Sir Mark Thompson is Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide where he oversees all aspects of the business in the U.S. and around the world. He also serves as the editor-in-chief of CNN.

Sir Mark stepped down as President and CEO of The New York Times Company in the summer of 2020 after an eight-year tenure during which he led the transformation of the 170-year-old news brand into a digital powerhouse.

Sir Mark’s appointment at The New York Times Company followed an eight-year term as Director General (Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive) of the BBC. As well as guiding the BBC’s coverage of the global financial crisis and the 2012 London Olympic Games, he is credited with major advances in the BBC’s digital offering and digital audience reach, including the successful launch of the BBC’s iPlayer, one of the world’s first streaming services from a major broadcaster (2007).

He joined the BBC from Channel 4 where he was Chief Executive from 2002 to 2004. Before Channel 4 he held a series of senior posts at the BBC including Editor of The Nine O’clock News and Panorama, Controller of BBC Two and Director of Television.

Christiane Amanpour is CNN’s chief international anchor, host of the network’s flagship global affairs program Amanpour which airs weekdays on CNN International and on PBS in the United States. She is also host of the Saturday show The Amanpour Hour.

Amanpour’s fearless and uncompromising reporting from warzones and sites of natural disasters around the world over the past four decades has made her one of the most recognizable and iconic journalists in the world.

Throughout her time at CNN, she has secured countless exclusive and hard-to-get interviews with the global leaders, newsmakers and cultural icons shaping our world.

Amanpour has earned every major television journalism award including 16 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, four Peabody Awards, two George Polk Awards, three duPont-Columbia Awards and the IWMF’s Courage in Journalism Award. She has received nine honorary degrees, has been named a CBE and was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame. In 2023, she was honored with the Columbia Journalism Award, the highest award bestowed by Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, and with the President’s Award from the Overseas Press Club.

Richard Quest is CNN’s foremost international business correspondent and anchor of Quest Means Business, the definitive word on how we earn and spend our money.

Quest also serves as CNN Business editor-at-large, and is the network’s established airline and aviation correspondent, having interviewed all of the major airline executives.

Additionally, Quest is the host of CNN International’s signature monthly feature program Quest’s World of Wonder, an immersive travel series that finds him exploring a new destination each month and meeting fascinating people who reveal the heart of that city.

Quest’s dynamic and distinctive style has made him a unique figure in the field of business broadcasting. He has regularly reported from G20 meetings and attends the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland each year. Quest has covered every major stock market and financial crisis since Black Monday in 1987 and has reported from key financial centers globally including Wall Street, London, Sao Paolo, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Jim Sciutto is CNN’s chief national security analyst and anchor of The Brief with Jim Sciutto, which airs weekdays at 6pmET on CNN International and CNN Max.

Sciutto reports and provides analysis on all aspects of U.S. national security including foreign policy, the military, intelligence community and the State Department.

Throughout his career, he has reported from more than 50 countries across the globe including dozens of assignments from inside Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran, as well as multiple assignments in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Sciutto is the author of four books, including the New York Times Bestseller, The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China and the Next World War, published in 2024 by Dutton Books, which examines the breakdown of a decades-old international order among the world’s strongest powers.

Among the honors Sciutto’s work has earned are the duPont-Colombia Award, Emmy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award, the George Polk Award and the White House Correspondence Association’s Merriman Smith Award for excellence in presidential coverage.

Sciutto has also served as chief of staff and senior advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke.

Zain Asher is an anchor for CNN International based in New York. She anchors One World with Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga weekdays on CNN International.

Asher also hosts Marketplace Africa, CNN International’s weekly business show about the continent and its place within global markets, and often interviews CEOs and world leaders from the region for the program.

Asher has anchored major breaking news and business stories for CNN including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the war in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic, the US-China trade war, the August 2020 explosion in Beirut, anti-police violence protests in Nigeria, racial and economic inequality in America, the deaths of both Fidel Castro and boxing legend Muhammad Ali and the 2013 terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon.

In 2014 Asher was a part of a CNN team sent to Nigeria to report on the kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls by Boko Haram militants in Chibok, Nigeria. CNN’s coverage of the horrific abduction was recognized with a prestigious 2014 Peabody Award.

Asher previously served as a CNN business correspondent covering the stock market from the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Federal Reserve monetary policy and high-profile IPOs.

Larry Madowo is an international correspondent for CNN based in Nairobi. He is also the host of African Voices Changemakers, a long-running CNN series which profiles outstanding individuals from across the continent.

Since joining the network in 2021, Madowo has covered some of the biggest stories from around the globe and brought in a unique perspective from his region, delivering insight into the political, economic and cultural influences of the African continent to CNN’s global audience.

Madowo has reported extensively on the Tigray conflict in northern Ethiopia, historic flooding in Nigeria, the 2022 Kenyan elections, coronavirus vaccine inequality, the plight of migrant workers at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and reported from the World Economic Forum in Davos. He has also anchored news shows from Atlanta, broadcast from Expo 2020 in Dubai and reported from CNN’s Paris, London, and Johannesburg bureaus. He has interviewed presidents and prime ministers from across the continent including the leaders of Sudan, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Kenya, and Malawi.

Madowo also believes in regularly engaging with his viewers online, and makes social media an integral part of his reporting. He has a digital audience of more than 5 million followers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola is the Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company.

A serial entrepreneur with two exits under his belt, GB has two decades of experience in building scalable financial technology solutions. GB has been instrumental in leading the development of Fintech solutions for several organizations and financial institutions such as PayPal, Standard Bank, and Google, among others. His last Fintech venture focused on easy Alternative Payment Methods and was acquired by a top bank in Nigeria.

GB's well-rounded background includes the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Wharton School of Management, and the University of Westminster. He has been named African Leadership Magazine's Young Business Leader of the Year (2020). GB has been recognized for his achievements in leadership and innovation by Fortune Magazine's prestigious 40 under 40 list and Time Magazine’s 2021 Next 100 list, respectively.

