2024 speakers

H.E. Nadia Fettah, appointed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on October 7, 2021, is the first woman appointed to this position in the Kingdom of Morocco. Born in 1971, H.E. Nadia Fettah was the Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, Air Transport, and Social Economy between 2019 and 2021. A high school graduate from the “Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales” in Paris in 1994, H.E. Nadia Fettah started her career as a consultant in one of the largest financial studies offices before founding an investment fund in Morocco, which she managed for five years. 

After managing a Moroccan insurance company, H.E. Nadia Fettah accompanied a global holding corporate in developing its capital in Africa and the Middle East. In 2017, H.E. Nadia Fettah was Chief Executive Manager of a group of companies in Africa before being appointed as Minister. 

In parallel to her ministerial mission, H.E. Nadia Fettah is active in the associative field, as she was one of the founders of the Women’s Club, members of the boards of directors, as well as the global network “Women Corporate Directors.” H.E. Nadia Fettah was crowned the 2018 title of “The Best Contracting Director” at the African level during a continental meeting organized in Abidjan.

Amir Ben Yahmed graduated from INSEEC in 1993. After working for the investment banking and brokerage firm, Gruntal & co, based in New York City, he quickly joined Jeune Afrique Media Group where he has been managing the company and leading its development program.  In 2012, he founded the Africa CEO Forum, which within a few years has become the largest annual gathering of the African private sector.

Jean-Claude Kassi BROU is the Governor of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), appointed by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of UEMOA and sworn in on 8 July 2022.

From March 2018 to 2022, he served as President of the ECOWAS Commission. In 2012, he was Minister of Industry and Mines of Côte d’Ivoire. In 2010, he joined the World Bank as Resident Representative in Chad, after serving in 2009 as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo on macroeconomics, private sector development, and public enterprise reform.

At BCEAO, he held several senior positions: Special Advisor to the Governor (2007‑2008), General Controller and Director of the Department of Economic and Monetary Studies (2006‑2007), Director of Studies (2003‑2006), and Director of International Relations (2000‑2003).

In Côte d’Ivoire, he was Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister and President of the National Investment Committee (1996‑1999), following his role as Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister (1991‑1995).

He began his career at the IMF in 1982, serving as Senior Economist for Guinea-Bissau, Togo, Cape Verde, and Senegal, before becoming Resident Representative in Senegal eight years later.

A polyglot, he speaks French, English, Portuguese, and Spanish. He is married with two children.

Dr. Óscar Humberto Évora Santos has been serving as the Governor of Banco de Cabo Verde since January 4, 2021. Born on September 8, 1960, in Lém Ferreira, in the city of Praia, he is a Cape Verdean economist with a strong background in economic policy, public administration, and financial governance.

Before his appointment as Governor, Dr. Évora Santos held several leadership positions in the public sector. He served as Mayor of Praia from 2016 to 2020, after having been Councilor for Finance and Business at the Municipality of Praia between 2008 and 2016.

His earlier career was closely tied to Banco de Cabo Verde, which he first joined in 1991 as part of the Studies and Statistics Department. From 2002 to 2013, he served as Advisor, Coordinator of the Economic Studies Division, and member of the Monetary Policy Committee, contributing significantly to macroeconomic research and policy formulation.

Between 1994 and 2000, Dr. Évora Santos collaborated with international development institutions. He was appointed by the Government of Cabo Verde to work on a World Bank project aimed at restructuring the vocational training sector, and later became Coordinator of the Employment Promotion Project funded by the United Nations.

In addition to his public service, he has worked as a consultant and researcher, participating in several major studies, including the Evaluation of the Protocol for Decentralizing Social Promotion Services and the Evaluation of the Employment and Training Promotion Fund of the Employment and Vocational Training Institute (IEFP). He co-authored the White Paper on Vocational Training and Cabo Verde’s Strategic Plan for Vocational Training, and authored the study Analysis of the Impact of Cabo Verde’s Accession to the WTO. He also published works on GDP growth potential in Cabo Verde.

An experienced academic, Dr. Évora Santos has taught Economics at the Jean Piaget University, the Higher Institute of Economic and Business Sciences, and the Institute of Legal Studies. Beyond academia, he has been President of Cabo Verde’s Economists Association and President of the Cape Verdean Tae Kwon Do Federation.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economic Theory and Quantitative Methods and a Master’s degree in Economics (Business and Finance specialization) from the American University in Washington, D.C., USA.

