2024 speakers

 
 Mr. Phillip .K. Chitalu, has been working as a Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Zambia Since 2016.   Phillip holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the Copperbelt University (Zambia) and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Development Finance from Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa. He is also a fellow of both the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants of the UK (FCCA) and the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA). His regulatory credentials include the Harvard/IOSCO Regulatory Certificate which he got in 2017. 
Phillip started his career at PwC in 1994 and has over the years worked in the financial services industry, ICT, medical and regulatory services including at the Pensions and Insurance Authority in Zambia. His work experience thus extends over a 30 year period over which Phillip has gained a lot of experience and knowledge in capital markets, accounting and auditing, finance, information technology and general administration.

Zineb is a Managing Director and Partner in the Boston Consulting Group, based in Casablanca. She leads BCG’s work in Women Economic Empowerment globally, and has supported multiple DFIs, governments, multilateral organizations, corporates and investors in designing strategies to enhance women’s economic inclusion and generate value from a higher economic participation of women. She believes it is one of the major untapped development levers for economies, societies and businesses.

Zineb has worked on multiple aspects of Women Economic Empowerment, including education, agriculture, climate, financial inclusion and digital inclusion. She is a TED speaker on the intersection between women and climate, with her talk titled “Hidden opportunities of climate action for women”.

Zineb has also co-authored multiple publications on women’s economic inclusion such as : Companies Must Help Close the Economic Gender Gap in Africa, How Online Marketplaces Can Power Employment in Africa, and Reframing the Narrative on Women’s Roles in African Societies among others. 

Mik Kabeya is a Vice President – Senior Analyst in the Financial Institutions Group, based in London. Mik primarily covers financial institutions based across the African continent.

Prior to relocating to London in 2021, Mik was based in Dubai 
where he covered financial institutions based in the Middle East.

Before joining Moody’s, Mik worked in capital markets at BNP Paribas and in credit risk at Fullerton Financial Holdings. Mik graduated from ICHEC Brussels Management School. He is fluent in English, French and Dutch.

Ashok Shah is the Group CEO of Apollo Investments Limited. He is a seasoned executive with over 50 years of progressive experience within the insurance industry both in East Africa and England. He majored in applied chemistry at Kingston University (UK) and is a Chartered Insurer by profession. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Other directorships include Barclays Bank, Central Depository System Corporation, Reliance Insurance Company (Tanzania), APA Insurance (Kenya & Uganda) Ltd, APA Life Assurance Ltd, and Apollo Asset Management. He is the first recipient of the Think Business Life Time Achievement Award for his contribution to the Insurance Industry in Kenya. He has been nominated to EY Entrepreneur of the Year, AABLA Entrepreneur and Philanthropy.

Ashok was ranked 9th in the top 25 CEOs making an impact in business in Kenya for 2021, Featured as the Top 25 most influential CEOs impacting Businesses in 2022,  as well as recognized as one of the most transformative CEOs impacting the economy in2023 by Business Monthly

Beyond his professional achievements, Ashok is deeply committed to social causes. His passion for transforming lives is evident in his contribution to building 40 sand dams in Machakos and Makutano, touching thousands of lives.

Ashok Shah’s journey exemplifies how visionary leadership can drive both industry excellence and meaningful community change.

Amine BOUABID incarne l’essor panafricain de BANK OF AFRICA, où il occupe, depuis novembre 2021, le poste de Directeur Général Exécutif en charge de l’Afrique. Son parcours de plus de 20 ans dans le secteur bancaire témoigne d’une vision stratégique et d’un leadership avisé.

Depuis 2015, il dirige puis préside BOA Group S.A., société holding du groupe, active dans plus de 18 pays africains et en France, avec un bilan consolidé de 10,2 milliards d’euros en 2023. À la tête de ce réseau, M. BOUABID met en œuvre des stratégies de croissance visant à renforcer l’intégration régionale et la compétitivité des filiales du groupe malgré les défis que connait le secteur sur le continent.