 As NBA Africa CEO, Clare Akamanzi oversees the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts in Africa and is responsible for continuing to grow the popularity of basketball, the NBA and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) across the continent, including through grassroots basketball development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility initiatives that improve the livelihoods of African youth and families.

Prior to joining NBA Africa in Jan. 2024, Akamanzi spent six and a half years as CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), where she spearheaded Rwanda’s economic development by enabling private sector growth.

Akamanzi has worked or studied in seven different countries and holds an honorary LLD from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where she was the recipient of three prestigious awards for academic excellence and distinguished contribution to the community: the Lucius N. Littauer Fellows Award, the Raymond & Josephine Vernon Award and the Robert Kennedy Public Service Award.

In addition, Akamanzi holds a Master of Laws degree in international trade and investments from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.  She was recognized by Forbes as one of Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.

Omoyemi Akerele is the Founder and CEO of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, playing a pivotal role in shaping the African fashion industry for over two decades. Her work focuses on strengthening the textile and apparel ecosystem by creating

opportunities for brands, businesses, and communities to grow. Through Style House Files initiatives, she has built more than just a platform for showcasing talent; she has driven industry wide advocacy, created capacity-building programs, and facilitated

access to market.

Omoyemi’s experience extends beyond fashion into broader economic development, working with multilateral organizations such as UNIDO, She Trades, and UNESCO, as well as industry stakeholders like the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, British Council, and private sector partners like Heineken. Her approach bridges the gaps in the African fashion ecosystem, focusing on skills development, infrastructure, access to capital, and artisanal preservation, while ensuring that creativity can translate into long-term economic value.

A strong advocate for sustainability and the circular economy, she works to embed responsible business practices into fashion’s future, championing solutions that prioritize environmental stewardship, ethical production, and economic inclusion.

Omoyemi is a Yale Climate Fellow and also a member of London College of Fashion’s Center for Sustainable Fashion’s Stewardship Board. She serves on the advisory councils for Mastercard Foundation (Nigeria), and the Sustainable Markets Initiative (Africa Advisory Council), and Retail Textile Artisans Hub (Sustainable Markets Initiative). She is also recognized on the Business of Fashion Global 500 index. Through her work, Omoyemi continues to advocate for a more equitable and sustainable future for fashion in Africa and beyond.

Nadia Calviño is the President of the European Investment Bank Group since January 1st, 2024. She served as First Vice President of Spain and Minister for Economy and Digitalization (2018-2023), and as Chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the IMF (2022-2023).

Before joining the Spanish government, Mrs. Calviño had a 12-year tenure at the European Commission as Deputy Director General for Competition, Deputy Director General for Financial Services, and Director General for the EU Budget.

She holds degrees in Economics (1991) and Law (2001).

Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy is a seasoned media executive and the Managing Director of Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa, on a mission to amplify African voices and make digital technology accessible to all. With a career spanning Spotify, Meta, Disney, Viacom, and Reuters, she has developed deep expertise at the intersections of tech, culture, entertainment, and journalism.

Passionate about Africa’s creative economy, Jocelyne believes in the power of storytelling to shift perceptions, spark change, and connect cultures. A committed pan-Africanist, she is inspired by the interplay between African creativity and global culture, a belief in service-minded leadership, and a deep curiosity about how tech innovation can uplift Africans — and shape humanity.

Dr. Elouafi is a global science pioneer in research to tackle today’s complex agricultural challenges. She has held major scientific leadership positions, including Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Director General at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), and Senior Adviser in Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Research Branch.

As CGIAR’s leader, she is widely recognized for advancing global food and nutritional security by transforming how we increase food production while protecting the environment. An advocate for agricultural diversification, she champions underutilized crops like legumes and pulses, leads groundbreaking research on using non-fresh water in farming and salinity resistance in crops, and is celebrated as a strong voice for women in science.

Ismahane’s honors include the TIME100 list, the Jean Mayer Prize for Excellence in Nutrition Science and Policy, Morocco’s National Reward Medal, and Forbes Afrique’s Top 50 Most Inspiring Women.

Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild is Founder and CEO of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, a global not-for-profit organization which develops groundbreaking initiatives with global CEOs and distinguished leaders in government and civil society to catalyze actions that transform capitalism and make our economies and societies more inclusive, dynamic, sustainable, and trusted. 

Lady de Rothschild is also the Chief Executive of E.L. Rothschild LLC, a family office with interests in private companies, public markets and real estate.  She is a member of the Board of Directors and Nominating & ESG Committee of The Estee Lauder Companies, and previously served on the boards of The Economist Group, Gulfstream, General Instruments, Bronfman-Rothschild and Weather Central.  

As part of her charity work, she serves on advisory board of Focusing Capital on the Long Term (FCLTGlobal), as a trustee of the McCain Institute for International Leadership and the Eranda Rothschild Foundation (a de Rothschild family foundation), and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Chatham House. 

Lady de Rothschild graduated magna cum laude and beta kappa from Pomona College in Claremont, California and from Columbia University School of Law.

Sunny Verghese is the Co-founder and Group CEO of Olam, and post the re-organisation of the Group, he holds charge as CEO of Olam Global Agri and Olam Group Limited (OGL). Olam is listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) and ranks amongst the top 30 companies in Singapore in terms of market capitalization.

Sunny is a thought leader in sustainability, particularly in the food and agriculture sector. Under his leadership, Olam has been a pioneer at the forefront of Climate and Sustainability initiatives.

In April 2022, Sunny was appointed as Chairman of GenZero, Temasek’s Carbon Solutions Platform in Singapore.