Aivo Handriatiana ANDRIANARIVELO was appointed Governor of Banky Foiben’i Madagasikara by the Council of Ministers on 04 January 2023, after working for 30 years as an economist in banking and finance. An economist with in-depth knowledge of capital markets and a specialist in banking operations, he also has solid experience in business management, project diagnosis and set-up and financing, as well as in the management of public and private funds. Before becoming Governor of BFM, Aivo Andrianarivelo worked as an Executive Director and member of the Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund, representing 23 countries in Africa II. He gained previous experience at bank level, then with Catholic Relief Services as Finance Director. He then became Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fonds de Portage et de Privatisation, a company that manages and sells shares on behalf of the Malagasy government. He then served as a technical adviser in the office of the Minister of Economy and Finance, prior to his position as Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A graduate in economics and banking techniques, he has also completed a number of training programmes in foreign exchange, money markets, foreign exchange, capital markets, project structuring, management and leadership.

Michael Atingi-Ego is a Ugandan economist who was appointed Governor of the Bank of Uganda on 10 February 2025. Prior to this appointment, he served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda and as Executive Director of the Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI), based in Harare, Zimbabwe.

He began his career at the Bank of Uganda, rising through the ranks to become Executive Director of Research. In 2008, he joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as Deputy Director of the African Department (AFR), based in Washington, DC. In September 2018, he was appointed Executive Director at MEFMI.

After vetting by Parliament, he replaced Louis Kasekende, whose 10-year term at the central bank ended in January 2020. Dr. Atingi-Ego assumed office as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda on 3 August 2020.

Dr. Yamungu M. Kayandabila serves as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), responsible for economic and financial policies. A seasoned economist and public-sector leader, he plays a central role in shaping Tanzania’s macroeconomic strategy, monetary policy implementation, and financial-sector reforms.

In his current capacity, Dr. Kayandabila oversees the coordination of monetary and fiscal policy frameworks to sustain growth, maintain price stability, and promote financial inclusion. Speaking on behalf of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee in 2025, he highlighted the country’s solid economic performance – marked by 5.5 percent growth in 2024 – driven by agriculture, finance, mining, and construction.

A strong advocate for innovation in financial services, Dr. Kayandabila has called for new financing models to empower small- and medium-scale miners, whose limited access to capital constrains productivity and sectoral growth. Under his leadership, the Bank has intensified collaboration with institutions such as Afreximbank to expand project financing, credit guarantees, and tailored capital solutions for Tanzania’s real economy.

Before his appointment as Deputy Governor, Dr. Kayandabila built extensive experience across the Tanzanian financial system and academia, contributing to the development of economic policy and regulatory capacity. His work continues to focus on enhancing the resilience of the financial sector, strengthening monetary transmission mechanisms, and supporting sustainable, inclusive economic transformation.

Dr. Kayandabila is widely respected for his analytical rigor, pragmatic leadership, and commitment to aligning financial innovation with Tanzania’s national development goals.

Jules Ngankam is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund (AGF).

Under his leadership, AGF has expanded its operations in over 40 African countries, partnering with lending institutions to increase access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises through AGF’s risk-sharing guarantees and capacity development assistance.

Jules has over 20 years of experience in banking and financial services. Prior to joining AGF, Jules worked with Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays PLC, in various roles including rates strategist, rates trader and treasury vice-president.

He holds Master’s Degrees in Business Administration, Statistics and Economics, Applied Mathematics, Applied Statistics as well as Computer Science. 

Jules is passionate about leveraging financial innovation to support financial inclusion and sustainable development. He firmly believes in supporting SMEs to fully realize their potential in driving economic growth, product innovation, regional development and job creation in Africa.

Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR is an investor, banker and philanthropist with a track record of major accomplishments in both for-profit and not-for-profit initiatives within Nigeria and beyond.

He co-founded Tengen Family Office and oversees a significant portfolio of investments and businesses in banking, finance, insurance, technology, real estate and energy. Through the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and its subsidiaries, the Africa Initiative for Governance and the Aig-Imoukhuede Institute, he is focused on building Nigeria’s next generation of government leaders, helping transform public sector effectiveness, and improving access to quality primary health care.

His career in banking and finance which spans over three decades in financial markets, investment banking, risk management, strategy and commercial banking has earned him international recognition. He was the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc between 2002 and 2013 where he led its transformation to a top five bank in Nigeria.

Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede was a member of Nigeria’s Banker’s Committee and in 2012, he led the banking sector’s’ voluntary adoption of the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles, an initiative that has since been emulated by several countries across the world. As Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidies, he is credited with saving Nigeria more than $6 billion in fraudulent petroleum subsidy claims.

He is the founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Market Dealers Association and led the establishment of the FMDQ Securities Exchange. He was elected president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Council in 2013, becoming the first African to earn the privilege of chairing two national exchange platforms. As president of the Exchange, he championed demutualisation, which was successfully completed in 2021.

