, and has been recognized among the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa, the Top 100 Career Women Africa, and the 500 Most Influential Africans globally. She is also recognized among the Top Influential Masters of Ceremonies in Africa, honoring excellence in international event hosting and moderation.

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Anna Sophie Herken

-

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Germany

Anna Sophie Herken is Member of the Board of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). She has extensive experience in the private and public sector and across industries. Previously, she was Business Division Head at Allianz Asset Management GmbH and served as Member of the Board at Allianz Life (US) and CPIC Fund Management LtD (China) as well as President and Chair of the Board of Allianz Foundation for North America.  As part of her international career, Anna was CFO of Hasso Plattner Capital Germany, Managing Director of the Hertie School of Governance GmbH and worked at the World Bank in Washington DC and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. She also worked for the German government in international fora such as a delegate in the context of, inter alia, UN, EC, WTO, OECD. She also serves as a Board / Committee member of various non-profit organizations including the German Business Ethics Network (DNWE), International Rescue Committee (IRC) Germany and Save the Children Germany. She is the founder of the initiative #DieNächste against violence against women. Anna, a German- Swedish national, is a lawyer by training having studied in Germany, France and the US. She also holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge.  She has received several awards including the Focus Female Finance Award 2023, the Strive Award, Top 40 under 40 etc.

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Antonia Maier

Regional Head - Telecommunications, Media & Technology

EBRD

United Kingdom

Antonthe conia Maier is EBRD’s Regional Head for the Telecommunications, Media and Technology sector in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region, based in Cairo. She is an experienced impact investor with a deep understanding of investing in emerging markets, specifically in the TMT sector, where she originated and structured debt and equity transactions across subsegments including towers, fibrecos and data centres, as well as technology companies including in the fintech and cloud space.

Archaf Alami

Project office Change Management & Innovation

Enabel

Belgium

Achraf Alami is an expert in transformation and innovation. He works at the intersection of tech and public sector transformation, leveraging emerging technologies to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is currently working at Enabel, the Belgian agency for international cooperation, where he drives impactful innovation and supports inclusive, sustainable transformation across public systems.

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Arnoud d'Yve de Bavay

African Expansion Lead

Tether

Kenya

Arnoud leads Tether’s expansion across the African continent, driving partnerships, investments, and institutional adoption for the world’s leading stablecoin issuer. He brings seven years of experience working in emerging markets, including Ivory Coast and Uganda, where he was based in agribusiness and commodity trading - experience that gave him first-hand insight into cross-border payments, liquidity constraints, and treasury challenges across Africa. For the past four years, Arnoud has focused on digital assets, working at the intersection of stablecoins, regulation, and financial infrastructure across African markets.

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Augustine Wiah

Investor

Black angel group

United States of America

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Aya Bakahoui

-

-

Morocco

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Ayo Sopitan

Founder & Principal

Metalex

United States of America

Badir Drissi

Chief Investment Officer

Ithmar Capital

Morocco

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Badir Gallaf

President, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Youth Commission

African Chamber of Commerce and Services (CACS)

France

Badir Gallaf is an entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and strategic advisor with over 20 years of experience across finance, technology, and innovation in Europe and Africa. He serves as President of the Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Youth Commission at the African Chamber of Commerce and Services (CACS), where he contributes to strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems. Actively involved in building and scaling ventures, he supports initiatives at the intersection of digital education, talent development, technology platforms, and creative industries, with a focus on impact and market expansion. He also acts as an advisor and board member to several companies, bringing expertise in growth strategy, partnerships, and governance. Through his work, he is committed to fostering collaboration, enabling innovation, and contributing to a more connected and opportunity-driven Africa.

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Basil Fateen

Head of Startups and VC, MENAT

NVIDIA

United Arab Emirates

Basil Fateen is an experienced tech entrepreneur, startup ecosystem leader, published author and TEDx speaker with over 20 years' experience. As the current Head of Startups and VC for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey at NVIDIA and previously the Principal Evangelist for Startups and GenAI at Amazon Web Services (AWS), he has created several award-winning content series and open-source projects to help innovators build. His original video content has been viewed over 20 million times, and he has presented keynotes and workshops around the world.

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Bassem Gharsalli

Vice President and Country Manager for North West Africa

Mastercard

Morocco

Bassem Gharsalli is Vice President and Country Manager for North West Africa at Mastercard, where he oversees the company’s business and operations across multiple markets in the region. Based in Casablanca, he leads Mastercard’s strategy to accelerate digital payments, enable platform‑driven ecosystems, and advance financial inclusion by working closely with banks, governments, fintechs, and telecommunications partners. Since joining Mastercard in 2015, Gharsalli has played a key role in building sustainable growth strategies and launching innovative payment solutions that support consumers, SMEs, and public‑sector digitization. His leadership spans partnerships, regulatory engagement, and ecosystem development, with a strong focus on modernizing financial infrastructure and expanding access to secure digital services. Prior to Mastercard, Gharsalli held senior consulting roles in France, advising major European financial institutions on digital transformation, technology strategy, and go‑to‑market execution within the payments indus

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Ben Marrel

General Partner

Breega

United Kingdom

Ben's experience as a founder and his passion for entrepreneurship led him to co-found Breega, a fast-growing, founder-led European VC specialised in financing tech startups from PreSeed to Series B stage (€260M under management). Prior to that, Ben debuted his entrepreneurial journey by launching FiftyFor, the first financial rating platform for SMEs in Africa, and then Rugby Division, a disruptive rugbywear brand. He began his career in M&A, working on large cross-border deals and Series D+ in Tech for Macquarie Bank in London and Sydney.Today, Ben & Breega support highly promising startups such as Curve, Cuvva, Exotec, Moneybox, Udelv or NinetyNine with the aim of propelling them to global success.

Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi

Founder & CTO

Green Leaf AI

Morocco

Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi is the Founder and CTO of Green Leaf AI, an agritech initiative focused on early detection of crop diseases using artificial intelligence. His work combines image-based analysis with environmental data to support smallholder farmers in improving productivity and resilience in arid regions. He has experience in ICT, climate innovation, and applied research in agriculture and tourism.

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Bengyella Gwanmesia

CEO

Batazia

Netherlands

Bengyella Gwanmesia is the CEO of Batazia, a language technology company building AI infrastructure for African languages, unlocking their role in the global digital and AI economy. His work focuses on advancing language inclusion in AI, ensuring that African languages are not just represented, but actively shape the next generation of intelligent systems. Through Batazia, he is driving initiatives across multiple African countries, working at the intersection of language, technology, and economic empowerment. Bengyella leads teams of AI engineers and language experts to develop real-world applications in translation and speech technologies, while exploring new models for community-based data ownership in AI. He has spoken at international platforms including Tech in Ghana and Google events, and is recognized for his perspective on Africa’s role in the future of AI.

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Benoit Legrand

Country Director for Morocco and Tunisia

Enabel

Belgium

Benoît Legrand, an architect and urban planner, obtained a PhD in urban planning and building design from the Catholic University of Louvain in 2008. He has worked for over 30 years, initially for NGOs, then for the World Bank and the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation (BTC-Enabel), in various countries in Asia and Africa. He was a visiting professor at KU Leuven for five years in the field of sustainable architecture and urban planning. Between 2016 and 2025, he worked at Enabel's headquarters as coordinator of the "Climate Governance, Water, Energy, and Sustainable Buildings" unit. During 2023, he served as interim head of the Expertise and Think department for 10 months. Since mid-September 2025, he has held the position of Country Director for Morocco and Tunisia, based in Rabat.

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Bertrand Wert

Policy Officer (Innovation)

European Union

Belgium

Bertrant Wert,Phd.

Programme Coordinator & demand side measures expert at European Innovation Council - European Innovation Council

European Innovation Council

Belgium

Working and being part of the European project as always been a dream and the reason for me to move to Brussels more than 20 years ago. Since 2015 I am working for the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA), that is hosting the European Innovation Council Accelerator. The EIC is primarily supporting and investing in innovative SMEs via its Accelerator. In this context, I am daily supporting European SMEs with significant growth potential and global ambitions, beneficiaries of the "European Innovation Council EIC Accelerator", to market their innovations. I am particularly working with public and private procurers of innovations to support EIC SMEs to find potential market developments. Previously, I worked from 2009 to 2015 for Directorate General GROW of the European Commission, as Policy Officer for innovation policies. I have been involved in the preparation and development of the "Innovation Union", European strategy for innovation. Meanwhile, I was piloting demand-driven policy interventions, where I managed several public procurement networks or “buyers’ groups” of innovation (Pre-commercial Procurement & Public Procurement of Innovation). From 2002 to 2009 I have been a researcher in social sciences mainly under European programmes dedicated to research, innovation, urban and cultural policies for European local authorities and Regions. I have a PhD in Political Science (University Paris-Dauphine, France), a MA in Political Science -- International Relations (University du Québec à Montréal, UQAM, Canada), and a Master in Political Science - European studies (University Libre de Bruxelles, ULB, Belguim). Being an active European citizen, I have political responsibilities in the Commune where I leave in Brussels (Ixelles) and I am also involved in the Board of a Museum: la Maison d'Izieu, mémorial des enfants juifs exterminés.

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Bintou Kaboré Zerbo

Executive Director

Institutional Investor Network

United States of America

Bintou serves as the Executive Director of the Institutional Investor Network (IIN), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to increasing institutional investments into African markets. Under her leadership, IIN works to build meaningful connections between U.S. institutional investors and African stakeholders, facilitating education, engagement, and the exchange of strategic information to support long-term capital flow to the continent. Previously, she played a key role in the NASP-USAID Investment Partnership, where she coordinated efforts to educate U.S. institutional investors on African investment opportunities. Through on-the-ground infrastructure visits and stakeholder engagements, the program successfully mobilized over $1 billion in investments into the continent, leveraging a three-year, $2 million grant. A legal professional by training, she has consistently channeled her career toward impact-driven work in international trade and development. She firmly believes in the transformative power of investment and trade to foster inclusive, sustainable growth.

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Boubacar Amadou Garba

Directeur Marketing

Nita Transfert d'Argent

Niger

Marketing Director at NITA Money Transfer, Boubacar Amadou Garba is a seasoned expert in marketing and strategic communication with several years of experience building brands and promoting innovative services across Africa. He drives the company's communication and growth strategy, with a strong focus on fintech solutions and financial inclusion through products like the MyNITA app. A graduate of the University of Pau and the Pays de l'Adour, he holds additional certifications in digital marketing, brand strategy and digital transformation. Results-driven and creatively sharp, Boubacar is an active advocate for innovation, digital growth and entrepreneurship in Niger.

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BOUJRI Nabil

Sales Director for France, Benelux, Southern Europe & Africa.

Barco

France

Nabil Boujri is currently Sales Director for France, Benelux, Southern Europe & Africa. He is leading the Meeting experience Business unit in his region. Since joining Barco in 2011, Nabil has held several leadership roles, contributing to the company’s long-term development in the EMEA region. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in expanding Barco’s presence in Africa, building strong partnerships and unlocking new business opportunities.

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Cécile Badoual, MD, PhD

Cheffe de Département de Biologie et Pathologie médicales,Gustave Roussy AP-HP

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

France

Pr Cécile Badoual, MD, PhD, Head dpt medical Biology and Pathology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Cité  La professeur Cécile Badoual dirige actuellement le département de biologie et de pathologie médicale à Gustave Roussy. Spécialiste de la pathologie ORL, elle est titulaire d'un doctorat en médecine, d'un doctorat scientifique en immunologie et d'une habilitation à diriger des recherches. Elle est également Chevalier de l'Ordre des Palmes académiques et très impliquée dans le monde universitaire, enseignant dans des universités parisiennes et occupant des postes clés dans le domaine de l'éducation, tels que Vice doyenne et Vice-présidente formation de l'Université Paris Cité. Ses recherches dans un groupe au sein de l'unité Inserm dirigé par le Pr Tartour portent sur le papillomavirus humain (HPV) et son lien avec les cancers de la tête et du cou, Ses travaux portent principalement sur le microenvironnement tumoral des cancers HPV induits. Elle est co-redactice des chapitres de la WHO Classification sur les cancers de l'oropharynx et auteurs de nombreux articles sur le sujet. Elle est d'autre part impliquées dans des travaux de recherche sur l'IA en pathologie et dirige une chaire à Université Paris/PRA[IA]E

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Cédric Stucki

Head of Sales

Addict Mobile

France

Cédric Stucki has strong experience in performance marketing and commercial strategy. He has held key roles at RTB House, Antevenio, and Smarter Ecommerce, leading international teams and operations. He has driven growth across EMEA, managed complex client portfolios, and delivered ambitious digital projects, combining strategic vision with technical expertise

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Cedrique Dechacus-Ehouzou

Operations & Partnerships

Institutional Investor Network

United States of America

Cedrique de Chacus Ehouzou serves on the operations team of the Institutional Investor Network (IIN), a Washington, D.C .- based nonprofit dedicated to channeling institutional capital into African markets. Based in Cotonou, Benin, she brings a distinctive on-the-ground perspective to IIN's mission - bridging global investors with African stakeholders through relationship-building, ecosystem engagement, and strategic outreach across the continent. As an entrepreneur leading multiple ventures spanning event production, real estate development, and financial technology, Cedrique embodies the kind of African innovation and market dynamism that IIN works to amplify through investment. Her work focuses on building the meaningful connections and strategic partnerships that link institutional capital to the people, projects, and opportunities defining Africa's growth story. She attends GITEX Africa as part of the IIN delegation, deeply committed to fostering the cross-sector partnerships that drive inclusive and sustainable development.

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Chançard Kanga

Africa Territory Director

HCLSoftware

France

Chançard Moise Kanga is the Africa Territory Director at HCLSoftware, where he drives the company’s expansion and innovation strategy across the African continent. With around two decades of experience in the global technology sector - including senior roles at Adobe, Jahia, and HP - Chançard brings deep expertise in digital experience, cybersecurity, and enterprise automation. Based between Paris and Johannesburg, Chançard is responsible for defining and executing the commercial and marketing strategies tailored to the unique demands of the African market. His primary mission involves identifying high-growth opportunities within mission-critical sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and government, ensuring that enterprises can leverage technology to achieve operational excellence. In his current mandate, Chançard develops and implements comprehensive go-to-market plans to increase the regional footprint and manages relationships with strategic enterprise clients. He is instrumental in building and maintaining a robust network of integrators, distributors, and local partners to facilitate the seamless deployment of complex software solutions. Beyond market strategy, Chançard is dedicated to recruiting, structuring, and leading high-performing sales and support teams. He places a strong emphasis on developing local talent and enhancing regional technical competencies to create a self-sustaining network of expertise that can support large-scale digital initiatives.

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Chanoussi Aissata

Directrice Générale

Centre National de Cybersécurité (CNAC)

Niger

Former Director of Information Systems Security at ANSI, Ms. Aïssata CHANOUSSI has been appointed head of the National Cybersecurity Center (CNAC). With over 10 years of experience across ANSI, Zamani Telecom and technical missions in France, she has established herself as one of the leading figures in cybersecurity in Niger. From threat management to driving the national digital security strategy, her journey embodies excellence, rigor and commitment. A well-deserved appointment for a woman who inspires an entire generation of digital professionals in Niger and across Africa.

Cheick Ouedraogo

Co-Founder & CEO

Maraboo

United States of America

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Cheick Oumar Sylla

Division Director for North and Horn of Africa

IFC

Morocco

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Cheikh SAMB

CEO

TIAKTIAK

Senegal

CEO of TIAKTIAK, a Senegalese urban mobility and delivery platform designed to connect users and couriers, enabling quick and intuitive ordering of errands and deliveries via smartphone, while integrating advanced features such as artificial intelligence to optimize customer service and provide real-time delivery tracking.

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Chinasa T. Okolo

Founder & Scientific Director

Technecultura

United States of America

Chinasa T. Okolo, Ph.D., is the Founder of Technecultura, a Policy Specialist at the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET), and a recent Computer Science Ph.D. graduate from Cornell University. Her research focuses on AI governance and safety for the Global Majority, datafication and algorithmic marginalization, and the geopolitical impacts of AI. Dr. Okolo has been recognized as one of the world’s most influential people in AI by TIME, honored in the inaugural Forbes 30 Under 30 AI list, and advises numerous multilateral institutions, national governments, corporations, and nonprofits. She is a former Fellow at the Brookings Institution and has worked in research-based roles at Apple and Microsoft. Her research has been covered widely in media outlets and published at top-tier venues in human-computer interaction and sociotechnical computing. Learn more about Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo at www.chinasatokolo.com

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Christopher Boadi-Mensah

Chief Executive Officer

National Pensions Regulatory Authority

Ghana

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Chrystèle Sanon

Founder & President

UAEFI – United Afro Experts for Innovation

France

Chrystèle worked 12-year as a in-house lawyer at Lagardère Active (global media) supporting the digitization and diversification of conventional press activities. Inspired by this intrapreneurial dynamics, she founded the tech startup Qwampus in 2019 at Station F, serving as a resource center for organisations engaged in business creation support. Today, she applies her skills and expertise to assist public or private organisations or decision makers addressing innovation, development and education objectives. .

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Dan Hammer

Co-founder

LGND and Clay

United States of America

Dr. Dan Hammer is the co-founder of LGND, USA. Venture-backed startup building AI infrastructure for Earth observation data; and a co-founder at Clay, an open-source and nonprofit initiative to suppor the responsible rollout of large Earth observation models. Dan previously served as Chief Data Scientist at the World Resources Institute, where he co-founded Global Forest Watch, and as a Senior Advisor at Google X. He was a Senior Policy Advisor in the Obama White House (Office of Science and Technology Policy) and a Presidential Innovation Fellow at NASA. A National Geographic Explorer, he is also the recipient of the inaugural Pritzker Environmental Genius Award and UC Berkeley’s Mark Bingham Award for Excellence in Achievement. He has taught at Georgetown University, UC Berkeley, and the University of San Francisco. Dan holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from UC Berkeley, and graduated with high honors from Swarthmore College as a Lang Scholar and Watson Fellow.

Danny Ba

Co-Founder & Co-CEO

Inflow pay

France

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David Tinel

Regional Manager, Maghreb

International Finance Corporation

Morocco

Since July 1, 2024, David Tinel has served as IFC's Regional Representative for the Maghreb, based in Rabat. He leads IFC's efforts to advance sustainable private sector development in Morocco, Tunisia and Libya through innovative project financing and policy reforms. In Morocco, he oversees an investment program that exceeded 1.2 billion dollars in 2025, with a focus on infrastructure, equity investments, women's employability, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. With over 25 years of experience in finance and development across Latin America, Africa, the United States, and Europe, Mr. Tinel joined IFC in 2005 as a Senior Investment Officer in Infrastructure. He previously also served as Chief Investment Officer, Infrastructure Africa, and as IFC's Regional Representative for the Southern Cone, based in Argentina, where IFC invested over five billion dollars under his leadership. Prior to IFC, he was Vice President at BNP Paribas in Paris and New York. He holds a Master’s degree from the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, France.

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Davide Menguzzato

Head of Impact and Business Development

DeepLeaf

Morocco

Davide Menguzzato is Advisor for Business Development at DeepLeaf, supporting the company’s expansion across Europe and Africa. With extensive experience in international business, entrepreneurship, and partnership building, Davide focuses on connecting DeepLeaf with strategic stakeholders, investors, and clients to accelerate growth and impact. His work centers on opening new markets, strengthening collaborations, and positioning DeepLeaf as a trusted agritech innovator in regions where sustainable food systems are a pressing priority. Davide’s background spans working with startups, corporates, and organizations on scaling technology-driven solutions, giving him a unique perspective on building bridges between innovation and practical market needs. At DeepLeaf, he drives the company’s business development strategy, helping transform its AI-powered crop health solutions into accessible tools for farmers and agricultural networks worldwide.

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Demola Adegbite

Partner

500 global

United Kingdom

Demola is an Investment Partner at 500 Global, where he leads the firm’s investment activities across Africa. He has 20+ years of experience across private equity, impact investing, investment banking, and venture capital. Prior to 500 Global, Demola was an investment director at LeapFrog Investments, where he led growth-stage investments across Africa and served on portfolio company boards. Earlier in his career, he was an investment banker at Citi, advising on M&A and capital markets transactions, and has also worked at Bear Stearns and Deloitte in the UK. In early-stage venture, Demola has been an active investor and adviser across multiple sectors. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds a BA in Law and Business from the University of Warwick and an MBA from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

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Desigan Chinniah

Portfolio Mentor

Madica

United Kingdom

Desigan Chinniah is a creative technologist with 20+ years of experience across Mozilla/Firefox, PayPal, eBay, BBC, Skype and Ask Jeeves. He is a mentor at Madica, supporting their portfolio of early-stage pan-African changemakers working on hard problems. He has a deep global relationship network, and supports founders across privacy, security, infrastructure, healthcare, future of work, financial inclusion and climate missions. https://www.linkedin.com/in/desiganchinniah/

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Dhekra Khelifi

General Partner

216 Capital Ventures

Tunisia

Dhekra Khelifi is an Organizational Engineering and Investment professional and the first female General Partner at Tunisia’s 216 Capital Ventures. Operating across a pan-African landscape, she applies organizational engineering to fund strategy, portfolio construction, and post-investment value creation, helping early-stage startups build the scalable structures and leadership systems necessary for high-performance execution. With over a decade of experience, Dhekra has architected numerous Startup Support Organizations (SSOs) and open innovation platforms across Africa since 2011. Before 216 Capital Ventures, she held senior management positions within multinational Telecom and electronic construction firms, where she led multidisciplinary teams in complex digital sectors including E-commerce and Fintech. Dhekra’s foundation in senior management at multinational telecom and Technology firms allowed her to lead complex digital initiatives across E-commerce and Fintech. By uniting structural design with capital mobilization, she now serves as a catalyst for transforming African innovation into scalable, operationally excellent enterprises.