Sunny was formerly Chairman of JOil (S) Pte Ltd, and also served on the Board of Trustees of Singapore Management University from February 2018 to January 2025. He was Chairman of the Board of the Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) from 2017 till June 2023. From 2018 to 2021, Sunny was Chair of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the global, CEO-led organisation dedicated to accelerating the transition to a sustainable world. He was also a Commissioner of the Business and Sustainable Development Commission (BSDC) in 2016. He served on the Board of International Enterprise Singapore from 2002 to 2013 and was its Chair from 2008 to 2013.

He has won several awards including ‘Outstanding Chief Executive’ at the Singapore Business Awards in 2007, ‘Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ for Singapore in 2008 and ‘Best CEO of the Year 2011’ at the Singapore Corporate Awards. Sunny was conferred The Public Service Medal by the Government of Singapore in August 2010.

Sunny holds a post graduate management degree from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and has also completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) from the Harvard Business School. Sunny was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by IIMA in its Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 2011.

Dr Mo Ibrahim is the Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which he established in 2006 to support good governance and exceptional leadership on the African continent.

Sudanese-born, Dr Ibrahim has a distinguished business career. In 1989 he founded Mobile Systems International (MSI), a world leading cellular consulting and software provider, and in 1998, Celtel International, one of Africa’s leading mobile telephone companies which pioneered mobile services in Africa.

Dr Ibrahim is also Founding Chairman of Satya Capital Limited, a private investment firm primarily focussed on Africa, and the Co-founder and Co-chair of the Africa Europe Foundation, which was launched in 2020 to reset and bolster Africa-Europe relations.

H.E. Hon. Sakaja Arthur Johnson, 40, is the Governor of Nairobi City County, elected in August 2022. In his first two and a half years, he has prioritised restoring Nairobi’s stature as the “Green City under the Sun” by promoting Order, Dignity, Hope, and Opportunity for all.

He has rolled out various initiatives including the school feeding program Dishi na County, feeding over 300,000 pupils daily; digitized revenue systems; and improved healthcare across the county among other projects.

Governor Sakaja serves as Chair of the HR, Labour & Social Welfare Committee in the Council of Governors and is a Vice Chair of the C40 Cities Steering Committee, representing Africa on global climate action.

A former Nairobi Senator and MP, he has authored key legislation, championed youth empowerment, and remains focused on making Nairobi efficient, inclusive, and liveable.

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is Founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), an award-winning NGO and non-profit that protects endangered gorillas and other wildlife through One Health approaches.

After graduating with a Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1995, she established Uganda Wildlife Authority’s first veterinary department in 1996. In 2003, she completed a Zoological Medicine Residency and Master in Specialized Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina Zoological Park and a certificate in non-profit management at Duke University leading to the establishment of CTPH.

In 2015, she founded Gorilla Conservation Coffee to support farmers living around habitats where gorillas are found which won the People. Environment. Achievement award in 2024. She won the Whitley Gold Award in 2009, and in 2020 CTPH won the 2020 Saint Andrews Prize for the Environment. In 2023, her memoir “Walking With Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet” was published.

Dr. Frannie Léautier is Senior Partner and CEO of Southbridge Investments. She has worked in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She was previously Vice President African Development Bank (AfDB) and Chief Operating Officer Trade and Development Bank (TDB) and served fifteen years in several senior roles at the World Bank, including as Infrastructure Director, Vice President, and Chief of Staff to the President. She also was Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). She serves on the board of UN Foundation, Orca Energy Group, Norsad Capital, CFAO, Les Eaux Minérales d’Oulmes, FSD Africa, and Momentum/Metropolitan Life. She chairs the Investment Committee of Birimian Ventures. She was co-Chair on World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Agenda Councils, previously on the boards of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), Institute for Security Studies (ISS), King Baudouin Foundation US (KBFUS), Nelson Mandela Institute for Science and Technology (NM-AIST), African Risk Capacity Ltd and ODI.

She has authored several books and was distinguished professor at Sciences Po Paris. She earned a Masters and PhD in engineering from MIT, and a doctorate in Law from Lancaster University.

Ambassador Javier Niño Pérez has been serving as Ambassador/ Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa since January 2024.

A Spanish national, he has held various positions within the European External Action Service and the European Commission since 1994, including Director for the Americas, Head of Division for US and Canada, Head of Division for Turkey and EU Ambassador to Cuba (2007-2012) and Haiti (2012-2015) . He has worked extensively on foreign policy, conflict prevention and crisis management, defence, trade and development cooperation issues.

He holds a Master of Arts in Advanced Political Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges, an LL.M. in European Law from the Free University of Brussels, and a degree in Law from the University of Valladolid. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French.

Nonkululeko Nyembezi is the Chairman of Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest financial services organisation by assets. A seasoned leader with expertise in engineering, technology, steel, mining, and financial services, she has held C-suite roles at multinational organisations, including CEO of ArcelorMittal South Africa and Ichor Coal N.V., and led strategy at Vodacom Group. She began her career as an engineer at IBM’s research labs in the U.S.

Her governance roles include non-executive director at Anglo American plc and former Chairman of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. She is also non-executive Chairman of Business Leadership South Africa and co-Chair of B20 South Africa in 2025.

She holds degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Manchester and Caltech, and an MBA from the Open University. Passionate about culture, she serves as trustee of the Norval Foundation and board member of two orchestras.

In his role as the Managing Director of Google Africa, Alex Okosi leads the company's business activities across the continent. Under Okosi's leadership, Google is committed to accelerating Africa's growth through product innovation and strategic initiatives. These efforts include responsible AI research and development to enhance healthcare access, providing agricultural tools to address food security, and supporting startups and SMBs to innovate and scale amid challenging environments.

Prior to this, Alex was the Managing Director for YouTube Emerging Markets in EMEA. In this role, he was responsible for driving the platform’s growth in Russia, Africa, Middle East and Turkey - and launched the Africa Day Benefit Concert in partnership with Idris Elba.

