Speakers

Honourable Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture

Ghana

Honourable Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture

Honourable Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal is currently Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture. Dr. Mohammed Awal trained and worked as a journalist and a marketer for several years with Ghana’s premier newspaper and media house the Graphic Communications Group Limited, He joined the Graphic Communications Group as a reporter, page editor, advertising manager, general manager, and finally led the company as its Chief Executive Officer.

In the area of entrepreneurship, Dr. Mohammed Awal once led the affairs of Chase Petroleum Corporation, a downstream oil and gas company that operates in Ghana. He also founded and led Marble Communications Group Limited, a private media and publishing house in Ghana as its Chief Executive Officer. Also, as an entrepreneurial expert, Dr. Mohammed Awal had the occasion to offer his services as a consultant in the areas of business strategy, management, marketing, and communications, offering his services to Diplomatic Missions, Development partners as well as state institutions.

Aside from his current political portfolio as Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Mohammed Awal served as the Minister for Business Development between January 2017 and February 2021. He is the first and the only person to have served his country Ghana under that Ministry. He is widely credited for developing an Entrepreneurship Policy for Ghana whilst serving in that capacity. As an entrepreneur, Dr. Mohammed Awal is the founder and owner of a number of companies and is a strong advocate for linking classrooms to real-world experiences, and therefore has consistently maintained the need to “bring the classroom into industry, and industry into the classroom” towards creating economic transformation for Ghana and Africa at large.

Dr. Mohammed Awal is an ineluctable pillar in the Government of Ghana and has represented the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as his Special Envoy, representing him on special assignments which include special Presidential and Diplomatic missions to the United States of America, United Kingdom, India, Turkey, Germany, France, Hungary, China, Morocco, Iran, Italy, Central African Republic, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Qatar and Portugal and Guinea Bissau and on missions to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Dr. Mohammed Awal has copped numerous awards and recognitions. In 2019, he was adjudged ‘the Most Business-Oriented Minister’ of Africa by the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF). He was also named ‘the Best Performing Minister’ and the ‘Most Outstanding Minister in Ghana’ for 2018 and 2019 respectively by the Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executive Awards. In 2009, the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) awarded Dr. Mohammed Awal as ‘Ghana’s Marketing Man of the Year’, and impressively also, declared him ‘the Most Respected Chief Executive Officer’ of the country in the same year. He was also awarded by The Mediterranean Tourism Foundation for Innovative Tourism.

Dr. Mohammed Awal holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration with a specialty in succession planning and business competitiveness from the Swiss Business School and three master’s degrees, one in Applied Business Research from the Swiss Business School, Switzerland, an Executive Masters in Business Administration from the University of Ghana Business School, Legon and a Masters in International Journalism from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.

Dr. Mohammed Awal believes in continuous professional and personal education and participates in study and training opportunities including courses in Business Strategy at Harvard Business School, USA, and oil production and management at Oxford, United Kingdom.

As a trailblazer in the entrepreneurial and political landscape in Africa, Dr. Mohammed Awal was the brainchild behind the flagship project in the tourism sector, dubbed ‘Destination Ghana’, which was launched by the President of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in April 2022 in London, United Kingdom.

Under Dr. Mohammed Awal’s leadership, Ghana seeks to position herself as the most preferred tourist destination in Africa and Ghana as the ‘Centre of the World’. This initiative along with the aforementioned achievements attest palpably to Dr. Mohammed Awal’s unwavering commitment as a business and political leader who has the vision to see the improvement of the entrepreneurial and business ecosystem in Ghana and Africa through trade and investment, tourism, arts, and culture.

Honourable Lydia Sindisiwe Chikunga

Minister of Transport

South Africa

Honourable Lydia Sindisiwe Chikunga

Minister of Transport

Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga, served as the Deputy Minister of Transport from 2012 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2021 she then served as the Deputy Minister of the Department of Public Service and Administration. In August 2021 she was re-deployed back to the National Department of Transport until March 2023 when the President appointed her as the Minister of Transport. Minister Chikunga serves with vigour, passion, and commitment. She is a fierce leader who dedicates her energy to using the transport portfolio to improve the lives of South Africans, through ensuring that there are reliable, safe, and accessible modes of transport.

Hon. Heather Mwiza Sibungo

Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism

Namibia

Hon. Heather Mwiza Sibungo

Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism

Legislative Profile: Member of the National Assembly (2015-present) and appointed as the Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in March 2021 till present. Personal:Born on 19 January 1978, Zambezi Region Education: Student: Diploma in Business Administration, Business Management College (2014 ) Certificate: Executive Office Assistant, Business Management College (2013-2014); Certificate: Computer Literacy, Business Management College (1999); Certificate: Typing Skills, City Commercial College (1996). Career: Kongola Pioneer Band (1989); Member: Interim Swapo Party Youth League Committee (1993); Branch Executive Member of NANSO, St Kizito College (1992); Student Representative Council Chairperson, St Kizito College (1993-1995); Regional Executive Member of Representative SPYL (1994); Regional Chairperson, Caprivi Regional Youth Forum (1994); Board Member of National

MEC Abraham Vosloo

MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism

Northern Cape Provincial Legislature
South Africa

MEC Abraham Vosloo

MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism

MEC Vosloo is a South African educator and politician from the Northern Cape serving as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism since June 2020. He has been a Member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature since 2019. He was the MEC for Roads and Public Works from May 2019 until June 2020. Vosloo was previously the Executive Mayor of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality. He is a member of the African National Congress (ANC)

Early life and Education Vosloo was born on the 21 October 1966 in Askham, Cape Province. He completed his secondary education at Carlton Van Heerden High School in Upington in 1985. Vosloo went to achieve a teacher’s diploma and a high diploma from the Perseverance School in Kimberly.

Career Vosloo worked as a teacher at JJ Adams Primary School in his home town from 1990to 1991. He was then employed at the Rosendal Primary School in Upington from 1992 until his appointment as a shop steward at SADTU. He was appointed the director of the corporate services at the //Khara Hais Local Municipality in 2005; he held the post until 2012. In 2012, Vosloo was selected as a municipal manager of the Kai !Garib Local Municipality. From 2013 to 2014, he served as a chair of the African National Congress in the ZF Mgcawu region. Vosloo was elected speaker of the district municipality in 2014. The next year, he was elected mayor of the municipality.

Provincial Government After the 2019 general election held on 8 May, he was nominated to the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature. He was sworn in as a member on 22 May 2019. On 29 May 2019, Vosloo was appointed Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Roads and Public Works, succeeding Mxolisa Sokatsha. On 26 June 2020. Vosloo was moved to the Finance, Economic Development and Tourism portfolio of the Executive Council. He succeeded Maruping Lekwene, while Fufe Makatong succeeded him as Public Works MEC.

In October 2020, Vosloo stated that agricultural sector in the Northern Cape had lost almost 10,000 jobs. He also stated that this could be due to seasonal factors and the COVID-19 lockdown restriction

Kamil Abdul-Karrim

Managing Director

Pam Golding Tourism & hospitality Consulting
South Africa

Kamil Abdul-Karrim

Managing Director

Kamil Abdul-Karrim has trained as an Accountant at UNISA and spent his earlier career in accounting and finance developing into CFO for two Global companies in the service environment. Kamil then embarked on post-graduate studies completing a PDM-Public Policy Development and Administration at Wits University in 1996 and went on to achieve his MBA with Bond University in Australia during 1998.