He holds an Executive MBA jointly awarded by the London School of Economics, New York University and HEC Paris. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Benin and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. He received honorary degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

He serves as Chairman of Enterprise NGR, a Nigerian financial and related professional services advocacy group. He was appointed a member of Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government International Advisory Board in 2017. His contributions towards universal health care for all Africans led to his appointment in 2011 as the first African co-chairman of the New York- based GBC Health, a private sector coalition against HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. He is a Board Member of the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

Mr. Benjelloun Touimi has extensive experience in the financial sector. He holds a Doctorate in Currency, Finance, and Banking from the University of Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne. He is the Deputy Managing Director and Board Member of BANK OF AFRICA, a Board Member of the Group’s European banking entities, and either Chairman of the Board or a Director of various Group companies in Morocco operating in investment banking, specialized financial services, and insurance. He also serves as a Board Member of RMA insurance company and its holding company, O Capital Group.

Additionally, he is a Board Member of the BMCE BANK Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Environmental Preservation, as well as the Othman Benjelloun Foundation.

He also serves on the Board of Directors of Proparco, the French development finance institution, and is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Casablanca Stock Exchange  

A graduate of the Mohammadia School of Engineers, Ouafae Mriouah began her career in organizational and digital transformation, first at BMCI before joining the CDG Group in 2000. There, she contributed to major projects, including the design and implementation of the IT master plan.

In 2006, she played a key role in the establishment of CDG Capital, the group’s investment bank, where she held various leadership positions in capital markets and asset management. In 2013, she was appointed CEO of CDG Capital Gestion, a subsidiary specializing in OPCVM management, while also serving as Deputy CEO of CDG Capital, overseeing all capital market and asset management activities.

In July 2023, leveraging her extensive experience and recognized leadership, Ouafae Mriouah was appointed CEO of Société Centrale de Réassurance, a strategic subsidiary of the CDG Group, with the mission of strengthening its position as a national and regional leader in the reinsurance sector.

Abdeslam Alaoui Smaili is a visionary leader in the global payments industry, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of HPS, a fintech firm he co-founded in 1995. With over 30 years of experience, Abdeslam has driven HPS’s impressive growth, including its successful public listing, positioning the company as a pivotal player in the evolving digital payments landscape.

Abdeslam’s solid background in engineering and business management has enabled him to strategically guide HPS at the forefront of payment technology innovation. His leadership emphasizes adaptability and continuous technological advancement, resulting in secure, efficient, and accessible payment solutions that meet the diverse needs of global markets.

Renowned for his hands-on approach, Abdeslam is known for implementing complex payment solutions and crafting strategies that cater to the unique demands of various regions. His commitment to innovation and foresight has allowed HPS to anticipate and respond to rapid changes within the financial ecosystem.

A respected speaker at industry-leading conferences, Abdeslam is widely recognized as a thought leader in payments and fintech. He actively participates in global forums to advocate for best practices and regulatory frameworks that support financial innovation and inclusion, bridging the gap between emerging and established markets.

Abdeslam holds an engineering degree from Toulouse University and has completed executive programs at INSEAD and Harvard University. His leadership at HPS reflects his belief in the transformative power of technology in finance. Under his guidance, HPS has strengthened its competitive edge while contributing significantly to the global discourse on the future of digital payments.      

Temi Popoola is the Group Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Exchange Group, having previously served as CEO of its subsidiary, Nigerian Exchange Limited. A Wall Street-trained investment banker, he began his career in London managing African energy assets before working as an equity derivatives trader at Bank of America Securities in New York.

He later led structured products at UBA and sales & trading at FCMB’s CSL Stockbrokers, advancing foreign investment into Nigeria. At Renaissance Capital, he rose to CEO for West Africa, driving revenue diversification.

An alumnus of the University of Lagos, MIT, and Harvard Business School, with a CFA charter. He serves on the Executive Committee of the African Securities Exchanges Association and chairs both Central Securities Clearing System and NG Clearing Limited, demonstrating his commitment to strengthening market infrastructure and transparency. His expertise spans investment, trading, banking, and global financial leadership.

Dr. Félix Edoh Kossi AMENOUNVE is the Chief Executive Officer of BRVM and the President of ASEA (Association of African Stock Exchanges). He holds a Doctorate in Administrative Sciences (Ph.D.), option Finance, obtained at Laval University in Canada in 1995. He is the architect of the major reforms of the WAEMU (UEMOA) financial market and is considered one of the most influential finance specialists in Africa.

Mr. Blaise Abel Ezo’o Engolo has served as Secretary General of the Inter-African Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA) since December 2020, following his election by the fourteen member states of the Franc Zone. Headquartered in Libreville, Gabon, CIMA is the regional regulatory authority for the insurance industry across West and Central Africa.

With more than three decades of experience in the public financial administration of Cameroon and the African insurance sector, Mr. Ezo’o Engolo brings extensive regulatory and technical expertise to the role. Since taking office, he has been tasked with steering the implementation of key regional reforms, notably the increase in minimum share capital requirements for insurance companies, aimed at strengthening sectoral solvency and competitiveness within the CIMA zone.