En 1996, M. BOUABID s’est vu confier la mission de créer SALAFIN, établissement de crédit à la consommation, filiale de BANK OF AFRICA. II y a œuvré activement jusqu’en 2015. SALAFIN a fait son entrée, en 2007, à la Bourse de Casablanca. Elle affiche, en 2015, une capitalisation boursière de 170 millions USD et l’une des meilleures rentabilités de la place avec un ROE de l’ordre de 20% pour des fonds propres avoisinant les 65 millions USD.

Visionnaire, M. BOUABID a également contribué aux réformes du marché financier marocain, participant au lancement du premier indice boursier privé de la Bourse de Casablanca, reflétant sa détermination à moderniser et développer les marchés financiers dans la région.

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.

Hon. Soraya Munyana Hakuziyaremye was appointed Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda on 15 March 2021. Prior to that, she served as Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry from October 2018 to March 2021; where she oversaw the implementation of the “Made in Rwanda” policy, contributing to the 9% average annual growth of the industry sector and increase in exports. 

During her time as Minister of Trade, she also served as Chair of the EAC Sectoral Council on Investment and Trade, contributing to the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA), as well as in the National Covid-19 Taskforce, overseeing the management of domestic trade and cross-border trade flows during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before her tenure as Cabinet Member, Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye worked as Vice President in Financial Institutions/Financial Markets Risk Department at ING Bank in London from 2016 to 2018. 

She also worked in various senior risk management positions at BNP Paribas Group in Paris, Fortis Bank and the Bank of New York Mellon in Brussels from 2002 to 2011. 

Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye served as Senior Advisor to Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2014. She was a board member of Ngali Holdings as well as co-founder ofthe Brussels-Africa Hub, an international non-profit organization, led by Banking and Finance leaders with the mission to facilitate sustainable and responsible investments towards Africa. 

Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye brings a rich experience in global banking and financial advisory. She holds a postgraduate degree in International Management from the Thunderbird Graduate School of Global Management at Arizona State University in the U.S., as well as a Masters in Business Engineering (Ingénieur de Gestion) from the Solvay Business School at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. She is also an alumna of the Executive Public Leaders Program at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government.

Uzoma Dozie is one of Nigeria’s leaders in the financial sector and the last Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Nigeria.

An experienced Financial Advisor, Economist, Technologist and Entrepreneur, Dozie has led the way in implementing large-scale technology solutions to drive sustainable economic reform in Africa’s financial services sector for over twenty years.
Uzoma has since launched Sparkle, a mobile-first platform for Nigeria’s retail sector, combining his vision for using technology to power financial inclusion, at scale, with his extensive background in retail and financial services.

Uzoma is an advocate for financial inclusion, focussing on providing best-of-breed financial and non-financial solutions to the millions of unbanked across Africa. He is bullish on the need for widespread mobile adoption in the finance sector. He is passionate about leveraging technology to play a definitive role in the social development and transformation of the people and businesses on the continent. He believes that technology, along with good governance, as well as support and education for SMEs, has the power to push Africa forward and continues to work towards this goal.

Dr. Oramah holds an MSc and a PhD in agricultural economics from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. He was Assistant Manager (Research) at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank before joining Afreximbank as Chief Analyst in 1994. He has served as Senior Director of Planning and Business Development (2007) and Executive Vice President in charge of Business Development and Corporate Banking (2008). He has been President of Afreximbank since June 2015.

Dahlia Khalifa is Division Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), based in Lagos, Nigeria, where she leads IFC’s investment and advisory work across multiple countries to support private‑sector growth and job creation. 
She joined the World Bank Group in 2004 and has held senior roles spanning investment climate advisory, strategy and operations, and youth empowerment initiatives. Before that, she built and managed financial services firms in the Middle East and Africa. 

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.

Richmond Bassey est le CEO et cofondateur de Bamboo, une application de courtage en ligne qui permet aux Africains d’investir dans des catégories d’actifs étrangers en temps réel. Il est passionné par l’idée de rendre l’investissement accessible à tous les Africains afin de créer une richesse intergénérationnelle. Richmond a levé plus de 18 millions de dollars en capital-risque, notamment auprès d’éminents investisseurs américains comme Greycroft et Tiger Global. À ce jour,  À ce jour, Bamboo compte près d’un million d’utilisateurs au Nigeria, au Ghana, en Afrique du Sud et au Kenya. Avant de rejoindre Bamboo, Richmond a travaillé comme chef de cabinet chez Helium Health.  

Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh is an accomplished economist with extensive experience in public finance and economic development.

He completed his primary and secondary education in Aioun and Kiffa, earning a degree in Economics from the University of Nouakchott. He furthered his studies in Tunisia, obtaining a diploma from the National School of Administration with a specialization in programming and public fund management.

Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh began his career in 2000 as an administrative officer within the financial division of the Ministry of Finance. Over the years, he has held several strategic positions, including:

Head of the Markets and Investment Expenditures Division at the Budget Directorate
Deputy Inspector General at the General Inspectorate of State
Economist at the World Bank
Director General for the Development of the Nouadhibou Free Zone
Executive Director of the Biodiversity Trust Fund
Advisor to the Minister of Economy and Finance, responsible for promoting the private sector
Chair of the Technical Committee on Public-Private Partnerships
In addition, he has held prominent international roles, such as:

Director of the Institutional Services Division at the Maghreb Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade, based in Tunis
General Coordinator of the Strategic Priorities Monitoring Unit at the Presidency of the Republic
Delegate of the African Union Presidency to the G20
Since his appointment as Minister of Economy and Finance, Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh has been committed to advancing Mauritania’s economic development by strengthening public-private partnerships and ensuring effective management of public finances.

He is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.

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

Mr. Alaa Has been in the Insurance Market for more than 33 Years.

He was appointed president of the Federation of the Afro Asian Insurance & Reinsurance in 2021 and now is the Vice Chairman. He holds several positions in various organisations including Chairman of the Insurance Federation of Egypt, Chairman of the insurance committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt. Board member of Gulf Sigorta – Turkey, Vice Chairman of Egyptian – Life Takaful-GIG since 2011, and Board memeber of GIG – Jordan.

Mr. El Zoheiry was chosen the Best Insurance Man in Egypt 2014. He was “Personality of the Year” at the 2017 Middle East Insurance Industry Awards and was awarded “Professional of the Year” at 2021 MENA IR Awards and “BEST CEO In Africa” award by the African Insurance Organisation in 2022 and was announced to be “Reinsurance Proffessional of the Year 2024” awards in MENA IR in Dubai.

He holds a BA in business adminstration from Sadat Academy for Management Sciences.

Many Thanks!

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.

Mahmoud Mohieldin is an economist with over 30 years of experience in international finance and development. He serves as the United Nations Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and leads a group of prominent experts appointed by the United Nations Secretary General to promote solutions for resolving the debt crisis. Dr. Mohieldin is a Professor of Economics and Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at the Cairo University, and a Visiting Professor at several renowned Universities in Egypt, Korea, the UAE, the UK, and the USA, he is also a Visiting Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University and a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Global Economy and Development Program at Brookings. Dr.Mohieldin joined a prestigious commission of Experts created by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and Columbia University’s Initiative for Policy Dialogue tasked with developing reforms to address the sovereign debt and development crises affecting countries across the Southern Hemisphere. He joined in March 2025 the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).The World Academy of Arts and Science (WAAS) elected Dr. Mohieldin as a Fellow in 2024. He is also currently the Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Business of Economic Growth. Dr. Mohieldin is a Global Ambassador to the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns for the High-Level Climate Champions and was the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP27. 

Dr. Olavo Avelino Garcia Correia is the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Business Development and Minister of Digital Economy of Cape Verde. He is a native of the island of Santiago in Cape Verde and holds a degree in Economics, in Berlin as well as a postgraduate degree in Business Management, Riedenburg, Baviera, Germany. 

Professionally, Olavo Garcia Correia has always been linked to the field of ​​economics and management, with experience as a professor at the Instituto Superior de Ciências Juridical and Social between 2014 and 2016. He has held important positions both in public and private sectors. He was a member of the Advisory Board of Banco de Cabo Verde (BCV) – from 2004 to 2016, from 2006 onwards and for 10 years as Managing Director of Banco Montepio Geral Cabo Verde (BMGCV). He was Director General of Cape Verde’s Treasury in 1997 and Advisor to the President of the Republic in 1993 and Alternate Governor of Cape Verde at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In his private sector career, Olavo Garcia Correia, held the position of Director of the Tecnicil Group, having held the functions of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tecnicil Indústria, between 2004 and 2016.