Kamil, having held the position of Strategic Marketing Director for Southern Sun Hotels, moved on to set up his own Strategic Consultancy culminating in the current strategic venture with PAM GOLDING Properties. PAM GOLDING Tourism & Hospitality Consulting is a partner of numerous financial institutions, leading hotel operating companies and property development companies, including The SAXON Hotel and Spa, MARRIOTT Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, Providence Hospitality, Indalo Hotels, numerous Commercial Banks, Funding Agencies and DFIs, among others.

Kamil has served as a member on various boards and committees including the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, Durban-Africa, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Tourism Research Advisory Committee of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Bilateral Aviation Committee of the Department of Transport and Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others. Kamil was also a Non-Executive Director of the JSE listed Hospitality Property Fund.

Prof. Diane Abrahams

Director

University of Johannesburg
South Africa

Prof. Diane Abrahams

Director

Prof. Diane Abrahams holds a BSc Hons, an MSc, and PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand. She has acquired a wealth of skills and expertise during her different roles in the corporate, non-profit, government and academic sector. Throughout her career she has demonstrated commitment to economic and social development in South Africa, holding various senior positions in strategic development and governance. Prof Diane then transitioned into academia, leveraging her expertise in her role as Director of the School of Tourism and Hospitality in the College of Business and Economics at the University of Johannesburg, where she provides academic stewardship and oversight to both academic departments and the commercial operations unit. Her talents lie in driving significant transformative change initiatives with profound success, through passion, commitment, and effective stakeholder engagement. Prof Diane notes the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship as important in terms of transforming the sector and in creating opportunities for the many talented youngsters starting a career in Tourism and Hospitality.

Bayo Adedeji

Group CEO

Wakanow
United States

Bayo Adedeji

Group CEO

Bayo has over 20 years of broad and diverse mix of business experiences across continents With proven track record of turning around failed businesses. His past experiences at Texas Instrument, Walmart, Petsmart and Amazon shaped and solidified his analytical acumen, management and finance expertise that he continues to demonstrate in all his businesses. Bayo’s prior role at Amazon.com as Snr. Finance Executive managing all products related to Inbound and Inventory for Fulfilment by Amazon Worldwide with over $80 billion in s ales is evident of his capacity and ability to deliver results. He holds a MBA in Finance from Clark Atlanta University, USA and a B.Sc from Obafemi Awolowo University in Demography and Statistics Currently the Group CEO of Wakanow and all its subsidiaries worldwide and also a serial entrepreneur with investments in multiple business endeavors including Wave Beach, Athena and Dundu Nation. He is also known as Bayo Lion because of his tenacity to success, a great people manager and an empathetic leader.

Safiyya Akoojee

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Fortunatus Advisory

United Arab Emirates

Safiyya Akoojee

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Fortunatus Advisory

Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Fortunatus Advisory LLC, Safiyya is a Dubai based South African Attorney & advisory professional, with more than thirteen years of law practice experience, coupled with business interests spanning FMCG, real estate, tourism and including wild game conservation. Safiyya is a dynamic, performance driven professional who has held leadership posts in multiple businesses and provides global expertise with legal insights to advise businesses and executives alike. Safiyya has an acute business acumen and foresight allowing her to advise her clients on the intricacies of cross border transactions and offshore establishment. Having gained a significant amount of experience representing various businesses & industry sectors. Fortunatus Advisory has mandates representing clients in multiple diverse sectors of the economy including oil, gas & energy; travel, tourism & hospitality; food manufacturing; real estate & construction sectors. Representing high net worth clients through Africa & the Middle East, securing foreign direct investment, and advising on offshore strategy providing a complete suite of services, Safiyya is an astute legal & private advisor. Safiyya previously had success in completing foreign direct investment transactions, and practicing in commercial and corporate law matters, both litigious and non-litigious. Having successfully advised and represented international trade, company formation specialty and offshore company strategy. Safiyya worked as Director of Thomson Wilks Inc. in association with DWF for thirteen years as the sole international attorney, focused on Middle East strategy & legal consulting. She speaks regularly at conferences on international investments and the international legal environment & regulations supporting business opportunities, whilst overcoming cross border and governmental challenges, in an ever-increasing multicultural society. She has also served as President of the South African Business Council, Dubai U.A.E as and represented South Africa in procuring foreign direct investment. Safiyya holds multiple degrees in Bachelor of Arts (Law, International Relations, English), University of Witwatersrand; Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of South Africa; Post Graduate Certificate, Commercial & Corporate Law, University of London (awarded merit*); Post Graduate Diploma, Banking & Finance Law, University of London (awarded merit*); Masters of Law (LLM), Banking, Finance & Corporate Law, University of London

Connect with Safiyya Akoojee
Website: www.fortunatusadvisory.ae
Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/Safiyya-akoojee-449817a1
Website: Safiyya@fortunatusadvisory.ae

Linda Balme

Senior Commercial Manager

Travel Start
South Africa

Linda Balme

Senior Commercial Manager

Linda is an experienced travel industry professional with over 22 years of leadership and management experience in the UK, Sydney, and the US. She has led six different brands and worked in various management positions throughout her career. Currently, Linda serves as Travelstart's Senior Commercial Manager, where she is responsible for driving growth to different destinations by working with tourism boards, travel providers, and corporate partners. Linda also oversees the commercial side of Innovation City, working collaboratively with governments, partners, and companies within the ecosystem to promote innovation and growth.

Ferdie Botha

General Manager

Raisins SA
South Africa

Ferdie Botha

General Manager

Ferdie Botha is an experienced agricultural economist with 16 years’ experience in the agri-sector. He joined the dried fruit industry in 2017 to concentrate on his career as agricultural economist and expand his skills set in a more focused business environment. Ferdie played an instrumental role in the restructuring of the dried fruit industry in South Africa over the past six years. Once this reform was successfully implemented, he was tasked to refocus the national raisin industry association, Raisins SA, setting a new vision and driving strategic priorities.

Jean Byamugisha

CEO

Uganda Hotel Owners Association
Uganda

Jean Byamugisha

CEO

Jean Byamugisha is the CEO of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association, the only trade association for the Hotel Sector in Uganda. With over 600 member hotels, UHOA is the biggest as well as one of the oldest private sector Associations in Uganda’s tourism sector. Ms. Byamugisha is the first female CEO of the Association as well as the youngest CEO in the history of UHOA. When Jean took over as CEO, the Association had 202 Members and she has steadily grown the association to 625 members in 6years, making her one of the best performing CEO’s in the history of UHOA. She has also been recognized as one of the 20 Best performing CEOs in Uganda in a national survey carried out in December 2018 and 2019. She was voted among the top 100 women in Tourism in Africa in 2017 as well as one of Uganda’s Top 40 CEO’s under 40 in 2018. She was also voted as one of Uganda’s 50 most admirable women in 2020. Ms. Byamugisha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management from Makerere University, one of Africa’s oldest and best universities as well as a host of post graduate certifications from different international training institutions. Jean is very passionate about the tourism industry and has acted as Mentor to many hospitality students in different universities in Uganda. In her spare time, Jean is an avid reader and traveller.