Prior to his appointment, he served as Director of Insurance at the Ministry of Finance of Cameroon from 2015 to 2020, where he oversaw national insurance regulation and policy modernization. Concurrently, he chaired the Board of Directors of the Inter-African Conference on Insurance Markets Reinsurance Company (CICA-RE) beginning in 2019, after previously serving as its Administrator.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ezo’o Engolo has held several influential regional leadership roles, including Chairman of the CIMA Experts’ Committee, Administrator and Chair of the Board of CICA-RE, and Administrator and Audit and Risk Committee member at Africa Re. He has also presided over the Board of the International Insurance Institute (IIA) in Yaoundé, a leading center for professional training in insurance within the CIMA zone.

In parallel with his administrative career, he has been deeply involved in academic and professional training. He has lectured at the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) and the Advanced School of Mass Communication (ESSTIC) in Cameroon, and has chaired entrance and graduation juries at the International Insurance Institute (IIA).

A graduate of the Institute of Insurance of Tours (1988) and holder of a Post-graduate Diploma in Insurance (1989) from the François Rabelais University of Orléans-Tours (France), Mr. Ezo’o Engolo has built a distinguished career dedicated to the modernization, integration, and regulation of the African insurance sector.

As Secretary General of CIMA, he continues to promote stronger regional governance, enhanced financial soundness, and sustainable growth of the insurance market across West and Central Africa.

Mehdi Tazi is the Chairman of Cover Edge, a pan-African insurtech and assistance company created from the transformation of AXA Assistance Maroc, acquired by ASK Capital in 2022. Under his leadership, the company has undergone a profound repositioning, combining technological innovation and financial inclusion to become a leading player in assistance, travel insurance, and microinsurance across Africa.

Since 2024, Cover Edge has recorded rapid growth, doubling both its workforce and turnover. Forty percent of its reinsurance revenue now comes from African markets, and the group has expanded with a new reinsurance entity in Mauritius, dedicated to serving English-speaking East Africa.

Previously, Mehdi Tazi founded and continues to chair ASK Capital SA (since 2017), an investment holding company, and he also presides over Marsh Morocco, a leader in risk management and insurance brokerage.

Before that, he headed SAHAM Assurance, first as CEO (2011–2014), then as Chairman & CEO (2014–2017), contributing to the group’s expansion in Morocco and Angola. From 2007 to 2010, he was CEO of Saham Assistance, where he built extensive experience in the assistance and insurance industries at both national and continental levels.

An alumnus of INSEAD, where he obtained his MBA in 2004, Mehdi Tazi combines entrepreneurial vision and strategic leadership with over twenty years of experience in insurance, assistance, and financial services. His professional path reflects a constant commitment to innovation, inclusion, and the development of a robust African insurance ecosystem.

Hana Tehelku is the Director General of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), appointed in August 2024 to succeed Dr. Brook Taye. With more than a decade of experience in legal, regulatory, and prosecutorial affairs, she brings deep expertise in governance, economic law, and institutional reform to Ethiopia’s emerging financial ecosystem.

Before her appointment, Hana served as Legal Counsel at ECMA, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the Authority’s legal frameworks and enforcement systems. Between 2021 and 2024, she was Deputy Director General of the Economic Crime Directorate at the Ministry of Justice, leading national investigations and prosecutions of financial crimes. Prior to that, she was Team Lead at the Anti-Corruption Directorate, focusing on public enterprise offenses, and earlier served for over four years as a Public Prosecutor at the Federal Attorney General’s Office.

Her career began in 2013 as a Tax Attorney at the Ethiopian Customs and Revenue Authority, where she developed strong expertise in tax law and fiscal compliance.

Hana holds two master’s degrees: one in Law (Human Rights and Constitutional Law) from Addis Ababa University, and another in Community Development and Theology from the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology. She also earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Mekelle University, specializing in administrative and international law.

Jean Kacou DIAGOU, an Ivorian national born in Abidjan on August 15, 1946, is the founder and current President of the renowned African financial group, NSIA. After obtaining a high school diploma in philosophy, he earned a master’s degree in Economics from the Félix HOUPHOUËT BOIGNY University of Abidjan, followed by a specialization in insurance at CNAM in Paris. He began his career in insurance, rising to become Vice President of the AXA group for Africa.

In 1995, after participating in negotiations on the harmonization of insurance laws in the sub-region and co-authoring the CIMA code (Inter-African Conference on Insurance Markets), he realized the potential for a purely African and transnational insurance operator. This led him to found NSIA, which is now present in twelve (12) Sub-Saharan African countries and includes 1 holding company, 21 life and non-life insurance subsidiaries, 3 banking subsidiaries, 2 banking branches, a management and intermediation company (SGI), an investment fund management company (OPCVM), and a foundation.

In 2006, he led the negotiations for the acquisition of BIAO-CI, now NSIA BANQUE, which was listed on the stock exchange in June 2017. Today, NSIA ranks 3rd among insurance groups in the CIMA region and 4th among African banking institutions in the UMOA zone, with the ambition to become the leading Ivorian bank-insurance group.