Okosi has been consistently recognised for his influence and leadership. He has been named one of the most influential people of Black heritage in the UK by The Powerlist for three consecutive years (2021-2023). He was also named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN). New African Magazine has also featured him in 'Africa’s 50 Trailblazers Under 50' and as one of the 'Top 100 most Influential Africans.'

Born in Nigeria, Okosi completed his education in the USA, graduating magna cum laude with dual majors in Business Administration and Economics from St Michael’s College in Vermont.

As the CEO, Chris Showalter contributes an accomplished corporate finance and merchant banking background to the Lifezone team. Uniquely, Chris brings a Wall Street career combined with extensive experience on the ground in Africa.

Chris has a core expertise originating, sourcing and developing relationships and transactions across Africa, having held the role as Director and Partner at merchant bank Hannam & Partners in Zimbabwe, where he focused on the African mining sector.

Chris led Lifezone Metals acquisition of the Kabanga Nickel project and is an integral part of the ongoing negotiations and development of relations with the Government of Tanzania.

Over six years in Zimbabwe, he developed specific expertise in the platinum sector and advised a number of platinum mining companies on their current operations and future expansion potential, after relocating to the country as co-CEO of Renaissance Capital.

Prior to this, he spent nine years at Goldman Sachs as a Vice President in the New York office where he held various sales roles in equity and capital markets while also exploring opportunities for Goldman Sachs across southern Africa.

Masai Ujiri, an award-winning and barrier-breaking sports executive, is the founder of Giants of Africa. GOA draws upon Ujiri’s unique journey to achieve its goal of uplifting youth with programs focused on empowerment and leadership.

As the first African general manager in North American professional sports – he was named NBA Executive of the Year. Ujiri’s ascent to the top of the basketball world began in Nigeria and took him around the world as a player, scout and executive, culminating in 2019 when he served as the architect of a Toronto Raptors team that was crowned NBA champions. Ujiri has also cofounded Zaria Group Africa’s leading developer of sports, entertainment and cultural infrastructure.

While Masai Ujiri’s accomplishments are extensive, he believes his work with Giants of Africa will prove to be the most meaningful and rewarding of his life.

Ms Sibisi serves as the Chief Investment Officer of the UNDP’s Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation and the Chairperson of Terebinth Capital. She has over 30 years of executive management experience with a proven track record in development planning, innovative finance, business strategy, and performance optimisation.

Her career highlights include serving as a Director, member of the Consulting Management Team, the Executive Committee, and the Global Public Sector Board at Deloitte Southern Africa; as well as in various executive roles at the Development Bank of Southern Africa focused on developing innovative infrastructure finance and delivery solutions.

Ms Sibisi has also served on numerous boards including Wesgro and the Advisory Board of the UCT Graduate School of Business, provided expert input into key initiatives such as the AfDB’s Africa Economic Outlook 2016 and the WEF Africa Strategic Infrastructure Initiative, and published various thought leadership articles including in the Harvard Business Review.

Dr. Florence M. Wambugu PhD. DSc. is the Founding Director and CEO of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, started in 2002. A Plant Pathologist with expertise on biotechnology, with over 30 years’ experience transforming African agriculture.

A Kenyan with lifelong commitment to combating hunger, poverty & malnutrition through science. Africa Harvest has implemented over 30 projects in 13 African countries, focusing on promoting climate-smart agriculture, and empowering women and youth.

She has contributed to the advancement of sorghum, Tissue Culture banana, and sweet potato, benefiting thousands of households and millions of beneficiaries. She has authored over 300 scientific works & received global awards, including the Yara Prize and inclusion in Scientific American Worldviews top 100 most influential people in biotechnology. She is a member of high-level global advisory boards.

Her vision and work continue to inspire & demonstrate how science, technological innovations, can transform food systems for a prosperous Africa.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. The first woman and first African to hold the position.

She is an economist and international development expert with over 40 years of experience. Dr Okonjo-Iweala was Chair of the Board of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, African Risk Capacity and Co-Chair of The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, in addition to serving as a Senior Advisor at Lazard and sitting on the Boards of Standard Chartered and Twitter, now X. She is Co-Chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Harvard Kennedy School Global Public Leader.

She served as Nigeria’s first female and longest serving Finance Minister (7 years) and was also the first female Foreign Minister. Her 25-year career at the World Bank culminated in her rising to the No.2 position of Managing Director, Operations.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala is the recipient of numerous honours and has authored several books. She holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from Harvard University and a PhD in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ademola (Demmy) Adesina is co-founder and President of Sabi. He helps lead Sabi’s mission to seamlessly connect small-scale miners and traders of essential minerals to global end-users, including battery manufacturers and mineral refineries.

Prior to Sabi, Ademola founded and led Rensource, a leading West African commercial solar provider recognized with the 2019 Financial Times/IFC Transformational Business Award. He also served as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Capricorn Investment Group, the investment arm of Jeff Skoll and the Skoll Foundation, where he focused on climate and technology-related investments. At Aquifer, an Africa-focused investment firm backed by Lord Sainsbury and the Gatsby Trust, Ademola led business development and corporate strategy, helping to grow a large agro-industrial business in Mozambique.

Before that, at the Rockefeller Foundation, he was part of the founding team of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), helping to launch the impact investment sector. He began his career in the Global Markets division of JPMorgan’s Investment Bank in New York. Ademola has lived and worked, in Africa, the USA, and Europe.

Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE is a recognised and respected multi-award winning thought-leader and CEO of Stemettes, a social enterprise which inspires and support girls, young women and non-binary young people in STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

She was voted the most influential woman in tech in the UK of 2020 by Computer Weekly, is featured among the top 50 women in tech, globally, by Forbes Magazine and served as President of the British Science Association from 2022-2023.

She was also the temporary Arithmetician for 60 episodes on Channel 4’s Countdown, the world’s longest-running game show, and serves as the Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, Co-Chair of the Institute for the Future of Work and Chair of UD Music Foundation. Her first book She’s In CTRL was published in September 2022.