Patience Chika

Acting Executive Manager-Investment and Product Development

Botswana Tourism Organisation
Botswana

Patience Chika

Acting Executive Manager-Investment and Product Development

Patience Chika is an accomplished professional with expertise in product development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and Master of Project Management from University of Botswana, and a Management Development Programme from University of Stellenbosch, and is an internationally accredited Project Management Professional. Patience has been with Botswana Tourism Organisation for 10 years, where she has been executing tourism product conceptualization, feasibility analyses, sustainable product planning, design and implementation, product enhancements and stakeholder management. She is currently the Acting Executive Manager for Investment and Product Development at the Botswana Tourism Organisation. With her extensive knowledge and experience in the tourism landscape, Patience is dedicated to developing and enhancing tourism in Botswana, contributing to the country's economic growth and sustainable development.

Sandile Chipunza

Manager External Affairs & Sustainability

International Air Transport Association
South Africa

Sandile Chipunza

Manager External Affairs & Sustainability

Sandile Chipunza is IATA’s Manager – External Affairs & Sustainability - Africa and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

His responsibilities include ensuring that IATA’s members’ priorities and needs are met, implementing IATA policies and promoting its products and services to contribute to meeting Industry expectations as set out by IATA’s Board and Leadership.

Central to this role is solid Advocacy for the value that Aviation contributes to the African Continent and also contributes expertise in Aviation Industry solutions.

Prior to taking up the role of Manager – External Affairs & Sustainability – Africa, Sandile was Manager, Advocacy & Strategic Relations, Africa from being an Aviation Solutions Manager for Southern Africa. Before IATA, Sandile was with Airlink as a Regional Manager - Africa for seven (7) years, after also

spending seven (7) years with SAA setting up new SAA managed operations in Zimbabwe and Zambia. He has over 25 years’ Experience in both Aviation and Travel & Tourism Sectors. Sandile holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Managements from the University of South Africa and also holds various Diplomas with IATA.

Andrè Compion

Managing Director

FLyNamibia
Namibia

Andrè Compion

Managing Director

Andrè Xavier Compion, Namibian citizen Matriculated at Paarl Gimnasium in 1978 Obtain B.Pharm degree at Potchefstroom University of CHE in 1982 Owned & Managed various pharmacies in Windhoek, Namibia Obtained Commercial Pilot’s license in 1992 Founded Comav (Pty) Ltd in 1993, offering charter and scheduled flight services throughoutSouthern Africa Joined Air Namibia as General Manager: Operations in JV with Comav Ventured into full-time farming, tourism and hospitality at Farm Ghaub, Grootfontein, Namibia. Served on various Boards, Professional bodies Associations in leadership positions. Shareholder and managing partner of The Windhoek Collection, a hospitality group in Windhoek with interests in hotels and restaurants Became shareholder and Managing Director of FlyNamibia in 2022. Resides at farm Mareewil, Okhandja district, Namibia as part-time farmer whilst commutingbetween Windhoek and the farm.

Ayodeji Dawodu

Director

CEEMA Fixed Income
UK

Ayodeji Dawodu

Director

Ayodeji Dawodu is the Head of Africa Research at BancTrust & Co. He has close to nine years’ experience in Credit and Equity Research working at Standard Bank, Exotix Capital, Investment One Financial Services and Debtwire while he also had a brief stint at Sahara Energy as a Project and Petroleum Economist within the Corporate Finance team. Ayodeji holds BA in Accounting & Finance (First Class) from the University of Kent, and an MSc in Finance with Distinction from Bayes Business School (formerly known as CASS Business School). He is also a CFA Charter Holder and ACCA-qualified chartered accountant.

Nelson de Oliveira

Country Manager :Brazil

Eastern Airlines / NDO Reps
Brazil

Nelson de Oliveira

Country Manager :Brazil

Nelson de Oliveira is one of the most reputable aviation and travel trade professionals in Brazil and South America. Gratuated in Business Adminstration with a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management by the prestigious Fundação Getúlio Vargas in São Paulo, Nelson has hold top executive positions in airlines and travel management companies, such as South African Airways, JTB Alatur, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Alitalia, and Eastern Airlines. During his long tenure at SAA, he had the opportunity to visit South Africa and other African countries in more than 150 trips to the continent. Early in 2023, Nelson de Oliveira launched NDO Reps, a travel representation company based in São Paulo. NDO Reps is responsible for the Brazilian operation of Eastern Airlines, a US based airline, operating passenger and cargo charter flights between Brazil and the United States with a fleet of Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft.

Glenton De Kock

CEO

Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI)
South Africa

Glenton De Kock

CEO

“Promoting positive community and economic growth in our neighbourhood” is an objective that drives Glenton daily.

Glenton’s public and private sector strategic management skills came in handy during the pandemic. His active role within the Business Events industry in South Africa and the Africa has aided his role as CEO of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI). With the pivotal role he played for the association and specifically with the formation of the South African Events Council, he was aptly placed in working across the public and private sector the past few years on behalf of SAACI members.

Having honed his tourism and hospitality skills during his tenure as Managing Director of Tourism Buffalo City (covering East London, King Williams Town and Bhisho) where he oversaw the development and implementation of the destinations USAID Funded Tourism Master Plan, as Chief Executive Officer of Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch) he refocused the organisations operating model, and as Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Tourism Board, which is now The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) he drove the implementation of the provinces international partnerships program.

As an Associate Director at KPMG he led the Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Unit for Africa and South Africa before moving onto Grant Thornton in a similar position. His position as Project Manager at the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber ensured that Business embraces its civil society role by driving a holistic approach which enables business within the Metro to work towards long-term sustainability, though projects such as the Nooitgedaght Low Level Water Scheme and the re-activation for the much needed Addo Road refurbishment.

Glenton’s business management experience cuts across various sectors, such as Tourism Hospitality, Petro-chemical, Mining and all spheres of government to name a few. He provides strategic input into his family footwear manufacturing business which employees 60 people and is run by his sisters.

As active citizen, Glenton acts as an independent advisor to the Nelson Mandela Bay Consultative Christian Churches, The Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition, and the Northern Areas Education Forum and occasionally when time permits mentors businesses within the ICT and Services Sector.

He also serves as a board member for the Tourism Business Council and is a regular moderator on industry platforms.

Glenton is Chief Executive Officer for the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI).

In his spare time, he is the President of the Nelson Mandela University Football Club and is a budding golfer.

Kwakye Donkor

Chief Executive Officer

Africa Tourism Partners
South Africa

Kwakye Donkor

Chief Executive Officer

Kwakye Donkor is the CEO of Africa Tourism Partners (ATP), a Pan African and UNWTO award-winning tourism consulting and advisory firm. He is a renowned Pan-African strategist and expert in areas of tourism development, strategic and destination marketing, destination brand management, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition/Events) strategy, investment facilitation and business transactional advisory. He is a recognised and highly respected personality in Africa tourism space, and speaks at global conferences, seminars and think tank fora facilitated by international organizations including UNWTO, AU, SADC, The World Bank Group, GIZ, BBC, CNBC Africa, Channel Africa, ENCA, SABC and others across Africa.

Kwakye has demonstrated expertise and experience in destination master planning as well as strategy formulation and execution, business transactional advisory and leadership development worldwide across education, finance, and hotel development.

He is the convener of the annual Africa Tourism Leadership Forum & Awards, Africa MICE Masterclass, Africa Youth in Tourism Summit and Africa Women in Tourism Summit series.

