From developing groundbreaking algorithms to leveraging AI for social impact, these innovators are not just embracing change; they’re driving it. 

She is the Principal at the Africa Trust Group, which invests in women entrepreneurs across the SADC region.

She is also the Co-Founder of ATG Samata, a firm on a mission to accelerate equal access to capital and opportunity for talented entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

Additionally, she is a shareholder and the current board chair for Zoona Zambia, an African mobile payments business that provides financial services where they are needed most.

She is also a shareholder at Africa Trust Academy, a coaching and consulting company focused on leadership, entrepreneurship development and financial literacy.

Phiri is passionate about women’s leadership and entrepreneurship development in Africa and is committed to advancing gender equality and empowerment.

She has been featured in several media outlets, including CNBC Africa, Oprah magazine, Destiny Magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine, the New York-based Diaspora Voice Talk Show, Radio France, Zambia Daily Mail, and South Africa FM.

Phiri is a role model for many women in Africa and has been recognized for her work with several awards, including the 2019 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 award and the 2018 African Leadership Magazine 40 Under 40 award.

He is currently the Managing Director of Norrsken East Africa, leading the organization’s efforts to create the largest hub for entrepreneurs in the region.

Norrsken is an impact ecosystem where entrepreneurs can find everything they need to make saving the world their job.

With a vision is to enable the next impact unicorn, the company that has a positive impact on one billion lives.

Prior to joining Norrsken, Pascal worked as a Business Manager for Africa at AgroCares, where he was responsible for developing new business partnerships and managing existing ones.

He has also worked as an independent consultant, providing expertise on various agri-business issues.

Pascal is a strong advocate for the use of technology to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.

He is also a passionate supporter of entrepreneurship, and he believes that startups have the potential to drive positive change in Africa.

She is the Head of Venture Sourcing at Founders Factory Africa (FFA), a venture capital firm and technology accelerator that invests in early-stage startups across Africa. Prior to joining FFA, Hope was the Venture Sourcing Lead at MEST Africa, a non-profit organization that trains, funds, and launches tech startups in Africa. She has also worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where she advised clients on a variety of strategic and operational issues.

Hope is a recipient of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans award and Yahoo Finance’s Top 100 Women of the Future award.  She is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, a drive that saw her co-found We Fund Women. This organization supports and invests in African women entrepreneurs. Hope is also a role model for young women and entrepreneurs in Africa.

He is known for his groundbreaking research and insights on the impact of artificial intelligence, robotics automation, and other emerging technologies on the economy, workforce, and society. Manyika is currently the Senior Vice President of Technology and Society at Google, overseeing the company’s work and ensuring its technologies are developed and used responsibly. He is also a senior partner emeritus at McKinsey & Company and chairman and director emeritus of McKinsey Global Institute (MGI).

Manyika has a long and distinguished track record of public service, having previously served as vice chair of the Global Development Council at the White House and on several national and international task forces, including the National AI Advisory Committee and the California Future of Work Commission. He is a frequent speaker and writer on technology and society, with his work featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist.

Manyika is a passionate advocate for using technology to solve social and economic problems. He believes that AI can potentially improve the lives of billions of people, but only if it is developed and used responsibly. He is working to ensure that AI is used to create a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.

She is the co-founder and CEO of Rising Tide Africa, a women-led angel investing platform that supports early-stage technology startups in Africa. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of Heckerbella Limited, a Digital Transformation company. Yemi has over 22 years of experience in the IT industry, operating at the CEO and C-suite level across the public and private sectors. She has held senior leadership positions at SAP Africa, the Edo State Directorate of Information Communications & Technology Agency, and First City Monument Bank Limited.

Yemi is a passionate advocate for women in technology and entrepreneurship. She is a mentor to several startups and serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Lagos Angel Network and the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan-Atlantic University.

Yemi has won numerous awards for her work in technology, including the Centenary Award for the Most Outstanding Public Sector CIO in Nigeria in 2014. She is a recognized thought leader on digital transformation and has spoken at several conferences and events around the world. Yemi’s achievements and contributions to Africa’s tech and investment space are truly remarkable. She is a role model for many young women in Africa and an inspiration to all who are working to build a better future for the continent.

He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology company that provides digital solutions across various industries, including telecommunications, financial services, and media. Before joining Cassava Technologies, Pemhiwa was the Group Chief Executive & Managing Director of Econet, one of Africa’s pioneers of the mobile telecoms industry.

He has also held senior management positions at a number of other companies, including a regulated financial services firm in Kenya and an investment banking firm in South Africa. Pemhiwa’s insights and expertise in the African technology sector have garnered international recognition, as he is a regular speaker at industry events and conferences. In 2023, Hardy Pemhiwa’s influence reached new heights when he was named one of the “100 Most Influential Africans” by New African magazine. This accolade is a testament to his unwavering dedication to driving positive change across the continent.

He is the Founder and CEO of Agripoa Company Ltd, a Tanzanian-based startup that provides a mobile app and web platform to help farmers plan, monitor, and analyze their farm activities. Rwechungura’s passion for agriculture and technology is evident in his work at AgriPoa. He started the company in 2019 with the goal of using technology to make agriculture more efficient and profitable for farmers.

The AgriPoa app provides farmers with a variety of features, including a crop calendar that helps farmers plan their plantings and harvests and a pest and disease tracker that helps farmers identify and manage problems early on. Rwechungura’s work with AgriPoa has been recognized by several awards, including the Best ICT Company of the Year (2021) in Digital Farming from the Prime Minister of Tanzania and the Minister of Science and Technology. Rwechungura is committed to using technology to improve the lives of farmers and believes that AgriPoa can help farmers increase their yields, reduce their costs, and access new markets.

She is the founder and CEO of DLO Energy Resources Group (Pty) Ltd. DLO Energy Resources Group is a wholly black female-owned renewable energy company that currently owns and operates one of the largest wind farms in Africa, with a capacity of 244MW. She has extensive capital-raising experience and has raised over 5.5 billion in debt and equity funding.

Mabhena-Olagunju is also an experienced board executive and advisor. She has served on boards across various sectors, including energy, aviation, infrastructure, DFIs, and education. Her wealth of boardroom experience ranges from both local and international boards.

In addition to her work in the energy sector, Mabhena-Olagunju is also a passionate advocate for women in business and entrepreneurship. She is a frequent speaker and mentor, and she is committed to helping other women succeed in their careers. Mabhena-Olagunju is a highly respected figure in the African business community and has been recognized for her achievements with numerous awards, including the Veuve Clicquot Elle Boss Award, the Forbes Woman Africa Best Emerging Entrepreneur Award, and the Choiseul 100 Africa Economic Leaders for Tomorrow list. Mabhena-Olagunju is an inspiration to many and a role model for women.