And in politics, he was Assistant Secretary of State to the Minister of Finance in 1999, a member of the Council of the Republic of Cape Verde from 2011 to 2016, and has been Vice-President of the MPD since 2013 – the political party that supports the current Government. From April 2016 to January 2018 Olavo Garcia Correia was part of the Government of the IX Legislature of the Republic of Cape Verde as Minister of Finance. 

Éric M’Boua, a prominent figure in African and international event hosting and TV production, brings over 20 years of experience from France, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, and now Morocco. Known for his dynamic presence, Éric has hosted more than 100 high-profile events, including the Africa CEO Forum Awards, UE-Africa Forum, Women In Africa Initiative, and Africa Digital Summit, as well as major corporate events for brands like Coca-Cola, Visa, Total, and Orange.

In the finance and corporate sectors, he has led prestigious forums such as La Finance s’Engage, the Africa Digital Money Banking Forum (Afreximbank), the Mortgage Financing Forum by the World Bank/WAEMU, and the Africa Pay & ID Expo.

A familiar face on networks like NCI, Canal+, Edan TV, and RTI, Éric reaches millions across the continent. As co-founder of AfroVFX, he nurtures young talent in digital media through a partnership with the Orange Digital Center. Originally from Côte d’Ivoire and Canada, he now resides in Marrakech, working across Africa and Europe as an accomplished host, coach, and media strategist. With degrees in Law, Political Science, and Interactive Media Production, Éric’s expertise enriches every stage he graces.

Boum is the CEO of Daba Finance, Africa’s first end-to-end multi-asset investment platform. Daba’s unified financial platform is revolutionizing investing in Africa by enabling individuals and businesses of all sophistication levels to transparently invest in the 2 trillion dollar economic opportunity on the continent.

He worked at Nasdaq for 5 years as a fintech software engineer and holds an MBA focused on finance, strategy and innovation from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He co-founded Afrika Startup Lab, a non-profit that has empowered over 800 African entrepreneurs through advisory, education and community. Boum’s dedication, passion and expertise have made him a true leader in entrepreneurship and impact, committed to creating positive change for Africa and beyond. He is a Forbes Afrique 30 under 30 honoree.

Nathalie Kouassi Akon joined IFC as Director of Gender & Economic Inclusion Department in September 2023. Nathalie, an American and Ivorian national, was earlier the Executive Director at Mastercard Foundation. She was responsible for the Pan-Africa platform, leading enterprise-wide the four programmatic thematic areas of Gender, Entrepreneurship Development, Digital Economy and Agrifood Systems and Climate.
 
She previously held the role of the Regional Director, overseeing the Foundation’s expansion into West, Central and Northern Africa, leading a large team across the region, and setting the overall strategic direction and framing for programming in line with the Foundation’s values and priorities. 
 
Prior to joining the Mastercard Foundation, Nathalie was a Partner & Managing Director Africa of Equator Capital Partners, an impact investment fund manager, where she supervised the Africa investment team throughout the investment process including origination, structuring and negotiation, investment committee proposals and board representation. 
 
Nathalie served as an independent director on leading African banks, and as Chair of the investment committee of the private sector facility of the African Development Bank Group. She was also listed in the 100 most influential women in the 2022 publication by Advance Media. 

Nathalie holds a Master of Management in Strategy and a Minor in Finance from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris, France.

Aida Diarra serves as Senior Vice President and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa for the SSA region at Visa. In this role, she oversees all of Visa’s operations across Sub-Saharan Africa and cultivates relationships with Visa’s clients and government authorities.

Aida joined Visa in November 2018 and is a highly experienced executive in the financial services and digital financial industry and is well versed in growing business and operations across the African continent. Her twenty-five-year career includes strategy development and implementation, business development and operational management.