Shingai George

Insights Expert/ Data Analyst

Forward Keys
Spain

Shingai George

Insights Expert/ Data Analyst

As a ForwardKeys Insights Expert/Data Analyst, Shingai George leverages ForwardKeys data to provide travel industry stakeholders with invaluable insights on travel market trends. His diverse professional background combines expertise in IT, coupled with a decade’s experience in aviation safety, airline sales and flight and airport operations. Passionate about aviation, Shingai is a trusted voice in the sector: in addition to speaking at industry events, he contributes articles for various publications on subjects including air travel, mobility and sustainable alternative fuels. He is also a member of the General Aviation Safety Strategy Focus Group, in the South African Civil Aviation Authority. Shingai is also a Contributor for the think tank, Future Africa Forum; here he lends his expertise in the areas of Infrastructure and Development.

Toni Gumede

Manager in the office of the Chief Executive Officer

Brand South Africa
South Africa

Toni Gumede

Manager in the office of the Chief Executive Officer

Toni’s current role is at Brand South Africa as the Manager in the office of the Chief Executive Officer. She is a seasoned Reputation Management, Stakeholder Relations and Social Facilitation Professional with 15 years comprehensive experience in initiating and executing multi-stakeholder collaborations across public entities and corporate SA within the infrastructure development, energy industry and investment promotion sectors. She has had the responsibility to successfully manage the stakeholder management and community engagement programmes in support of the State-owned entities where she has served in leading multi-disciplinary teams in the delivery of Integrated multi –stakeholder collaborative projects at community level and nationally. She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree at University of the Free State where she also completed post graduate certificates in Project Management and Enterprise Risk Management at the Business School. She is currently working to complete a Masters in Development Studies. She is also a recognized Social Facilitator within the Southern African Social Facilitators Association.

Toni is a proud alumnus and currently a mentor of a global social entrepreneurship youth organization, previously known as (Students In Free Enterprise) SIFE now known as En-Act-Us. This organization nurtures the need to make a lasting difference in the lives of people and the community. She continues to mentor various youth groups who are actively involved in social entrepreneurship, such as Enke – Make Your Mark.

Her areas of philanthropy include the Childhood Cancer Foundation where she is a Champion, and Breadline Africa, where she is a long-term partner and contributor, this organization provides infrastructure and initiatives to support early childhood development in Southern Africa.

Toni is a member for the board of directors of the Maluti A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP SEZ) she also Pastors Sandton Tabernacle of the United Apostolic Faith Church.

She has addressed various national and international platforms as a speaker & panelist, such as;

Youth Entrepreneurship Expo 2022
Empowered Administrators Conference (EAC) 2022
Enactus South Africa National Competition, Alumni Perspective Engagement Webinar 2021
Marketing Advancement Communications in Education Congress 2017
Junior Chamber International SA Chapter Congress 2017, 2018 & 2019
Breaking Down Borders Africa Youth Summit 2018 & 2019

Melvin Hachuma

Chief Executive

Bremsons Investments & Advisory
Australia

Melvin Hachuma

Chief Executive

Melvin is the CEO of Bremsons Investments & Advisory. After completing his Accountancy and Economics studies at Thames Valley University in England, he relocated to Australia 16 years ago where he has since become a citizen. He is now a chartered accountant and also a holder of an MBA from the University of New South Wales among other qualifications. Melvin has a wealth of experience in Corporate Strategy, Financial Analysis Project Management, Risk, Leadership, and Negotiation in a wide range of sectors including Mining, Advisory, Banking, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Infrastructure development with large multi-national organisations. He has also travelled extensively around the world as part of his work. Melvin is passionate about strategic management and youth empowerment at both profit and not-for-profit levels. He has delivered several keynote addresses on these topics and many others at various international conferences including Singapore, England, South Africa, Australia, and United States of America.

Website : https://bremsons.com/

Kenny Hlela

Director: Tourism Investment Coordination

Department of Tourism
South Africa

Kenny Hlela

Director: Tourism Investment Coordination

Kenny S. Hlela is the Director: Tourism Investment Coordination in the Department of Tourism with more 15 years of experience as a civil servant in South Africa. During this period, Kenny has also worked in the following South African Government departments: Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and Public Service & Administration (DPSA). He played an instrumental role in coordinating the following projects, namely: The Regional Spatial Development Initiatives Programme (RSDIP), the South African Chapter of the African Peer Review Mechanism, negotiated Bilateral Investment Treaties, led the drafting of the Tourism Investment Master Plan, conducted the assessment of the potential for tourism in positioning South Africa as an Aviation Hub for the Southern Corridor (IBSA Route). His current work focusses on assisting provinces, municipalities, and the private sector in preparing bankable tourism projects for both domestic and international investors. Prior to joining the civil service, he worked as a researcher at the Centre for Policy Studies. Kenny has led and participated in outward investment promotion initiatives to the United Arab Emirates and has been a panelist in several investment platforms such as the 2017 Africa PPP Conference and the 2019 WTM Africa – Africa Tourism Investment Seminar.

Manzi Kayihura

Executive Chairman - Wilderness Safaris Rwanda -Co-founder - Thousand Hills Africa

Rwanda

Manzi Kayihura

Executive Chairman - Wilderness Safaris Rwanda -Co-founder - Thousand Hills Africa

Manzi is the Executive Chairman of Wilderness Safaris Rwanda, and the co-founder of Thousand Hills Africa, a leading Destination Management Company in the region. Returning to Rwanda from Germany where he spent 14 years, Manzi a former CEO of Rwanda’s national airline is an international airline and travel management professional with over 30 years’ experience in the industry and 17 years in senior management/ownership positions. Manzi has brought his exceptional market insight, and significant skills in marketing, analysis, planning, and negotiation to the development of the Rwandan travel and tourism industry and is actively involved in the sector. As a pioneer in ultra-high-end tourism in Rwanda, Manzi is a partner in Imizi Ecotourism Development Ltd, the holding company for the luxurious Bisate Lodge and Magashi Camp. Manzi was a member of the Tourism Working Group responsible for defining Rwanda’s tourism strategy. He is a founding member and past Chairman of the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association, and is the outgoing Chairman and founding member of the East African Tourism Platform. He sits on the Board of Directors of Akagera Aviation, and is on the Board of Trustees of Aegis Trust.

Ernest Kelly

Managing Partner

Ernest D. Kelly, LLC
United States of America

Ernest Kelly

Managing Partner

Ernest D. Kelly is a New Orleans, Louisiana native. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University, 1978. He has been the owner and operator of Ernest D. Kelly, LLC Accounting Firm for over 30 years; Owner and director of International Concrete Forms, South Africa, GEM Water Management Solutions (PTY) LTD and Ghana Investment Group, LLC. Ernest has served on the Board of Directors for the World Trade Center, New Orleans; Algiers Economic Development Foundation; Louisiana Small Business Advisory & Committee; Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business Committee of Academy & Entrepreneurship and House of Ruth providing housing and support for homeless families. Ernest D. Kelly Producer has over 40 years of entertainment production experience in the USA, Jamaica and Africa. He is founder of the International Arts Foundation; Executive Producer International Arts Festival New Orleans 1987-2005; International Arts Festival; Houston, Texas 1997; Durban One World Festival 2005-2008; Africa Umoja 2013 USA, Africa Umoja 2014 USA Tour, Africa Umoja 2018 USA Tour; the Jamaica’s Reggae Sunplash 1987-1992 and the Ghana World Music Festival in 2018 and 2019. Ernest has to date, led 14 delegations of businesses, government officials, educators, tourist and international music stars to South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Ernest was extremely instrumental in the linking of New Orleans, America’s most African and multicultural city, with Durban, South Africa in 2004 and Cape Coast, Ghana in 2019 in a Sister City Agreements.