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Divine Selase Agbeti

Director-General

Cyber Security Authority (CSA)

Ghana

Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti is a highly accomplished cybersecurity professional with a robust blend of technical, policy and leadership expertise. Appointed Acting Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in March 2025, he has been instrumental in driving Ghana’s national cybersecurity agenda and strengthening the country’s digital resilience. His leadership has focused on building sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), enhancing national cyber incident response coordination, and deepening collaboration with international partners and law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and improve threat intelligence sharing. Mr. Agbeti holds advanced professional certifications in Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), Cybersecurity Governance and Risk and Compliance, complementing his academic training in International Relations from the University of Portsmouth and the London School of Economics. These qualifications have equipped him with the multidisciplinary expertise to address both the technical and regulatory dimensions of cybersecurity. He is also an expert in cybersecurity frameworks, standards compliance (including ISO/IEC 27001), cyber risk assessment, digital forensics and incident response management competencies that underpin his leadership at the CSA. As the founder of Information Security ARK Ltd (UK), Mr. Agbeti has provided cybersecurity advisory, audit and assurance services to major international institutions, including the Bank of England, Barclays Global Head Office and British Petroleum (BP). His consultancy works integrated cybersecurity governance, resilience planning, and regulatory compliance advisory, helping organizations strengthen their defences against evolving cyber threats. Before transitioning to public service, Mr. Agbeti served in the British Army, where he developed expertise in high-security operations, strategic risk management and crisis coordination experience that continues to inform his disciplined approach to cybersecurity leadership. At the CSA, he has overseen coordinated enforcement operations with the Ghana Police Service, leading to major cybercrime arrests and Ghana’s active participation in a transnational investigation commended by the FBI. Through his combination of military precision, international consulting experience and advanced cybersecurity qualifications, Mr. Agbeti has positioned himself as a leading authority in cybersecurity management and digital policy. His pragmatic and forward-looking leadership is helping to align Ghana’s cybersecurity ecosystem with international best practices and ensure a secure, trusted and resilient digital future.

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Dr. Adel Smeda

Supervisor of Science and Environment Sector

ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)

Morocco

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Dr. Archana Sharma

Senior Scientist

CERN

Switzerland

Dr. Archana Sharma is a senior physicist at CERN with over 30 years of experience in frontier particle physics and large international scientific collaborations, including work at the Large Hadron Collider. Her career bridges fundamental science with real-world applications in advanced technologies, and societal applications. She is the Founder of the LifeLab Foundation, which advances STEM education, innovation ecosystems, and science-for-society initiatives across emerging economies, fostering collaborations between Africa, India, and Europe. Dr. Sharma also serves as Senior Scientific Advisor to major tech programmes in India and is widely recognised for her contributions to science diplomacy and capacity building. A recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman — India’s highest honour for citizens abroad — she is a global advocate for leveraging deep science, AI, and international partnerships to build resilient, future-ready societies.

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Dr. George Dawutey Ologo

Director IT and Cyber Security

BOST Energies

Ghana

Dr. George Dawutey Ologo is the General Manager for IT and Cyber Security at BOST Energies, Ghana, where he provides strategic leadership and oversight of the organisation’s information technology and cyber security functions. His responsibilities span IT governance and compliance, digital transformation driven by artificial intelligence, cyber security, and the management of IT infrastructure, communications, surveillance, and access control systems across nationwide operations. In this role, Dr. Ologo oversees enterprise systems, network and infrastructure services, data protection and privacy compliance, cyber risk management, and digital innovation initiatives aligned with both national priorities and international best practices. With extensive experience in technology policy, cyber security, digital infrastructure, and systems governance, he leads the design and implementation of secure, scalable, and future-ready IT frameworks that support BOST Energies’ mandate as a critical national downstream energy sector organisation. Dr. Ologo is a respected technology scientist, technical policy advisor, cyber security expert, digital transformation strategist, and security and forensics specialist.

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Dr. Kate Isa

Founder & CEO

Katchey Company Limited

Nigeria

Kate Ikechi Isa is an audacious, trailblazing entrepreneur with an unflinching belief that nothing can be impossible for the one who is determined to achieve success - Good Success. The founder and CEO of Katchey Company Limited, the dominant player in the Science Laboratory equipment space in Nigeria, Kate is a modern-day multi-preneur, having, in addition to KATCHEY, founded LEEISA Inc. in Los Angeles, USA, in 1993 and purchased SCIACHEM in the UK in 2016. Perceiving gaps in the science and technology landscape in Nigeria, Kate is presently driving an aggressive forward- and backward- integration program at KATCHEY. The forward integration has birthed Katchey Laboratories Limited, the first internationally accredited Independent Analytical Laboratory Complex in Nigeria. Katchey Laboratories is set to successfully compete against the SGSs, Interteks and Bureau Veritas of this world. The backward integration, which began with a Ground-Breaking Ceremony in OGUN State, focuses on manufacturing of laboratory equipment and supplies, Training Institute for Laboratory technologists and analysts, expanded Independent Analytical Laboratory Complexes, offices and warehouses. With a passion for science and technology, Kate has been on a protracted unrelenting crusade, engaging the Policy Makers in Nigeria’s educational system, to update science educational curriculum from analogue to digital, and modernize the teaching and learning of Science and Technology in Nigeria through the use of digital science laboratory equipment, inspired by the STEM pedagogy. Kate believes very strongly that only well- educated Nigerian scientists and technologists will invest the life resources needed to effectively revolutionize our nation, using our abundant natural resources to innovate and develop products and solutions for our unique needs. Kate is the current President of the Scientific Product Association of Nigeria, SPAN, a collaborative association of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of Laboratory Equipment and consumables in Nigeria. The First female President of the Association which was founded in 1986, Kate’s visionary leadership is transforming the Association into a formidable force for the modernization of the science ecosystem, raising the bar and compelling all stakeholders, from the relevant Policy Makers to the Educational and Research institutions and the industry to embrace 21st Century strategies and applications, to make science relevant in Nigeria. Kate Isa obtained her B.Sc. from the University of Lagos, an MBA from the Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts and a Certificate in Real Estate Finance and Development from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has attended several continuous education programs around the world. She serves on the Boards of both public and private companies, in Nigeria, in Europe and in the USA. In recognition of her significant contributions to the Science and Technology ecosystem in Nigeria, Kate Isa was awarded the Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Degree (Honoris Causa) by the prestigious Ajayi Crowther University. She was also recently honoured among the Arise Women Making Impact 100 Women, a recognition that celebrates women driving change and leaving lasting legacies across different sectors. Kate is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, an extravagant philanthropist, and a mobilizer for positive energy towards the actualization of project NIGERIA. Part of Kate’s mission is to help younger women develop the skills they need to thrive, both personally and professionally, while building a balanced home. she commits herself to helping them become the best versions of themselves, through guidance on navigating the career-family balance, as well as spiritual mentorship, enabling them to feel confident, grounded and secure in themselves and their relationships. She serves on the Boards of Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), Africa Cancer Center (ACC), The Katchey Group, and LEEISA Inc. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria (CIoD) Kate is the wife of Abdulrazaq Isa, the Founder and Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and Waltersmith Refineries and they are the parents of Amina Ezinneka Ibekwe and Zaq Chidiebere Isa.

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Dr. Latifa EL Yacoubi

Chief Procurement and Business Partnerships Officer – Telcom Sector, Member of Internationale

AMCA (Moroccan Procurement Community Association)

Morocco

Director of Procurement & Business Partnerships at Wana Corporate Professional Experience : • 33 years of professional experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Retail sectors, including 14 years in executive leadership positions. • 27 years of experience in Procurement and 6 years in Planning and Strategic Management. • Member of the “AMCA International” Committee at the Moroccan Association of the Procurement Community (AMCA). Academic Background : • PhD in Management Sciences – University of Sophia Antipolis, Nice • Master’s Degree in Supply Chain Management & Procurement – ESC Lille • Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Business Management & Administration – University of Clermont-Ferrand • Certified Professional Coach (ICF) – Enneagram – EFT • ASLOG Certificate in Logistics Performance Evaluation

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Dr. Mactar Seck

Head of the Innovation and Technology

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Ethiopia

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Dr. Muhammad Sharif

Advisor Science and Environment Sector

ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)

Morocco

Dr. Muhammad Sharif is Advisor Science and Environmentat Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) at HQ in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco. ICESCO is an inter-governmental organization having 54 member states around the world, emanated from the (OIC), specializing in the fields of education, science and culture. Dr Sharif is an Associated Professor at Leibniz Institute for Catalysis Rostock Germany, President of African Branch (55 countries) of International Engineering and Technology Institute and Adjunct Professor at University of Lahore Pakistan. Dr. Sharif is an architect of several international initiatives which include ICESCO Accelerator program for 54 countries, ICESCO International Aerospace Symposium and Model Satellite (CanSat) training workshops Initiative for member states, ICESCO’s Food Security Initiative for Sahel Region and Global Space Science Forum (GSSF).

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Dr. Natalie Raphil

Ambassador, Lovable Africa

Lovable

Morocco

Dr Natalie R (PhD), revered as a luminary in the business realm, stands tall as Mail & Guardian's foremost businesswoman and a distinguished member of Forbes Africa's Top 100 Innovators & Inventors. With over two decades of experience in the IT and technology space, she is the founder of "Robots Can Think," a pioneering tech AI futurist company known for conceptualising, building, and commercialising groundbreaking inventions. Dr. Natalie's visionary leadership has propelled the company to introduce the world's first-in-class inventions, setting new benchmarks for excellence and transforming industries. She guides startups and major corporations in navigating the intricate realms of technology and AI. An avid investor in 32 startups(7exits) and an acclaimed International Keynote Speaker, Dr. Natalie's impact transcends accolades as she diligently serves as Women in AI ‘s Head of Africa, educating marginalised communities, ensuring inclusivity and societal betterment worldwide

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Dr. P. C. Jaffer

Secretary to Government (Budget & Resources), Finance Department

Government of Karnataka

India

"Dr. P. C. Jaffer, IAS is a Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and currently working as the Secretary to Government (Budget & Resources) in the Finance Department of the Government of Karnataka, India. With over two decades of leadership experience across public finance, education systems, rural development, and district administration; he led major governance reforms including large-scale digital education platforms, public finance modernisation, and technology-driven administrative systems, with a strong focus on transparency and institutional strengthening. With a Ph.D. in Education and advanced qualifications across multiple disciplines, he is widely recognised for advancing data-driven, citizen-centric, and technology-enabled governance."

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Dr. Sally Mabrouk

Director of Director General Cabinet, Head of Digital Transformation, Strategy and innovation sector

ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)

Morocco

Dr. Sally Mabrouk is the Director of the Office of the Director General of ICESCO, Head of Digital transformation department and supervisor of the Strategy and innovation sector. Prior to that, Dr. Sally was an adviser of Quality & Excellence in the Central Bank of UAE. Dr. Sally was a personal & organizational development consultant in the educational, private and public sectors with over 20 years of experience. She is a specialist in the area of leadership development and organizational alignment with strategy, values and vision. Dr. Sally has an outstanding background in Psychology and Culture Management, which she can efficiently apply to recruitment, diversity planning, inclusion strategies, employee engagement, talent management, and culture alignment that enable organizations to be an excellent work environment. Previously, Dr. Sally has acquired a very solid experience in executive management at reputed multicultural universities that contain more than 70 nationalities. Her areas of expertise in this field include enrollment management, national/ international academic accreditation, student learning outcomes, student recruitment, admission, CRM, student retention, student development, career advising, internship, alumni services, fundraising, community engagement, student-centered learning, vibrant campus life, lifelong learning, co-curricular and extra-curricular education. Furthermore, she coordinated and managed many international competitions, mega events, international conferences and culture exchange programs in many countries such as: France, UK, Italy, Singapore, China, USA, and Egypt. Dr. Sally has been lecturing a variety of subjects including culture management, multiculturalism, international relations, international management, effective leadership, action learning, organizational behavior, organizational psychology, entrepreneurship and Innovation in various colleges such as: Engineering, Law, Hospitality, Commerce, Arts and Education

Dr. Selma Elouardighi

Founder

ClimeProof

United States of America

Dr. Selma Elouardighi is a climate tech entrepreneur with 15 years of experience at the intersection of technology, climate governance, and institutional development. She holds a PhD from Virginia Tech, USA.She is the founder of ClimeProof, an AI-driven methodology designed to assess the adaptability and resilience of healthcare facilities; and ClimeChain which is a decentralized marketplace that leverages AI and blockchain to strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacity of medical systems.

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Dr. Sofia Ghacham

Ambassador

Women in AI - Morocco

Morocco

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Dr. Thierry Wandhi

President & CEO

Cybastion

United States of America

Dr Wandji is a Cameroonian-born American cybersecurity expert combining global tech expertise with local insights to empower African governments in navigating the digital age. He co-founded Cybastion in 2019 leading the company’s rapid expansion as a trusted partner in digitalization. He has advised over a dozen African Heads of State and their government ministries on cybersecurity, digital transformation, and infrastructure development and is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PACDBIA) advising the WhiteDr Wandji is a Cameroonian-born American cybersecurity expert combining global tech expertise with local insights to empower African governments in navigating the digital age. He co-founded Cybastion in 2019 leading the company’s rapid expansion as a trusted partner in digitalization. He has advised over a dozen African Heads of State and their government ministries on cybersecurity, digital transformation, and infrastructure development and is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PACDBIA) advising the White House on strengthening U.S.-Africa commercial ties. He previously spent over a decade with the U.S. Navy and the Naval Research Laboratory.

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Dr. Yasmine Ndassa

Master Of Ceremony

Leaders On Purpose Associate

Morocco

Dr. Yasmine Ndassa is a globally recognized AI and data strategy executive, keynote speaker, and trusted advisor to senior leaders navigating digital transformation. She is also part of the Leaders On Purpose global network of moderators and MCs. A Harvard-trained molecular biophysicist turned analytics leader, she brings over 15 years of experience driving data-driven decision-making and organizational transformation across Fortune 100 companies, including Meta, AWS, and Comcast. Currently serving as Vice President of Data at One Call and CEO/Founder of Noor AI & Analytics Consulting, Dr. Ndassa is known for translating complex technological concepts into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with executive and global audiences. With a distinctive voice that bridges scientific rigor, business strategy, and human-centered insight, she brings both intellectual depth and dynamic presence to the stage. As a global speaker and moderator, she is sought after for her ability to elevate conversations, engage diverse audiences, and guide meaningful dialogue on the future of AI and innovation.

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Dr. Yassine Serhani

Chief Procurement Officer – Financial Sector, President

AMCA (Moroccan Procurement Community Association)

Morocco

Procurement & General Affairs Director Retail & Finance Sectors Professional Experience: 27 years, including 18 years in Executive positions • 16 years of experience in Procurement, Supply & Logistics • 11 years of experience in Management Control, Commercial & QHSE • President of the Moroccan Procurement Community Association « AMCA » • President of the African Federation of Procurement « FAA » • Member of the International Federation of Purchasing & Supply Management « IFPSM » Academic Background • Certified « AI Developer » by IBM • Certified in Artificial Intelligence by IBM « IBM AI Foundations for Business » • DBA in Strategic Business Management « FIEP France » • MBA in Strategic Management & Competitive Intelligence « EGE Paris » • Master’s in Procurement & Logistics « Grenoble Ecole de Management » • Master’s in Strategic Marketing & Commercial Management « Mohamed V University » • DESA in Management Sciences « Hassan II University »

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Driss Aquachar

Vice President, Customer Solutions Center, North West & Francophone Africa

Masercard

Morocco

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Driss Benattou

Director

CBI

Morocco

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Driss Ibenmansour

Partner

Breega

France

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Duncan Rae

Group CISO & Head of Information Security and Governance

Pepkor

South Africa

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Ekpo Nta

Chairman/CEO

National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Nigeria

Nigeria

Ekpo Nta: Lawyer, Political Scientist and School proprietor, is currently the Chairman/CEO of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Nigeria. The Commission regulates the remuneration and conditions of service of over 1.5 million Federal mainstream workers. It also reviews pensions of retired Federal workers especially those on the defined benefit scheme. Under the 2026 Appropriation budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria, over 8 trillion Naira ($5.8billion) was allocated for remunerations and pensions. He has held various key positions locally and internationally, including the following: former Chairman/CEO, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigeria; a founding member, Advisory Board of the Network of National Anti-corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA); and is currently, the Vice Chairman, Board of Governors, International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), Austria. He is a Presidential Award Recipient of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM).

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El Bdaoui Haddad, PhD

-

Sanofi

France

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El Hadji Malick Gueye

Managing Director

Wave Digital Finance

Senegal

Managing Director of Wave Digital Finance, a leading fintech company in Africa that is transforming financial services by making money transfers, payments, and digital financial tools more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly, thereby driving financial inclusion and supporting a more connected and modern economy.

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El Mahdi Aboulmanadel

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

DeepLeaf

Morocco

am El Mahdi Aboulmanadel, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DeepLeaf, a Moroccan agritech company at the forefront of AI-powered crop health diagnostics. Since founding DeepLeaf in 2023, I have led the company’s vision to revolutionize agriculture in Africa and beyond by providing scalable, data-driven solutions that empower farmers and agribusinesses. My leadership has guided DeepLeaf in developing cutting-edge technologies that combine data-efficient vision transformers, proprietary algorithms, and farmer-centric workflows to detect crop diseases with high accuracy. Recognized internationally with four awards, DeepLeaf has quickly grown into a trusted partner for agricultural innovation. As CEO, I am passionate about building sustainable ecosystems where technology directly improves food security, resilience, and productivity. My work reflects a commitment to harnessing AI for social impact, ensuring that smallholder farmers and global supply chains alike benefit from faster, more reliable plant health insights.

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Elias Yazbeck

COO

Axian Digibank & Fintech

United Arab Emirates

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Elisabeth Moreno

Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

Ring Capital

France

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Eng. Olaya Bahloul Ep Ghenia

CISO

Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG)

Tunisia

Eng. Olaya Ghenia has 25+ years of experience in audit, cybersecurity, and ICT within the energy sector. An engineer with an International MBA, she is recognized among the Top 50 Women Leaders in Cybersecurity in Africa and is committed to advancing secure digital practices and knowledge shari

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Evgenia Matrosova

Chief Ride Hailing Officer

inDrive

United Kingdom

Evgenia Matrosova is the Chief Ride Hailing Officer at inDrive. She oversees the company’s core ride-hailing business across all 48 countries of operation, as well as the company’s marketing. Evgenia joined inDrive in 2021 after a 14-year tenure at Procter & Gamble, where she was responsible for the promotion of numerous household brands. She then served as CMO at Yandex.Eats. Over the course of her 20-year career, she has gained extensive experience in both consumer and tech marketing. From the very beginning of her journey at inDrive, Evgenia set the direction for building and strengthening the brand as a key asset for a company in the mobility sector. Today, she leads Ridehail P&L, Demand, Supply, Global Operations, and Product Development.

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Fadwa Jouali

Deputy Director Payment Systems and Means of Payment Department

Bank Al-Maghrib

Morocco

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Faith Waithaka

Chairperson

Africa Data Centres

Nigeria

Faith Waithaka is a distinguished leader in the Data Centre industry, known for her excellence, innovation, and strategic vision. As the Cloud and Service Provider Segment Lead for Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric, she leverages over a decade of experience to guide organizations through complex challenges and transformative growth. Passionate about sustainability, STEM, and environmental conservation, Faith is also a dedicated Board Member of the Africa Data Centers Association. Her leadership continues to inspire and shape the future of digital infrastructure in Africa and beyond.

Faruk Rufai

Founder & CEO

Feedxpay

Nigeria

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Fatima Tambajang

Developer Relations, Startups & VC Ecosystem

NVIDIA

United States of America

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Fatou Dieng

CEO

MAKET

Senegal

Fatou Dieng est une entrepreneure sénégalaise basée entre Paris et Dakar, fondatrice de Maket, la première marketplace de mode circulaire en Afrique de l’Ouest. Après plus de 10 ans d’expérience en tant que cheffe de projet IT chez BNP Paribas, elle se lance dans l’entrepreneuriat avec YPS Paris, une plateforme de personal shopping reliant l’Europe et l’Afrique, générant plus d’1 million d’euros de volume d’affaires annuel. Forte de cette expérience, elle crée Maket avec une ambition claire : structurer et digitaliser le marché de la seconde main en Afrique, tout en valorisant les créateurs africains et en promouvant une consommation plus responsable. À travers Maket, Fatou œuvre pour une mode plus accessible, durable et consciente. Alumna de HEC Challenge+ et incubée à Station F, elle s’engage à construire des solutions à fort impact, au croisement de la technologie, de la mode et de l’économie circulaire.