An industry veteran, Aida’s experience outside Visa includes a 20-year term with Western Union, where she was the Regional Vice President for Africa and Managing Director for more than four years. Prior to this, she held a number of progressive leadership positions at the global money transfer business, developing her experience in marketing, sales, account management, strategy & planning and country and regional leadership positions.

Aymen Mtimet, Partner Advisory at Deloitte Francophone Africa, specialized in Strategy and Economic Growth. Holder of an MBA in Finance from Sorbonne Business School and a Business Administration degree from Paris 1 University, I have over 18 years of experience in Europe and Africa supporting public and private sector transformation.

I have led numerous public policy reform initiatives, particularly those related to financial inclusion, public and private strategy, and innovation. I have also managed several strategic and operational development programs, especially for financial institutions and development partners.

Before joining Jeune Afrique Media Group in July 2022 as the Director of AFIS, Ramatoulaye Goudiaby was a driven financial markets professional with 16 years of experience as Fixed Income Sales, Business/Credit/ Sell-side Analyst, Credit Risk Manager within the main French Banking groups and Insurance Companies (Société Générale, AXA, Engie trading, First Bank of Nigeria), specifically focusing on fixed Income Investments and commodities, on OECD and African financial Institutions. Ramatoulaye is also a part time lecturer in Business Schools and has been teaching for 10 years Corporate Finance, Fixed Income, IAS and IFRS standards to Master and MS students.

Dr. Sidi Ould Tah is a distinguished economist, seasoned statesman, and transformative development banker, whose career spans over four decades of high-impact leadership across African and international institutions.

From 2015 until April 15, 2025, Dr. Tah served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he led a landmark institutional transformation that firmly repositioned the Bank as a leading force in Africa’s development finance landscape. Under his visionary leadership, BADEA attained prestigious AA+/AAA credit ratings, increased its total assets from $4 billion to nearly $7 billion, and established itself as a model of operational excellence and strategic foresight.

Dr. Tah’s tenure was defined by innovation and resilience. He crafted and executed the Bank’s first 10-year strategy, BADEA 2030, and articulated a bold long-term vision with BADEA 2074, aligning the institution with Africa’s Agenda 2063. Amid Sudan’s political crisis, he orchestrated the seamless relocation of BADEA’s headquarters from Khartoum to Riyadh—an extraordinary feat of crisis management and institutional continuity. Project approvals more than quadrupled under his leadership, digital infrastructure was significantly modernized, and the Bank maintained one of the lowest non-performing loan ratios among African DFIs (0.4% in 2024).

A champion of sustainable and inclusive finance, Dr. Tah established BADEA’s Sustainable Financing Framework and secured multiple ISO certifications in ESG standards and quality management. He has played an active role in advancing Africa’s position in global climate finance discussions, including through regular participation in the COP summits.

Prior to BADEA, Dr. Tah served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance, where he also acted as National Authorizing Officer for the European Development Fund and represented Mauritania on the Boards of Governors of the AfDB, IsDB, World Bank, and more than ten other development institutions. His unique perspective—combining the policymaker’s insight with the financier’s strategic acumen—enabled him to pioneer context-sensitive solutions such as debt-for-equity swaps that strengthened African DFIs without increasing sovereign debt burdens.

Dr. Tah has also held board roles with leading regional institutions including Africa Export-Import Bank, Trade and Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, and the Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC). A respected voice in global economic forums, he is a frequent invitee to the World Bank Development Committee and other high-level platforms.

He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis in France, along with advanced degrees from Paris VII-Jussieu and the University of Nouakchott. He has completed executive education at Harvard University, the London Business School, and the Swiss Finance Institute. A polyglot, Dr. Tah is fluent in Arabic English and French, with working proficiency in Portuguese and Spanish.

In recognition of his contributions to economic development and regional integration, Dr. Tah has been decorated by several African states, including as Grand Officer in the National Orders of Burkina Faso and Niger, and Officer of the National Order of the Lion of Senegal.