Khaled Khattab

General Manager

MEA Region Tour
Egypt

Khaled Khattab

General Manager

Khaled Khattab, an iconic corporate events management professional, based in Cairo-Egypt. Started working in 5 star Hotels since 1991 to gain an experience from six different Hotels chains before making himself a Corporate Executive, leading the business travel & events management in Novartis Pharma in Egypt. Khaled is holding BSC in electronic & computer engineering, gained experience as well on key account management, sales & marketing on different segments. Under his supervision, the department managed all the marketing procurement, business travel and events management logistics for 800+ different types of Events annually, not only in the Middle East but Worldwide. Khaled knows how to make an immersive events setup, dealing with vendors and suppliers from different categories and sectors, an eagle eye for details and knows how to connect the big puzzle of mega-corporate events in just a few seconds. For over 30 years, Khaled has managed local and international events dealing with various stakeholders and partners. Khaled is an active ambassador of UNICEO in MEA. Khaled was a Jury in the BEA World 2022 (Best event award world) at Rome, as well as a panelist speaker at ITB Singapore 2022. He is currently consulting for several corporate companies, International Tour Operators & Event Management companies over Middle East Mice industry & Digital Meeting solutions. Accounts Management was his force point. He is certified in Project Management from UK. He is EVENTOS Founder & CEO since 2012, that is a specialized in Events Management & Solutions. As well as partner and general manager at MEA Gtour & travel. He is married with two children.

Stephen Kimingi

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Tajiri Capital
Kenya

Stephen Kimingi

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Stephen is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of TAJIRI Capital. He is multi-disciplinary investment advisory professional with over 10 years experience, a strong network across Sub-Saharan Africa and an affinity towards Agriculture, Energy, Hospitality and Financial Services. Stephen has led teams in assessing investments across various sectors, with a holicitic client-centric approach.

Website: http://tajiricapital.com/

David King

Project Manager

Wesgro: Cape Town Air Access
South Africa

David King

Project Manager

David King completed his studies in 2001 at Stellenbosch University He worked for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria as a transport and logistics researcher for eight years. From 2011 to 2016 David was employed as a project manager and transport specialist for GAIN Group based in Stellenbosch. Since October 2016, David is a project manager for Cape Town Air Access based at Wesgro. The main goal of the project is to intensify and broaden Western Cape air access to international markets.

Desire Loumou

Senior Trade Expert

AfCFTA Secretariat
Ghana

Desire Loumou

Senior Trade Expert

Senior International Trade Expert, with high specialised knowledge of the multilateral trading system and particularly Trade in Services, Intellectual Property and Environment Law, he cumulates an extensive experience in trade negotiations and policies developed in various capacities with international organisations, regional economic communities, national governments, and the private sector. Lawyer and Patent and Trademark Attorney, he is currently Senior Trade Advisor on Trade in Services at the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, key member of the Team developing the Trade in Services continental single market, and the AfCFTA intellectual property continental area.

Mark Maclean

Regional Manager Cluster II

Airports Company South Africa
South Africa

Mark Maclean

Regional Manager Cluster II

Mark is the Regional General Manager of the Cape Town International Airport Cluster 2 and accountable for the operations and sustainability of four airports which include Cape Town International Airport, George Airport, Kimberley Airport and Upington Airport. Cape Town International Airport is Africa’s most award-winning airport and the third largest airport in Africa.

Under his leadership the Cluster of airports were able to successfully navigate the challenges experienced by COVID-19 and recover to 80% of the pre-COVID-19 passenger volumes. Cape Town International Airport’s international passenger volumes have fully recovered to over 100% of the pre-COVID-19 passenger volumes. Mark completed his Engineering degree at the University of Cape Town and is a Professional and Certified Engineer. He further completed an Executive MBA at the University of Cape Town and Executive Development Programme at Henley Business School. He focussed his masters research on the study of leadership practice for improved performance in business operating models. A double recipient of the prestigious “Top Gun” award for his contribution towards key stakeholders and the growth of their businesses in aviation.

His career started with De Beers Consolidated Mines in various engineering and leadership roles. In 1996 he moved to ESKOM where he held specialist engineering, management and senior management roles in the Distribution and Transmission divisions. He was responsible for the maintenance and management of LV, MV and HV networks in the Western and Eastern Cape up to 765kV. Mark joined Airports Company South Africa as the Engineering Manager of Cape Town International Airport in 2006 and designed and commissioned the technical systems which are used by the airport. He was a member of the management team who built and operationalised the new terminal buildings and facilities in preparation for the Soccer World Cup in 2010. Under his leadership as the Head of Operations at Cape Town International for 8 years, and later General Manager; the airport achieved numerous awards, including the prestigious Skytrax Award for Best Airport in Africa for eight consecutive years.

In addition, Mark performed international Advisory Services, project management and support functions, successful airport Operational Readiness and Transfer (ORAT) projects in Brazil and Zambia.

He is focussed on leading the airports and supporting partners in the airport value chain to promote and accelerate growth and sustainability. He believes in collaborative leadership, the creation of strong mutually beneficial partnerships and is passionate about socio-economic development.

Kgatliso Manake

Investment Associate – Northern Cape

National Empowerment Fund
South Africa

Kgatliso Manake

Investment Associate – Northern Cape

Kgatliso Manake Investment Associate – Northern Cape, National Empowerment Fund South Africa

Kgatliso Manake is an experienced Investment Associate at the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) with over 13 years of experience in the Enterprise and Development Finance Industries. He specialises in Deal Origination, Deal Structuring, Financial Analysis, Due Diligence, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), Project Management, Business Development, Stakeholder Management and Local Economic Development (LED).

By focusing on the provision of access to finance to previously disadvanteaged enterprises in South Africa and particularly in the rural Northern Cape Province, he has increased the number of approved transactions in the province and his focus has been access to finance woman and youth owned enterprises.

Kgatliso is a strong development funding specialist with a Post Graduate Diploma from the Stellenbosch University. His passion is the development of people and more especially the development of small rural and township enterprises.

DR Geoffrey Manyara

Economic Affairs Officer

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

DR Geoffrey Manyara

Economic Affairs Officer

Dr Geoffrey Manyara is currently an Economic Affairs Officer in charge of tourism for United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, having previously worked as a Senior Regional Tourism Advisor for the organisation. Dr Manyara has also worked for a number of years as a tourism researcher at the University of Wales, Cardiff in the United Kingdom (UK), as a senior tourism lecturer and head of the tourism departments at both Kenyatta University and the Technical University in Kenya. Dr Manyara holds a PhD from the University of Wales in Cardiff and has been a research fellow at National Economic and Social Council in Kenya and a visiting research fellow at the Centre for International Tourism Research at the Sheffield Hallam University in the UK. Dr Manyara’s main professional interests are on tourism planning, policy formulation, management and sustainable development with special emphasis on Africa. Dr Manyara is currently working closely with a number of Member States in Africa, the African Union, Regional Economic Communities including the East African Community and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development.