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Federico Menna

CEO

EIT Digital

Belgium

Federico Menna has been the CEO of 28DIGITAL since March 2023. Passionate about innovation and digital technologies, Federico began his career at Vodafone Group, where he spent over seven years developing mobile networks during the transition from 3G to 4G. He joined EIT Digital in 2015 and quickly advanced through senior roles, serving as Head of Staff and Operations, COO/CFO, and interim CEO in 2022, before his appointment as CEO. Federico holds a Master of Science in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Trento, where he is also an active mentor to students and aspiring entrepreneurs. He is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and participates in several expert working groups of the European Commission. As CEO, he is driving 28DIGITAL through a strategic transformation, positioning it as Europe’s leading platform for digital entrepreneurship, talent, and innovation. His leadership focuses on strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty, fostering collaboration between startups and corporates, and creating new opportunities for scaleups, researchers, and students across the continent.

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Fleur Tchibota

Former Chief of Staff Africa50, Investment Promotion & Public Relations Strategist, Entrepreneur I Investor

Africa50

Morocco

Fleur is a multilingual professional with extensive experience in infrastructure investment, brand management, and stakeholder engagement across multiple industries, including development finance, corporate banking, telecoms, FMCGs, agroindustry and entertainment. She has led strategic initiatives, notably as Chief of Staff at Africa50, a pan-African infrastructure investment and asset management company, where she supported executive leadership and launched an innovation program to expand internet access in underserved African regions. Her background includes senior roles in communications and public affairs at major organizations like Afreximbank, Nestlé, and United Bank for Africa. Fleur specializes in promoting investment and trade through strategic stakeholder engagement, cultural diplomacy and storytelling, leading projects and teams internationally. She holds advanced degrees in international trade and management and has lived and worked across Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

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Fotemah Mba

SVP & Head of A&R

GoDigital Music

United States of America

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Fouad El Moussat

CEO

GEO4NET

Morocco

Fouad El Moussati, CEO of GEO4NET, has been leading the company since 2007, driving innovation in GPS tracking, fleet management solutions, and AI-powered video telematics across multiple industries.

Franc Mussa Israel

Co-Founder & CSO

EvMak

Tanzania

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Gabriel Aïssou

VC Principal

-

France

Gabriel Aïssou is a panafrican equity investor with strong expertise across multiple investment phases from VC to PE (esp. in FI & Fintechs). As Principal in the Equity Department at Proparco, he has led significant transactions across the continent, including Moniepoint’s Series C, while also helping shape the institution’s fund-of-funds exposure through Advisory Committee Membership mandates for funds such as Partech. With multiple board observer seat and governance experience across multiple African growth companies, he brings a well-rounded investor perspective on value creation and scalability

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Gaita Kalemba

Master Of Ceremony

Leaders On Purpose Associate

Morocco

Gaita Kalemba is a Leaders On Purpose Associate and serves as a Master of Ceremonies and public speaker. She is also a business development advisor recognized for her ability to lead conversations on Africa’s economic transformation, innovation, and creative industries. With over a decade of experience in corporate environments and a distinctive moderation style, she facilitates dialogues that bring structure, clarity, and depth to complex topics. Gaita holds a Master’s in Business Development from Toulouse Business School and a Master’s in Human Resources Management from Grenoble Business School and ESCA, and is Innermetrix-certified, bringing a nuanced understanding of leadership behaviors and performance dynamics. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and based in Morocco, she is fluent in five languages, including English, French, and Darija. G is the Founder of Progekt Consulting Africa and the creative force behind African Arty Gallery and The Kuba Concept Store, initiatives that promote African excellence and cross-continental collaboration.

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Garry Yankson

CEO

WLFG & Proplyd Productions

France

Garry Yankson is a French–Ghanaian C-level operator and producer at the intersection of technology + creative industries. On top of being a startup advisor and co-founder of Creative Business Africa, he is the founder of Proplyd Productions, an asset-first transmedia IP studio building premium narrative universes across film/animation, music, and interactive formats, with a flagship afrofuturist universe currently in development: Kwame & The Vibrations. Garry’s core angle: when innovation in technology is coupled with innovation in vision, creative projects stop being “one-offs” and become scalable, exportable, and investable assets, with disciplined rights strategy, production pipelines, and distribution partnerships.

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Germain Bahri

CGO

Zazu

Germany

Germain worked as a digital banking consultant for several leading neobanks and banking-as-a-Service providers (Fidor Bank, Solarisbank) advising fintech, corporate and banks on how to launch innovative products and how to stay relevant in the digital world. Today, he is the co-founder sand CGO @Zazu, a digital bank designed to power african entrepreneurs and SMEs.

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Ghislain Noumbessy

Managing Director Robert Bosch East Africa Ltd and Hub Lead Africa Bosch Business Innovations

Bosch

Kenya

Ghislain Noumbessy is a seasoned business leader with about 25 years of global experience spanning Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Management in the Bosch Group. Ghislain worked in Germany, US, Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana and now Kenya. He demonstrated success in regional P&L ownership, market expansion, cost optimization, and organizational scaling. He is currently managing Bosch’s East Africa business and at the same time leading the Africa Innovation Hub for Bosch’s internal venture building arm: Bosch Business Innovations Unit with the aim to accelerate venture-building, ecosystem partnerships, and technology-driven growth across the continent.Ghislain holds an Engineering Degree from the Technical University of Hamburg Harburg in Germany. When not at work, he enjoys football, hiking, long walks, philanthropy as well as mentoring and empowering young people.

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Gilles Babinet

Entrepreneur et Président

Mission Café IA

France

Gilles Babinet, entrepreneur autodidacte, est président de la mission Café IA, Digital Champion France auprès de la Commission européenne et membre du Comité IA. Il a occupé la fonction de coprésident du Conseil national du numérique de 2021 à 2025. Enseignant à HEC et auteur de plusieurs ouvrages, il a publié en mars 2024 Green AI - L'intelligence artificielle au service du climat. Il accompagne également les organisations dans leurs projets de transformation numérique.

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Greg Marchand

Senior Advisor, Blackstone Africa and Co-Founder for Zambian Business Angels Network

Blackstone Africa

Zambia

Greg Marchand is an entrepreneur, business operator, angel investor and advisor on doing business in emerging markets. He is a Senior Advisor for Blackstone Africa, a service provider for emerging market investors, financial institutions and startups. Greg is also a Partner at Avencion, a technology and consulting firm based in USA and Africa, Co-Founder for Harvard Healthlab Africa (H2A) and Co-Founder of Zambian Business Angels Network. Previously, Greg was a consultant at Deloitte and faculty at Northwestern University Kellogg MBA program. He founded and was elected 1st President of American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia and named by African Business Magazine as a Top 100 Economic Leader under 40 in Africa. Greg studied economics and business at Dartmouth and Morehouse Colleges.

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Gretchen E. Krantz Evans

Country Manager, Middle East and North Africa

U.S. Trade and Development Agency

United States of America

Gretchen E. Krantz Evans is the U.S. Trade and Development Agency Country Manager for the Middle East and North Africa. Ms. Krantz Evans is responsible for business development, project preparation and evaluation, and supervision of USTDA activities in the region. She is a member of USTDA’s Digital Industry Team, for which she is co-lead for artificial intelligence, and Healthcare Infrastructure Industry Team. Prior to Joining USTDA, Gretchen held positions with the Department of State, the Foreign Commercial Service, and practiced corporate law in the New York, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong offices of a U.S. law firm.

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Guillaume Chabot

Vice President

Apis

United Arab Emirates

Guillaume is a Canadian and French growth investor with over 7 years in private equity. Based in Dubai and formerly in London, he is a Vice President at Apis Partners, where he invests in financial services technologies across developed and emerging markets, typically writing $50m+ growth checks to scale category leaders. Notable transactions include Recharge, the largest fintech transaction in the Netherlands; MoneyView, one of India’s fastest-growing digital lenders; and Efficient Group, winner of Africa’s Exit of the Year 2024 at the Private Equity Africa Awards. Guillaume brings deep experience in growth equity, private equity, and venture capital across Europe, Africa, India, and the Middle East.

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H.E Saad Berrada

Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports

Goverment of Morocco

Morocco

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H.E Tigist Hamid Mohammed

Director-General

Information Network Security Administration (INSA)

Ethiopia

Mrs. Tigist Hamid Mohammed is a distinguished cybersecurity and network engineering professional with over 18 years of experience. She holds a BSc in Computer Engineering, and an MSc in Cybersecurity from Robert Gordon University, UK. Beginning her career at INSA in 2006, she advanced from Network and Datacenter Engineer to Director of Network Engineering and Project Management, leading critical national projects for major financial and governmental institutions such as the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, National Bank of Ethiopia, and the Ministry of Defense. She also served as Technology Advisor to the Minister of Transport of Ethiopia before rejoining INSA as Deputy Director General (2022–2024). Since February 2024, she has been serving as Director General, advancing Ethiopia’s cyber security and sovereignty agenda.

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H.E. Anne Le Henanff

Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs of France

Government of France

France

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H.E. Deemah AlYahya

Secretary-General

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)

Saudi Arabia

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H.E. Dr. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni

Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administration Reform

Government of Morocco

Morocco

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H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti

Head of Cybersecurity

UAE Government

United Arab Emirates

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H.E. Mr. Wamkele Mene

Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Ghana

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H.E. Saad Berrada

Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports

Government of Morocco

Morocco

Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada was appointed Minister of National Education, Preschool Education, and Sports by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Born in 1960, Mr. Berrada is a graduate of the prestigious « École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées » in Paris. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Sciences from Sorbonne University. Mr. Berrada began his professional career in 1984 as a consultant in the banking sector. He subsequently held several senior executive positions within companies operating in real estate development and served on the executive boards of major national groups. An accomplished entrepreneur, he has founded and led multiple companies across various sectors. Alongside his distinguished career in the private sector, Mr. Berrada has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the advancement of education. Notably, he founded an association dedicated to the development of preschool education in Morocco, reflecting his sustained engagement in promoting the sector.

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H.E. Seynabou Dial

Ambassador of Senegal to Morocco

Republic of Senegal

Senegal

Excellency Seynabou Dial, Ambassador of Senegal to Morocco, representing the Republic of Senegal and playing a key role in strengthening diplomatic, economic, and institutional relations between Senegal and Morocco, while promoting Senegal’s interests and supporting international cooperation initiatives.

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Hady Stephan

Vice-president Secure Power, MEA

Schneider Electric

Morocco

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Hamdiya Ismaila

CEO

Savannah Impact Advisory

Ghana

Hasna Alaoui

Manager Open Lab CMR

Caisse Marocaine des Retraites

Morocco

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Henna Virkkunen

Executive Vice-President, Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

European Commission

Finland

As Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Ms. Virkkunen leads the Digital and Frontier Technologies portfolio, driving a competitive, resilient and inclusive digital future and Europe’s leadership in strategic technologies. She also strengthens EU’s external borders and internal security, and safeguards freedoms, justice and democracy. Before joining the Commission, she served over ten years as a Member of the European Parliament, focusing on digitalisation, research and frontier technologies. She previously held ministerial roles in Finland, including Transport and Local Government (2014), Public Administration (2011–2014) and Education and Science (2008–2011).

Hicham Bouftass

CEO | Founder

Touristabike

Morocco

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Hon Neema Lugangira

Secretary General

Women Political Leaders

Spain

Hon. Neema Lugangira, a former Member of Parliament in Tanzania, recognized for her extensive experience and successful track record in championing policy advocacy and legisla􀆟ve reforms across various sectors. She is the Founding Chair of the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG), and the Founding Vice Chair of the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPaN). Interna􀆟onally, she serves as Co-Chair of the Execu􀆟ve Commi􀆩ee of Scaling Up Nutri􀆟on (SUN) Movement, the Africa Representa􀆟ve to the Global Board of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF, and the Africa Representa􀆟ve to the Global Execu􀆟ve Board of the Interna􀆟onal Parliamentary Network on Educa􀆟on (IPNEd). She is also the Women Poli􀆟cal Leaders Secretary General, a member of the Women Parliamentarians Network on Foreign and Security Policy for Development under the Munich Security Conference, as well as serving Member of the Mul􀆟-Stakeholder Advisory Group of the United Na􀆟ons Internet Governance Forum.

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Ibrahim Alio Sanda

President

Fintech Association

Niger

Founder and General Manager of iTech Center since late 2011, Ibrahim Alio Sanda graduated with honors from Morocco's prestigious Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs. He began his career as a Software Consultant at Exact Software before joining the West African States Central Bank for six years. In 2010, he was appointed General Manager of SONITEL, Niger's incumbent telecom operator. Over the past decade, he has led and delivered numerous high-impact projects at the crossroads of technology and finance. A recognized leader in the fintech space, he serves as President of Niger's Fintech Association and Vice President of the UEMOA Fintech Association.

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Ibrahim Dikko

Chief Executive Officer

Backbone Connectivity

Nigeria

Mr. Ibrahim Dikko is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN), a leading digital infrastructure company delivering multilayered broadband, connectivity, cloud, and data management services across Nigeria. Under his leadership, BCN has achieved fifteen-fold growth in annual turnover and was recognised by the London Stock Exchange Group as one of the Companies to Inspire Africa 2019. With over 35 years of cross-sector leadership experience spanning telecommunications, technology infrastructure, capital markets, and largescale industrial operations, Mr. Dikko brings deep transformation expertise to Africa’s digital and AI evolution. Before BCN, he served as Deputy Managing Director/Chief Operating Officer of Eterna Plc (2004–2009), where he helped design and execute growth and operational models that drove one of the most significant turnarounds in Nigeria’s downstream sector, contributing to the company’s expansion from ₦250 million to over ₦251 billion in turnover. He also previously led diversified investment portfolios as Managing Director of Hambali Investments Limited. Today, Mr. Dikko is actively engaged in advancing the AI factory push, championing AI-ready digital backbone infrastructure that enables scalable compute, high-capacity data flow, and enterprise innovation across emerging markets. An Independent Board Member of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), he is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University and has completed executive education at Wharton Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and the College of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Oxford, strengthening his global strategic and governance perspective on digital transformation.

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Idriss Janati

Country Manager - Morocco

Oracle

Morocco

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Ilaria Carnevali

GM

UNDP

United States of America

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Ilham Djehaich

President

InfraNum

France

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Ilias Benjelloun

Co-Founder

ElanTech

Canada

Ilias Benjelloun Board Member and Co founder ElanTech, Canada is a seasoned entrepreneur with 15+ years in Canada’s tech ecosystem. He co-founded 3 startups, including AI scaleup Stay22, and is a co-founder of ElanTech Canada, the country’s leading tech founders community. ilias has supported 1,000+ tech and science entrepreneurs, and led key initiatives to shape Canada’s innovation landscape. He launched and scaled the Innovation Lab & Venture arm at Desjardins, a $400bn assets institution; and developed community-centric endeavours at Hydro-Québec and Canadian Space Agency among others. ⁠He’s committed to accelerating innovation where it matters most—by aligning the speed of startups, the scale of corporations, and the depth of research to build solutions with real-world impact. With bold innovation, meaningful inclusion and positive impact at the core.

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Ilias Djouai

Vice President Investments

Africa Finance Corporation

United Arab Emirates

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Inam Maso

Lead Strategist, International Host and Anchor

The Lioness Africa

Nigeria

Inam Maso is a South African–born creative professional based in Nigeria, she is the Lead Strategist at The Lioness Africa and a broadcaster with News Central TV, where she focuses on news and current affairs. She is passionate about storytelling, shaping narratives, and amplifying African voices across media, business, and technology. With a blend of strategic insight and on-air experience, Inam Maso brings ideas to life in ways that inform, inspire, and connect communities across the continent.

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Irfan Akbar

Cybersecurity Director

LMKR

United Arab Emirates

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Ismail Benmbarek

Director of Innovation, Development, and Partnerships

CIH Bank

Morocco

A Senior Executive and expert in FinTech ecosystems and digital transformation, he specializes in bridging the gap between traditional banking and emerging technologies (AI, Blockchain, Open Finance). With extensive experience in regulatory innovation and high-level stakeholder management, he drives national initiatives that empower SMEs. His work is instrumental in building the financial infrastructure necessary to fuel Morocco’s next generation of digital jobs.

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Ismail MERICO

Director

EXPERT IS

Senegal

Director at EXPERT IS, a technology company that supports businesses and institutions through IT solutions (system implementation, software, infrastructure), digital transformation (process digitization and digital tools), cybersecurity (system and data protection), and IT consulting (strategy, optimization, and technical support).

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Issaka Maman Lourwana

Founder

Digital Niger

Niger

Founder of Digital Niger and member of the International Board of Experts on AI Ethics, Lourwana Issaka is a key driver of digital transformation in Niger. Passionate about innovation for inclusive development, he has spent years strengthening the Nigerian digital ecosystem through technology skills, entrepreneurship, and local innovation. A data-driven solutions expert, he designs projects that reshape traditional models with efficiency and sustainability. Combining strategic vision with hands-on action, Lourwana Issaka embodies the belief that digital technology, when well directed, is a powerful lever for economic, social and educational development across Africa.

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Issam Akhouchal

French AI Ambassador and Ethical Hacker

-

Morocco

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Jamal Basrire

Partner, Head of Cyber and Technology Risk Services, PwC France and Maghreb

PwC

France

BIO: Jamal Basrire began his career in the telecommunications industry within the research and development department of SFR, and later worked as an integrator, architect, and project manager at Ericsson. He joined EY in 2010, focusing on IT audit and consulting services, specializing in Financial Services, where he supported various clients including banks, insurance companies, and asset management firms, addressing their issues related to IT risk management. In 2014, he joined PwC with a mission to develop cybersecurity activities for industrial and financial services clients in France and the Maghreb region. Drawing on over 15 years of solid experience in implementing large-scale technological projects for various market players, Jamal Basrire takes on the responsibility of developing PwC's Techno platform in Morocco, enhancing and further developing strategic partnerships, particularly with major global software actors. He is certified as an ISO27001 Lead Auditor, CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), and CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).

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James Ashton-Smith

Head of Visa Accelerator Program

VISA

United Arab Emirates

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Jan D’Herdt

SANS Certified Instructor & CISO Advisor, Enterprise Security Architect

INNOCOM

United Arab Emirates

Jan D’Herdt is an experienced information security professional, consultant, and evangelist with a passion for helping organizations build resilient, business-aligned security programs. He currently operates as an independent Enterprise Security Architect and Consultant, advising clients on security architecture, risk management, and aligning cybersecurity strategies with organizational goals. Previously, Jan served as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Global Lead of Cybersecurity at a large biotech company, where he led the global security program and facilitated communication between executive leadership and technical teams. He also held the role of Head of Enterprise Security Architecture at a global biopharmaceutical organization. With more than 20 years of experience and certifications including CISSP, CISA, and GCIH, Jan specializes in security strategy, risk management, and compliance. He is also a SANS instructor for LDR512: Security Leadership Essentials for Managers, where he empowers future cybersecurity leaders with practical, real-world insights.

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Jaouad BENABBOU

CISO

SRM-MS (Société Régionale Multiservices - Marrakech-Safi)

Morocco

Network and Telecommunications Engineer with extensive experience leading and delivering complex IT projects, holding a PhD in Information Security. Certified in CISM, CISSP, CCSP, and ISO 27001 Lead Auditor & Lead Implementer, with a strong focus on governance, risk management, and cybersecurity strategy. Currently serving as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of a public organization, driving enterprise security initiatives and ensuring compliance with international standards.

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Jason Harvey

EVP & General Manager

BET+

United States of America

Jason Harvey is EVP and General Manager of BET+, the leading SVOD service for lovers of Black content, where he drives platform vision, programming strategy, business operations, and subscriber and revenue growth. Under his leadership, BET+ has achieved rapid market penetration and double-digit growth in a highly competitive streaming landscape. Jason has built a modern technology and operating foundation for innovation, leveraging AI and machine learning to enhance user experience, optimize video curation, and power personalized content discovery. Previously, Jason led data-driven go-to-market and growth strategies for global brands including Google, Microsoft, eBay, Ford Motor Company, and AT&T—scaling revenue across the U.S. and Latin America while managing complex P&Ls, international transactions, and financial volatility. Jason is passionate about expanding access for underrepresented groups in technology and mentoring emerging leaders. A former Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador, he is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, a proud father of four, and holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a BS from USC.