Chilufya Mutale-Mwila is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Co-Founder & CEO of eShandi, a credit-first Pan African Challenger Bank for SMEs and individuals in emerging markets. Among other accolades, she is recognized as one of the top 50 women in Fintech, one of the 5 women breaking barriers in her industry, recognised as one of the 100 Most Influential African Leaders, recognised as one of the 100 Women creating a better Africa through contributing to one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, recognized as one of the 50 people to connect with in Africa by the Tony Elumelu Foundation that highlights projects and entrepreneurs across the continent whose businesses are making a positive impact. With Chilufya’s visionary leadership and commitment to excellence, eShandi continues to pave the way for inclusive financial services 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.

After 13 years of professional experience mainly spent in the financial services and banking industries in Europe & Africa, He joined Visa International Moroccan offices, as a Business Development Leader for Western Francophone Africa before taking the lead of the Western & Central Francophone & Lusophony Africa region (18 countries) managed from the new Visa offices in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). He oversees Visa’s operations in the region. He is the current Vice president, head of western and Central Africa.

Right before joining Visa International, Ismahill DIABY successively held the following positions: Regional Marketing Manager for West Africa at Western Union where he managed during 7 years the Marketing and Business Development for nine (9) Francophone & Anglophone countries in West Africa and he most recently spent 3 years with BNP Paribas where he successively held the positions of Head of Business Development and Deputy Director of the Retail Banking of their subsidiary in Cote d’Ivoire.

A passionate serial entrepreneur who enjoys building businesses and meaningful relationships with people across the globe. Over 2 decades, Mr. Abdel Nabi gained a comprehensive knowledge in the financial industry in Egypt and across the MENA region. Mr. Abdel Nabi started his entrepreneurial career at the age of 16 in the entertainment business in Egypt. Later co-founded a hospitality business traveling 6-8 cities a year and became passionate about traveling, exploring & enjoying different cultures and traditions across the globe. 

After graduating from American University in Cairo (AUC) in 2007 majoring in finance. Mr. Abdel Nabi decided to exit the hospitality business and move into finance as an equity analyst in HC for investment (www.hc-si.com). In 2008, he moved to Beltone Holding (BFH.CA) (www.beltoneholding.com), where he escalated very fast to operate and expand BFH business across different markets Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Qatar, Libya, New York and London. 

In 2011, with outbreak of the Arab Spring in the Middle East, Mr. Abdel Nabi decided to pursue his passion and join forces with fellow entrepreneur and acquire a major stake in a small-sized reputable financial institution ‘Delta Financial Investments’; whereas, in late 2012, Mr. Abdel Nabi and his partners exited to Arabia Investments Holding (AIH.CA).    

In 2013, Mr. Abdel Nabi co-founded a merchant bank ‘Catalyst Partners Holding’ (www.catalystpartners.me) executed +USD300 Mn in debt capital market transactions and +USD1 Bn in equity capital market transactions. In 2022, Mr. Abdel Nabi launched the 1st impact investing fund in Egypt and Middle East fund ‘Catalyst Capital Egypt’ partnering with UNDP (www.undp.org) to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

In late 2022, Mr. Abdel Nabi founded ‘Qardy’ (www.eqardy.com) the 1st online lending market place in Egypt for financial institutions to fund Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. 

Furthermore, Mr. Abdel Nabi is the head of policy of advocacy committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt and serves on several boards and execute committees across MENA region. 

Sokhna Maïmouna Diop is a recognized Senegalese banking leader known for her strategic expertise, managerial rigor, and commitment to economic development in West Africa. Since 2025, she has been the Managing Director of NSIA Banque Sénégal, where she leads the transformation, growth, and innovation of this leading financial institution.

Holding a master’s degree in banking and financial organization management from the University of Paris Dauphine – PSL, she furthered her education with several executive certificates from HEC Paris, INSEAD, and the International University of Rabat, strengthening a dual strategic and operational skill set essential for the governance of large banking groups.

She began her career in 2005 at Deloitte as an auditor before joining Société Générale CIB in Paris and later in London. There, she held key positions in operational security, private equity, structured finance, and risk management, gaining extensive experience in the workings of international financial markets.