From 2005 to 2016, Jean Kacou DIAGOU headed the General Confederation of Enterprises of Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI), the Ivorian employers’ association. He also served as President of the Federation of West African Employers’ Organizations (FOPAO) from 2010 to 2016. Additionally, he presided over the African Insurance Organization (AIO) from May 2001 to May 2002 and the Federation of African National Law Insurance Companies (FANAF) from 1990 to 1996.   

Mustapha Mourahib is a Partner at Clifford Chance and co-head of the Africa Group. He is also the Managing Partner of the only Clifford Chance office in Africa, located in Casablanca. He has been involved in significant transactions across the African continent. He specializes in Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity, and project financing. 

Mrs. Namakau Mundia Ntini is the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer , Pensions and Insurance Authority, Zambia. She has been with the Authority since 2009 , and has served in different roles in Insurance and Pensions Supervision. 

Mrs. Ntini has a passion for financial inclusion and served as Chairperson of the Financial Education Working Group that developed Zambia’s First National Strategy on Financial Education, under the auspices of the Financial Sector Development Plan (FSDP), led by the Ministry of Finance. She also served on the Drafting Committee that was supported by the World Bank to develop the 2017-2022, National Financial Inclusion Strategy. 

At regional level, she has served and continues to serve in various capacities aimed at driving financial inclusion and regional integration. Currently, Mrs. Ntini represents Zambia on the ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company) Board of Directors, and was recently elected Chairperson of the Insurance, Retirement Funds, Medical Aid Schemes and Intermediary, a Subcommittee under CISNA, a structure established under the SADC Protocol on Finance. 

Mrs. Ntini is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (FZICA). She also holds a MSc Finance (Financial Sector Management) from the University of London. 

Ms. Ambursa is the Executive Director, Commercial Banking Division. 

She has almost three decades of banking experience from Guaranty Trust Bank and Access Bank. Her experience spans across Transaction Banking Services, Public Sector, Private Banking, Commercial Banking and Corporate Finance. Prior to joining Access Bank in 2003, she was a Relationship Manager, Public Sector in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. 

Ms. Ambursa graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from University of Jos and obtained a master’s degree in Law and Diplomacy from the same university. She subsequently attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (‘MIT’) where she obtained a Master’s in Business Administration. She has attended several Executive Management Development Programmes in leading institutions, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School. She also sits on the Board of Access Bank Ghana as a Non-Executive director.

M. Bika est un expert-comptable de haut niveau, fort de plus de 16 ans d’expérience en audit, finance et gestion comptable. Avant de rejoindre le groupe L’Archer en 2025 comme Directeur Financier et Comptable, il a occupé pendant plus d’une décennie des fonctions de direction au sein du cabinet PwC Congo, où il a piloté des missions stratégiques d’audit, d’assistance comptable et de conformité pour des clients majeurs de la région.

Formé entre Brazzaville, Dakar et Paris, M. Bika est diplômé d’un MBA en Audit et Contrôle de gestion de l’ESG Paris, titulaire d’un diplôme supérieur de finance-comptabilité, et expert-comptable.

Reconnu pour son exigence, sa rigueur et sa vision structurante, il apporte au groupe L’Archer une expertise solide en pilotage budgétaire, optimisation des processus financiers et accompagnement stratégique. Il supervise aujourd’hui l’ensemble des fonctions financières du groupe, dans une dynamique de croissance et d’efficience à long terme.

M. Bika est également Président de la Commission Éthique et Déontologie de l’Ordre National des Experts-Comptables du Congo.

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Mr. Bika is a chartered accountant with over 16 years of experience in auditing, finance, and accounting management. Before joining the L’Archer Group in 2025 as Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, he held leadership roles for more than a decade at PwC Congo, where he led strategic audit, accounting support, and compliance assignments for major clients in the region.

Educated in Brazzaville, Dakar, and Paris, Mr. Bika holds an MBA in Audit and Management Control from ESG Paris, an advanced degree in finance and accounting, and is a certified chartered accountant.

Renowned for his high standards, rigor, and structured vision, he brings to the L’Archer Group strong expertise in budget management, financial process optimization, and strategic support. He currently oversees all financial functions of the group, driving long-term growth and efficiency.

Mr. Bika also serves as President of the Ethics and Professional Conduct Commission of the National Order of Chartered Accountants of Congo.

Aurélie M’Bida is economics editor at Jeune Afrique, in which capacity she is also co-presenter of the program le Grand invité RFI – Jeune Afrique. Having joined the JAMG group in 2018, she first held the position of Editor-in-Chief for the group’s exclusive premium newsletter, Africa Business+, then Head of the Finance section in Jeune Afrique, before assuming her current role. A graduate of IPJ – Paris Dauphine, she began her career as an international business lawyer after a master’s degree in international trade law.

