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H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé
Keynote
His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé serves as the President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, the highest executive authority in the nation’s government following the adoption of a new constitution in 2024. Sworn in on May 3, 2025, President Gnassingbé was appointed by the National Assembly as the first leader of the Council under Togo’s Fifth Republic, transitioning the country to a parliamentary system.
In this role, he guides national policy, oversees government administration, chairs the Council of Ministers, and represents Togo in key regional and international engagements. A seasoned statesman and long-standing political leader, he leads with a focus on governance, stability, and strategic development for the people of Togo.
Ody Akhanoba
Topic: Africa’s Export Vision and the Future of Intra African Trade
Africa’s Export Vision and the Future of Intra African Trade
Profile: Ody Akhanoba serves as the Director of SME Development at the African Export Import Bank, Afreximbank, where he leads the Bank’s strategic initiatives to strengthen and scale small and medium enterprises across Africa. With a distinguished career dedicated to advancing trade, enterprise growth, and financial inclusion, he has been instrumental in designing programs that enhance the export capacity and global competitiveness of African businesses.
Ody Akhanoba is a respected voice in SME development and digital transformation, and he continues to champion innovation, partnerships and sustainable pathways for Africa’s entrepreneurs to thrive on the world stage
Rola Seifeddine Afra
Topic: SME Export Development – Role of a Commercial Bank
Rola Seifeddine Afra is a seasoned finance and Access Bank Executive leads strategic commercial banking and trade finance operations across key global markets. With over 20 years of experience in banking, marketing and business leadership, Rola has a track record of driving growth, facilitating international trade solutions and strengthening financial linkages between emerging and global economies.
As a dynamic speaker, she shares insights on trade finance, leadership in global banking, cross-border commerce and strategic growth, offering audiences practical frameworks and real-world perspectives from the frontier of international finance and economic development.
Dr. Juliet Ehimuan
Topic: The African Tech Story – Past, Present and Future
Dr. Juliet Ehimuan is a globally respected technology leader, executive coach, and thought leader with over 25 years of experience driving digital transformation and leadership excellence across Africa and beyond. She is the Founder & CEO of Beyond Limits Africa and former Director for West Africa at Google, where she played a pivotal role in expanding digital access, skills development, and innovation across the region.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Dr. Ehimuan speaks powerfully on leadership, innovation, digital transformation, and personal excellence, drawing from her extensive executive, board, and global experience. She is a Forbes-recognised Power Woman, author of 30 Days of Excellence, and a Non-Executive Director at Zenith Bank Plc, inspiring audiences to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Topic: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its inpact on Africa’s trade ecosystem
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole is a globally respected policy reformer, trade expert and thought leader. She is widely recognised for driving high-impact economic and regulatory reforms that improve competitiveness, attract investment, and enable enterprise growth.
Before her ministerial appointment, Dr. Oduwole served as Special Adviser to the President on PEBEC and Investment, leading landmark reforms that transformed Nigeria’s business environment. A former Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and governance advisor to global institutions, she brings rare depth at the intersection of policy, law, trade, and leadership.
A compelling keynote speaker, Dr. Oduwole speaks on economic transformation, trade facilitation, governance reform, and Africa’s growth agenda, offering audiences practical insight grounded in real-world leadership and global best practice.
Zahra Baitie-Boateng
Topic: The Power of African Entrepreneurs – Our ABH Story
Through ABH, Zahra empowers African entrepreneurs through mentorship, networks and grant funding. In her role as the MD, Africa, she drives pan‑African initiatives that spotlight, support and scale innovative business leaders across the continent, fostering sustainable growth and inclusive economic impact.
Zahra’s global, multicultural perspective fuels her mission to build the next generation of African business changemakers. Her talks on entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and ecosystem building inspire audiences to unlock opportunity, scale impact and drive Africa’s economic transformation.
Bodunrin ‘BB’ Sasore
Topic: The Economics and Financing of Africa’s Creative Industry
Bodunrin “BB” Sasore is a leading Nigerian filmmaker, screenwriter, and co-founder of Nemsia Studios, one of Africa’s most innovative film production companies. He has directed and written critically acclaimed works including Before 30, Banana Island Ghost, God Calling, and the multi-award-winning Breath of Life, which garnered top honours at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and has reached global audiences through strategic partnerships with platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
With a unique journey from biological sciences at Rutgers University to storytelling mastery, BB Sasore combines analytical depth with creative vision to explore compelling human narratives and elevate African cinema on the world stage. His work consistently bridges cultural resonance with artistic excellence, making him a sought-after voice on filmmaking, creative leadership, and storytelling that inspires, challenges, and connects global audiences
Tara Fela-Durotoye
Topic: The Emergence of Africa’s Beauty and Cosmetics Industry
Tara Fela‑Durotoye is a pioneering Nigerian entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of House of Tara International, one of Africa’s most influential beauty and cosmetics brands. She established Nigeria’s first bridal makeup directory and makeup academy, empowering thousands of beauty professionals and entrepreneurs across the continent.
Tara is a celebrated thought leader and mentor who inspires audiences with her insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, empowerment and building purpose-driven businesses. Her work has earned continental recognition, including Forbes’ 20 Young Power Women in Africa, making her a sought-after voice on African enterprise and innovation.
Joycee Awosika
Topic: The Emergence of Africa’s Beauty and Cosmetics Industry
Joycee Awosika is an award-winning entrepreneur and visionary leader. She is the founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Africa’s pioneering wellness and personal care brand, and SOAR, a consultancy that helps businesses implement systems and scale sustainably.
She has built multi-country brands, empowered thousands of entrepreneurs, and delivered keynote talks worldwide on entrepreneurship, leadership, business systems, and purpose-driven growth. Joycee is recognized for her innovation and impact, strategic insight and practical experiences when inspiring audiences to build businesses that are both profitable and transformative.