Gerardine Mahoro

Regularly mentioned among leaders contributing to shaping an African economic narrative, engaged as a council of women and men politicians or CEOs, through her functions at the African Development Bank (AfDB) or BIG4 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) in the past, Gérardine Mahoro is constantly looking for impact.

She is the founder of ACT05 advisory whose mission is mainly to help promote local opportunities and attract investments through country and sector focus. Before ACT05 she worked for PWC Paris in strengthening the francophone Africa consulting and strategy practice of BIG4, and worked for the African Development Bank before PWC.

Gérardine Mahoro was cited by the magazines Forbes Africa and Tropics Magazine among the under 40s who are shaping Africa. Between Europe and Africa, she has been traveling the African continent for many years, and has created an important network on both continents.”

Yonas Tessema

Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama

Mr. Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama is a product of the Achimota School and Ghana’s premium university, the University of Ghana (UG), where he obtained a degree in Political Science and Sociology. He pursued Law at the University of Ghana, and later proceeded to the Ghana School of Law for his Professional Law Course.

In his business life, he has focused mainly on the Energy Sector where he worked with American companies such as Bridgewell resources LLC based in Portland, Oregon State, Gulf South Forest products based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida State. After gaining that foreign private sector exposure, he returned to Ghana and started soliciting for various firms. One such important firm is Elsewedy Electric based in Cairo, Egypt with subsidiaries in other African countries and in Ghana, where he was in charge.

Mr. Dubik Mahama is the youngest Managing Director (MD) ever to be appointed as the Head of ECG and also happens to be the first Board member to be officially appointed to that role.

Collins Injera

Collins Injera, OGW, OLY (born 18 October 1986) is a Kenyan rugby player known for his achievements with Kenyan national rugby sevens team.

He is the leading African try scorer and currently holds the second place for number of tries scored on the World Rugby Sevens Series with 279.

Injera represented Kenya in Rugby Sevens at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which were held in July and August 2021, becoming one of only a handful of rugby players across the globe to have played in both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

In January 2023, Injera was inducted into the Fiji Sevens Hall of Fame and in March of the same year, into the Hall of Fame at Melrose Rugby Club where rugby Sevens was started.

In 2020, Injera was the highest try scorer at the inaugural World Tens Rugby Series played in Bermuda.

And in 2021, Injera was selected as a torch bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games’ Queens Baton.

In September 2022, Injera was selected to represent Kenya in the Rugby World Cup Sevens, which was played in Cape Town, South Africa, making it his fourth appearance at the Rugby Sevens World Cup, the most appearances by any Kenyan athlete at any team sport World Cup competition.

Edward Kirathe

Edward is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Acorn Holdings Limited. He has over 25 years’ experience in the Real Estate sector in East Africa. Acorn Holdings is focused on developing and managing quality and affordable rental housing in Kenya, starting with purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), for university and college students.

In October 2019, Edward led Acorn to issue the first Green Housing Bond in Africa which, in January 2020, became the first Green Bond to be listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and then the first Kenya Shilling Bond to list on the International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Subsequently, in February 2021, he led Acorn to successfully launch the Acorn Student Accommodation D-REIT and I-REIT.

Edward was the Founding Chairman of the REITs Association of Kenya, a role he served in until October 2020. He is actively involved in developing avenues for sustainable investment in affordable housing through the Capital Markets.

Edward has been a guest speaker at several international conferences and events, including for the World Bank, Harvard, the University of Wisconsin, Urban Land Institute, the New York Stock Exchange, and the London Stock Exchange.

Christopher Kirigua

Mr. Christopher Kirigua is currently the Director General of the Public Private Partnerships Directorate. He is a seasoned investment banker who worked with the Standard Chartered Bank for over 17 years, prior to joining the public service in December 2020.

Mr. Kirigua was recently a co-chair of a strategic committee in the United Nations Global Investors for Sustainable Development, focused on widening longer-term investments mainly in emerging markets where it is needed most.

Brian Wesaala

A seasoned IT professional, Brian Wesaala worked with various international organisations, including the World Organisation of the Scout Movement and the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. In 2018, he set up The Football Foundation for Africa to help create a sustainable business model for the African football industry. A passionate football follower, he deeply understands the global football industry. He is keen to see the sport improve the livelihoods of youths in Africa and globally. Mr Wesaala is also the convenor of the Africa Football Business Summit.

Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi (Kenya) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Technology Management from the Open University (UK), where he focused on innovation and project management. In 2019 Mr Wesaala obtained a Professional Master’s in Football Business from the Football Business Academy (Switzerland). In 2022 he completed the Advanced Entrepreneurship Programme at the Institute of Small Businesses Initiative at Strathmore Business School.

Vimal Shah

Chairman, Bidco Africa, East Africa’s leading manufacturer of Edible Oils, Hygiene and Personal Care products, and Food & Beverages. Bidco has over 60 brands and a footprint in 18 African countries.

He is a distinguished global leader who is making an impactful difference in all fronts. Over the years, he has championed Innovation and initiatives towards a world-class excellence in the company’s operations that has earned Bidco numerous awards, accolades and global recognition in Energy Management, Business Leadership, ICT, Manufacturing and Sustainability fronts.

• Chairman of Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya Private Sector Alliance, East African Business Council, Kenya Agribusiness and Agro-industry Alliance
• Signatory of the United Nations Global Compact
• Board Member of Tony Elumelu Foundation and Mauritius Board of Investment
• Awarded a First-Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S.) in 2011 – the highest National Honour and Presidential Commendation by the Former President of Kenya for his contribution to Business, Entrepreneurship, Economic Sustainability and Growth in the region.
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011
• East African Entrepreneur of the Year by All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in partnership with CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa

Sydney Scott Sam

Sydney Scott Sam is a celebrated leader in Africa’s marketing and entrepreneurship landscape, notably recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30. Over the past decade, he has been at the forefront of a mission to assist more than 500 African entrepreneurs in establishing robust brands through his tech platform, workspaceglobal.com. This platform has revolutionized access to top-notch creative services and created remote work opportunities for countless African freelancers across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa.

Sydney also leads operations for a non-profit organization called openspaceglobal.org, which facilitates a global mindset transformation. Through open and honest group conversations, this initiative has positively impacted thousands of Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora, empowering them to lead change and live fulfilling lives. Sydney’s influence and expertise have garnered recognition from prominent media outlets like Forbes, CNN, Billionaire Tomorrow, and CNBC Africa, solidifying his role as a key contributor to discussions on entrepreneurship and business leadership in Africa.

Benjamin Breen

Ben Breen is Global Director of Construction and Vice President of the Asia Pacific region at the Project Management Institute. Originally from Australia, Ben moved to Singapore in 1994 and has since supported or led hundreds of projects including iconic developments such as Marina Bay Sands and the award-winning Suntec Convention Centre. He has founded several project management and design companies, helping them to grow and develop into best-in-class providers.Before joining PMI, Ben served as Managing Director, South East Asia at Space Matrix Design Consultants Pte Ltd, Singapore, where he was responsible for servicing Space Matrix’s clients who were looking to expand their global footprint across Asia. He has also led the company’s digital transformation – moving it to the forefront of digital technology for interior design and building firms.Ben has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in building engineering from Victoria University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, and is based in PMI’s office in Singapore.