Jason Mwanza

Chief Executive Officer

Zamtel

Zambia

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Jean Gabriel Ganascia, PhD

Professor of Informatics

Sorbonne University and Expert in AI & Ethic IA, LIP6

France

Jean-Gabriel Ganascia est ingénieur et philosophe de formation initiale. Il s’est spécialisé sur l’intelligence artificielle depuis plus de 45 ans. Présentement, professeur émérite à la faculté des sciences de Sorbonne Université, EurAI fellow, membre honoraire de l’institut universitaire de France et chercheur au LIP6, il poursuit des travaux sur l’apprentissage machine, les humanités numériques, l’éthique computationnelle, la détection d’Infox et l’éthique du numérique. Il a acquis, au cours de sa carrière, une grande expérience de l’interdisciplinarité. Ainsi, il a coordonné la recherche française en sciences cognitives en créant puis en animant le Groupement d’Interêt Scientifique « Sciences de la cognition » de 1993 à 2001. Il est aussi à l’origine du Labex OBVIL (Observatoire de la vie littéraire) qui coordonnait de 2011 à 2021 les efforts de son équipe au sein du LIP6 et de laboratoires de littérature de Sorbonne Université sur le versant littéraire des humanités numériques. Aujourd’hui, outre ses activités de recherche, il préside le comité d’éthique de France Travail, le comité d’orientation du CHEC (Cycle des Hautes Études de la Culture) et l’AFAS (Association Française pour l’Avancement des Sciences). Enfin, il a présidé le comité d’éthique du CNRS (COMETS) de 2016 à 2021. Au cours de sa carrière, il a publié plus de 500 articles dans des actes de conférences, des livres et des revues scientifiques. Il est aussi l’auteur d’une douzaine d’ouvrages destinés au grand public donc voici les trois derniers items : • Ganascia J.-G., L’I.A. expliquée aux humains, Éditions du Seuil, 2024. • Ganascia J.-G., Servitudes virtuelles, Éditions du Seuil, Collection Sciences Ouvertes, 2022. Cet ouvrage a reçu le prix du livre FIC 2022, mention recherche universitaire. • Ganascia J.-G., Le mythe de la Singularité : faut-il craindre l’intelligence artificielle ? Éditions du Seuil, Collection Sciences Ouvertes, 2017. Cet ouvrage a obtenu le prix Roberval grand public. Jean-Gabriel Ganascia tient aussi depuis 2017 plusieurs chroniques éthiques régulières, l’une dans la revue La Recherche, l’autre dans la revue « Sciences et avenir ».

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Joelle SOW

Director

JS Conseil

Senegal

Joelle Sow is the Director of JS Conseil, a consulting firm dedicated to supporting businesses, institutions, and startups in their growth and international expansion. With strong expertise in ecosystem development and strategic positioning, she works closely with key stakeholders to promote innovation and foster impactful partnerships. Through her work, she contributes to strengthening the visibility of African innovation on the global stage, particularly by connecting local talents and solutions to international opportunities such as GITEX Africa.

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John Morgan Salomon

vCISO -Board Advisor

Cybersecurity Advisors Network (CyAN)

Spain

I have 26 years of in-depth, cross-cultural, international experience as a information security and risk management executive and subject matter expert. My fields of expertise are - information security strategy and management - vulnerability management and incident response - cyber-threat intelligence - application and infrastructure security assurance - risk analysis and mitigation - corporate security policy, standards, and strategy development I am a superb communicator, innovator, and fast thinker, flexible in every way you can possibly imagine. I can translate between the business and the engineers, because I understand both. I excel at driving change in dynamic environments. Hire me when you need fast and unconventional thinking, a deputy and sparring partner who gets things done whether it's building or fixing, for making sure the ammo gets to the machine gun in a timely and effective manner, to have your back in a bar fight, in short, a ninja. Specialties: information security management - architecture - security strategy & policy development and implementation - security risk management - team development, training, and leadership - crypto and authentication - ISO 1400x/27000/27001/27002/27003/27005 - HIPAA - COBIT - Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) 404 - GDPR - intl. privacy and confidentiality best-practices and regulatory compliance - resilience building - threat information sharing

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John Schippers

New Business

Remgro and Invenfin

South Africa

John is an investment professional focused on identifying and supporting high-growth businesses across Africa. Based in Cape Town South Africa, he works within the Remgro Limited ecosystem as part of the New Business team where he contributes strategic insights that help drive new investment opportunities and strengthen existing portfolio companies. At Invenfin, Remgro’s venture and growth capital platform, he supports investment initiatives across sectors including technology and consumer brands, applying expertise in commercial strategy and market analysis. He is a Chartered Management Accountant (UK) and holds an MBA (cum laude) and a master’s degree in development finance from Stellenbosch University Business School.

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Jules Hervé Yimeumi​

President​

Africa Data Protection

France

Jules is a recognised expert in personal data protection and AI. Self-taught, he supplemented his knowledge with a degree in Law and Digital Technologies and a Data Protection Officer degree. He is the Founder and President of the Africa Data Protection association, which brings together numerous data protection and artificial intelligence experts across Africa. His mission is to inform, raise awareness, and provide training on the importance of this field. With several years of experience in various organisations, Jules is currently offering his expertise in one of the leading insurance companies in France.

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Julien Dubout

Head of African Operations

PawaPay

United Kingdom

Julien Dubout is Head of African Operations at PawaPay, where he leads partnerships with mobile network operators, regulators, and country teams across 20+ African markets. With deep experience in operational payments infrastructure, Julien works closely with telcos, banks, and global merchants to ensure payment systems remain reliable as businesses scale. His focus is on building sustainable, compliant, and predictable payment operations across fragmented regulatory and market environments. At GITEX Africa, he shares practical insights on what it takes to run enterprise payments at real scale across the continent.

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Juliet Oshagbemi

Chief People and Culture Officer

Zipline Africa

Nigeria

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Justin Williams

Group CISO

MTN Group

South Africa

Justin Williams, a distinguished leader in the field of cybersecurity, currently serves as the Group CISO at MTN. Over the past eight years, he has spearheaded the Group Security function, establishing and transforming the security landscape across the organization. Under his leadership, MTN has seen substantial advancements in its security protocols and practices, fortifying its defenses against an ever-evolving threat landscape. Prior to MTN, Williams was an executive director at EY responsible for Cyber Security. His 19-year career at EY encompassed a variety of roles during which he developed deep expertise and a robust skill set in these critical areas. Justin Williams is academically and professionally accomplished, holding a CA (SA), MBA, CISSP, CRISC, and CGEIT. He is a member of the IOD(SA) and studying towards his Certified Director. His contributions to the cyber security field have been widely recognized, earning him spots on the Global Top 100 Leaders in Information Security by Corinium and the Cyber50 Leaders to Watch by Exito. Additionally, he has served as a member of the Audit Committee and Board for ISACA South Africa and continues to be an influential Advisory Board Member. One of his notable achievements includes receiving the prestigious Thomas H Fitzgerald Award for attaining the highest score globally on the December 2014 Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam. This accolade underscores his deep knowledge and exceptional expertise in information security. Justin Williams' career is marked by a series of significant achievements and a steadfast commitment to enhancing cybersecurity practices. His leadership continues to inspire and drive forward the standards of security in the organizations he serves.

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Kamel Bouleimen

SE Director – North & French Speaking Africa

Fortinet

Tunisia

Kamel BOULEIMEN is a technology leader with over 25 years of experience architecting and securing critical IT infrastructures. As a Regional Systems Engineers Director at Fortinet, he guides high-performing teams in designing robust cybersecurity solutions for complex organizational needs. His strategic approach is rooted in academic pedigree. Beginning his career as a university professor in IT & Telecommunications, he holds a Ph.D. in Operations Research, from University of Liège (Belgium), which provides a rigorous analytical framework for complex problem-solving and management, a Master's from the prestigious Polytechnics Faculty of Mons (Belgium), and a Principal Electrical Engineer diploma from ENIT (Tunisia).

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Karamokho BADIANE

Regional Head of Business Development

Wave

Senegal

Karamokho Badiane is Regional Head of Business Development at Wave, where he drives strategic partnerships across Africa’s fintech ecosystem. Over the past decade, he has focused on leveraging technology to expand financial inclusion and transform everyday financial experiences across emerging markets. He is particularly passionate about building solutions rooted in real user needs and scaling them to deliver meaningful impact.

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Karim Ibrahim Cheffou

Co-Founder

Digital Niger

Niger

Karim Cheffou is Head of Communication at NITA Money Transfer and Co-founder of Digital Niger. A versatile digital communication professional, he combines expertise in digital marketing, social media management, content creation and public relations to craft compelling narratives and drive brand visibility. Passionate about innovation and storytelling, he leverages his skills as a communication consultant and media specialist to build meaningful connections between brands and their audiences. Through his co-founding role at Digital Niger, Karim actively contributes to shaping Niger's digital ecosystem, empowering communities through technology and creative communication.

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Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi

Director General & CEO

National Information Technology Development Agency

Nigeria

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Kelly Hazan

Tech, Data, Cyber & AI Lawyer at Bird & Bird

Africa Data Protection

France

Focused on tailored and sustainable solutions at the intersection of Data Protection, AI, and Cybersecurity, I am a Senior Data Protection Advisor and qualified French lawyer based in Morocco. At Bird & Bird, I lead the development of the firm’s practice across Africa, advising Moroccan, French, and international companies on compliance with EU and Moroccan regulations. I provide strategic guidance on AI-driven solutions, data processing agreements, DPIAs, and data breach management, and represent clients before courts and supervisory authorities, including the CNIL (France) and the CNDP (Morocco). I also act as an external DPO, conduct training sessions, teach at universities and business schools, and regularly contribute to specialized legal publications. I hold a Master’s in International Business from SKEMA Business School, Master’s degrees in International Business Law and Intellectual Property Law and New Technologies, and have been a member of the Paris Bar Association for eight years.

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Kevin YEON

Project Manager

Korea Productivity Center (KPC

Republic of Korea

Project Manager at Korea Productivity Center (KPC), a non-profit organization founded in 1957 under the Industrial Development Act to enhance industrial, corporate, and national productivity, recognized as Korea’s first management consulting and industrial training institution, providing specialized training, consulting, certification, and research services, including national indices such as the NCSI.

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Keyzom Ngodup Massally

Director of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development & Global Digital & AI Programmes

UNDP

United States of America

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Khadidja Goulain

Cyber Consutant

MainProactive

France

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Khaled Salah

Vice-President

AVEVA Africa

France

Khaled is currently leading AVEVA^s business in Africa as Vice President Africa, before he was leading the global strategic partnership between Schneider Electric and AVEVA group as Vice President Sales global partners, delivering the maximum value from the companies’ class leading technologies. Before Joining AVEVA, Khaled held different positions at Schneider Electric, in Egypt, United Kingdom and France, from leading procurement strategies, suppliers risk management, supply chain, until leading the development of the commercial strategy, planning and operation execution for the Industrial Automation business , while driving the synergies across business strategy and sales strategy, as well as the sales enablement. With a MBA in management from the Warwick business school, UK, and a master’s degree in engineering from Ain Shams university in Egypt, Khaled Salah is an active advocate for driving sustainable progress in the industrial sector.

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Khalil Al Americani

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of M-Pesa

Vodacom Congo

Republic of the Congo

Khalil Al-Americani is a seasoned telecoms leader with more than two decades of executive experience driving growth, transformation, and innovation across some of the world’s most dynamic emerging markets. Since August 2021, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of Africa’s most strategically significant telecom operators. A French civil engineer of Jordanian Lebanese heritage, Khalil has spent over 35 years in Africa, building a distinguished career with global industry leaders including Vodafone, Zain, and Celtel. His leadership track record spans 17 years across Africa and six years in the Middle East, where he has successfully steered multi-billion-dollar organizations through market launches, large-scale restructuring, and periods of accelerated growth. Khalil is an alumnus of the London Business School’s Advanced Management Program and Wits Business School, bringing with him a strong foundation in executive management, strategy, and corporate governance. Renowned for his authenticity, ethical leadership, and collaborative style, he is deeply committed to nurturing talent, strengthening organizational culture, and delivering sustainable value for customers, employees, and shareholders alike. An innovative problem-solver, Khalil combines deep sector expertise with a future-focused vision, ensuring operational excellence while championing transformation and digital inclusion across Africa’s high-growth markets. Biography (100 words) Mr. Khalil is an experienced leader in the telecommunications sector, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Mpesa. With several years of experience, he has played a key role in digital transformation and the expansion of innovative services, particularly in connectivity, mobile financial services, and digital inclusion. Under his leadership, Vodacom has strengthened its position as a market leader by focusing on customer experience and sustainable technological solutions. He is recognized for his strategic leadership and his commitment to fostering socio-economic development through digital technologies. Most notable project Mr. Khalil’s most notable project is the development and expansion of mobile money services and inclusive digital solutions, enabling millions of people to access financial services and connectivity, thereby contributing to financial inclusion and economic growth.

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Kirsty Fitzgibbon

Vice President and Head of Marketing, Communications, Sustainability, and Corporate Responsibility

Ericsson

Sweden

Executive in Marketing and Communications with over 25 years of international experience in the telecommunications industry in strategic, global marketing and communications roles. Vice President roles in Marketing, Communications & Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility; Global M&C Delivery & Transformation; External Relations & Employee Communications over more than a 10-year period. Driven Communications and Marketing during times of intense transformation including reputational challenges; operating in complex & challenged markets; CEO changes; relaunch of company strategy and global organization transformation. Kirsty is a Certified Coach Practitioner and leader, passionate about developing & leading high-performing teams that deliver impact & success for customers, employees and shareholders through protecting & strengthening company reputation & brand value; driving portfolio preference; building confidence in the market and employees through transparent, creative, credible, and audience-relevant marketing and communications. Kirsty currently lives in Stockholm with her husband and is a proud mum of 2 grown up daughters. She is an avid traveller and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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Korédé Odjo-Bella

Director of Retail Banking

Ecobank

Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

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Lacina Kone

Director General/CEO

Smart Africa

Rwanda

Lacina Koné is a visionary architect of Africa’s digital destiny and the driving force behind pan-continental transformation. Since March 2019, he has served as Director General & CEO of Smart Africa, where he leads a coalition of member states, international partners, and private sector actors toward a bold ambition: a unified digital Africa by 2030. Koné anchors his leadership in a people-first strategy, built on a growth mindset and the empowerment of those around him. His philosophy is that lasting digital transformation begins with investing in people, equipping governments, entrepreneurs, and citizens with the skills, opportunities, and confidence to thrive in the digital economy. This approach has guided Smart Africa’s delivery of continental blueprints on Digital Identity, innovation ecosystems, smart villages, and the Africa Smart Broadband 2025 strategy, ensuring technology becomes a tool for inclusion and prosperity, not division. In recognition of his leadership, Koné was ranked 12th in 2021 among the 50 personalities advancing Africa’s digital transformation, and 3rd among the 10 African digital trendsetters in the 2022 Jeune Afrique technology ranking. Previously, Koné was a trusted advisor to Côte d’Ivoire’s President (2011–2019) on digital reform, modernization, and public sector transformation. In the private sector, his career includes senior leadership roles at Booz Allen Hamilton and Intelsat, bridging infrastructure strategy with global systems execution. Educated across three continents, Koné holds bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from Ajman University, a master's degree in data communication systems from Brunel University, and an MBA from George Washington University. He is a Commissioner of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development (BBCOM) and, since May 2024, a member of the Board of Directors of the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA). Beyond his professional achievements, Koné is passionate about mentoring Africa’s next generation of digital leaders and is an avid golfer, often combining sport with building meaningful connections.

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Lale Gözübüyük

Head of Start Path EEMEA

Mastercard

Türkiye

Lale Gözübüyük is a senior executive working at the intersection of financial services, technology, and innovation. She currently leads Start Path across EEMEA at Mastercard, partnering with innovative startups to accelerate commercial collaborations and scale new solutions across 80+ markets. Previously, she served as a Regional Director at Plug and Play Tech Center, where she built corporate–startup partnerships and advised leading institutions on digital transformation and innovation strategy. Earlier in her career, she worked in investment banking and wealth management in companies including Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, and later held a Managing Director role at Afiniti, AI unicorn specializing in artificial intelligence for enterprise decision optimization. She has also held board seats at publicly listed companies, contributing governance and strategic oversight experience. She holds a BA in Economics and Management from Oxford University and an MBA from INSEAD.

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Lanre Ore

Chief Executive Officer

FibreOne Broadband

Nigeria

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Larbi Allouch

Power Systems & Infrastructure Director

Schneider Electric

Morocco

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Lasbery Oludimu

VP of Global Operations and MD

Yellow Card

Nigeria

Lasbery Chioma Oludimu, is Yellow Card's Vice President of Global Operations and Managing Director of Yellow Card Financial Nigeria Limited. Previously, she held the position of Assistant General Counsel and Chief Data Protection Officer. Lasbery is a key member of Yellow Card's Executive team and the Group Governance and Risk Committee. As the Vice President of Global Operations, Lasbery actively manages the company's operations in 20 African countries, overseeing pivotal initiatives that drive the business forward. As the Managing Director of Yellow Card Nigeria, she is responsible for setting and implementing company goals and business strategies while also fostering business relationships. Lasbery possesses specialist skills in FinTech, blockchain, and digital assets. She understands the various legal, regulatory, and business landscapes across the continent and advises on a wide range of operational, regulatory and legal issues, including product offerings. Prior to joining Yellow Card full-time, Lasbery advised the company for several years on a wide variety of matters while she was a lawyer in private practice at Blackfriars LLP in Lagos, Nigeria, assisting Yellow Card with launching its first exchange in Nigeria in 2019. During her time in private practice, Lasbery advised domestic and foreign clients on hi- profile commercial, financial technology, litigation, intellectual property, capital markets, foreign investment, regulatory, compliance and immigration-related matters, including leading teams advising international financial institutions and multinational oil companies on contentious issues requiring dispute resolution expertise. Lasbery is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), a Capital Market Solicitor of the Nigerian Capital Market Institute, and an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. She has authored many articles in leading Nigerian legal publications and has also delivered numerous presentations on diverse subjects of law. Lasbery, who resides in Nigeria, obtained her first degree in Law from Madonna University and a Master of Law degree from the University of Lagos. She was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in November 2009. As an individual who has demonstrated exceptional skill in fostering global cooperation and partnerships in the tech sector. Also, contributing to addressing worldwide challenges through technology, enhancing digital collaboration, and advancing tech policies internationally. Lasbery was a nominee for the Tech Diplomacy Award by the WOMEN IN TECH Global. The Financial Technology Report recognised Lasbery as one of "The TOP 50 WOMEN LEADERS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES OF 2024. This nomination and recognition serve as a recognition of Lasbery's expertise, experience and contribution to the tech sector.

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Laurent Servel

Sales Director Enterprise Networks France, Switzerland & Africa

Corning

France

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Leila Benali

Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development

Goverment of Morocco

Morocco

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Leila Maidane

Founder & CEO

Interskillar

Belgium

Serial entrepreneur, Leïla has been recognized as one of the Top 100 EU Most Influential Women in Startups in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Founder of Femmes Fières and InterSkillar, she is at the forefront of transforming career orientation and professional development to enhance economic mobility worldwide. Board member at Agoria and Belgium 40under40 Alumni, Leïla is a pioneering advocate for leveraging technology to drive educational innovation and broaden access to career opportunities globally.

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Leila Rwagasana

Independent Senior Advisor

Digital Transformation, Fintech & Innovation Ecosystems

Rwanda

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Liesse HOUARI

Strategic Fintech Partnerships & Embedded Services, Director

Sage

France

Liesse is Strategic Fintech Partnerships & Embedded Services, Director at Sage, where he leads fintech and financial ecosystem partnerships across Europe & NW Africa. His work focuses on embedded finance, BaaS integrations, and building strategic alliances between Sage and key financial actors — including banks, acquirers, and fintech platforms. Before joining Sage, Liesse drove a structural digital transformation at Allianz Trade, integrating payment capabilities into the core of the business. He also co-built a payment institution from scratch within Altice, one of Europe's leading telecom groups — giving him a rare cross-sector perspective spanning payments, insurance, and SaaS. A strong advocate for ecosystem thinking, Liesse believes the future of financial services for SMBs lies in seamless, integrated experiences built through strategic partnerships — not isolated tools. At Sage, he sits at the intersection of technology, finance, and entrepreneurship, helping shape how small businesses manage and grow.

Lorentz Chidue NWACHUKU

Lead TMT, Africa

IFC

Morocco

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Luigi D'Aprea

Director

Italian Trade Agency

Italy

Senior ICE Agency official Trade Commissioner, with extensive international experience across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Eurasia. Currently serving at the Italian Trade Agency (ITA/ICE) in Casablanca, supporting Italian and Moroccan companies, organizing trade initiatives, and managing institutional relations. Former Head of ICE offices in Buenos Aires and Baku, with expertise in key sectors including energy, machinery, and consumer goods. Proven track record in organizing international fairs, business missions, and large-scale events. Strong background in trade promotion, market development, and cross-cultural collaboration, with advanced proficiency in English and Spanish.