Professor Lesley Lokko OBE is the Founder and Chair of the African Futures Institute (AFI) headquartered in Accra, Ghana and Director of the Nomadic African Studio; an annual month-long teaching programme located in different cities around the African continent. She holds a BSc (Arch), M Arch and PhD in Architecture from the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. She was the Founder and Director of the Graduate School of Architecture, University of Johannesburg (2014—2019). She is the Editor of WhitePapers, Black Marks: Race, Culture, Architecture (University of Minnesota Press, 2000) and the Editor-in-Chief of FOLIO: Journal of Contemporary African Architecture.

She was appointed Curator of the 18th International Architecture Biennale at La Biennale di Venezia in 2023. In January 2023, she was awarded an OBE ‘for services to architecture and education’ in King Charles’ New Year’s Honours List. In January 2024, she was awarded the UK’s highest architecture award, the RIBA Royal Gold Medal.

She was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people in the 2024 annual TIME100 list and Ebony Power 100. She is currently a member of the 2025 Aga Khan Award for Architecture Steering Committee. She was appointed a World Design Congress Ambassador for 2025.

CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE grew up in Nigeria. Her work has been translated into more than fifty-five languages. She is the author of the novels Purple Hibiscus, which won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; Half of a Yellow Sun, which was the recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction “Best of the Best” award; Americanah, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award; the story collection The Thing Around Your Neck and the essays We Should All Be Feminists and Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions. Her most recent work is an essay about losing her father, Notes on Grief; Mama’s Sleeping Scarf, a children’s book written as Nwa Grace-James; and a novel, Dream Count. A recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, she divides her time between the United States and Nigeria.

As Co-founder and President of Airwallex, Lucy Liu oversees ongoing business operations at Airwallex, working across the organisation to implement Airwallex’s mission and purpose to empower modern businesses of all sizes to grow beyond borders. Established in Melbourne in 2015, Airwallex is today, a leading global financial platform for businesses, supporting over 150,000 businesses globally.

Prior to establishing Airwallex in 2015 with her co-founders, Lucy was an investment consultant in CICC (China International Capital Corporation) and had also served as a board director for a Hong Kong-based investment company.

Lucy has been recognised for her leadership and entrepreneurial achievements over the years, including Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen List 2020, Ernst & Young "Top 22 Entrepreneurial Winning Women in APAC” (2020), Finnies “Emerging Fintech Leader of the Year” (2020) and Forbes “30 Young Entrepreneurs in Asia” (2017). In 2021, she received the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Business and Economics Rising Star for Young Alumni Award, in recognition of her outstanding level of leadership.

Kate Kallot is a technologist and deep tech founder recognized globally for pioneering equitable access to advanced technologies across emerging markets. She is the Founder & CEO of Amini, a data infrastructure company building sovereign data and compute systems for Africa and the Global South. Under her leadership, Amini is transforming fragmented analog systems into AI-ready digital ecosystems that power supply chains, climate intelligence, and government modernization.

Previously, Kate held senior leadership roles at NVIDIA, where she led global developer relations and ecosystem expansion across underserved geographies, and Arm, where she was instrumental in scaling the TinyML movement, enabling machine learning on ultra-low-power edge devices. At Intel, she spearheaded the development of the Neural Compute Stick, the world’s first USB-based AI development kit, democratizing computer vision and edge AI for millions of developers worldwide.

Her work has been recognized by TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, the World Economic Forum as a Tech Pioneer, and One Young World as Entrepreneur of the Year 2024. A trusted voice in global AI policy and digital equity, Kate serves as Vice Chair of the ICC Global Environmental and Energy Commission and is a member of EY’s Global AI Advisory Council.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat is Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development & International Cooperation and previously served as the country’s Minister of International Cooperation & as the first female Minister of Tourism.

Al-Mashat has over 20 years of international experience in central banking, financial systems, monetary policy frameworks, international cooperation policies & strategies, sustainable development, & climate finance.

Previous positions include Advisor to the IMF Chief Economist and Sub-Governor for Monetary Policy at the Central Bank of Egypt.

As CEO of the Gates Foundation, Mark Suzman leads the organization in service of its mission – to help every person have the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life. Mark serves as a member of the foundation’s board of trustees in his role as CEO.

He began his career in journalism, writing for the Johannesburg Star and then the Financial Times, where he covered international trade policy, welfare reform, and political issues, including the historic 1994 election of Nelson Mandela. In 2000, Mark joined the United Nations, where he was part of the effort to implement the Millennium Development Goals under the leadership of then Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Mark joined the foundation in 2007 as director of Global Development Policy, Advocacy, and Special Initiatives. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as managing director of Country Offices, president of Global Policy and Advocacy, and chief strategy officer.

Tony O. Elumelu is an African investor, philanthropist, and one of the most prominent voices on Africa’s transformation agenda.

He is the Founder and Group Chair of Heirs Holdings, a family owned investment company , investing in financial services, power, technology, healthcare, energy and hospitality.

Tony is the Chair the United Bank for Africa (UBA) operating in 20 African countries, the UK, France, the UAE, and the United States.

In 2010, he founded the The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading philanthropy driving entrepreneurship across all 54 African countries. TEF has funded over 24,000 entrepreneurs and built a digital ecosystem of 2.5 million Africans under a US$100m commitment.

A TIME100 honouree (2020), Tony holds national honours from Nigeria and Gabon, as well as Belgium’s oldest royal order. He serves on global boards including UNICEF Generation Unlimited and the IMF Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.

Eleni Giokos is a CNN anchor and correspondent, based in the UAE. A regular anchor across CNN’s news and business programming, she also presents the network’s Connecting Africa and Marketplace Middle East feature shows.

Born in Greece and raised in South Africa, she has more than 15 years’ experience working across TV, digital, radio and print media, and is one of CNN’s most versatile correspondents.