Jaime I. Mayaki

Deputy Director

Regional Department for Africa
Spain

Jaime I. Mayaki

Deputy Director

Since January 2016, Jaime Ibrahim Mayaki has held the position of Deputy Director of the Regional Department for Africa at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the preeminent UN specialized agency and international organization dedicated to advancing tourism. In this role, Mr. Mayaki is responsible for guiding and supporting the 51 African member states and other regional stakeholders in their efforts to develop a robust and sustainable tourism sector, one that can stimulate sustainable economic and social development while fully utilizing the resources of the organization. Additionally, Mr. Mayaki has taken an active role in promoting and supporting UNWTO members in implementing the groundbreaking UNWTO Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth, which seeks to foster an innovative and sustainable tourism sector, founded on 10 key priorities, that can drive inclusive growth and build a more resilient future for the region. A native of Niger and an alumnus of Montpellier Business School, Mr. Mayaki brings a wealth of experience to his current position, having previously worked for both the World Bank and the Millennium Challenge Account, as well as serving as Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Niger.

Emily Njeri Mburu-Ndoria

Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property

Rights & Digital Trade of the AfCFTA Secretariat
Ghana

Emily Njeri Mburu-Ndoria

Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property

Ms. Emily Mburu-Ndoria, is the Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, based in Accra, Ghana. She was formally the Head of Trade in Services Department at the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat. She has worked extensively as an independent consultant providing expertise in the area of trade in services in Eastern and Southern Africa through the provision of analytical and training services. She has worked in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariats and been instrumental in assisting countries in Eastern and Southern Africa in developing their negotiating strategy and position for the WTO, EPA, COMESA, EAC and SADC, particularly on issues related to trade in services. Previously, Ms. Mburu-Ndoria was a trade policy expert at UNCTAD working with the Trade Negotiations and Commercial Diplomacy Branch in the Division on Trade in Goods and Services, and Commodities. She has a lot of working experience on assisting African countries in the negotiations at the multilateral and regional levels, and broadly on issues related to trade in services, investment and competition policy. Furthermore, she has participated in several studies relating to trade negotiations and trade in services as well as participated in many international, regional, national meetings, seminars and workshops on international trade and development. Ms. Mburu-Ndoria holds a Master of Commerce in Management Practice, specializing in Trade Law & Policy from the University of Cape Town, an MBA from Webster University in Geneva and a Bachelor Honours degree in Economics and Mathematics from Egerton University, Kenya

Nuno Maposse

Investment and Export Specialist

Mozambique Investment and Export Promotion Agency
Mozambique

Nuno Maposse

Investment and Export Specialist

Investment and Export Specialist, Master in Business Leadership, 56 years old with a history of more than 30 years of experience in promoting and publicizing the image of Mozambique as a privileged destination for national and foreign investment, to national and foreign investors, in forums, conferences, seminars and trade fairs inside and outside the country in Portuguese, French and English. His work content includes, among other tasks, the negotiation of bilateral agreements, regional (SADC) and continental treaties (African Continental Free Trade Area), and the elaboration and reform of policies and strategies to improve the business environment in Mozambique.

Mirabell Mayack

Head of Governmental Affairs & Strategic Sales

African Investment Intelligence
United Kingdom

Mirabell Mayack

Head of Governmental Affairs & Strategic Sales

Born to a German mother and a Cameroonian father who ran an import export business, my first word was a letter of credit. Being in the middle means much more than just understanding two cultures but oftentimes being a cultural translator and a cultural ambassador. Today my vocation of bridging two worlds makes most of my work as head of governmental affairs at the African Investment Intelligence. My passion is to put francophone Africa on the map of investors and be a bridge between European investors and the still virgin African francophone markets.

Moseketsi Mpeta

Head of Tourism & Service

Industrial Development Cooperation
South Africa

Moseketsi Mpeta

Head of Tourism & Service

She has deep knowledge and passion for development finance and has over the many years at IDC, developed passion for the tourism industry and has facilitated funding and investments to many establishments both within and outside the South Africa.

Dr Christelle Meniago

Senior Lecturer: Economics

Sol Plaatje University
South Africa

Dr Christelle Meniago

Senior Lecturer: Economics

Dr Christelle Meniago obtained her PhD in Economics from North-West University in 2016, and since 2018, she is employed as a Senior Lecturer in Economics at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley. Prior to that, she worked as a Consultant in the Office of the Chief Economist of the African region at the World Bank Group and an economist at Oxford Economics Africa. Christelle’s research interests lie in Macroeconomics – including international economics, international finance, and development economics. I am particularly interested in using advanced econometric techniques that can help better understand and solves developmental issues that are plaguing the African continent.

Thereza Israel Mugobi

Acting Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT).

Tanzania

Thereza Israel Mugobi

Acting Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT).

Thereza Israel Mugobi is an acting Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT). She holds a PhD in Tourism from The Open UNiveristy of Tanzania and a Master’s degree in International Tourism from the University of Lugano (Switzerland) and a BA in tourism Management from the Western Cape University (Cape Town). Mugobi has been in academia industry over the past ten years and has over five years of research experience in the areas of tourism, heritage tourism, eTourism, sustainable tourism, tourism entrepreneurship, tourism marketing, and tourism development. Mugobi initiated the establishment of the Center of excellence in research for sustainable tourism development in Tanzania (CEREST) at The Open University of Tanzania aimed to facilitate multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects focusing on a wide range of social science disciplines by focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Centre is also dedicated to being the premier academic research Centre in the country to facilitate sustainable tourism development. Her expertise is also in the analysis of online reputation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Consultancy for entrepreneurship & Empowerment.

Samantha Muna

Co-founder and Director of Business Development

Trianum Hospitality
Kenya

Samantha Muna

Co-founder and Director of Business Development

A 28-year career in hospitality spanning hotel operations, hospitality consulting and hotel development or investment advisory. Samantha is currently the co-founder and Director of Business Development at Trianum Hospitality, East Africa’s leading 3rd party hotel management company for hotels and extended stay serviced apartments. With a career that spans three continents in USA, Europe and Africa, Samantha has directed Hilton’s expansion in Eastern and Southern Africa for five years; has had a three-year joint- venture with HVS working on more than 40 hospitality projects in East Africa; has been a General Manager with the Tamarind Group and has worked with hotel asset management firm CHM in Beverly, MA. She holds a Masters degree in Hospitality Management (MMH) specialised in Hotel Real Estate Finance from Cornell University, USA, a Bachelor of Science degree in International Hospitality Management from Hotel School Les Roches, Switzerland and a Diploma in Hotel Management and Administration from Kenya Utalii College.

Website: www.trianum.co.ke

Aaron Munetsi

CEO

Airlines Association of Southern Africa
South Africa

Aaron Munetsi

CEO

Aaron Munetsi currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer at AASA. Prior to joining AASA, he held several commercial management positions at South African Airways, including Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East and as its Acting Chief Commercial Officer. For 10 years, he served on the board of Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Business, and after leaving SAA in 2018 he joined the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) for a stint as its Director: Government, Legal and Industry Affairs. For the past year he has been working as an aeropolitical and business strategy advisor to airlines. Aaron holds diplomas and certificates in marketing, strategic management and leadership from the University of Zimbabwe, University of Witwatersrand Graduate Business School and the Gordon Institute for Business Studies.

Fred Odek

Founder & CEO

Silver Africa Tours & Safaris
Kenya

Fred Odek

Founder & CEO

Glynn O’Leary

CEO

Transfrontier Parks Destinations
South Africa

Glynn O’Leary

CEO

Glynn co-founded TFPD, a company focussed on rural tourism development, after meeting leaders of the Mier and ‡Khomani San communities, owners of a decaying lodge in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. At this meeting he experienced first-hand the despondency of communities who described what they’d hoped would be “an asset”, as instead being “a white elephant.” Under its management TFPD has changed that. Today these communities are the proud owners of !Xaus, a 4* Lodge and recipient of multiple Responsible Tourism Awards. TFPD managed lodges have made a significant contribution to job creation and local economic development in deeply rural areas.

