Panelists
The Summit
This summit presents an extraordinary opportunity for high net worth individuals, investors, policymakers, and SMEs from Africa and Canada to meet and create new business partnerships and engagements. Attendees will benefit from the highly interactive, educational, and informative experience the event promises to offer.
Expected Outcomes
Business Speakers
Yofi Grant
The CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC)
Ashish Thakkar
Founder of the Mara Group, a pan-African conglomerate spanning industries from real estate to financial services. Thakkar is also a philanthropist and advocate for entrepreneurship in Africa.
Elumelu Tony
Nigerian business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Tony is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which supports entrepreneurs in Africa.
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu
Ethiopian entrepreneur and founder of the footwear company, SoleRebels. Alemu is known for her commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Fred Swaniker
Ghanaian entrepreneur and founder of the African Leadership Academy and the African Leadership University. Swaniker is an advocate for education and leadership development in Africa.
Folorunso Alakija
Nigerian businesswoman and philanthropist. Alakija is the founder of Famfa Oil, and is also involved in fashion and real estate.
Jason Njoku
Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of the streaming service, iROKOtv. Njoku is a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and tech innovation in Africa.
Jesmane Boggenpoel
Zimbabwean entrepreneur and founder of the digital marketing agency, Growth Hacking Africa. Boggenpoel is also a speaker and consultant on marketing and entrepreneurship.
Julian Kyula
Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of the mobile banking service, PesaPal. Kyula is also a speaker and consultant on entrepreneurship and innovation.
Lorna Rutto
Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of EcoPost, a social enterprise that produces sustainable building materials from recycled plastic waste. Rutto is an advocate for sustainability and green business practices in Africa.
Oluseun Onigbinde
Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of the civic tech organization, BudgIT. Onigbinde is also a commentator on public finance and governance in Nigeria.
Rebecca Enonchong
Cameroonian entrepreneur and founder of the tech hub, AppsTech. Enonchong is a vocal advocate for women in tech and entrepreneurship in Africa.
Yasmin Belo
She Leads Africa, a platform that supports and connects women entrepreneurs in Africa. Both Belo-Osagie and Osei are also speakers and commentators on entrepreneurship and women's empowerment.
Swaady Martin
Ivorian entrepreneur and founder of the tea company, YSWARA. Martin is also a speaker and consultant on luxury and African entrepreneurship.
Tewolde GebreMariam
Ethiopian businessman and CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. GebreMariam is also a commentator on African aviation and entrepreneurship.
Wendy Luhabe
South African entrepreneur and founder of the education and mentoring organization, Women's Private Equity Fund. Luhabe is also a prominent advocate for women's economic empowerment in Africa.
Business Speakers
Kevin Dahl
CEO of Springboard West Innovations, an investor and incubator for early-stage tech companies. He has expertise in seed stage investing, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Heather Douglas
CEO of North Star Cultural Community Hub, a community-driven organization that brings together Indigenous and mainstream populations. She has expertise in Indigenous entrepreneurship, economic development, and community engagement.
Lanny Cardow
Chief Commercial Officer of Canadian Western Bank. He has expertise in commercial banking, small business banking, and business lending.
Steve Allan
CEO of Calgary Economic Development, an organization that drives economic growth and business investment in Calgary. He has expertise in corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and economic development.
Jil McIntosh
Business Development Officer at Alberta Innovates, a government-funded organization that supports innovation in Alberta. She has expertise in business development, technology commercialization, and government funding programs.
Rob Sinclair
CEO of Alberta Enterprise Corporation, an organization that supports startup venture capital in Alberta. He has expertise in venture capital, early-stage investment, and business development.
Donna Kennedy Glans
CEO of Elevate Energy Strategies, an organization that provides strategic consulting services to energy companies. She has expertise in energy transition strategies, leadership development, and corporate social responsibility.
Brendan Stasiewich
Director of Small Business at the City of Calgary. He has expertise in small business development, government support programs, and economic policy.
Nada Ristich
Founder of NMP Technologies Inc., a technology consulting firm for SMEs. She has expertise in digital transformation, technology strategy, and project management.
Hafeez Bajwa
CEO of Visage Investments, an organization that offers investment management services. He has expertise in investment analysis, portfolio management, and risk management.
Rebecca Morley
Executive Director of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations. She has expertise in nonprofit management, community development, and social entrepreneurship.
James Lochrie
CEO of Wave, a financial services company that offers accounting and invoicing software for SMEs. He has expertise in business software, startup finance, and entrepreneurship.
Judy Fairburn
CEO of Nexen Group, an energy company focused on oil and gas exploration and production. She has expertise in corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability.
Tony Franceschini
President of Avenue Living Asset Management, a real estate investment firm. He has expertise in real estate investment, property management, and capital raising.
Daisy Onubogu
Director of Diversity and Inclusivity at Scotiabank. She has expertise in diversity and inclusion strategies, talent development, and corporate social responsibility.
Andrew MacIsaac
Director of Western Economic Diversification Canada - an agency of the federal government that promotes economic growth and prosperity in Western Canada. He has expertise in regional economic development, government funding programs, and SME support initiatives.
Business Speakers
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
South African politician and former Minister of Communications. She is an advocate for youth empowerment, digital skills development, and ICT investment in Africa.
Mustapha Bakkoury
President of the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), an organization leading Morocco's national deployment of renewable energy. He is an expert on clean energy, investment, and public-private partnerships in Africa.
Maria Kiwanuka
Ugandan businesswoman and former Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. She is a strong advocate for private sector investment, local content development, and economic diversification in Africa.
Charles Ebo Freeman
Ghanaian government official and Deputy CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre. He is an expert on investment promotion, investment facilitation, and business enabling environments in Africa.
Dan Kazungu
Kenyan engineer and former Mining Cabinet Secretary. He is an advocate for mining industry development, investment attraction, and sustainable mining practices in Africa.
Gabriel Ajedra Aridru
Ugandan parliamentarian and former Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. He is an expert on economic policy, investment promotion, and regional economic integration in Africa.