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Lukasz Kepa

System Engineer

LinkShadow

United States of America

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Lusine Sargsyan

Founder and Communication Strategist

Africa O’Clock

Spain

Lusine Sargsyan is a pan-African communications strategist and Founder of Africa O’Clock, a PR and strategic communications agency operating across key African markets. With more than 10 years of experience in public relations, media strategy, and reputation management, she advises technology companies, investment firms, and international brands on market entry, executive positioning, and high-impact visibility across Africa. Her work spans Francophone and Anglophone Africa, where she has led communications strategies for global mobility, tech, and digital platforms, bridging international ambition with local market intelligence. Lusine specializes in crafting narratives that resonate with global investors, media, and partners, positioning African innovation within the broader global technology conversation. A member of the World Communications Forum Association (WCFA), she is passionate about elevating Africa’s tech story beyond stereotypes, helping startups and institutions turn communications into a strategic growth lever rather than a support function.

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M. Mohammed Amine LAHRACH

General Directorate of Digital Transition

Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform

Morocco

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Maatje Rencken

Director of Solutions

Presight

United Arab Emirates

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Maïmouna Diop

Experte communication

MEET Africa

France

Experte en communication stratégique avec près de 20 ans d’expérience, Maïmouna Diop débute sa carrière à Londres au sein d’agences de conseil internationales (WPP - Havas) dans le secteur des fonds d’investissement. Elle dirige ensuite plusieurs agences et grands comptes à Paris, Bamako, Dakar et Nairobi. Son parcours entre l’Europe et l’Afrique a façonné une approche à la fois stratégique, globale et ancrée dans les réalités locales. Elle possède une expertise fine sur les enjeux sociaux, environnementaux et d’inclusion, et porte un regard exigeant sur le rôle et l’impact de la communication au service des entrepreneurs et des acteurs du changement. En 2018, elle fonde MDW Communications pour accompagner exclusivement des organisations engagées - agences de développement, fondations, fonds et entreprises à mission - à renforcer leur visibilité et leur influence auprès de leurs publics et écosystèmes. Elle est par ailleurs l’experte communication de MEET Africa (phase 3). Engagée en faveur de l’égalité des genres, elle siège au conseil d’administration de Empow’Her et est activement impliquée dans des initiatives d’inclusion en Europe et en Afrique.

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Major General Abdellah Boutrig

Director General

DGSSI

Morocco

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Mamadou Sakho

CEO

SAKHO PROPERTIES L.L.C

United Arab Emirates

Mamadou Sakho is a renowned professional footballer (Liverpool, PSG and French international player) turned entrepreneur, known for translating elite-level discipline into business success. With over 400 professional appearances across top European leagues and international competitions, he built a reputation for leadership and consistency on the pitch before shifting focus to entrepreneurship. As founder and CEO of Sakho Properties, he has driven the company’s expansion across 5 international markets, positioning it as a growing player in high-value real estate. His approach combines strategic vision, global reach, and a results-driven mindset, focusing on long-term value creation rather than volume. Sakho represents a new generation of athlete-entrepreneurs, leveraging performance, brand, and international experience to build scalable ventures beyond sport.

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Manal Bernoussi

Founder & Managing Director

Leaders on Purpose

Morocco

Manal Bernoussi is an international master of ceremonies, moderator, and the founder of Leaders On Purpose, a platform dedicated to meaningful conversations on leadership, innovation, and impact. She regularly hosts global conferences and moderates conversations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Manal holds an engineering degree from INSA Lyon and NUS Singapore, as well as an Executive MBA from Columbia University and Africa Business School. After a successful corporate career in consulting and finance — including roles at Wavestone, Capgemini Consulting, and Casablanca Finance City, where she served on the executive committee — she founded Leaders On Purpose. Through her podcast, Leaders On Purpose Podcast, she explores the human journeys behind leadership and innovation. Manal has received several recognitions for her work, including the Social Impact Award at the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, being named among the Top 50 Inspiring Women in Morocco by Challenge Magazine, and ranking among the Top LinkedIn Content Creators in Morocco and the Arab World. Beyond her professional endeavors, Manal is the mother of twins. She is an active member of the Mentor’elles and We4She associations advocating for women’s leadership and empowerment, and she leads various social initiatives supporting the wellbeing of local communities.

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Mareme Dieng

Head of M&A and Strategy

Axian Digibank and Fintech

Senegal

Mareme is the head of M&A and Strategy at Axian Digibank and Fintech. Her focus is on new acquisitions for the group in fintech, financial services and emerging technologies. She also drives the cluster's fintech strategy and priorities. She was a Partner at 500 Global and led the firm's expansion in strategic markets. Previously, she was the head of international partnerships and relations at Draper University and a member of Draper University Ventures investment team. She has been in the finance and investment industry for the past 12 years, supporting founders with investments and accelerator programs, and has worked with several large European corporates on their innovation programs. She supported more than +200 founders through an intensive entrepreneurship program she ran in Silicon Valley before endorsing her current position. She sat on the board of Trustees of Bennington College and currently sits on several startup boards as well as AVCA VC committee. She has been named in both Forbes Europe and Forbes Africa as a 30U30 nominee.

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Marielle Sander

Country Representative

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

United States of America

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Mary Kariuki

Marketing Director Digital Infrastructure

Africa Data Centres Association

Kenya

Mary Kariuki is a Pan-African marketing and stakeholder engagement leader at the forefront of Africa’s digital infrastructure evolution. As Marketing Director at Africa Data Centres Association she leads strategic initiatives that amplify the continent’s role in building resilient, sustainable, and ethically governed data centre ecosystems. Her multifaceted approach to her work has contributed significantly to shaping the narrative of digital infrastructure in the African context.

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Mashoul Abdoulnasser

Secretaire Général

Ministère de la Communication et des nouvelles technologies de l'information

Niger

Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication and New Information Technologies.

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Massimo Marioni

Executive Moderator & International Journalist

Freelance

United Arab Emirates

Massimo is a senior journalist and editor with 15+ years of international experience, including senior roles at Fortune and CNN. He specialises in high-profile interviews with CEOs, presidents, and C-suite executives from leading companies worldwide.

Mathilde ASSOU-CHARON

Policy and Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Africa Data Protection

France

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Matija Zulj

CEO and Founder

Agrivi

Croatia

Matija Zulj is a renowned impact entrepreneur, recognized among Europe’s Top Tech Innovators and respected as a thought leader in agri food technologies and sustainable food systems. He is the founder and CEO of AGRIVI, an AgTech company delivering digital agriculture solutions with a clear vision of transforming the way food is produced. By combining innovation, sustainability, and operational support for farmers, AGRIVI plays a key role in strengthening and improving the entire agri food ecosystem. Matija is also actively involved in international policy and industry initiatives. He serves as a European Innovation Council Ambassador, a member of the OECD FAO Advisory Group on Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains, and a Board Member of the UN Global Compact Croatia. Through these roles, he helps advance responsible, technology driven agriculture and more sustainable food systems at both regional and global levels. His work connects farmers, technology, and institutions to accelerate progress in productivity, resilience, and sustainability.

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Matteo Losi

Head of Architects Advisory for EMEA

SAP

Italy

Matteo Losi is a distinguished technology executive with over two decades of experience leading digital transformation across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Currently serving as the Head of Architects Advisory for EMEA at SAP, Matteo leads a strategic division dedicated to bridging the gap between visionary technology and enterprise-scale execution. An Electronic Engineering graduate from the Politecnico di Milano, Matteo’s career is rooted in a deep technical foundation and a consultant’s mindset. Since joining SAP in 2001, he has held pivotal leadership roles, including a tenure as Head of Presales for Africa based in Johannesburg. This unique international background allows him to navigate the complexities of diverse markets with a pragmatic, value-driven approach. Under his leadership, the Architecture function at SAP EMEA has evolved into an AI-first and Cloud-first engine. Matteo is a staunch advocate for "Living Architecture," utilizing the SAP Enterprise Architecture Methodology and the integrated toolchain—specifically LeanIX—to provide organizations with real-time transparency. By mapping business capabilities to technical landscapes, he enables enterprises to systematically retire legacy complexity, achieve a Clean Core, and accelerate the adoption of Business AI.w Beyond traditional ERP, Matteo is committed to the next frontier of computing. He holds professional certificates in Quantum Computing, ensuring his strategic guidance prepares organizations not just for today’s challenges, but for the next global shift in computational power. At GITEX Africa, Matteo shares his expertise on how to turn cutting-edge capabilities into architectural realities, ensuring SAP remains the gold standard for digital excellence and sustainable innovation on the continent and beyond.

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Matthias Notz

Global CEO

Start2 Group

Germany

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Maxime Bayen

Partner

Catalyst Fund

Hungary

Maxime is a Partner at Catalyst Fund, where he leads portfolio value creation, venture building, sourcing, and ecosystem partnerships across Africa. Since joining in 2021, he has invested in and supported more than 40 startups across 10 African markets. Previously, he invested in and accelerated startups at Greentec Capital and GSMA Mobile for Development. Maxime also co-created Africa: The Big Deal, one of the leading sources of data and insights on venture funding across the continent.

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Mayowa Adegoke

International Journalist

United Arab Emirates

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Mejda El Heni

Program Manager

Open Startup (OST)

Tunisia

Mejda Elheni is a Program Manager at Open Startup with over three years of experience designing and leading programs across Africa. She leads the BRAIN Accelerator working closely with african deeptech startups in health and climate, supporting their growth, investment readiness, and international expansion. Mejda has contributed to pan-African initiatives and ecosystem mapping efforts, particularly in the deeptech and impact innovation space.

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Meryem Najma Agadi

Co-Founder

CoLeaders 4 Africa

Morocco

Meryem Najma Agadi is a civil engineer turned executive coach and pan-African leadership catalyst. Founder of CoLeaders for Africa, she operates at the intersection of technology ecosystems, public policy, and human capital development across Africa. With over 15 years of experience, she has moderated more than 50 high-level panels and leadership forums across the continent and beyond — from Yale-affiliated conferences to ICF global stages, through the Wisdom & Leadership Caravan (20+ events), GITEX Nigeria, and GITEX Africa 2025, where she interviewed over 20 African and international leaders shaping the future of tech on the continent. Her engineering foundation gives her a natural command of infrastructure, data sovereignty, and digital transformation debates. Her coaching expertise ensures every panel delivers both intellectual depth and human energy — making complex conversations accessible, strategic, and impactful. She is also the host of CoLeaders for Africa, a podcast amplifying the voices of African leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers building the continent's future — one conversation at a time.

Michael Maylahn

Director

Plug and Play

United States of America

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Miguel Mendonça

Senior Solutions Consultant

Immersive

United Arab Emirates

Miguel Mendonça is a seasoned cybersecurity professional and Lead Solutions Consultant at Immersive, bringing over a decade of experience across advisory and consultancy to help organizations strengthen resilience against real-world threats.

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Mike Butcher

Founder & Editor, Patherfinders, Former Editor-at-large, TechCrunch

-

United Kingdom

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Mikko Lavanti

President Nokia , Middle East and Africa

Nokia

United Arab Emirates

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Mira Pavlovic, MD

"Director of Research and Treatment center for skin and scalp diseases (Centre Sabouraud), Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, and Associate Professor for Regulatory and HTA Science, Lisbon Univers

-

Portugal

Mira Pavlovic-Ganascia, MD is practicing dermatologist and Director of skin and scalp research and treatment centre (Centre Sabouraud) in Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris. In addition, she is teaching Regulatory and HTA science at Lisbon University and is an active member of Academy Board of European Access Academy involved in EU HTA Regulation. Previously, she was Deputy Director at the Health Technology Assessment Division (DEMESP), the Hauté Autorité de Santé (HAS), France, in charge of national and European activities related to HTA, Head of Scientific Advice Unit at the French Medicines Agency (AFSSAPS), Vice-Chair of Scientific Advice Working Party (SAWP) and member of Efficacy Working Party (EWP), and Biosimilar Medicinal Products Working Party (BMWP) at the EMA.

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Mohamadou Diallo

ACA Organizer and CEO

CIO Mag

France

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Mohamed Aladdin

General Partner - Venture Capital

DPI VC (Development Partners International)

United Kingdom

Mohamed is currently a General Partner on the DPI Venture Capital, MEA focused early and late stage VC fund. Prior to DPI, Mohamed led investments at Global Ventures, a Dubai-based VC fund investing across the MEA region. His domain expertise includes FinTech, HealthTech, Insurtech, SaaS, Mobility, and e-commerce. Prior to his MEA focus, Mohamed worked for Allianz X, a Munich-based €1 billion digital investment fund of Allianz SE. He sourced, executed, and closed investment deals in Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia. Mohamed began his venture capital career at Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners, a Hamburg-based €400 million fund that primarily invests in B2B SaaS solutions in the US and Europe. Before shifting to venture capital, Mohamed gained operational experience working for multiple early and late stage startups in Germany, such as Solarisbank AG and Medigo GmbH. Mohamed holds an MSc in Business Administration and Engineering from Berlin University of Applied Sciences, focusing on Corporate Strategy and Venture Capital. He also has a BSc in Engineering Mechatronics from the German University in Cairo.

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Mohamed Anass Eddik

Systems Engineer

Forescout

Morocco

Mohamed Anass Eddik is a Senior Pre-Sales Cybersecurity Consultant with over 19 years of experience helping organizations take control of their cyber risk. Specializing in Forescout solutions, he enables real-time visibility and control across IT, OT, and IoT environments—without agents. He works with enterprises to uncover hidden assets, enforce security policies, and reduce risk across complex infrastructures. From strategy to hands-on proof of value, Anass bridges the gap between technical challenges and real business outcomes.

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Mohamed Bennis

B2B Sales Director

Orange

Morocco

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Mohamed Kayyali

President

The International Federation of Global and Green Information Communication Technology

United States of America

Mohamed Wahib ABKARI

Co-founder

AquaSense

Morocco

Mohamed Wahib is the Co-Founder of AquaSense and an AI Engineer at EMSSOAP, a healthcare AI startup specializing in Emergency Medical Services. Passionate about building AI solutions, his work spans healthcare, water resource management, and consumer technology, including OneFile, a widely used open-source tool for AI platforms.

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Mohamed Zayed

Vice President Enterprise- Business Applications

Oracle

United Arab Emirates

Mohamed Zayed is Vice President of Oracle for Business Applications (Central & Eastern Europe, Levant and North Africa). He is responsible for Oracle's Business Applications growth, revenue, helping customers transforms their business on Oracle’s best-in-class Industry Applications Suites, builds Customer Advocacy and is a member of Oracle's Executive Management in ECEMEA. Mohamed is personally engaged with several Oracle's customers across industries and focuses his organization on the primary goal of continually delivering value to customers, thereby helping them achieve their goals for business success. Mohamed also provides Executive sponsorship (voice of the customer) to Oracle’s key customers in the region. Mohamed’s core mission is to ensure that Oracle’s customers receive the highest level of commitment and service at all levels of the engagement. Mohamed has been at Oracle since 2006 and has held various leadership roles in Oracle and throughout his career. He is an Electronics and Computer Science Graduate from the prestigious American University of Cairo.

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Momchil Sabev

Director

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)

Belgium

With a strong background that combines institutional know-how and entrepreneurial insight, Momchil has built a career reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing innovation, competitiveness, and SME growth across the EU. Before joining EISMEA, Momchil was Head of Unit for Budget and Financial Management at DG REGIO, where he led a team of 55 colleagues responsible for the DG's budget and financial matters across shared, direct and indirect management. Before that, he served as Head of Unit for Tax Administration and the Fight Against Tax Fraud at DG TAXUD, working on the Commission’s strategy against VAT fraud and the cooperation between Member States’ tax administrations. Momchil had previously headed TAXUD’s Unit for Interinstitutional Relations, Coordination, Communication and Strategic Planning, managing a broad horizontal remit. His first post in the Commission was also in TAXUD, as Head of Unit for Control of the Application of EU Legislation and State Aid, where he oversaw infringement procedures in the field of direct taxation. Prior to joining the Commission in 2010, Momchil worked as a registry lawyer at the European Court of Human Rights, as a consultant at PwC and Deloitte, and as an entrepreneur in an SME.

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Mouiz ALAMI

Representative

AMDIE (Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency

Morocco

Representative of AMDIE (Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency), a public institution responsible for promoting investment and exports in Morocco. AMDIE works to attract foreign investors, support local businesses in expanding internationally, and enhance the country’s economic competitiveness. It plays a key role in positioning Morocco as a strategic business hub by facilitating partnerships, showcasing opportunities across key sectors, and strengthening the global visibility of Moroccan companies.

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Mounia Terhzaz

Regional CEO Africa

Digital Virgo

Morocco

Mounia Terhzaz is the Regional CEO Africa at Digital Virgo, with over 15 years of experience in the digital and mobile payment ecosystem. She began her career in digital marketing at SFR France and in Morocco before joining Digital Virgo in 2006. She developed the group’s activities across North Africa and later expanded its presence in Sub-Saharan, East, and South Africa. A member of the executive committee, she drives the integration of payment solutions and the growth of digital services across the continents.

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Mr. Chakib Alj

President

General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM)

Morocco

Elected President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises in January 2020 for a 3-year term and re-elected to the same position in May 2023, Chakib ALJ is a Moroccan business leader and industrialist. He is the CEO of Cap Holding, a group that employs more than 3500 people and has diversified activities operating in milling, agri-food, poultry farming, plastic industry, tourism, distribution, civil engineering, among others. After studying in the United States, Mr. ALJ began his career in Morocco in 1987 by managing the “Société Nouvelle des Moulins du Maghreb”, a century-old company that is a leader in the milling sector. He expanded this activity by launching “Le Moulin de Berrechid”, “Moony”, “Matahine Bab Mansour”, and “GSB”. A seasoned industry captain, Chakib ALJ created “Multisacs”, a company operating in plastic processing and packaging, “Alf Mabrouk – Cicavi” in poultry farming and livestock feed production, “ACTL” in transport and logistics, and “Adiwatt Maroc” in renewable energies. In 2022, Chakib ALJ took over the Renault distribution network in Morocco through his group. As part of his civic activity and business activism, he chaired the National Federation of Milling (FNM), the Interprofessional Federation of Cereal Activities (FIAC), and the Federation of Trades in the Distribution of Mass Consumption Products (TIJARA 2020). Chakib ALJ is married and father of 4 children.

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Mugo Kibati

Chief Executive Officer

Telkom Kenya

Kenya

Mr. Mugo KIBATI - is the current CEO of Telkom Kenya, driving Kenya’s oldest telecommunication firm through its next transformative phase to become the technology partner of choice in Kenya and the region. Recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2008, he has more than 20 years of commercial experience working in senior executive roles in the public and private sector, in various capacities, namely: Group CEO Sanlam Kenya PLC, Founding Director General at Kenya’s Vision 2030 Secretariat and Group Managing Director/CEO at East African Cables PLC. An Electrical Engineer by training, he holds a Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) and an MBA (International Business Finance) and MA (International Economics) from George Washington University (USA). Mugo also studied European Union Economics at Oxford University. Mugo was the founding Chair of the Board of Directors of Lake Turkana Wind Power Limited, MKopa and the Kenya Biovax Institute Limited and has served on the Boards of several institutions including I&M Bank, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. He is a former Chair of the Board of APA Life and former Vice Chairman of the Federation of Kenya Employers.

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Muhammad Usman Khan

Managing Director & CEO

SHERDIL

Pakistan

Muhammad Usman Khan is a seasoned multi-cloud trainer and consultant and the founder of Sherdil Cloud. With over 18 years of experience in IT and networking, he specializes in AWS, GCP, Alibaba Cloud, and DevOps practices. He has delivered 1500+ hours of professional training and successfully trained more than 1500 IT professionals across 20+ countries. With 8 years of hands-on experience in multi-cloud deployments, Usman has led numerous cloud transformation projects. He is passionate about enabling businesses and individuals to adopt modern cloud technologies, improve efficiency, and achieve scalable, future-ready solutions.

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Murielle Laberge

Rector

Université du Québec en Outaouais

Canada

Murielle Laberge has been rector of the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) since March 30, 2020. Murielle Laberge joined the UQO in 1998. She holds a master's degree in industrial relations and human resources from the UQO and a PhD in industrial relations from the Universite de Montreal. As a professor in the Department of Industrial Relations, she has authored and co-authored numerous scientific articles and has delivered several presentations at national and international scientific forums. From 2007 to 2015, she served as dean of Academic Management. Alongside her academic duties, Murielle Laberge has also worked as a human resources consultant, supporting numerous public and private-sector organizations in improving organizational climate, as well as in identifying and developing human potential. At the time of her appointment, Murielle Laberge was chair of the board of directors of the Collège Heritage and the Centre d'aide 24/7, in addition to serving on the executive committee of the Federation des cegeps. She is currently a member of the board of directors of the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Quebec. She was awarded the Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec in 2019 for her service to the community. In 2024, she received the Ordre de Gatineau, and in 2025, she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Mustapha Zaouini

Chairman

AI in Africa

South Africa

Mustapha Zaouini is a global fintech and AI executive with over 20 years of experience leading digital transformation and building technology-driven ventures across Africa and emerging markets. He is Chairman of AI in Africa, where he leads initiatives focused on youth training, applied AI, and startup development, and Co-founder of Fliptin, a venture studio operating across fintech and AI. He also serves as Managing Director of LibertyPay Morocco and advises governments and institutions on innovation strategy. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Naspers, Atos, Vodafone, Nortel, and Motorola. His work focuses on building the next generation of talent and positioning Africa as a creator — not just a consumer — of exponential technologies. He holds an MBA from London Business School and an MSc in Computer Science.