Claude Pretorius

COO

CTICC
South Africa

Claude Pretorius

COO

Claude Jerome Pretorius is the Chief Commercial Officer of the Cape Town International Convention Centre. He has extensive experience in Tourism, Trade & Investment and Airline Route Development. His various roles have ranged from entrepreneur to providing leadership and services across all spheres of the private sector, government, and multi-national organisations. Claude comes to the Cape Town ICC with skills that are vital in growing the centre and destination positioning as a world class venue for the MICE industry. Intrinsic in this is a good understanding of the value of cross-sector collaboration, stakeholder engagement, partnerships and relationship building

Johary Rajosefa

General Project Coordinator

Ministry of Tourism
Republic of Madagascar

Johary Rajosefa

General Project Coordinator

Johary RAJOSEFA has held the position of General Project Coordinator since 2019. Despite the pandemic, he has strongly contributed to the implementation of various structuring and innovative projects in Madagascar in the field of Tourism and Transport, the reopening of Malagasy borders in good sanitary conditions as well as to the revival of the Tourism sector which has been undermined by the global health crisis. Currently, its mission is focused on promoting and facilitating investments in the tourism sector, particularly in the development of the hospitality industry. This is one of the conditions to achieve the Malagasy government's target of crossing the million-tourist mark in 2028. He will draw on his 11 years of experience as part of the executive team of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM), the national investment promotion agency (IPA), to lead to the implementation of investment projects that will maximize Madagascar's benefits and have strong positive impacts within local communities.

Lily Rakorong

CEO

Hospitality & Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB)
Botswana

Lily Rakorong

CEO

With 26 years of successful experience in providing strategic and operations leadership in challenging areas within the Tourism and Hospitality industry both locally and internationally. Lily Rakorong is a dynamic, result oriented leader with a strong track record of performance in a high paced industry. Currently she is serving as the CEO of the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB). Overseeing 460 companies which makes up the entire hospitality and tourism subsector being Camps & Lodges, Hotels, Mobile Operators, Tour Operators, Airline, Air Charters and Services. She holds BSC in Hospitality Management with Minor in Business Administration from Drexel University (United State of America) also has Post Graduate in Leadership and Change Management from Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. Some of the Non- Executive positions that Lily held and some she continues to hold are with the following boards and committees;

Served as a board member of RETOSA (Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa)
Council member of Business Botswana (The Voice of Private sector in Botswana)
Board member of Botswana Wildlife Training Institute
Member of High-Level Consultative Council Meeting, chaired by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana
Served as a board member of Botswana Vision 2016 Council
Member of Tourism Development Fund Committee
Member of Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) Tourism Committee
Former Board Member of Botswana Business Coalition on Aids(BBCA)

Additional Areas of Expertise: Leadership Policy and Advocacy Strategy, vision and mission planning Business performance

Vivian Ramathuba

Senior Professional

New Development Bank (NDB)
South Africa

Vivian Ramathuba

Senior Professional

Vivian Ramathuba is currently a Senior Professional at the New Development Bank (NDB), a Multilateral Development Bank established by BRICS countries based at the Africa Regional Centre. She has extensive experience in the infrastructure development space from a funding perspective, spanning 12 years and covering Sub-Sahara Africa. Project Finance, Project Preparation are her main areas of technical expertise. She was previously employed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) within the Industrial Infrastructure Unit, focusing on funding large infrastructure projects in the Energy, Logistic, Water, and Telecommunication sub-sectors. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant, CA (SA).

Chuene Ramphele

Group Executive: Infrastructure Delivery Division

Development Bank of Southern Africa
South Africa

Chuene Ramphele

Group Executive: Infrastructure Delivery Division

Chuene Ramphele is an innovative and accomplished Executive who has 21 years in managerial leading positions.
He has been directly involved in contract management, infrastructure programme development and implementation.
Chuene is a respected leader, who is able to train and manage diverse teams to deliver peak performance with experience. He possesses know how of various governmental aspects including PFMA, MFMA, Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, Water Services Act and Infrastructure Development Act.
Chuene is a decisive and committed individual who applies innovative thinking in evaluating business needs, identifying deficiencies and formulates strategies to increase revenue and manage relationships with stakeholders.
Chuene is currently a Group Executive at the Development Bank of Southern Africa and his role is to deliver the infrastructure mandate of the Bank, to run a financially sustainable business and deliver the developmental impact.

Assia Riccio

Founder & CEO

Evolvin' Women
United Arab Emirates

Assia Riccio

Founder & CEO

Assia Riccio is the Founder of Evolvin’ Women and Nia Trading. Both organisations are based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and aim at supporting the development of unemployed women from underprivileged backgrounds and women farmers in developing countries.

Suliman Ridhwaan

Senior Researcher/ Senior Research Associate

CSIR/ University of Johannesburg
South Africa

Suliman Ridhwaan

Senior Researcher/ Senior Research Associate

Ridhwaan is a senior researcher in the Information and Cyber Security Centre within the Defence and Security cluster of the CSIR, Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg, and Associate at the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS). He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Cambridge. He also has a background in engineering, with Bachelors, Honours and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering, as well as experience working in the Aeronautics and Defence Industry. His research involves the modelling and design of physical systems within the computational mechanics domain, using computational tools and physics to better understand and design these systems. More recently, he was been involved with the analysis of Covid-19 data and trends in South Africa, using this analysis and data to drive and inform decision-making and policy. He has published in international ISI-rated journals and presented at various national and international conferences. He has served on the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) Technical Working Group, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints), the National Policy Data Observatory (NPDO), as well as the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI)

Musa Sambo

Executive & Chief Commercial Officer

Digicall
South Africa

Musa Sambo

Executive & Chief Commercial Officer

Musa is an entrepreneur through and through. A business in the automotive sector that he founded during the last year of his undergrad was identified and selected as one of the top 12 high growth potential business in South Africa by Investec. The business later got acquired by a multinational within 5 years of inception.

Musa is currently the Chief Commercial Officer, Director and board member at Digicall, a BPO with 5,000 global employees. He is involved in strategic initiatives such as commercializing group services, acquisitions, and the development of new business channels.

He holds an Accounting Degree from University of Johannesburg and an MBA from Henley Business School (UK) with his final research paper achieving a distinction, focused on the expansion of South African companies into other African markets.

Previously, he was also a board member of the Jeff Bezos Foundation through the Africa Leadership Academy, and chairperson of the Black Management Forum student chapter (BMFsc).

Thabo Seshoka

Senior Manager: Heritage Assets and Preservation

Transnet Transnet SOC Ltd
South Africa

Thabo Seshoka

Senior Manager: Heritage Assets and Preservation

Thabo Seshoka is a Curator and Administrator. He currently serves as the Senior Manager: Heritage Assets and Preservation, within Group Business Development at Transnet SOC Ltd. In this role, Seshoka oversees Transnet’s Museum’s, Art Collection, Heritage Library, Heritage Assets, and other Heritage Tourism initiatives.