Dr. Baghayo A. Saqware is a Commissioner of Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) from 2017-2019 and 2022 to date. Dr. Saqware started his career as compliance officer with National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and later he joined Institute of Finance Management and Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA) as a lecturer in Insurance, Social Protection and Risk Management subjects for the past 19 years. Prior to joining TIRA as a Commissioner of Insurance, he has held number management positions; he was Dean of Faculty of Insurance and Social Protection at the Institute of Finance Management (IFM), Ministerial Health Insurance Coordinator at the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Secretary to Insurance and Social Protection Technical Team that advices Bank of Tanzania on Insurance and Social Protection related matters. Dr. Saqware has extensive experience in Leadership, Research and Consultancies at varies levels. He serves in various Board of Directors, He was a Chairman of Finance and Operation Committee of the National Health Insurance Scheme for 6 years and Board Member of Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) and Africa College of Insurance and Social Protection (ACISP).

Mrs. Josephine Okui Ossiya is a seasoned finance and management expert with over 20 years of experience in senior roles across finance, audit, treasury, risk management, and strategy execution, including 14 years in public-private partnerships. She has worked in diverse sectors such as energy, oil and gas, pensions, financial services, FMCG, real estate, and telecommunications. Mrs. Ossiya has held leadership positions including CEO of the Capital Markets Authority and CFO of Bujagali Energy Limited. A Certified Public Accountant and Fellow of the ACCA (UK), she holds an MBA from the University of Liverpool and a Bachelor of Commerce from Makerere University. She serves as a Director on the Board of the Bank of Uganda and chairs its Strategy Finance Committee. Mrs. Ossiya’s extensive networks and experience across Africa make her a highly influential leader in the financial sector.

Ramah Nyang a rejoint la CGTN en 2012 en tant que présentateur et journaliste. Il a auparavant travaillé pour différents médias kényans, couvrant un large éventail de sujets économiques et politiques. Il a débuté sa carrière en tant que journaliste généraliste et présentateur dans une radio d’information urbaine au Kenya, au sein du groupe Radio Africa, avant de rejoindre KTN en tant que présentateur. À ce poste, Ramah était responsable de la création d’une émission hebdomadaire qui analysait les événements politiques et économiques du Kenya, y compris la couverture de l’affaire de la CPI au Kenya.

Nicholas is a founding editor of The Africa Report. He previously worked for Radio France Internationale and Africa Confidential. His research focuses on industrialization, Asia’s growth trajectory, and the political economy of the nation-state.

Gildas N’ZOUBA, qui cumule à ce jour près de vingt années d’expérience dans le secteur de l’assurance, est depuis mai 2021 Directeur Général de SUNU Assurances Vie Côte d’Ivoire. Il est également Directeur de la Zone Côte d’Ivoire, tout en assumant parallèlement depuis janvier 2021 les responsabilités de Président du Conseil d’Administration de SUNU Business Côte d’Ivoire GIE.

Titulaire d’un Master II en assurance et gestion des risques de l’École nationale d’assurance de Paris ainsi que d’un Executive MBA de HEC Paris, il est aussi diplômé en actuariat du Conservatoire national des arts et métiers en France.

Il débute sa carrière en avril 2005 comme consultant en stratégie et organisation puis rejoint le bureau parisien de Mercer deux ans plus tard comme consultant senior associé sur la « Practice Health and Benefits ». En 2010, c’est comme Directeur Central qu’il officie pour le compte de l’Union des Assurances du Gabon-Vie (UAG-Vie, membre du Groupe SUNU). De 2014 à 2016 il rejoint le Groupe Ogar comme Directeur Général d’Ogar assurances Togo et au terme de cette expérience, il retrouve le Groupe SUNU chez SUNU Assurances Vie Côte d’Ivoire, d’abord comme Directeur Central Opérationnel, puis Directeur Général Adjoint. Cumulativement à ses fonctions de Directeur Général Adjoint, il est également nommé Directeur du Programme de Transformation Digitale des activités d’assurances du Groupe SUNU, rôle assumé de janvier 2018 à décembre 2020.

Depuis mai 2021, il occupe les fonctions de Directeur Général de SUNU Assurances Vie Côte d’Ivoire. À la tête de SUNU Assurances Vie Côte d’Ivoire, première société d’assurance-Vie du marché ivoirien et de la zone CIMA qui compte 14 pays d’Afrique francophone des zones UEMOA et CEMAC. Il est entendu qu’il apporte le leadership nécessaire à la poursuite de la transformation de la société et d’en accélérer la croissance.

With over 18 years of experience in Europe and Africa, Sana leads the insurance practice in Deloitte for French-speaking Africa. She collaborates closely with both private and public organizations—including insurers and regulators—and specializes in strategic structuring and operational optimization. Sana also focuses on climate finance, leading major projects in partnership with local entities and international donors.