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Nabil Laredj

VP, Business Development & Licensing

Blacknut

France

Nabil Laredj is the VP of Business Development & Licensing at Blacknut, where he spearheads global content acquisition and strategic distribution for the leading cloud gaming platform. With over 20 years of expertise at the intersection of entertainment and telecommunications, Nabil has broken up high-stakes partnerships with elite publishers like EA, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros, as well as major telcos including AT&T, Orange & Comcast. A seasoned expert in navigating complex IP rights and digital distribution, Nabil is currently driving Blacknut’s mission to democratize premium gaming through cross-device accessibility and worldwide ISP integration.

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Nabil Sabihi

Director, Mastercard Identity & Security Solutions

Mastercard

Morocco

Nabil leads business development for Mastercard Identity & Security solutions in Africa, helping organizations strengthen trust, security, and digital resilience across complex ecosystems. He collaborates with stakeholders across financial services, telecommunications, government, and retail, as well as technology providers and ecosystem operators, to address challenges related to digital identity, financial crime compliance, fraud prevention, and cyber resilience. Nabil supports partners in translating complex risk, regulatory, and operational requirements into practical, scalable, and commercially viable solutions, leveraging Mastercard’s global data assets, technology platforms, and ecosystem partnerships. In this role, Nabil helps bring to market Mastercard’s evolving security vision, which combines internally developed capabilities with strategically integrated technologies to deliver a unified, intelligence driven approach to digital trust. This strategy enables organizations to move beyond siloed controls toward proactive, data led security, securing digital interactions end to end across sectors and geographies while supporting scale, interoperability, and long-term resilience.

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Nader Abdelrazik

Co-founder and CEO

Moneyhash

United States of America

Nader Abdelrazik is the CEO and Founder of MoneyHash, a leading payment orchestration platform in the Middle East and Africa. MoneyHash most recently raised $5.2 million in a pre-Series A round, bringing its total funding to $12.7 million. This investment will enhance the company's ability to streamline complex payment operations across the MEA region. After a standout beta phase in 2022, the company tripled its revenue and increased transaction volume by 3,000%. Abdelrazik's leadership is steering MoneyHash to become a dominant force in the payment solutions sector for emerging markets. Previously, Nader was the Chief Business Officer at XPay and a Lecturer in Systems Thinking at the University of California, Berkeley.

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Nader Al Zouabi

General Manager - Morocco & Mauritania

Schneider Electric

United Arab Emirates

Nader Al Zouabi est le Directeur Général de Schneider Electric pour le Maroc et la Mauritanie. À ce poste, il a la responsabilité de déployer les solutions du groupe en matière de durabilité, d’électricité 4.0 et d’automatisation de nouvelle génération. Avec plus de 20 ans d’expérience au sein de Schneider Electric, Nader s’est imposé comme un leader visionnaire, alliant expertise stratégique et opérationnelle. Son parcours est marqué par un engagement constant en faveur de l’innovation, de la croissance durable et de la transformation digitale. Titulaire d’un Bachelor of Science en génie électrique, électronique et communication de l’Université des Émirats arabes unis, il a poursuivi un MBA à l’École de management de Grenoble. Il a également complété des programmes académiques à l’Université de Caroline du Nord (Chapel Hill) et est Harvard Business School Fellow en stratégie numérique. Au cours de sa carrière, Nader a occupé plusieurs postes de direction stratégique à l’international. Il a conduit d’importantes initiatives de numérisation et de décarbonisation dans la région du Golfe et au Pakistan. Il a également dirigé le segment mondial « Power & Grid – Distribution et Transmission », contribuant à accélérer la transformation numérique des entreprises électriques vers des modèles plus efficaces et durables. Plus récemment, il a supervisé les services pour l’Afrique francophone et les îles, renforçant l’impact régional de Schneider Electric.

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Nafi DIONE

CEO

MAMOSCREEN

Senegal

CEO of MAMOSCREEN, an African healthtech solution and Breast Cancer AI Detection Lab that develops breast cancer screening technology powered by artificial intelligence trained on local data—addressing the limitations of foreign algorithms—while combining it with a connected prevention wristband, with a mission to create technology for Africa, by Africa.

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Nakul Jain

CEO & Managing Director

Wadhwani AI Global

India

Nakul Jain is a visionary technology leader driving AI powered transformation across emerging markets. As CEO & Managing Director of Wadhwani AI Global, he spearheads the organization’s mission to democratize artificial intelligence for underserved populations in Africa, Latin America, and the Global South. With over 14 years of experience spanning AI strategy, product leadership, and international development, Nakul has overseen the development of 40+ AI solutions reaching over 150 million people across healthcare, agriculture, education, and urban governance. His leadership philosophy centers on “impact-first” AI development, working backward from urgent societal needs rather than technology capabilities. Under his leadership, Wadhwani AI Global partners with governments and multilateral organizations to embed sustainable AI solutions within public systems. His work includes AI-enabled tuberculosis screening programs reaching millions and oral reading fluency assessments supporting over 6 million children. Earlier in his career, Nakul led India’s national tuberculosis platform (Nikshay), worked at Cognizant Business Consulting in London, and co-founded MySportsAdda. He holds an MBA from NMIMS Mumbai and a B.Tech from IP University, Delhi.

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Naoile Khattou

Public Sector Strategy Lead

Oracle

Morocco

Ms Naoile leads Government Relations in Morocco, shaping the intersection of public policy, digital infrastructure, and private investment to advance competitive and resilient digital ecosystems. Her work centers on aligning regulatory frameworks with market realities, unlocking scalable opportunities in data centers, cloud, and digital sovereignty.

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Naoual Azzouzi, PhD

Bioinformatician, IGDR

"Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, CNRS

France

I am a researcher teacher at the University of RENNES at UFR health, life and environment, attached to a Genetics/Genomics research team. I teach molecular biology and bioinformatics Since 2008, I have been working at the Institute of Genetics and Development (IGDR) UMR6290 in France under the direction of Prof. Francis Galibert. My work has focused on the comparative analysis of the genomes of eukaryotic species by hybrid irradiation mapping. This mapping has enabled the assembly of genomes. As a result of this project, which is part of a large international consortium (Broad Institute). I identified the receptor olfactory (OR) gene repertoire of five species of the cichlid family by bioinformatics methods. I performed Bioinformatics analyzes of large high-throughput NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) sequence files (RNAseq). I acquired a solid analytical expertise in bioinformatics with several tools for bioinformatics. For two years I have also participated in the activities of the CRB platform, directed by Dr Catherine André. This involves sample preparation, quality controls, improvement of practices and installation of quality standards.

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Nawale Hajjaji, MD, PhD

Medical Oncologist; Translational Researcher; Vice-President of CNEDIMTS

Medical Oncologist; Translational Researcher; Vice-President of CNEDIMTS

France

Nawale Hajjaji, MD, PhD, is a medical oncologist at the comprehensive cancer center Oscar Lambret (Lille, France) with activities in clinical research, translational research at Inserm U1192-Laboratoire PRISM (Lille University), in collaborative EU projects in breast cancer and real world data studies. She also contributes to patients’ access to digital innovation at the High Authority for Health (HAS, France) as Vice-President of the CNEDIMTS commission.

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Nawfal Saoud

General Manager for Morocco & West Africa

Dell Technologies

Tunisia

Diploma from INPT in Telecommunications Engineering in 2003, Nawfal SAOUD began his career as a Technical Consultant in networks and security, then Presales Consultant leading the Security division at a major Moroccan integrator (IB Maroc). He later founded and managed STS, a software and services subsidiary focused on ITSM, IT monitoring, and security, while also serving as Group Sales Director at IB Maroc. In 2013, he joined EMC as Regional Sales Manager for DPS in North and West Africa, later expanding to Emerging Africa at Dell Technologies. Since 2022, he has been General Manager for Dell Technologies Morocco and West Africa.

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Nelly Kambiwa

Keynote Speaker and Strategic Advisor

Kyllen Consulting

France

Nelly Kambiwa is a keynote speaker and strategic advisor specializing in intercultural performance, leadership, and sustainable growth in complex international environments. She brings over 15 years of experience in the global tech sector, where she held senior roles in business strategy, CSR, and transformation within international organizations operating across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Founder of Kyllen Consulting, Nelly helps organizations turn intercultural intelligence from an invisible risk into a measurable performance lever. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy execution, leadership alignment, and ESG-driven growth. Known for her sharp business insights and grounded, real-world approach, she bridges strategy and execution helping leaders accelerate decision-making, strengthen trust, and drive impact across borders.

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Niall English

CTO

Aquab

Ireland

Niall English is a chartered chemical engineer (FIChemE), inventor, professor, and founder entrepreneur. He completed a PhD in 2003 on electric field effects on hydrates and gases in water. From 2004 to 2005, he conducted further gas engineering research at the U.S. Department of Energy, including hydrates and hydrogen storage. Between 2005 and 2007, he worked at Chemical Computing Group in Cambridge, developing molecular simulation tools and protocols for drug design applications. He joined University College Dublin in 2007 as a lecturer in Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering, becoming a full professor in 2017. He has invented groundbreaking electric field manipulation technologies for gas water molecular engineering, achieving notable positive energy performance. In 2023, he received an ERC Advanced Grant to advance his breakthrough innovation in electric field nanobubble generation. He has co founded several successful spin outs and start ups, including BioSimulytics and AquaB, both supported by the EIC Accelerator and Business Acceleration Services.

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Nitish Srivastava

AVP Sales & Strategic Alliances

Blockchain Council

India

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Noman Azhar

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ZINDIGI

Pakistan

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Nor El Houda Sabbar

Cybersecurity Ecosystem Director

DATAPROTECT

South Africa

Nor El Houda Sabbar is a Cybersecurity Ecosystem Director at DATAPROTECT, a leading cybersecurity services provider operating across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. She specializes in building strategic partnerships, driving business development, and orchestrating high-impact cybersecurity initiatives across key sectors. With a strong background in cybersecurity strategy and ecosystem development, Nor plays a central role in expanding DATAPROTECT’s international footprint and fostering collaborations with global technology partners. She is actively involved in major industry events, thought leadership initiatives, and cross-border projects focused on cyber resilience and compliance.

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Nouhade MECHKOU

ICT Director

Orange Maroc

Morocco

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Nour-dine Hajjami

CIO

Bank Al-Maghrib

Morocco

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Odile Bocandé-Koffi

Executive Coach, Trainer & Speaker

OBK Performance

France

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Olugbeminiyi Idowu

Founder and Managing Director

Talking Drum Communications

United Kingdom

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Omar Oualif

Regional Vice President

Salesforce

Morocco

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Omar Seghrouchni

President

Moroccan Data Protection Authority (CNDP)

Morocco

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Osama Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed Hijj

Chief Information Security Officer

EFG Holding

Egypt

Osama M. Hijji is a CISO & information security strategist with 30 years of experience in information/cyber security governance & management in various disciplines including brokerage, finance, traditional & digital banking, insurance, private equity, asset management, wealth management, payment, TeleCom, DataCom, government, health, IT & military with oversight & insight in security technology, cyber defense, offensive security, governance, risk, compliance, IT security, OT/IoT security (ATMs, Phone Banking, Mobile Wallet, Mobile & Internet Banking, SCADA, Industrial Control Systems, etc..), cyber security (SOC, IRST, CERT, red teams, war-gaming, pen-testing, etc...), physicaal security & security intelligence (digital risk protection, brand protection, threat intelligence, attack surface management, etc..) in local, multi-national, private & public sectors firms/institutions. More and above Osama has a significant experience in IT Enterprise & Service Management. Osama holds a bachelor degree in computer engineering from Arab Academy of Sciences & Technology (AAST). He is CISM, PMP, ITIL & CSI certified in addition to having over 40 Technical, business training, and hands-on implementation and auditing experience in ISO9000, ISO20000, ISO27001, ISO22301, SAS-70, PCI-DSS, Process Management (Documentation & Auditing). Osama speaks fluently Arabic, English, French and can understand & manage with Italian.

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Oscar Ondo

Chief Executive Officer

Gestor de Infraestruturas de Guinea Ecuatorial (GITGE)

Equatorial Guinea

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Ouassim El Arroussi

Director, B2B Development

INWI

Morocco

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Oussama Esmili

CEO

IDEO Factory

Morocco

Oussama Esmili is a renowned expert in e-learning and digital learning in Morocco and Africa. Founder and CEO of IDEO Factory, he has supported many national and international institutions, ministries, strategic public companies and large private groups in deploying large-scale digital training programmes. Winner of the prestigious Brandon Hall Award (2019) for ‘Best Advance in Creating a Learning Strategy’, Oussama Esmili is also the first Moroccan to be ranked among the world's top 30 influential players in corporate online learning. Under his leadership, IDEO Factory designed Morocco's first LMS, enhanced by artificial intelligence and awarded a silver medal by the Brandon Hall Group for ‘Best Advance in Learning Management Technology’ — international recognition that highlights a 100% Moroccan technological innovation. His vision for the future of learning is based on AI, data and intelligent LMS to deliver personalised and high-performance learning.

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Oussama Rhissassi

CEO

TOPCOMPUTER

Morocco

Oussama Rhissassi, CEO du groupe Best Capital Invest et Président du Groupe HECI, dirige une holding fondée en 1988, aujourd’hui active dans la distribution IT, les télécommunications et le retail spécialisé. Diplômé en 3ème cycle de l’Université Paris-Dauphine (1984), il entame sa carrière à l’international en tant que Directeur Général d’ODI New York. À ce poste, il joue un rôle clé dans la promotion des investissements américains au Maroc et accompagne l’implantation de grandes multinationales, notamment Pfizer. Oussama Rhissassi a su impulser une dynamique de croissance et de diversification, structurant un groupe composé de plusieurs entités, dont BESTMARK, TOP COMPUTER, AFRINETWORKS et CLEMENTINA. Sous sa direction, le groupe s’est imposé comme un acteur incontournable des secteurs IT et télécom au Maroc, en développant des partenariats solides avec des leaders tels que Orange et Wafacash. Animé par une vision stratégique tournée vers l’innovation, Oussama Rhissassi place la transformation digitale et la création de valeur durable au cœur du développement de ses activités, avec l’ambition de renforcer durablement la présence de son groupe à l’échelle nationale et internationale.

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Palani Panneervel

CEO

ICT Infracon

India

Mr. P. Panneervel CEO of ICT Infracon, a E-GovTech firm dedicated to digital transformation and digital inclusion, and a distinguished former civil servant a. As a retired officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he is known internationally as an expert in designing Egovernance systems. He is currently driving ICT Infracon to become a global Digital Transformation Leader. Mr. Panneervel oversees the design and implementation of massive e-Governance projects that bridge the gap between governments and citizens. His organization specializes in highsocial- impact solutions, including: • Education: A unified platform managing the academic lifecycle of over 25 million students on a Single database, ensuring efficient delivery of entitlements like scholarships and mid-day meals. • Rural Development : A rural governance platform digitizing operations for 5,900 local bodies and 30,000 villages, which has led to a 200% increase in revenue collection. • Agriculture: Created an ecosystem for 250,000 coffee farmers to have access to knowledge that will enhance yield and fair marketplace. • Health: created a platform for Streamlining child heatlh screening for over 11 Million Children, as a result 20% increase in Early identification of severe congenital diseases among other major outcomes. • Supply Chain Integrity: Advanced ERP solutions for State Excise Tax and Beverage Corporations that have plugged revenue leakages and optimized supply chains for over 12,800 retailers. During his tenure in the government, he held several critical leadership positions, including Secretary of Labour & Employment, Secretary of Revenue Department and Secretary of Education Department for the Government of Gujarat - India. Notably, as the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad (2001–2003), he played a pivotal role in post-earthquake crisis management and is credited with introducing e-Governance to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, laying the foundation for digital service delivery in the region. He also served as the State Relief Commissioner, bringing rich experience in disaster management and large-scale logistical coordination. Mr. Panneervel’s work focuses on leveraging technology to create scalable, transparent, and audit-ready systems that empower governments to deliver services at lightning speed

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Patrice Segura

Sales Director West & Central Africa

Eutelsat

France

Patrice Segura is Sales Director for West Central Africa & Morocco at Eutelsat, where he leads business development and strategic partnerships across the region. He has been with Eutelsat for 18 years and has played a key role in the launch and expansion of broadband satellite services since 2008 across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 30 years of experience in the satellite and telecom industry, including roles at Proximus and British Telecom Global Services, Patrice brings deep expertise in connectivity solutions. He focuses on enabling resilient and scalable infrastructure to support universal service initiatives and bridge the digital divide across Africa.

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Patrick Johansson

Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area Europe, Middle East and Africa

Ericsson

Sweden

Patrick Johansson leads Ericsson’s Market Area Europe, Middle East and Africa, shaping the region’s telecom and digital infrastructure agenda. With over 27 years at Ericsson, he has held senior leadership roles across global markets, spanning networks, cloud software, and commercial strategy. His leadership is centered on driving industry transformation, unlocking new growth opportunities for customers, and strengthening Ericsson’s position as a trusted partner in the digital economy across diverse and dynamic markets

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Paul Le Dantec

VP Infranum / CEO

EKHO

France

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Philippe Beaudoin

Affiliated Researcher, Building 21

McGill University

Canada

Philippe Beaudoin is a researcher, programmer, and entrepreneur who sees technology as a way to illuminate what makes us human. With a Ph.D. in computer science from Université de Montréal and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia, Philippe began by studying movement and robotics — a fascination with how systems move and adapt. He later joined Google as a senior engineer, contributing to the recommendation systems powering the Chrome browser. In 2016, he co-founded Element AI, driven by the conviction that artificial intelligence must stay rooted in the real world. In 2020, Philippe came to a powerful realization that reoriented his trajectory: that many technologies claiming to “understand us better” are actually reinforcing our worst habits — locking us into patterns we often regret. That moment shaped his deeper mission: aligning technological systems with human flourishing. This led him to found Waverly to explore how language and dialogue might build social networks that nourish our aspirations and allow space for doubts, honesty and human growth. By joining LawZero in 2025, Philippe continues this quest: helping to design artificial intelligence that recognizes — and supports — human flourishing, a necessary condition in his view for technology to be truly beneficial.

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Pranav Bhardwaj

Blockchain & Metaverse Trainer

Blockchain Council

India

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Prof. Abdou Karim Jallow

Director General

Gambia Information and Communication Technology Agency (GICTA)

Gambia

Prof. Abdou Karim Jallow is a distinguished Gambian academic and digital transformation leader with extensive experience in engineering, technology, information systems, e-government, and enterprise architecture. He currently serves as the Director General of the Gambia Information and Communication Technology Agency (GICTA), where he is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the affairs of the Agency. In this capacity, he leads the implementation of the Agency’s policies, strategies, plans, and financial performance. GICTA is the central authority and serves as the government’s ICT policy advisor, coordinator, and technical lead, with oversight of ICT projects to ensure a secure, standardized, and efficient digital ecosystem. Under his leadership, the Agency is advancing national digital transformation through integrated platforms, enterprise architecture, and strengthened ICT governance. Before his appointment as Director General, Prof. Jallow was a Professor of Information Systems at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, where he also served as the Chairperson of the Information Systems and Technology Management Department. Earlier in his career, he served at Pennsylvania State University, including as Program Coordinator of the Information Sciences and Technology program at Penn State New Kensington, while also contributing to teaching and research within the broader Penn State system. He has also worked for British Telecoms, EasyJet airlines and Komatsu UK. Prof. Jallow’s career reflects a strong blend of academic excellence and public sector leadership, positioning him as a key figure in driving digital innovation and governance in The Gambia and beyond.

Prof. Intissar Haddiya

Nephrologist and Professor of Higher Education at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Oujda – Mohammed First University (Morocco)

Mohammed First University (Morocco)

Morocco

Professor Intissar Haddiya is a nephrologist and Professor of Higher Education at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Oujda – Mohammed First University (Morocco). She holds a PhD in Social Responsibility in Health and is a graduate of Stanford University’s program in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. Her work bridges medical expertise, scientific research, and civic engagement. A novelist and essayist, she has authored several books, including a reference academic work on the social responsibility of healthcare institutions in Africa, as well as novels that have been translated and widely distributed. She has over 60 Scopus-indexed publications and more than 130 scientific contributions. Actively involved in the Moroccan Society of Nephrology and the African Association of Nephrology (AFRAN), she also serves as president of an association supporting patients with kidney failure in Morocco’s Oriental region. A pioneer in integrating artificial intelligence into medical education, she founded and leads the University Diploma “Artificial Intelligence in Health” at Mohammed First University. She is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences on the challenges and opportunities of AI in medicine. Recipient of several distinctions—including the Africanity Medal (SIEL 2023) and the Best Debate Prize at the World Congress of Nephrology 2025—she embodies a humanistic, inclusive, and forward-looking vision of medicine, where technology remains at the service of humanity.