Giokos has interviewed countless heads of state over the years, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, former South African President Jacob Zuma, and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, to name just a few. Her list of business interviews includes the likes of International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde, and Virgin founder Richard Branson; as well as a ‘who’s who?’ of Africa’s most prominent business leaders.

Tsitsi Masiyiwa is an African philanthropist, social entrepreneur, and champion for gender equality. In 1996, she co-founded Higherlife Foundation with her husband, Strive. The

foundation is dedicated to advancing human capital development across Africa through investments in education, health and sustainable livelihoods.

In 2017, she established Delta Philanthropies as a vehicle for impact investing and grant-making. Delta Philanthropies seeks to unlock and catalyse innovative solutions to the elimination of poverty by convening strategic partnerships and incubating new development models.

Mrs Masiyiwa is the Chair of Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies and also serves on several global non-profit boards. Over the past twenty-nine years, her leadership in establishing and growing Higherlife Foundation has positioned her as a trusted advisor and thought partner to universities, national leaders, and social entrepreneurs. Her work focuses on key areas including education, health, leadership development, women and girls, and youth empowerment.

Vimbai Masiyiwa is a Zimbabwean entrepreneur and thought leader, and the Co-Founder & CEO of Batoka Africa, a regenerative hospitality group redefining African luxury through community-first tourism. Her career sits at the intersection of

business, impact, and female empowerment, championing purpose-driven ventures that unlock opportunity and shift narratives across the continent.

Deeply committed to helping African women build sustainable, scalable businesses, Vimbai brings expertise in operations, brand development, and strategic growth. She works alongside organisations advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive economic opportunity.

Her influence extends beyond the boardroom: she serves on the One Young World Global Advisory Board and the Global Advisory Board for Bryant University and has advised the Youth Envoy of the African Union and the African Investment Hospitality

Forum. In 2024, she joined the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list, underscoring her leadership and growing impact on Africa’s business and innovation landscape.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem is Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, and Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation. A key driver of the UAE’s trade and logistics growth, he has helped shape Dubai into a global commercial hub.

Over four decades, he has led DP World’s transformation from a local port operator into an integrated global supply chain company. Strategic acquisitions - including P&O, UNICO Logistics, Imperial Logistics, and Syncreon - have extended the company’s reach to 83 countries, with over 119,000 employees and operations handling 102 million TEU, around 10% of global container trade.

He also oversaw the evolution of Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) into one of the region’s leading business ecosystems and is home to over 11,000 companies. Under his leadership, DP World contributes more than 36% to Dubai’s GDP and 12% to the UAE’s. His focus remains on building resilient infrastructure to power global trade.

Ralph Mupita is Group President and CEO of MTN Group, Africa’s leading digital operator with nearly 300 million customers across 16 markets. Since his appointment in 2020, he has led the execution of Ambition 2025, transitioning MTN into a platform-led, tech-driven business advancing digital and financial inclusion.

Previously MTN’s CFO, he strengthened its capital position and led key listings in Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda. Before MTN, Ralph was CEO of Old Mutual Emerging Markets, overseeing operations in 19 countries. He serves on several MTN boards and contributes to global industry leadership as Deputy Chair of the GSMA, Commissioner on the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, and member of the B20 Advisory Board. He also participates in the African Renaissance Retreat.

Ralph holds a BSc Engineering (Hons), an MBA from the University of Cape Town, and completed Harvard’s General Management Programme. He was named CEO of the Year at the 2024 Africa CEO Forum Awards.

Ha-Joon Chang is a Distinguished Research Professor of Economics, as well as Co-director of CSST (Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation) and of DLD (Development Leadership Dialogue) at SOAS University of London. His main books include The Political Economy of Industrial Policy (1994), Kicking Away the Ladder (2002), Bad Samaritans (2007), 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism (2010), Economics: The User’s Guide (2014), and Edible Economics (2022).

His writings have been translated and published in 46 languages and 48 countries. Worldwide, his books have sold around 3 million copies. Chang has advised numerous international organizations, national governments, civil society organizations, and corporations (both private-sector and public).

He is currently a member of CDP (Committee for Development Policy), the highest advisory body of the United Nations on development issues. Chang is the winner of the 2003 Gunnar Myrdal Prize and the 2005 Wassily Leontief Prize. 

Eva Omaghomi is a purpose-driven leader, cultural strategist, and communications expert with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of culture, diplomacy, and strategic engagement. For 17 years, she was a key adviser in King Charles III’s inner circle, serving as part of his communications team, travelling with His Majesty to over 60 countries, and then as Director of Community Engagement. She played a pivotal role in high-profile events, including The King and Queen’s Coronation, State Visits, and Royal Weddings.

In 2023, her striking presence at the Coronation – wearing a pink silk suit dress by Ghanaian designer, Duaba Serwa, paired with a Nigerian headdress and coral jewellery – made international headlines, symbolising the power of cultural representation at the highest levels.

Recognised as one of Britain’s most influential leaders, she has been honoured with two Royal Victorian Orders and an Honorary Doctorate. She is now leading her own strategic communications company, Forster Jones & Associates.

With Forster Jones & Associates, Eva brings her wealth of experience to a new platform, helping clients navigate the complexities of modern communications while fostering cultural competency and creative connections.

Eva is also Strategic Communications Adviser to IE7 and The Akuna Group – Idris Elba’s suite of companies, a Commissioner on the Independent Community and Cohesion Committee, a Board Member of Untold Studios, a Strategic Adviser to The King’s Trust Global Ambassador Group, and an ordained Reverend.

Lulu Shabell builds pathways for prosperity at the intersection of Africa's creative industries and global capital markets. The Founder & CEO of LULUBELL Group, has spent two decades building scalable commercial ecosystems that transform African

fashion and design into strategic economic assets—unlocking eight-figure valuations, forging cross-border partnerships, and demonstrating how cultural innovation drives inclusive growth.