Souad El Ouazzani is a partner in our Mazars sustainable services practice. She is a CSR specialist with more then 17 years of experience providing sustainability services. She assists financial institutions and multinational corporations with the design and implementation of ESG strategies, actions plans, training programs, reporting and communication. She led ESG transformation projects covering a large variety of areas such as : climate change and decarbonation trajectories, natural resources consumption optimization, waste management and recycling, HR performances and social impact. Last, she also assisted key International Financial Institutions with the design and implementation of their development aid programs related to sustainable development in Africa.    

Aruoture “Rotus” Oddiri is the host of “the Global Business Report” on Arise Tv which is broadcast across the African continent and in the U.K.

Rotus is an Economics graduate from the University of Houston with a Minor in Business Administration and has over two decades of experience in Banking and Finance from working in the United States of America and Nigeria. He enjoys Macroeconomic discussions and believes inflation is the greatest enemy of mankind.

Damien is the Lead Financial Advisory Partner in French-speaking Africa. With more than 27 years of experience, Damien has assisted several private and public actors in M&A and valuations projects in Africa across various industries.

Damien has notably carried out several M&A assistances in the financial sector, in the context of the divestment of European banking groups in Africa (Société Générale, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered Bank) or in the context of investments by private equity actors.

Damien is a French CPA. He first worked at Deloitte France between 1997 and 2009, then Deloitte Africa starting 2010.

Damien is a member of the Club Afrique of AFIC.

Gwendoline ABUNAW is the Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon, subsidiary of the leading Pan African financial services group present in 35 countries on the Continent. She is equally the Cluster Head for the CEMAC region covering 6 Ecobank affiliates including Cameroon, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic. On June 2022, she became the first female President of the Cameroonian Banking and Financial Institutions’ Association known by its French acronym APECCAM, main entity representing all the banks and financial institutions in Cameroon.

Her tenure as Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon has been marked by the successful execution of Ecobank Group’s digital transformation strategy with outstanding results year-on-year. Her ascension unto the role of CEMAC Cluster Head overseeing all 6 countries and her leadership have made her a role model for women in the region. She was recently recognized as the Woman of the Year 2023 in the banking and finance sector of the CEMAC region at the African Finance Banking and Digital Summit in Brazzaville, Congo in January 2024.

With over 20 years of banking experience, she has occupied C-suite roles since 2011, including Head of Corporate Banking for Cameroon with coverage of 6 other countries in central Africa, Deputy Managing Director and later, Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon. In addition to her role as Managing Director for Cameroon and the CEMAC region, she is also a board member at Ecobank Cameroon, Ecobank Chad and E-Process International (Ecobank Technology Service Provider); as well as chairperson of the boards for Pan African Savings and Loans (Microfinance member of Ecobank Group), EDC Investment Corporation (Investment Bank member of Ecobank Group) and EDC Assets Management.

Gwendoline ABUNAW is a holder of both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Banking and Finance from Buea University (Cameroon) and an MBA from the London Metropolitan University (UK). Prior to joining Ecobank Cameroon in 2011, she occupied several roles at both Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank.

Mrs. ABUNAW is also a frequent speaker at conferences covering a range of topics, from women in leadership/empowerment; innovation/ digital transformation in the financial sector as well as youth engagement and technology.

Franck Adjagba is an accomplished Financial Services Professional with 19 years of extensive experience in Business Development, Strategic Planning & Execution, Innovation & New Product Development. Prior to his current role, he was the Managing Director of AGF West Africa. Before joining AGF, Franck was the Country Managing Director of Alios Finance Burkina Faso, a Pan African Specialized Asset Finance Company, with a mix of prominent African and European investors. A Beninese national, Franck holds a Master’s Degree in Marketing & Management from the Institut Supérieur Européen de Gestion (France), a Master’s Degree in E-business & Strategy from Grenoble Graduate School of Business (France) and a FinTech Certificate from Said Business School, University of Oxford. Franck has a passion for FinTech Entrepreneurship and Investment as well as Sustainable Development initiatives in Africa.

Pascal Agboyibor, admitted to the Paris Bar and Managing Partner of ASAFO & CO., plays a key role in major economic and financial projects across Africa.  He is highly regarded for his expertise in projects and financing, particularly in the areas of energy, infrastructure and large integrated mining projects. He also regularly advises on project finance and capital markets transactions, including sovereign debt, on behalf of governments, multilateral financial institutions, lenders and private investors.

In addition, Pascal has also been instrumental in the development of OHADA law and the regulatory regimes of West African financial markets, in particular in developing securitisation in the region.

By co-founding ASAFO & CO. in 2019, he introduced a new player to the legal industry and the world of international law firms; ASAFO & CO. is the first international and pan-African law firm combining leading lawyers from several continents exclusively dedicated to Africa-related projects and cases, whose shared goal is to contribute to accelerating Africa’s economic transformation. 