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Prof. Mohammed Boulmalf

Dean of the college on Engineering & Architecture and Dean of the computer Science school

International University of Rabat

Morocco

Mohammed Boulmalf received his B.Eng. degree in Telecommunications from the National Institute of Posts and Telecommunications (INPT) in Rabat, Morocco, in 1987. He then worked as a Network Engineer at ONCF, Morocco’s national railway operator, for five years. In August 1992, Dr. Boulmalf moved to Canada to pursue his graduate studies at the National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS) in Montreal, where he received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Wireless Communications in 1994 and 2001, respectively. From September 1994 to December 1998, he served as an RF Research Engineer at INRS-Telecommunications. In January 1999, he joined ÉTS (École de Technologie Supérieure), part of the Université du Québec, as a lecturer. In September of the same year, he joined Microcell Telecommunications, a GSM operator in Canada, where he worked as a Senior Network Engineer. From 2000 to 2002, he held the position of Principal Engineer in the Integration Department at Ericsson in Montreal. In February 2002, he joined the College of Information Technology at the United Arab Emirates University in Abu Dhabi, where he worked as an Assistant Professor until July 2007. During this period, he was an active member of the ABET accreditation committee for the IT program. In August 2007, he joined the School of Science and Engineering at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco as an Associate Professor of Computer Science, a position he held until December 2010. He co-founded the Wireless Communications Research Lab and chaired the Quality Assurance Committee. Together with his team, he led the successful ABET accreditation of the Computer Science program in 2010 for a six-year period. In January 2011, Dr. Boulmalf joined the Canadian University of Dubai as an Associate Professor of Computer Science and served as Quality Assurance Advisor to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. In September 2011, he joined the International University of Rabat as a Professor of Networking and Cybersecurity and served as Dean of the School of Computer Science until August 2023. In September 2023, he was promoted to Dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture at the same university. Dr. Boulmalf is the author or co-author of approximately 200 publications in referred journals and international conferences in the fields of cybersecurity, networking, wireless sensor networks, mobile computing, and RFID technologies. He has taught numerous cybersecurity courses and co-developed cybersecurity programs at the International University of Rabat. He has also published extensively in the field of cybersecurity. Dr. Boulmalf is a member of IEEE and the IEEE Communications Society. He serves on the technical program committees of several international IEEE conferences, including WCNC, ISCC, ICC, and IIT, and is also a reviewer for numerous international journals and conferences

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Prof. Rachid Guerraoui

Chair Informatics and Computational Science for Distributed Computing

College de France

Switzerland

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Prof. Samir El-Masri

President

Arab Society for Digital Transformation

United Arab Emirates

Prof. Samir El-Masri is a globally recognized authority in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, bringing over 30 years of experience across academia, global consulting, and executive advisory. As a Full Professor of AI with a PhD, he has held senior academic roles in France, Japan, Australia, and the Gulf, complemented by corporate leadership positions at GE, NTT, DWS, and INPG. He is the Founder and President of the Arab Society for Digital Transformation, where he developed the DC-METRICS framework used by governments and enterprises to drive strategic innovation, data governance, and cybersecurity. He serves as a trusted consultant to large corporations and government entities across the Middle East and internationally, advising on AI strategy, digital transformation, and emerging technologies. A sought-after international keynote speaker and author of Digital Transformation Unlocked, he consults for the G20-affiliated Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and was named CertNexus Instructor of the Year for MENA in 2022.

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Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju

Chief Executive Officer

Galaxy Backbone

Nigeria

Prof. Ibrahim A. Adeyanju is Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Nigeria’s leading government-owned digital infrastructure and shared services provider. A Professor of Intelligent Systems; he earned First-Class honors in Computer Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and MSc and PhD degrees in Computing from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom. He previously served as pioneer Director of Quality Assurance at Federal University Oye-Ekiti and then Executive Director at GBB, before being appointed MD/CEO in 2024, he leads the organisation’s national cloud, fibre, data centre, and cybersecurity infrastructure enabling digitalisation across the country. A participant at the Heidelberg Laureate Forum, he champions technology-driven economic transformation and digital resilience across Africa.

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Rached Dabboussi

VP, Cloud Technology

Oracle MEA

France

Rached Dabboussi is a highly skilled and accomplished technology executive with over 20 years of experience driving cutting-edge technological solutions for top global companies like Oracle, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and DellEMC. As Vice President of Cloud for Oracle in Africa and Turkey, Rached leads the development and implementation of innovative Cloud technologies, AI/ML solutions, and digital transformation initiatives that empower organizations to modernize their infrastructure and achieve superior business outcomes. Rached's career spans a broad range of transformative technology solutions, including Cloud Native Platforms, Open Source technologies, data analytics, and applications modernization. At Oracle, he works closely with enterprise clients to architect and execute large-scale Cloud adoption strategies, with a particular focus on enabling advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. His leadership has helped Oracle achieve significant technological advancements and successful business outcomes in key markets across the MENA region. Before joining Oracle, Rached led strategic initiatives for Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he played a pivotal role in launching Cloud solutions and driving adoption in diverse sectors, including finance, retail, logistics, and telecom. He also spent nine years at DellEMC, where he focused on data analytics, applications modernization, and digital transformation projects across the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, helping clients optimize their technology environments for increased efficiency and scalability. Rached holds a Master's in Telecommunication Engineering and is fluent in multiple languages. He has lived and worked in several countries, including France, Tunisia, and the UAE, which has further refined his ability to lead diverse teams and manage complex, global technology initiatives. In his free time, Rached enjoys travel, sports, music, and spending quality time with family.

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Rami Abi Akl

Head of the Digital Affairs and AI Department

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

France

In his current position, Rami Abi Akl leads France's international diplomatic strategy on emerging technologies, startups and Al. He previously served within the French diplomatic network on cooperation in science and technology and worked at the Ministry of Economy and Finance on innovation and deep tech strategy. He holds a PhD in Engineering from MIT, a Diplome d'Ingenieur from Ecole Polytechnique, and serves the government through his appointment in the French Corps des Mines.

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Raphael Dana

Co-Founder & Co-CEO

Gozem

Singapore

Raphael is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Gozem, Africa’s Super-App since 2018. Gozem is currently active in West and Central Africa in the ride hailing business, e-commerce, asset fi nancing and digital banking. He’s a serial entrepreneur whose specialties include corporate fi nance, disruptive business ideas, start-up modeling, go-global strategy, recruitment of growth team, sales and marketing. In 2013 he founded Galixo in Singapore, a boutique consultancy specialized in Disruptive Business Strategy and Go to Market Entry with deep exposure to emerging markets (APAC MEA). Leading client has been Viber (Rakuten) for their market entry strategy in APAC and Africa. Prior to moving to Singapore, co-founded a media group in Switzerland specializing in business, fi nance and lifestyle. Scaled the business through franchising in more than 20 key cities around the world. Previously co-founded Netarchitects (sold to Altran) the leading web agency of Switzerland in the web 1.0 era. Recognized as one of the most innovative agencies. Awarded most promising entrepreneur of the new millennium by Bilan magazine in Switzerland in 2000 when Raphael was 26 years old. https://gozem.co/en/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaeldana/

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Reda Lakhlifi

Program Director

500 Global

Morocco

Reda is Program Director at 500 Global in Morocco, where he leads the firm’s startup acceleration efforts in the country and represents the fund across government, institutional partners, and key ecosystem stakeholders. Prior to joining 500 Global, Reda built a matchmaking platform connecting early-stage startups with venture capital firms across Africa and the Middle East. Earlier in his career, he was part of a venture builder where he helped launch multiple startups, including expanding one venture into Senegal. He also served as Co-CEO of a home and office services startup in Morocco, which featured on the first episode of Shark Tank Morocco. Previously, Reda led a purchasing group supporting SMEs to reduce operating costs and worked with Endeavor to support the next generation of regional scale-ups. He began his career in investment banking, focusing on M&A transactions across Africa. Reda holds a Master’s degree in Finance and has studied in Morocco, France, and the United States. He is also an active member of Dream VC, a 250+ strong community shaping the future of venture capital in Africa.

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Reda Mouati

Secretary General

AMCA (Moroccan Procurement Community Association)

Morocco

A graduate in Supply Chain Management, he brings over 16 years of professional experience across companies and holdings, having held positions of responsibility in the fields of procurement, logistics and project management. Since 2010, he has held several strategic roles within major Moroccan public institutions, including the ONP and OFPPT, before joining Groupe AL Omrane in 2019, where he currently serves as Head of Procurement Performance and Strategy. In this capacity, he drives the group's procurement policy and ensures the optimization of its overall economic performance. Areas of Expertise : His competencies encompass market analysis, strategic watch and competitive intelligence, procurement strategy development, governance and compliance, responsible procurement with ESG criteria integration, as well as strategic spend optimization and the enhancement of organizational economic performance. Certifications : Reda holds several professional certifications in the fields of project management, corporate governance and responsible procurement, further reinforcing his expertise and commitment to best practices within the sector. Reda also serves as Secretary General of the AMCA.

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Riadh Naouar

Manager, Financial Institutions Group (FIG) Africa, Upstream and Advisory, North, West and Central Africa

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Morocco

Manager, Financial Institutions Group (FIG) Africa, Upstream and Advisory, North, West and Central Africa

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Rihem Chahloul

Program Manager

Open Startup (OST)

Tunisia

Rihem Chahloul manages Open Startup’s investment and market readiness program and has been an integral part of the program’s planning stage. Transitioning from healthcare to entrepreneurship, her exposure in running daily healthcare operations has supported her impact on African startup ecosystems. Rihem has also previously empowered female entrepreneurs across Africa while acting as Program Manager of The Female Founders Program at She Starts Africa

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Rim Tehraoui

Founder & CEO

Aryam / Chair of Hub France IA

France

Rim Tehraoui is Founder & CEO of Aryam, a mission-driven start-up, specialized in the development of data- and AI-based systems for the analysis and management of complex socio-ecological systems, with a particular focus on agroecology, biodiversity, and climate resilience. She is also involved in the structuring of the AI research and innovation ecosystem as Chair of Hub France IA, member of the MIT Data Board and member of the France 2030 digital expert pool. Prior to these activities, she has been acting as chair of the Governing Board of the OS-Climate platform, a Linux Foundation initiative that develops open-source data and analytical tools for climate and biodiversity assessment. She has served as Group Chief Data & AI Officer of BNP Paribas, where she led large-scale data and AI programs, including the development of ESG risk analytics and data-driven approaches to sustainability. She holds degrees from ENSAE Paris Tech and Sciences Po Paris. Complementing her academic background, she has developed hands-on expertise in agroecological systems through certifications in agroecology, agroforestry, and regenerative hydrology.

Riyad RACHIDI

Co-founder

AquaSense

Morocco

Riyad is the Co-Founder of AquaSense and a Junior AI Developer at Syntax, a global enterprise cloud solutions provider. A developer since the age of 13, he has competed in multiple international competitions and currently helps consultants leverage AI to enhance their workflows

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Robert Aouad

Chief Executive Officer

ISOCEL Telecom

Benin

Born and raised in West Africa, respectively Ghana and Niger, Robert AOUAD studied law and cinematography in France. He started his career as a media reporter in France, and then moved to United States to work in the film industry. Robert returned to Africa in 1995 to become an entrepreneur in Benin, where he amassed extensive experience in consumer goods distribution and technology services. In 2000, he created a company specializing in the marketing of GSM products. This was his first step in telecommunications, a field he has become passionate about. As such, as a self-learner, he took several initiatives to broaden his knowledge in this field. Robert always had the vision to promote better access to the Internet, especially for young people and low-income populations. He is the main promoter of ISOCEL Telecom, which became the leading private Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Benin. A success story recognized by numerous awards won by ISOCEL. Robert has held the presidency of several regional platforms in the telecom sector such as BENIN ACE J.V. and COFTEL. He is a regular keynote speaker at industry conferences such as the Africa CEO Forum, AfricaCom, Capacity Africa, GITEX, the FTTH Council, Benin Investment Forum and many more.

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Roger THIAM

Director of Digital Economy and Partnerships

MTCN

Senegal

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Roland Wammers

Field Architect

MiniIO

United States of America

Roland Wammers is currently a Field Architect at MinIO, where he is responsible for consulting with present and future customers about storage strategies, data lakehouses, and AI architectures. Before joining MinIO, Roland held roles at SingleStore, Logi Analytics, TIBCO, and Opitz Consulting, just to name a few. He graduated from Avans Hogeschool with degrees in computer science and business administration.

Romain Poirot-Lellig

Fondateur & CEO

Kwik

Nigeria

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Roman Nazarov

Head of the SOC Consulting

Kaspersky

United Arab Emirates

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Roque Lozano Barbero

Senior Vice President Network Infrastructure - Middle East & Africa

Nokia

United Arab Emirates

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Rubén Cortés Domingo

CIO and CISO

Open Government of Catalonia

Spain

Rubén Cortés Domingo is a senior Technology and Cybersecurity Executive with more than 25 years of experience modernizing public sector digital services and strengthening cybersecurity resilience in highly regulated government environments. As Technology and Cybersecurity Director at the Open Government of Catalonia (AOC), he leads one of the most advanced digital government ecosystems in Europe, overseeing mission critical platforms that support over 2,000 public entities and serve millions of citizens every day. At the Government of Catalonia, Rubén is responsible for shaping and executing the strategic technology agenda that underpins digital public services across the territory. He directs a multidisciplinary organization of more than 100 professionals and manages an annual €15M budget dedicated to secure digital transformation, cybersecurity governance, and large scale IT operations. His leadership ensures that public institutions operate with efficiency, transparency, and resilience—delivering digital services that are accessible, trusted, and sustainable. Rubén has driven some of the government’s most transformative digital initiatives. He spearheaded the modernization of public services through the adoption of automated workflows, electronic signatures, advanced analytics, and hybrid cloud infrastructures. These initiatives have produced measurable, society wide impact: more than €500 million in annual savings for citizens, dramatic reductions in administrative burden, and significant environmental benefits through paperless programs that equate to over 17,000 trees saved each year. His work has also improved financial efficiency across government entities, for example, reducing supplier payment cycles to 15 days through fully digital invoicing processes. In the field of cybersecurity, Rubén built the AOC’s cybersecurity division from the ground up, implementing a comprehensive Information Security Management System and ensuring compliance with ENS (High Level), ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and the NIS2 Directive. Under his leadership, the organization has deployed SIEM, SOC, WAF, EDR, and robust risk management frameworks to safeguard mission critical services. These efforts have achieved zero critical cybersecurity incidents and a 70% reduction in service disruptions thanks to resilient hybrid cloud architectures. Rubén’s role extends beyond operations, he actively shapes cybersecurity and digital government policy through collaboration with public institutions, regulators, and strategic partners. He works closely with executive leaders and government officials to align digital initiatives with strategic priorities, secure funding for innovation, and promote a culture of security and accountability across all levels of administration. He is also a trusted advisor to emerging leaders, fostering talent development, succession planning, and a long term vision for digital resilience within the public sector. A certified ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor, CISM, and experienced executive in governance and risk management, Rubén is known for translating complex regulatory frameworks—such as NIS2—into pragmatic, high security models that reinforce operational resilience and accelerate digital transformation. His approach ensures that cybersecurity becomes a strategic advantage rather than an administrative constraint. Rubén is committed to enabling governments to operate with agility, trust, and long term resilience. His vision blends strategic leadership, hands on technical expertise, and a strong focus on societal value, ensuring that digital transformation delivers meaningful impact for citizens, public institutions, and the broader digital ecosystem.

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Saâd El Khadiri

Head of Strategy and Regulation

DGSSI

Morocco

Mr. Saâd EL KHADIRI is the Director of Strategy and Regulation at the General Directorate for the Security of Information Systems (DGSSI). He is an Inspector of Finance of exceptional rank. He has more than 25 years of experience in the Moroccan public administration. He worked at the Ministry of Finance before joining, in 2014, the office of the Minister Delegate in charge of the Administration of National Defense as an Advisor. In 2021, he was appointed Director at the DGSSI. Mr. EL KHADIRI is a engineer.

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Saïbou Manga Ibraïma

Directeur Général

Agence NigérieAgence Nigérienne de Certificat Électronique (ANCE)nne de Certificat Électronique (ANCE)

Niger

Appointed by presidential decree on November 25, 2025, as head of the Nigerien Electronic Certification Agency (ANCE), Ibraïma MANGA, 47, is an IT professional graduated from the IAI in Libreville, holding a Master's degree in Strategic Management and several professional certifications (ITIL, ISO 20000, Project Management…). With nearly twenty years of experience, he has held senior positions both in Niger and internationally: CIO at MOOV AFRICA Niger, West and Central Africa IT Director at Air Liquide International, followed by missions at Save The Children and Poste Finances Niger. An accomplished manager and expert in information systems, cybersecurity and project management, he now leads a strategically vital agency for Niger.

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Sameh El Tawil

Regional Sales Director, Commercial

SolarWinds

France

Sameh El Tawil is a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of experience driving digital transformation and IT management excellence within operators and technology vendors. With a strong track record in building trusted customer relationships and fostering technology adoption, he is passionate about empowering organizations to achieve operational efficiency and business resilience in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Sameh is currently acting as Regional Sales Director for France, Benelux, French-Speaking Africa and Israel at SolarWinds. In this capacity Sameh drives efforts to expand SolarWinds partnerships with public and private sector customers, partners and resellers.

Sami MHIDIA

AI Expert | CTO & Co-founder

We Are Casus

France

Sami MHIDIA is a Generative AI expert and serial entrepreneur with nearly a decade of experience building and deploying AI systems in regulated industries. As CTO & Co-founder of We Are Casus (legal AI, 1,300+ professionals across 7 countries), Neuralim (medical AI) and ArmonI Studios (audiovisual AI), and as an AI consultant advising leading organizations on their AI strategy and deployment, he has delivered over 50 AI solutions across 9 sectors — including law, healthcare, payments, agriculture and public finance — with significant deployments in Africa and Europe. His track record includes concrete, measurable impact: millions of legal documents made searchable through AI, and complex analysis processes reduced from 10 days to half a day. A graduate of École Centrale Méditerranée, he is a strong advocate for sovereign AI solutions — built locally, adapted to local languages and regulatory frameworks.

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Sami Romdhane

Country Manager, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria & Mauritania

Visa

Morocco

Sami Romdhane is Country Manager (General Manager) of Visa in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia & Mauritania. With over 20 years of experience in payments and financial innovation, he leads Visa’s strategy to accelerate the adoption of electronic payments and financial inclusion across these markets. Under his leadership, Visa has launched several landmark initiatives in Morocco, including large-scale digital transformation initiatives, fintech acceleration efforts, and public-private partnerships aligned with “Maroc Digital 2030” vision. A frequent speaker in industry meetings and media, Sami Romdhane is recognized for his expertise on payment innovation and the role of digital payments as a driver of economic growth and financial inclusion.

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Samir Jegham, PhD

Small Molecules Screening, Optimization, Engineering

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United States of America

Samir Jegham is the Head of Small Molecule External Projects Evaluation at Sanofi R&D, a position he held from 2018 until his retirement in 2025. During this period, he led the scientific and strategic assessment of external innovation in small‑molecule drug discovery and played a central role in shaping Sanofi’s external research ecosystem. He drove major collaborations in targeted protein degradation (Kymera), STAT6 SH2 inhibition for immunology ( Oral dupixent with Recludix), IL‑17A modulation (C4X Discovery), and—most notably—the early integration of artificial intelligence into Sanofi’s discovery strategy. From 2021 to 2025, he was one of the key initiators of Sanofi’s AI‑enabled drug discovery efforts, establishing foundational partnerships with Atomwise, In Silico Medicine, and Exscientia. These collaborations helped position Sanofi among the early adopters of AI‑driven molecular design / lead generation and contributed to the transformation of its research model. He brings more than three decades of experience across oncology, immunology, neurosciences, infectious diseases, and exploratory research. Prior to his final role, he served as Scientific Advisor for the Asia‑Pacific region, contributing to breakthrough programs in hepatitis B—including cccDNA and HBV polymerase inhibition—as well as liver immunology and oncology, through collaborations with the Institut Pasteur in Shanghai, Fudan University, and KAIST in South Korea. Earlier in his career, he directed the Molecular Innovative Therapeutics department, overseeing medicinal chemistry and molecular design teams and advancing strategic programs in pain, allergy, immuno‑inflammation, tuberculosis, and vaccine adjuvants. He previously held leadership roles in oncology and CNS research, managing multidisciplinary teams and global collaborations. Samir Jegham contributed to the advancement of more than 30 new chemical

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Samiya Abdulkadir Godu

President

Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurs Association (EYEA)

Ethiopia

Sanaa el Filali

Vice Dean for Partnership and Communication

Hassan II University of Casablanca

Morocco

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Sebastien Riez

Cluster President, NAL & Levant

Schneider Electric

United Arab Emirates

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Shahzad Arif

CEO

AKS iQ

Pakistan

Shahzad Arif is the Chief Executive Officer of AKS iQ, Pakistan's pioneering AI-driven trade compliance and financial crime technology company. With deep roots in banking technology and regulatory innovation, Shahzad led the development of Trade iQ a platform now deployed across 19+ banks in 12+ countries. Under his leadership, AKS iQ became the only company in Pakistan to digitize TBML compliance at national scale, earning the P@SHA ICT Gold Award in Banking Category and recognition from the International Trade Council. Today, his global vision is translating into reality as Trade iQ continues to expand its international footprint, bringing AI-powered trade compliance to markets around the world. He brings a practitioner's perspective to every conversation about compliance transformation.