Her market-building achievements include directing the global breakthrough of 90 designers from 30 African and Caribbean nations at Portugal Fashion; integrating African creators into France's luxury ecosystem through TRANOÏ Paris; leading

Africa's representation at Dubai's AFRA World Fashion Confluence; and curating The Mercado Project at Rockefeller Center—Africa's first year-long luxury retail showcase in the United States. Through her "Wear in the World" column for Robb Report Africa, she chronicles how African craftsmanship and sustainability innovation are reshaping global luxury markets.

Recognized among the Top 5 Women Transforming Africa's Fashion Ecosystem by Industrie Africa and among the Top 100 Women in African Fashion 2025 by The Fashion Law Institute, Lulu collaborates with multilateral organizations including the

International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNESCO, and the UN Global Compact. Through these partnerships, she shapes investment and sustainability frameworks that position creative industries as engines of job creation, technological adoption, and

economic diversification.

Through LULUBELL Group, she bridges public and private sector interests – connecting designers, investors, policymakers, and civil society networks to build thepartnerships essential for Africa's creative sector to achieve its full economic potential and continuing to contribute meaningfully to the continent's next era of growth.

Samallie is a passionate supporter of artists and art organisations. She is the Co-chair of the Tate Modern’s African Art Acquisition Committee. She is also  a member of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art’s Global Council and a patron of the National Gallery of Singapore and STPI Singapore.  She previously sat on the boards of Gasworks (London) and 32 Degrees East (Uganda). Samallie is a regular advisor on Africa related art, film and fashion projects.

Ms Kiyingi is also a highly regarded senior international lawyer and banker. Ms Kiyingi’s career spans four continents in both the public and private sectors. In addition to her executive responsibilities leading legal functions, Ms Kiyingi has developed art strategies for corporates and helped  catalyze funding for arts organisations and projects across Africa.

Thelma West is a London-based jewellery designer and creative entrepreneur known for her sculptural aesthetic, exceptional gemstones and uncompromising craftsmanship. Beyond bespoke jewellery, she is co-founder of Casina Cinquepozzi in Puglia, Italy — a 40-acre restored estate, vineyard and creative residency that extends her design ethos into hospitality and cultural experience.

Her work has been showcased in major exhibitions, and she is a vocal advocate for ethical sourcing, sustainability and greater representation within the luxury sector. She was named one of the “5 Women at the Heart of the Jewelry World” by The New York Times and one of “7 London-Based Jewelers Serious Collectors Should Know” by Robb Report.

West has been featured in leading global publications including Forbes, Business Insider, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Vogue US and Vogue UK. She continues to blend artistry with purpose, shaping a vision of luxury that is authentic, responsible and globally resonant.

Ozwald Boateng has had a transformational impact on

menswear fashion for almost four decades, with a design

aesthetic rooted in savile row tradition but defined by

international style, detail, and artistry. He sees himself as both

tailor and a designer and in being so, coined the term ‘bespoke

couturier. His instinctive use of colour, cut and fabric fuses

traditional classic British tailoring with a high-end modern

design focus on the refinement of a man’s silhouette and

enhancing the experience for the wearer, bringing tailoring to a

whole new generation of men.

Born in London to Ghanaian parents Ozwald Boateng has

been a prominent figure on the international menswear scene,

Entirely self taught he began tailoring at the age of 16. His

skills led him to set up a design studio on London’s famous

Portobello Road, in his early twenties. It was from here that his

reputation as a unique British tailor grew.

Ozwald Boateng’s unique approach to tailoring and design

has coveted the attention of some of the world’s famous men,

with a client list that ranges from business leaders to Heads

of State, Royalty and celebrated figures from music, film and

entertainment. He has designed and created wardrobe peices

for some of the most iconic television shows and block buster

Movies. 

Rwandan and Ugandan vocalist, composer, and writer Somi Kakoma is hailed by The New York Times as “a virtuosic performer in full command of her instrument and powers.” Known in the international jazz world simply as ‘Somi’, her 2021 Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album made her the first African woman ever nominated in any of the Grammy jazz categories, as well as the first Rwandan or Ugandan ever nominated for a Grammy.

She is a recipient of two NAACP Image Awards and a Doris Duke Artist Award. She is also a Soros Equality Fellow, United States Artist Fellow, TED Senior Fellow, Sundance Theatre Fellow, and the founder of Salon Africana – a boutique cultural agency and record label. Recently, Somi made her Broadway debut in the titular role of the TONY Award winning play “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”.

She holds degrees in Cultural Anthropology and African Studies from the Univ. of Illinois, Master’s degrees in Performance Studies from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and in Critical Inquiry & Creative Practice from Harvard University where she is currently a PhD Candidate in the Department of Music.

Serigne Dioum is the Group CEO of MTN Fintech. Prior to this, Serigne was the MTN Group Executive for Mobile Financial Services. Serigne joined the MTN Group in September 2013, and has since then been responsible for driving MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) and related mobile financial services products and services across the MTN footprint.

Since 2009, he has held several leadership roles within the MTN Group of companies including MTN Cote d'Ivoire Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager of MTN Mobile Money in the West and Central Africa region. He also currently serves on the Board of various MTN Group companies and is a member of the MTN Group Executive Committee. Prior to joining MTN, Serigne headed Orange Money Skill Centre from 2008 to 2010 where he coordinated the launch of Orange Money in several Orange affiliates. Serigne holds a qualification in Telecommunications Engineering from the French institution ENST Bretagne.

His most pivotal projects include significant business growth and customer digital transformation successes which resulted in being recognized locally and globally for delivering consistent and outstanding business results, and meaningful partnerships with customers. Under his leadership, MTN’s fintech offering has expanded to 16 countries, serving over 69 million customers, with a transaction value of US$221bn recorded for FY2022.  

