As the Global Chairman of Fairfax Africa Fund, a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm, Zemedeneh has been instrumental in facilitating large-scale investments and transformative projects on the continent.

His visionary leadership and expertise have established him as one of Africa’s most influential business figures.

Zemedeneh was born in Ethiopia but has built an impressive career that spans across multiple continents.

His Ethiopian heritage and American nationality uniquely position him as a bridge between Africa and the global business community.

This dual identity has enabled him to leverage international networks to attract and channel investment into Africa, fostering economic growth and development.

He is currently the Global Chairman of Fairfax Africa Fund, where he oversees investment strategies that target key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and financial services.

Prior to his role at Fairfax, Zemedeneh held various executive positions that further honed his expertise in investment and economic strategy.

His deep understanding of global markets and African economies has made him a trusted advisor to governments and multinational corporations alike.

One of his most notable contributions was his involvement in the privatization and restructuring of Ethiopian Airlines.

Under his guidance, the airline transformed into one of Africa’s most successful and profitable carriers, setting a benchmark for other national airlines on the continent.

His work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of the “100 Most Influential Africans” by New African magazine. This recognition underscores his influence and the respect he commands within the African and global business communities.

Her career has been marked by significant achievements in the field of investment and finance, particularly in emerging markets.

Born and raised in Guinea, Fanta has built an impressive international career, blending her African roots with a global perspective.

She pursued her undergraduate studies in Finance at Baruch College, City University of New York, where she also minored in Spanish.

This combination of finance and language studies equipped her with a strong foundation in global financial markets and cross-cultural communication.

Fanta furthered her education by earning an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

She began her career as an investment banking summer analyst at JPMorgan, one of the largest financial institutions globally.

During her time at JPMorgan, she worked in the Healthcare coverage group and the Latin America M&A group, gaining valuable experience in high-stakes financial transactions and mergers and acquisitions.

She later joined BlackRock in New York, where she played a key role in expanding the company’s proprietary investment management technology platform, Aladdin.

Her work at BlackRock involved enhancing the platform’s capabilities and broadening its reach to new service providers, demonstrating her ability to drive technological and business growth within a leading global asset management firm.

Fanta’s career took a significant turn when she joined CrossBoundary, a firm specializing in unlocking capital for sustainable growth in underserved markets. 

As a Managing Director, she co-leads the West Africa Investment Advisory team, where she focuses on facilitating investments across various sectors in the region.

Her work at CrossBoundary has been pivotal in driving economic development in West Africa, particularly in sectors such as agribusiness and waste management.

Condé’s achievements are marked by her ability to bridge the gap between global capital markets and emerging economies. 

At CrossBoundary, Fanta has been instrumental in leading projects that attract investment into critical sectors in West Africa, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the region.

Her leadership at CrossBoundary is not only a testament to her professional acumen but also highlights her commitment to fostering economic growth in her home continent.

By facilitating investments that drive development, Fanta has positioned herself as a key player in the investment landscape of West Africa.