Seshoka, is the former Curator of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Art Gallery and UJ Art Collection, and prior to joining UJ, he served as the Head of Heritage and Research at Robben Island Museum (RIM). In 2021, he served as both the acting Chief Heritage Officer, and acting Head of Information and Communication Technology at RIM. Seshoka previously served as the Specialist: Art Curator for Absa Group Limited. At the age of 24, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Absa Gallery, while concurrently curating one of the largest Corporate Art Collections globally. He is also the former acting Chief Curator and Head of Museum Africa, a role he was appointed to at the age of 23.

Between 2020 – 2023, Seshoka was invited to Guest Lecture on several occasions on the Postgraduate Diploma in Heritage Management at Rhodes University. He has served on multiple committees such as the South Africa World Heritage Site Managers Forum, Rhodes University Senate, and Institutional Forum. Thabo holds a Master of Arts degree from Nelson Mandela University, and Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice from the Henley Business School – Africa. He also earned both his Bachelor of Social Science (Honours), and a Bachelor of Social Science degrees from Rhodes University.

Seshoka, is the recipient of various awards and scholarships such as the Albert Wessels Scholarship (2014), HB Webb Scholarship (2016), National Research Foundation Scarce Skills Scholarship (2016), Rhodes University Deputy Vice- Chancellors - Research Development Scholarship (2015), and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Scholarship (2017).

Dean Snyders

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Decanus Airlines
South Africa

Dean Snyders

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Founder of a Regional Commercial Airline starting in 2023(Commercial License in South Africa, Registered in the Cape Chamber of Commerce & actively working in British Somaliland 1937). At the age of 19 he had a goal of starting his own airline as he noticed an opportunity in the African continent in the aviation field, luckily this was possible with the support and guidance of his three business partners who together have over 40 years of combined business and aviation experience. Dean who is currently 24 years of age is trying to make a difference in the business world by creating and opening a window of opportunities in the African Continent by creating a market strategy. Dean is honoured and excited to have been accepted and starting his Bachelor of Business Administration studies at BSL in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Esmaré Steinhöfel

Regional Director: Africa

International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
South Africa

Esmaré Steinhöfel

Regional Director: Africa

Elie Younes leads Radisson Hotel Group’s organic growth and M&A expansions across EMEA and APAC with an international team based across the world. Younes has re-engineered Radisson Hotel Group’s development strategy to focus on an asset-right growth and relevant mature and new business concepts in a fast-changing environment. He has a clear vision on delivering a compelling value proposition to investment stakeholders. Younes is fluent in English, French and Arabic. He is educated in Beirut, Paris, New York and London, at universities like Notre Dame, IMHI/Essec, Insead, Cornell University, Johnson Graduate Business School and City University.

Dr. Kamilla Swart-Arries

Associate Professor

Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Qatar

Dr. Kamilla Swart-Arries

Associate Professor

Kamilla Swart is Associate Professor and Director of the Masters in Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM) program, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar. The MSEM is a joint degree with the University of South Carolina. She also serves as Senior Research Associate, School of Tourism Hospitality, University of Johannesburg. Her work focuses on contributing to sport, tourism and event knowledge in the developing context, and in the global South in particular. Kamilla serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Destination Marketing and Management. She has been appointed to the Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Chair on Governance & Social Responsibility in Sport.

Jacqui Taylor

CEO & Founder

Agritourism
South Africa

Jacqui Taylor

CEO & Founder

Jacqui Taylor CEO & Founder Agritourism South Africa

Jacqui Taylor grew up on a farm, the child of a farm and a social worker. With her qualifications and experience in the Tourism, Agricultural and Media industries, she founded Agritourism South Africa in 2016, as a means to drive rural tourism development as an economic empowerment method for women, farming communities and farming families. With the increasing need for food security in all African countries, she then founded sister companies, Agritourism Africa and Rural Tourism Africa.

As a Director in Destination Marketing, Hospitality and International Event Management Companies in several countries, she gained the necessary insights to enable her to become an advisor in sustainable rural tourism and agritourism projects. She uses her communication skills to share authentic stories to market Destinations on the African continent. Jacqui frequently addresses International Conferences on Regenerative Tourism and Agritourism, as well as sits on International Agritourism Committees.

As a Human Rights campaigner, she trademark registered the Companies to ensure inclusivity and standards are entrenched in the development of Rural and Agritourism.

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa

CEO

TBCSA
South Africa

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa

CEO

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA). Tshifhiwa is a strategic, versatile, and innovative marketing, tourism, communications, and business executive. His experience spans 2 decades, with a track record of visionary leadership, strategic project development and execution, travel and tourism events management and communications. In the over 20 years since his first foray into the world of work, Tshifhiwa has worked for various companies in the tourism value chain including South African Tourism, Myriad Marketing, FEDHASA, Rennies Travel, SARS, and others. He has also consulted for various companies. Tshifhiwa serves on several boards in the tourism space including the global Board of Advisors for “The Sigmund Project” which supports innovation and collaboration in Tourism across the globe. Tshifhiwa has positioned himself as a thought leader and advocate for the South African tourism sector. He is an ambassador for tourism development in South Africa and Africa. He regularly writes, debates and comments on tourism development and growth in South Africa. He has been a panel member in several discussions about how the South African tourism sector can leverage innovation and technology to boost the hospitality industry. “Digital innovation in terms of tourism is very important, if you look at the last ten years for example, we have seen transition from paper check ins at airports to the use of smartphones to board a flight. We need to figure out how to create symbiosis between technology advancements and the traditional roles in the sector. This includes training hospitality staff to be ready for jobs of the future.’ Says Tshivhengwa

Caroline Ungersbock

Co-founder

Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme NPC
South Africa

Caroline Ungersbock

Co-founder

CAROLINE is the Co-Founder of the Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme NPC which is the custodian of the International Tourism Film Festival Africa. The focus is to drive change across tourism making it more sustainable through investments and job creation. Caroline is the CEO of the Rural Aerodrome Company (Pty) Ltd to develop an aerodrome in Victoria West in the Northern Cape. Caroline has assisted the SMME tourism sector to move forward to being recognised as a significant economic contributors. Caroline sits on numerous International, Regional and Local Committees.

Angeline Lue- van den Broecke

Founder and Principal Consultant

Altis Business Solutions
Malaysia

Angeline Lue- van den Broecke

Founder and Principal Consultant

Angeline is South African and the Founder and Principal Consultant of Altis Business Solutions. She has extensive global business events industry knowledge and international experience, in the public and private sector. With over 25 years’ experience in destination marketing organisations/convention bureaux and international venues, her cumulative experience is focused on the professional advancement of the industry supply chain and its contribution to the knowledge economy. She has provided specialist industry knowledge and expertise, to Malaysian and South African Government Agencies.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelinevdb/

Phinda Qutywa

Executive Manager: Commercialization

Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency
South Africa

Phinda Qutywa

Executive Manager: Commercialization

She is currently Executive Manager: Commercialization at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. What sets her apart is her diverse industry background, having spent two decades working in the Banking and Telecommunications industries, before starting a career in the Tourism Industry three and a half years ago.

She is tasked with developing and implementing strategies for revenue growth, including new product development and infrastructure upgrades. Part of her role entails the development and management of Public-Private-Partnerships in the tourism, hospitality and conservation industry.

Passionate about expanding her subject knowledge and expertise, she holds a Master of Management in Strategic Marketing from Wits Business School. She is pursuing a PHD in Engineering Management at Stellenbosch University with a focus on Innovation Systems.

An Aunty to eight (8) nieces and nephews, she loves taking her nieces and nephews to new adventures, and believes that little things make a big difference in children’s lives.