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Shalom Onyibe

Country CISO

UBA Kenya

Kenya

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Shroug Ganawa

Senior Analyst - Africa

GSMA

Ethiopia

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Sidy Kounta

CEO

Creditinfo West Africa, West Africa Economic and Monetary Union , Credit Information Bureau

Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Sidy Kounta is an accomplished executive leader with over eighteen years of professional experience, including a decade as Chief Executive Officer in the financial services and microfinance sector. He currently serves as the CEO of the Credit Information Bureau of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), where he leads strategic initiatives to strengthen financial inclusion, credit transparency, and regional economic development. Sidy holds an Executive Master Lead Campus – Empowering Responsible Leaders and a Master’s degree from HEC Paris. His career also includes significant experience in commercial banking, where he developed strong expertise in risk management, SME financing and organizational transformation. Recognized for his commitment to responsible leadership, Sidy brings a results oriented mindset, a collaborative approach, and a strong vision for institutional performanc

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Snehar Shah

Chief Executive Officer

IX Africa Data Centre

Kenya

Snehar Shah – CEO, IX Africa Data Centre • Currently leading East Africa’s largest hyperscaler and AI ready Data Centre backed by Africa’s leading PE Fund, Helio Investment Partners • 25 years in the tech sector of which 15 years is East Africa. • Scale up specialist - grown businesses in Towerco and Paygo Energy Sector • Ex CEO and Chair Position at Moringa School, leading tech training provider in the region • Blue Chip experience at PwC, HSBC and C Level experience at Orange, Eaton Towers, Azuri. technologies, Moringa School • Electrical Engineer, Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst • Awarded Top 40 Under 40 by Business Daily Africa

Sofia E

Programme Coordinator

AI in Africa

South Africa

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Sofia EL MRABET

Data, AI & Fintech Lawyer

Africa Data Protection

France

Sofia is a FinTech, Data & AI lawyer with over 10 years of experience at the intersection of financial services, emerging technologies, and regulation. She advises innovative startups and established financial institutions on regulatory strategy, digital assets, AI governance, and data protection, helping them navigate complex and evolving legal frameworks. Her work focuses on aligning innovation with compliance, enabling the responsible deployment of financial technologies and data-driven solutions across jurisdictions. She contributes to policy discussions on financial technologies and AI governance and is a member of the Governance Committee of Africa Data Protection.

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Sonia Cissé

Tech, Cyber and Privacy Partner

Linklaters

France

Sonia is a member of Africa Data Protection and a Partner in the Technology, Cybersecurity and Privacy team of Linklaters in Paris. Sonia’s practice focuses on data protection, cybersecurity, IT procurements contracts, e-commerce and telecommunications. Sonia has gained important experience in advising clients on data protection and information governance matters. She has advised major companies in a brand range of industry sectors on various global data protection projects, including GDPR compliance. Sonia is a lecturer in the Diploma for Data Protection Officer at the University of Dauphine in Paris as well as the first DPO qualification ever opened in Africa: the Certificate for Data Officer at the University of Dauphine in Tunis (Tunisia).

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Souhail Wardi

Founder

Pare Advisory LLP

United States of America

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Soulaiman El Hajam, PhD

Juriste, doctorat de l'Université de Paris Panthéon Assas en Droit Public, un DEA en Anthropologie et Sociologie Comparée de l'Université Paris V Sorbonne, un Master Spécialisé en managemen

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Morocco

Dr. Soulaiman EL HAJAM, né le 18 mars 1960 à Tétouan, Marié et père de deux enfants. • Expert en Développement Humain et Territorial et en Politiques Publiques • Ex Haut Fonctionnaire du Ministère de l’Intérieur ayant piloté des centaines de projets structurants • Ex Expert en management des projets au Ministère Délégué chargé des relations avec le Parlement • Ayant obtenu plusieurs diplômes notamment le Doctorat de l’Université de Paris Panthéon Assas en Droit Public, un DEA en Anthropologie et Sociologie Comparée de l’Université Paris V Sorbonne, un Master Spécialisé en management des Services Publics ISCAE/ ESSEC, et plusieurs certificats dans divers domaines, comme la décentralisation et la déconcentration, la planification stratégique, audit.... • Mr. EL HAJAM a assumé des responsabilités au niveau central du Ministère de l’Intérieur comme Coordonnateur National Adjoint de l’INDH, Chef de Pôle «Coordination, Suivi et Evaluation » ou Chef de Service des Etudes à la Direction Générale des Collectivités Territoriales qu’au niveau territorial, en qualité de Secrétaire Général de la Wilaya de la Région de l’Oriental, du Secrétaire Général de la Province de Taounate /région de Fes-Meknes et de chef de divisions à l’ex Préfecture Al Ismailia/région de Meknés-Tafilalet.

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Souleymane GNING

CEO & Founder

ASSURAF

Senegal

CEO & Founder of ASSURAF, a pan-African insurtech company that provides a digital infrastructure for designing, distributing, and managing inclusive insurance solutions, enabling insurers, banks, fintechs, and telecom operators to seamlessly integrate insurance products through APIs and white-label solutions.

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Stefan Pieters

Manager Pre-Sales

Progress Software

Netherlands

Stefan Pieters is Manager Pre-Sales at Progress Software, specializing in helping organizations align technology with business needs to drive productivity and security. He works closely with customers and partners to simplify complex challenges and deliver practical, high-impact solutions. In his session, “Where Productivity Meets Security: The Future of Document Workflows,” he will share how organizations can streamline processes while ensuring secure and compliant operations.

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Stephane LELUX

Board Member

InfraNum

France

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Sulaiman Al Ali

Chief Commercial Officer

Space42

United Arab Emirates

Sulaiman Al Ali is the Chief Commercial Officer at Space42, where he shapes the company's commercial vision, drives sustainable growth, and forges strategic alliances in the satellite communications and geospatial analytics sectors. He also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Thuraya, the UAE’s first homegrown satellite operator and the mobile satellite services subsidiary of Space42, where he is leading its transformation into a next-generation satellite connectivity provider. Prior to his current roles, Al Ali held several key positions at Yahsat, including Deputy CEO and later CEO of Thuraya, as well as Director of Yahsat Government Solutions - Commercial. He also has extensive experience with Etisalat (now known as e&), where he contributed significantly to the company's success and was recognized with the "Success Story in Etisalat" award in April 2011. Al Ali's leadership has been instrumental in driving operational excellence and delivering innovative solutions to customers in a post-pandemic environment. He has been actively involved in fostering collaborations with academic institutions, such as the American University of Sharjah, to explore advancements in SpaceTech and innovation.

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Susan Wanjiku W.

"Innovation & Investment Fund Manager at Spark Project "

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

Kenya

Susan Wanjiku W. is the Innovation & Investment Fund Manager at Spark Project, a flagship initiative of GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit). She is an accomplished innovation and investment professional with extensive experience in venture support, early-stage investment, and ecosystem development, playing a key role in advancing inclusive innovation across Africa. In her current role, Susan oversees strategic funding and capacity-building initiatives designed to accelerate scalable solutions by local entrepreneurs and startups. She bridges the gap between capital and impact, ensuring that ventures receive financial support while being equipped for long-term growth and systemic change. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of development cooperation, entrepreneurship, and private sector engagement, Susan focuses on enabling sustainable business models that drive social and economic transformation, particularly those led by African innovators. She is also an active speaker and thought leader, regularly engaging with policymakers, investors, and founders to shape the future of Africa’s inclusive and resilient innovation ecosystem

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Tahar El Bahri

Country Manager

BlueSun DC

Morocco

Tahar EL BAHRI is the Country Manager for BlueSun DC, bringing extensive expertise in critical digital infrastructure and project management. Holding a State Engineering Degree in Electrical Engineering, he possesses deep technical knowledge in data center design, technical architecture, and implementation. Prior to leading BlueSun DC, Tahar successfully managed complex, large-scale infrastructure projects for major organizations in Morocco, including leading financial institutions, major telecommunications operators, and key national government and security agencies, overseeing critical electrical, HVAC, and security systems.

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Tamsir TRAORE

CEO

LOGIDOO

Senegal

CEO LOGIDOO Group, a pan-African logistics and technology ecosystem, operating across Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as several strategic corridors connecting Africa to Europe, China, Turkey, Dubai, and the United States. Our mission is to connect Africa to the rest of the world through smart, integrated, and accessible logisticsasss

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Tantchonta M’PO

Head of Strategic Architecture Consulting

Agency for Information Systems and Digital

Benin

Tantchonta M'PO is a Strategic Advisor, Enterprise Architect, and AI keynote speaker with over 17 years of experience bridging technology and governance. As Head of Advisory & Architecture at Benin's national digital agency (ASIN), he spearheads the country's digital transformation — defining enterprise architecture standards, driving State application strategy, and crafting Benin's Multi-Cloud Hybrid sovereign infrastructure. Co-founder, he combines deep technical expertise with large-scale entrepreneurship. A TEDx speaker on AI and the future of intelligence, he holds a PhD in Information Technology from Université TÉLUQ.

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Taylan Süer

Managing Director

Philip Morris Maghreb

Morocco

Taylan Süer is Managing Director for Philip Morris International’s Maghreb cluster, leading multi-market operations across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. A senior executive with over two decades of experience, he specializes in driving transformation in complex, highly regulated environments. He currently leads the shift toward reduced-risk products while working closely with governments and stakeholders to shape regulatory and fiscal frameworks that enable innovation and improved health outcomes. With experience spanning crisis management, multi-country P&L leadership, and large-scale organizational transformation, Taylan brings a pragmatic perspective on how business, policy, and technology— including data and AI—can work together to accelerate sustainable progress across emerging markets.

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Thomas Honnet

Data Protection Officer

City of Marseille

France

Thomas Honnet, a jurist in digital law, serves as the Data Protection Officer (DPO) for the City of Marseille (second largest city in France), he is an international expert in e-government and digital transformation for UNDP (Congo Basin) and Expertise France, and teaches at Sciences Po Paris and the Sorbonne university. He previously worked at the French National Assembly, at a law firm, and in the central administration. He is a member of the Africa Data Protection Association.

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Tony Sales

Co-Founder

We Fight Fraud

United Kingdom

Tony Sales is the Co-Founder of We Fight Fincrime and Underworld TV. As a child, Tony was drawn into a world of crime that would lead into adulthood, with devastating consequences, not only for Tony but for financial institutions around the world. In 2009, after spending half a decade as a fugitive, Tony went to prison. During the sentence, and a visit from his wife and children he had an epiphany. He wanted to make up to his victims by using his knowledge to prevent financial crime. Everyone laughed at first but for Tony, it seemed like an obvious fit. In 2012 Tony said “Data is the new cash. Criminals understand the value of data, so businesses should expect data ransom attacks to be coming.” The year after the prediction, in 2013 ransomware became mainstream. Over a decade later, Tony is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on Social Engineering, Fraud, and Cyber Crime. Working alongside leaders from law enforcement and academia, he has advised governments, financial institutions and some of the world’s biggest brands on their fraud and financial crime strategy. His criminal insight has become invaluable, making him a popular figure who regularly appears on TV and radio.

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Tormod Thomsen

CEO

Picterus

Norway

Tormod Thomsen is the CEO and Chairman of Picterus. During his PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience, he studied brain function using functional MRI. He co founded NordicNeuroLab, a Norwegian radiology company, and later served as its first CEO for 10 years, leading the company to become a global market leader with customers across five continents and 50 countries. Over the past 20 years, he has held key roles in several emerging technology companies, primarily in the healthcare sector. With a strong passion for impactful global technologies, he has served as Chairman and CEO of Picterus since 2020. The company is developing a smartphone based screening solution for neonatal jaundice, with the potential to significantly improve jaundice management and reduce the severe consequences of undetected cases in newborns worldwide.

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Trixie LohMirmand

EVP - Dubai World Trade Center & CEO - KAOUN International

Kaoun International

Morocco

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Ulrich Ahle

Chief Executive Officer

Gaia-X European Association for Data and Cloud AISBL

Belgium

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Ulrich Hess

Team Lead GIZ

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

Germany

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Vassili Soumelis, MD, Phd

Chief Medical Officer, ArcaScience, Translational Medicine, Immunology/Immunotherapy, Personalized Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, Drug Development, Scientific Advisory Board member, On

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France

Vassili Soumelis was trained in Clinical Hematology and Immunology. He was recently appointed Chief Medical Officer at ArcaScience where he spearheads the medical strategy of the company and contribute to the development of AI products to analyze, optimize and predict the risk-benefit of drugs and other therapeutic interventions. Prior to that, he was Chief Medical Officer at Owkin, France, a HealthTech and Biotech company using artificial intelligence for personalized medicine. In that role, he oversaw all Biomedical activities, connecting biomedicine with AI and data science, target discovery, drug development, and business development. In his academic career, Vassili Soumelis was a Professor of Immunology at Université Paris Cité, senior physician in immunology, Hôpital St Louis, and Inserm Director and team leader. He made important contributions to the fields of human immunology, dendritic cell and T cell biology, cytokine biology, disease physiopathology, including HIV infection, allergy, autoimmunity and cancer. His academic research combines expertise in systems biology, medicine, computational biology, data science and mathematical modeling. Vassili Soumelis coordinated a European FP6 Excellence Grant (2005-2009), participated in a EuroTransbio project (2007-2009) in partnership with the company BIOBASE, coordinated bioinformatics and systems biology in the European consortium MAARS (FP7), and received ERC consolidator (IT-DC) and proof-of-concept (DrugSynergy) grants. He has been the global coordinator of the H2020 project ImmunAID, using multi-omics data integration for the diagnostic classification of rare auto-inflammatory diseases. V. Soumelis has published 139 scientific articles in international journals (h-index: 62). He has been serving as a reviewer for many research journals, including Nature, Immunity, Nature Immunology, Nature Genetics, Nature Computational Science, Nature Communications, the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

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Véronique Ventos

Co-Founder and Head of Research

NukkAI

France

Véronique Ventos, Co-Founder and Head of Research, NukkAI Top 3 Women in AI — Forbes 2020 Véronique Ventos is a researcher in artificial intelligence with over 30 years of experience. She leads NukkAI’s scientific vision, ensuring that all systems remain rigorous, explainable, and grounded in real-world decision-making. She holds a PhD in Symbolic AI from Sorbonne Paris Nord University and has spent her career developing original approaches at the intersection of reasoning and human cognition. Her work is internationally recognized, and she was ranked 3rd most influential woman in AI worldwide by Forbes in 2020.

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Vivek Mittal

Chief Executive Officer

Africa Infrastructure Development Association

United Kingdom

Wacim Benyahya

Head of Technology Transfer

UIR

Morocco

Wacim is an innovation and tech entrepreneurship consultant with 11+ years of experience in program management, startup acceleration, and emerging market strategies, based in Rabat, Morocco. He currently leads the Technology Transfer Office at the International University of Rabat, specializing in research commercialization, industry partnerships, and spin-off creation. As a mentor with Explorer/MIT Sandbox and an active member of the MENA startup ecosystem, he supports founders from pre-seed to Series A in different sectors.

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Waleed Al-Aryan

Chief Executive Officer

AlphaX

United Arab Emirates

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Walter Lironi

SVP Head of Value-Added Services, CEMEA

Visa

United Arab Emirates

Walter Lironi is SVP and Head of Value Added Services (VAS) for Visa’s Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) region. In this role, he leads the development of client centric, end to end solutions that combine advisory, data, analytics and innovative payment capabilities to support banks, merchants and partners across the region. Walter joined Visa in 2017 as Head of Strategy for CEMEA and later led the Visa Consulting & Analytics business, driving growth and transformation initiatives. He brings over 25 years of experience in payments, retail banking and digital transformation. Prior to Visa, Walter held senior leadership roles at Commercial Bank of Dubai—where he launched the UAE’s first digital only bank—as well as at McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs and General Electric.

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William Bao Bean

Managing General Partner

Orbit Ventures, SOSV

Singapore

William Bao Bean is Managing General Partner of Orbit Ventures the Emerging Markets VC with over US$125m in investment value managed. Orbit invests in technology startups that digitize traditional industries, boost earnings potential, and drive sustainable growth. Sectors include fintech, ecommerce, mobility, media, health, education, travel and logistics across growth markets in Asia, Middle East, Africa and LATAM. Orbit supports its investments with sales, user acquisition, monetization, partnerships, and fundraising. Orbit's ecosystem has helped our startups scale to 174m monthly active users as of 3Q25. The Magnitt MENA Investment Report named Orbit #4 most active VC in Emerging Markets in 2025. William joined Orbit from SingTel Innov8 Ventures where he was a founding Managing Director. Prior to that William was a Partner at Softbank China & India. William started his career in equity research most recently with Deutsche Bank where he was top ranked in Internet and Software in Asia and drove the IPOs of Alibaba, Kingsoft, eLong (Expedia China), OnMobile and InfoEdge Naukri.

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Wojtek Piorko

Managing Director for Africa

Vertiv

United States of America

Wojtek Piorko serves as Vertiv’s Managing Director for Africa, leading the company’s efforts to accelerate business growth and expand market presence across the region. With over 25 years of technical and leadership experience spanning telecoms, IT, and related sectors, Wojtek brings a wealth of expertise to his role. He joined Vertiv’s Middle East and Africa team more than a decade ago, gaining extensive knowledge through various positions and regional responsibilities. Wojtek began his journey with Vertiv in 2001 as Sales Manager for Poland, the Baltics, Ukraine, and Belarus. In early 2023, he assumed his current position as Managing Director for Africa. Wojtek holds a degree from the Technical University of Warsaw, where he studied Mechanics, Robotics, and Aeronautical Engineering.

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Yasmine ElKerouani

TV and radio presenter

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Morocco

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Youcef Rahmani

Co-Founder & COO

TOUMAI

United Kingdom

Youcef Rahmani is Chief Operating Officer of ToumAI Analytics, a Voice AI company building inclusive voice experiences in linguistically diverse markets. Before joining ToumAI, Youcef advised on complex cross-border transactions at Clifford Chance and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He is completing a PhD at the University of Oxford in financial regulation and governance.

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Youssef Ait Kaddour

Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection Director

Huawei Technologies Morocco

Morocco

Youssef AIT KADDOUR is the director of Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection of Huawei Morocco. with a strong focus on governance, risk, and compliance in complex digital environments, and a rich experience in telecommunications and ICT industry. Mr. Youssef obtained an engineering degree in Telecommunications from INPT (Institut National des postes et télécommunications) and an Executive MBA in International Business development from Toulouse Business School. Mr. Youssef joined Huawei Technologies Morocco in 2008 as Telecommunications engineer (Data communication and optical transmission). He had been appointed to manage many strategic projects in the telecommunications and ICT Domains, and has been nominated on 2019 as Delivery and service Director of the Account of a Key telecoms’ operator in Morocco. From 2022, he is occupying the position of Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection Director

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Youssef CHRAIBI

Chief Executive Officer

Outsourcia Group

Morocco

Youssef Chraibi is a Moroccan entrepreneur, founder and CEO of the Outsourcia Group, and President of the Moroccan Federation of Outsourcing Services (FMES). A graduate of HEC Paris, he began his career by co-founding Marketo.com, a B2B marketplace in France, before moving into strategic consulting within the telecommunications sector. In 2003, he founded Outsourcia, a company specializing in customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (BPO). Over the years, the group has steadily expanded and now operates in several countries, including Morocco, France, Madagascar, and Tunisia, employing several thousand people. Throughout its development, Outsourcia has undergone multiple phases of structuring and growth, including external acquisitions and the entry of investment partners. Alongside his operational role, Youssef Chraibi is actively involved in the Moroccan entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting innovation and startup development as a business angel.

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Youssef Ouedghiri

Head of Home Solutions, Maghreb & NAL Islands

Schneider Electric

Morocco

Currently leading the Home Solutions portfolio for Schneider Electric across the french speaking Africa & Islands, Youssef oversees strategic growth and operational execution. He is responsible for driving initiatives that strengthen market presence, accelerate innovation, and deliver sustainable business results. With 20 years of experience in the electrical and industrial sectors, he has held diverse leadership roles spanning Marketing, Sales, Business Development, and Strategic Offer Management. An Electrical Engineer with an Executive MBA, he combines technical expertise with a strong focus on regional business transformation.

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Zaki Narjisse

Chief Executive Officer

NETOPIA

Morocco

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Zanyiwe Asare

Vice President

Yango

Nigeria