Pascal has been ranked for several consecutive years in all major legal directories (Chambers & Partners, IFLR, Legal 500 EMEA) and since 2017, he has been consistently ranked #1 or #2 in the ranking of the most influential lawyers in Africa published by Africa Business Plus (Jeune Afrique). He was also recognised as Legal Innovator of the Year in 2014 in the Top 10 Innovative Lawyers in Europe ranking published by the Financial Times and in 2024 was among the Top 100 Most Influential Africans 2023 published by the New African.

Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede is the Managing Director of Coronation Asset Management, with a distinguished career spanning over 26 years in the financial services sector. A graduate of the University of Buckingham with a bachelor’s degree in business studies, he currently serves as President of the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN), member of The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors in Nigeria and the UK.

Throughout his career, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede has consistently delivered transformative results that have built client trust and set industry benchmarks. He is widely recognised for his expertise in wealth management, corporate banking, treasury, and capital markets. 

His career began at Fidelity Bank in 1997, with roles across Retail, Private, Commercial, and Public Sector Banking, and Treasury and Funds Management. He later held key positions at MBC International Bank Limited and First Bank Plc, leading teams in Commercial and Corporate Banking, specialising in Construction and Real Estate sectors.

At Coronation Merchant Bank, he led Capital Markets, driving growth across the bank’s Investment Banking, Asset Management, and Securities Brokerage businesses. Prior to joining Coronation, he was Director of Wealth Management at Marina Securities Limited, where he led business development and relationship management for high-value clients.

David Akinin is the Founder and CEO of Jabu, a fintech company transforming cash logistics and merchant payments across Southern Africa. Operating in Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast and the DRC, Jabu enables real-time cash digitization through smart safes, agency banking infrastructure, and interoperable B2B payment systems connected to banks, mobile money operators, and national financial switches.

Born in Venezuela and based in Zambia, David began his career at Google before launching multiple ventures across Africa. He is a former investment banker at Credit Suisse and previously co-founded Atenu, a construction company focused on housing and school development in Africa.

David holds degrees from the University of Chicago and UCT Graduate School of Business. He serves on the Board of the Payment Association of Zambia, and GS1 Namibia.

He currently serves as the Honorary Consul of Estonia in Namibia and holds the Knights Cross of the Order of the Civil Merit in Spain. He is a frequent speaker on fintech, African innovation, and digital infrastructure.

ASFAW ALEMU TESSEMA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DASHEN BANK S.C. Asfaw Alemu, is the CEO of Dashen Bank S.C. one of the largest private banks in Ethiopia. He is a seasoned Banker with 35 plus years of experience in the industry. Before being appointed as a CEO of Dashen Bank in May 2015, he had served at different Senior Management positions in the Bank including Corporate Planning and Development Department Manager, Credit Department Manager and Vice President Operations. He has also led the Board Secretariat Office as a Board Secretary for eight consecutive years. Prior to joining Dashen Bank in 2005, Asfaw has worked in governmental, private and Non-Governmental Institutions including the Development Bank of Ethiopia as Project Officer, Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief as Credit Specialist, Wegagen Bank S.C as Credit Analyst, Credit and Risk Management Department Manager and Vice President Credit and Risk Management. He was also a Vice President for Administration, Finance and Business Development at Unity University, a pioneer private university in the Country. In addition to his Current position as a CEO of the Bank, he is serving as a Board Director at Nyala Insurance Share Company, Ethswitch S.C., Ethiopian Bankers Association, Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce, Debre Markos University and Ethiopian Quality Award. Asfaw holds an MA Degree in Economic Policy Management from University of Ghana and is a Certified Manager. He is married and a proud father of two daughters

Mumbi is a business leader with experience working across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa and Uganda in Fintech and Edtech, and has an educational background in mechatronics engineering.
Based in Kenya, she currently serves as the General Manager at Tala, a fintech company that has disbursed over $5 billion in credit to more than 10 million customers across Kenya, Philippines, Mexico and India. She has also served in various capacities as a growth advisor for companies such as Mara, Ndovu, Moringa School, and Katapult among others. Prior to Tala, Mumbi led growth and expansion at Moringa School and was the founding director at Impact Africa Network. Mumbi is also passionate about catalysing startup ecosystems and is an angel and venture partner at Ralicap. 

Her work is guided by a passion in technology and startup ecosystems in emerging markets, their growth, inner workings, and optimisation and how this links to economic development.

Malek Atrissi, Telecel Group COO, is a distinguished leader with over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications sector, recognized by his influential leadership and commitment to operational excellence. Throughout his career, he has held pivotal executive roles within multinational groups such as MTN, where he spearheaded major operational transformations. Additionally, he served as non-executive board member for various organizations, providing strategic oversight and governance expertise.

His tenure is marked by dynamic leadership and innovative strategies that have significantly boosted profitability and operational efficiency. Malek also pioneered the launch of the first network Dynamic Discount system for mobile networks and introduced the first Satellite-to-Mobile connectivity in Africa.