Serigne is passionate about financial inclusion and is spearheading MTN’s ambition to build Africa’s largest fintech platform, accelerating economic and social development through digital innovations for the benefit of citizens across the continent and beyond.

Ms Sanda Ojiambo was appointed Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Global Compact by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in April 2022. She has held the position of CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact since June 2020. Ojiambo's leadership has been marked by her dedication to increasing business engagement with UN partners to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Under her guidance, the UN Global Compact has expanded significantly, with membership nearly doubling to over 20,000 companies. She has spearheaded the establishment of regional hubs in Abuja, Dubai, Panama City, and Bangkok, bringing the UN Global Compact closer to businesses worldwide.

Her career spans more than 20 years across public, multilateral, and private sectors. She has a profound understanding of the intersection between business and development, having worked on numerous public-private partnership initiatives and cultivated relationships with key business entities and civil society organizations.

Carlos Lopes is a Professor at the Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, Paris, Foundation Fellow of the International Science Council, ODI Senior Visiting Fellow and a Chatham House Associate Fellow. He was twice a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, in 2017 and 2022.

He serves on the boards of about a dozen institutions. Prof Lopes has held several leadership roles across the UN system, including Policy Director for Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. He was also a member of the African Union Reform team and its High Representative for Partnerships with Europe.

An award-winning and widely published author, he has written or edited over 20 books and numerous media features. He has appeared 25 times in rankings of the “most influential Africans” by New African, Jeune Afrique, Africa Report, Financial Afrik and others.

Hervé Samb is a Senegalese guitarist, composer, and arranger known for his visionary approach and pioneering role in Jazz Sabar—a fusion of Senegalese rhythms, jazz, and contemporary sounds.

He first gained international attention at age 15 when he closed the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival after performances by McCoy Tyner and Jack DeJohnette. Over the years, he has collaborated with jazz legends including David Murray, Pharoah Sanders, and Pat Metheny, as well as acclaimed artists such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Oumou Sangaré, and Marcus Miller.

His five albums—Cross Over, Time to Feel, Teranga, Benn, and Jolof—reflect a constant exploration of musical boundaries and cultural dialogue. As a producer and arranger, he has shaped projects such as Lisa Simone’s All Is Well and My World, and Omar Pene’s Climat.

Recognized for his contribution to Somi’s Grammy-nominated album Holy Room, Hervé Samb continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his innovative sound and deep musicality.

Born in 1967, she holds a Master's degree in Applied Economics, specializing in Financial Management, from the Faculty of Economics in Mons, Belgium, and a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Work in Developing Countries.

She worked in the banking sector before joining United Nations agencies, including the UNDP, where she served as a senior expert on a community support project in eastern DRC. She then worked in the office of the Ministry of the Budget before becoming the Deputy Coordinator of the Presidential Council for Strategic Monitoring (CPVS). Minister of State and Minister of Planning, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, has excelled in her practice of results-based management, particularly in the implementation and monitoring of the Local Development Program for the 145 Territories (PDL-145T) and the finalization of the National Strategic Development Plan (PNSD 2024-2028).

She was appointed Prime Minister by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on April 1, 2024. She became the first woman to hold this position in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A mother of two, she is originally from Kongo-Central province, specifically from the Songololo territory in Kimpese.

Nigerian-American soprano Francesca Chiejina is a graduate of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where her roles included Countess Ceprano Rigoletto, Lady-in-Waiting Macbeth, Voice from Heaven Don Carlo, and Ines Il trovatore. She also sang Micaëla La tragédie de Carmen at Wilton’s Music Hall, and Melantho/Love The Return of Ulysses at the Roundhouse. She is the winner of the 2023 UK Critics’ Circle Young Talent (Voice) Award.

Melissa Bell is a senior correspondent for CNN based in the network’s Paris bureau, covering European and global news stories. She has contributed to the network’s coverage of every major news event over the past few years, including countless global elections, Russia’s war on Ukraine, as well as wider geopolitical upheavals. Bell joined CNN in October 2016 from France 24, where she served as international affairs editor and correspondent. She has extensive knowledge of Africa and the Arab world and has covered numerous stories for the network’s French and English-speaking channels, from the Haitian earthquake to Egyptian revolution and the war in Mali.

Elliot Randriamandrato is the official spokesperson for Gen Z Madagascar, the youth-led movement that emerged on 25 September 2025 to demand accountable governance and reliable public services in the country. Representing a generation determined to rebuild trust between citizens and institutions, Elliot has become a leading voice in Madagascar’s new civic awakening. Born and educated in Antananarivo, with a Master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from ScienesPo and a Master's degree in Global Risk and Crisis Management from University of Paris 1: Panthéon-Sorbonne, Elliot combines local insight with global perspective. Before joining the movement, he founded Tetikasa Ala, an agro-ecology association combating soil degradation and deforestation through fruit-forest planting, and launched Hype Mada, a media platform highlighting Malagasy urban culture and creativity. Elliot also works as a Senior Consultant at A2 Consulting, a multi-specialist, fully independent management and organizational consulting firm founded in 2000.
 
In addition to his climate and sustainability initiatives, Elliot contributes as a member of the Youth Commission at FORIM, supporting African diasporic collaboration and youth leadership. His diverse portfolio blends consulting acumen, social entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. Whether guiding organizations through growth challenges or championing environmental restoration, Elliot is committed to driving systemic progress and fostering resilient communities in Madagascar and beyond.

Florence “Cuppy” Otedola is an international DJ, philanthropist, and advocate for youth empowerment. With extensive experience in the global music industry, she leverages her platform of over 17 million followers to amplify youth voices and drive meaningful impact. As founder of The Cuppy Foundation, she has raised over $17 million to support displaced children in Nigeria through her Save the Children partnership. She has also established hardship funds at Oxford University, King’s College London, and New York University for African students. In 2023, she was appointed the first International Ambassador for The King’s Trust and actively supports the United Nations Youth Envoy Office.