In 2012, she made the decision to return to Senegal and joined CBAO, a subsidiary of the Attijariwafa Bank Group, where she quickly rose through the ranks. Initially serving as Director of Strategy and Management Control, she later became Executive Director of Finance & Strategy, and then Deputy Managing Director. Between 2020 and 2023, she oversaw strategic functions such as digital transformation, banking operations, and the business positioning of the bank.

Sokhna Maïmouna Diop is a strong advocate for financial inclusion and financing for African SMEs. She believes in a bank that is useful, close to its clients, and capable of supporting economic changes through innovative, sustainable, and inclusive solutions. At the helm of NSIA Banque Sénégal, she is deploying a pan-African vision for banking development based on performance, social responsibility, and digital transformation.

Anass Bensrhir is a Data and Advanced Analytics Expert, distinguished by his ability to transform raw data into innovative products, actionable insights, and engaging narratives.

He commenced his career at McKinsey in 2018 as a Data Engineer and has since advanced to the role of Senior Expert and Associate Partner in the Casablanca office. In this capacity, Anass has spearheaded and successfully delivered multiple large-scale data transformation programs for prominent clients in the banking, insurance, and real estate sectors. His expertise lies in managing complex data initiatives, driving strategic change, and empowering organizations to leverage data as a competitive advantage.

Papa Demba Diallo, a seasoned Senegalese infrastructure investment expert with over 20 years of experience, previously served as the CEO of the Senegalese Sovereign Wealth Fund FONSIS. Having transitioned from the role of Executive Director in 2014, he oversees units specializing in ICT, Health, Infrastructure, Transport, and Services, actively shaping, and executing the fund’s long-term growth strategy. Demba’s distinguished career includes key roles such as Executive Vice-President at Sonatel (Orange Senegal) and CEO of Sonatel Business Solutions. His leadership extends to global companies like CoSine Communications in San Francisco and British Telecom. Demba holds master’s degrees in Distributed Computing and Telecommunications from Télécom SudParis and Management Sciences from Université Paris Dauphine – PSL, solidifying his expertise in the ever-evolving field of infrastructure.

Mourana Soumah: An Eminent Manager and Experienced Technocrat in Charge of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Guinea

Always prompt and enthusiastic, full of energy and vitality in action, inspired and inspiring in his search for effective and innovative solutions to the challenges and issues at hand, Minister Mourana Soumah belongs to the category of young, enlightened managers with strong leadership.

Since March 2024, the Minister of Economy and Finance is known for his intellectual and professional qualities, expertise, and proven skills in managing public finances and the economy in Guinea. This distinguished senior official in his fifties is a “pure product” of the Guinean University system. He spent a significant part of his early career within the Treasury and Public Accounting services in Guinea.

A great leader with an impressive and remarkable career, Mourana Soumah holds a degree in Economics from the University of Gamal Abdel Nasser in Conakry (late 1990s). In the years that followed, he combined practical work experience with postgraduate training, internships, and study trips both in Guinea and internationally.

During his time at the Treasury, Minister Mourana Soumah led major reforms, including the creation of the Central Accounting Agency for Treasury Deposits with Capital Banking Solutions, the development of the procedures manuals for non-tax revenues, the handling of banking operations, and, notably, the implementation of the reform on the Single Account (CUT). As Head of the Central Accounting Agency for Treasury Deposits (2012), Mourana Soumah contributed to improving and strengthening the National Payment System by laying the groundwork for the digitalization of Treasury and Public Accounting Services, in collaboration with ATOS Consulting and the SCIE platform.

Beyond his professional and administrative career, the former Director-General of the Treasury and Public Accounting has built and maintained a strong international network of contacts and friends in public finance and economics, formed during his study trips, internships, and academic training.

He has also made notable appearances in leading institutions and training establishments, including in Paris and Strasbourg (ENA, specializing in Public Finance and Economics), the General Treasury of Eure – Haute-Normandie, the Bank of France, the Centre for Studies and Research on International Development (CERDI – University of Auvergne), Clermont Ferrand, France, the IMF Institute in Washington, the ENAREF of Burkina Faso, as well as immersion programs in Canada and at Bercy in Paris.

A skilled manager, approachable, open, and rigorous, Minister Mourana Soumah is deeply committed to upholding the values of ethics, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds.