As the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL), Barigye leads the country’s efforts to establish and grow the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC).

The platform is designed to attract global investments and facilitate cross-border business transactions in a safe, compliant, and forward-looking environment.

Nick brings over 15 years of experience in financial management, investment advisory, and strategic leadership across Africa.

His career trajectory reflects a deep commitment to unlocking Africa’s economic potential and empowering businesses to thrive in a globalized economy.

Before his role at RFL, he served in key leadership positions, including as the managing partner at Karisimbi Business Partners, a consultancy firm focused on supporting businesses in achieving sustainable growth in Africa.

He also served as the Senior Executive at Crystal Ventures, Rwanda’s largest investment firm, where he oversaw multi-million-dollar investments, fostering business expansion and operational efficiency.

Since taking charge at RFL, Nick has been instrumental in shaping Rwanda’s ambitions to become a leading pan-African financial center.

Under his leadership, the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) has gained recognition as a modern, transparent, and globally competitive financial hub that meets international standards.

Nick envisions Africa as a continent that thrives on economic sovereignty, intra-regional trade, and foreign investment.

Through KIFC, he is creating a gateway for global investors to connect with opportunities across Africa while supporting African businesses to access capital for growth and innovation.

Key priorities under his leadership include promoting Rwanda as a secure and pro-business destination for investors seeking opportunities in Africa and facilitating access to financing and international markets for businesses to scale and compete globally.

Nick holds an MBA in Strategic Management from Strathmore Business School in Kenya and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the National University of Rwanda.

With over a decade of hands-on experience in the design, construction supervision, and maintenance of high-voltage electricity infrastructure, Carol has emerged as a leading figure in Africa’s energy sector, known for her innovative approach to solving critical energy challenges.

Carol holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Nairobi.

Her thirst for knowledge and commitment to excellence led her to pursue a Master of Science in Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Management at the University of Glasgow, where she earned the prestigious Graduate Award for Leadership.

Carol’s professional journey began at the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), where she played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s energy infrastructure.

Notably, she served as the construction supervisor for the Suswa Converter Station, a critical part of the Ethiopia-Kenya interconnector transmission line project.

Carol is the founder and CEO of E-Safiri Charging Limited, a Kenyan startup focused on developing solar-powered charging stations for two- and three-wheeled electric vehicles.

The company focuses on the development and deployment of solar-powered charging stations for two- and three-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs), a transformative initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector.

The transportation sector in Kenya and across Africa is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

At the same time, millions of people lack access to affordable and clean energy, creating barriers to sustainable development and economic growth.

These twin challenges are compounded by the limited infrastructure to support electric mobility, such as charging stations, which makes the transition to cleaner transportation options difficult.

E-Safiri was founded with a mission to promote the widespread adoption of electric mobility solutions by addressing critical infrastructure gaps.

Carol envisions a future where solar energy powers transportation, drastically reducing dependence on fossil fuels while making clean mobility accessible to urban and rural populations alike.

E-Safiri Charging Limited develops and operates solar-powered EV charging stations, designed specifically for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, which are widely used for both commercial and personal purposes in Kenya.

These vehicles, such as motorbikes (commonly referred to as boda bodas) and tuk-tuks, are integral to the country’s transportation system but are often powered by polluting and inefficient engines.

Currently, Carol is a researcher at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy, contributing to the African School of Regulation (ASR) initiative.

Her research focuses on fostering partnerships within Africa’s energy sector and identifying capacity-building opportunities to enhance energy access across the continent.

She is also an ardent advocate for gender equality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

She has mentored countless young women, encouraging them to pursue careers in engineering and energy.

Carol’s contributions have been widely recognized, earning her Kenya’s highest civilian honor, the Head of State Commendation (HSC), awarded by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2020.

This accolade acknowledged her exceptional role in implementing major transmission lines, mentoring women in energy, and championing clean energy innovations.

He is the co-founder and CEO of Bumpa, a rapidly growing social commerce platform that empowers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa to establish and manage online stores using their mobile devices.

With an unwavering commitment to bridging the gap between technology and grassroots businesses, Kelvin is redefining how African entrepreneurs interact with digital tools to grow their businesses.

Kelvin’s journey into the tech ecosystem is rooted in his passion for solving real-world problems through innovation.

Before founding Bumpa in 2021, Kelvin served as Program Manager at Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), one of Nigeria’s leading innovation hubs.

In this role, he was instrumental in fostering tech-driven solutions and building programs that supported startups and entrepreneurs.

Additionally, Kelvin held the position of Head of Business Development at TechQuest STEM Academy, where he managed STEM-focused programs across multiple Nigerian states.

Through this initiative, he trained over 20,000 young people, equipping them with essential skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Understanding the challenges faced by SMEs in Africa, Kelvin co-founded Bumpa to offer an all-in-one solution for business digitization.

The platform enables merchants to manage inventory, track sales, fulfill orders, and engage customers seamlessly from their mobile phones.

Bumpa’s mission is to digitize African commerce, making it more accessible, inclusive, and efficient.
Bumpa has grown significantly under Kelvin’s leadership, serving over 50,000 SMEs within two years of its launch.

Kelvin’s work at Bumpa addresses critical barriers that hinder SMEs from participating in the digital economy.

These include limited access to digital infrastructure, lack of business management tools, and challenges in connecting with broader markets.

Kelvin is also committed to creating an ecosystem where African entrepreneurs, regardless of their backgrounds, can access the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to succeed.

He believes that digitizing commerce is not just about technology but about fostering inclusion, resilience, and growth in underserved communities.

With a mission to revolutionize healthcare accessibility in South Africa, Welo Health bridges the gap between technology and human care by offering on-demand healthcare services through a network of gig nurses and doctors.

Leveraging innovative solutions, the platform delivers services directly to homes and workplaces, providing a seamless experience that prioritizes convenience, affordability, and quality care.

Zanele’s journey to becoming a healthcare changemaker is rooted in her upbringing and experiences in South Africa.

Growing up in a community where access to basic healthcare was a challenge, she witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by families needing timely medical attention.

These early experiences planted the seeds of her passion for solving systemic healthcare issues.

Her passion for providing access to healthcare globally led her to merge technology with the human touch, creating innovative solutions to make healthcare more accessible and affordable.

Under her leadership, Welo Health has achieved significant milestones, such as being chosen as one of the Top 50 HealthTech startups in Africa for two consecutive years.

The company has also attracted funding from notable investors, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Zanele is also committed to empowering African youth through her NGO, Innov8, which provides math lessons to rural schools in South Africa, aiming to uplift communities and inspire the next generation.

As the co-founder and CEO of Zeraki, a leading educational technology company based in Kenya, he is revolutionizing how education is delivered and managed across the continent.

By leveraging the power of technology, Nyangolo aims to address systemic challenges in African education, including inequitable access to quality resources, inefficient data management, and outdated teaching methodologies.

Nyangolo’s academic journey began at Harvard College, where he pursued a degree in Engineering Sciences and graduated cum laude.

His time at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions not only provided him with a strong technical foundation but also instilled a profound sense of social responsibility.

This commitment to using his skills for social good has been a driving force behind his professional and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Before founding Zeraki, Nyangolo gained valuable experience across finance, banking, and education sectors.

He worked with global and regional organizations such as Citibank, Equity Bank, and the Equity Group Foundation.

Nyangolo’s vision for education reform took shape with the founding of Zeraki. 

The company is focused on creating innovative solutions to empower schools, teachers, and students.

Through its digital platforms, Zeraki provides tools that improve efficiency, support data-driven decision-making, and enhance the learning experience for students.

The company’s flagship product, Zeraki Analytics, is transforming how schools collect and analyze data, enabling educators to make informed decisions to improve student outcomes and optimize school operations.

Meanwhile, Zeraki Learning is making quality educational content accessible to students, bridging the gap between learners and vital resources.

Under Nyangolo’s leadership, Zeraki has expanded its reach across multiple African countries, ensuring its tools benefit students and schools on a large scale.

Born and raised in a multicultural environment, Mélanie’s journey reflects her passion for leveraging finance as a tool for social and environmental transformation.  

Mélanie is the co-founder of Melanin Kapital, a pioneering climate fintech platform that empowers African SMEs to transition toward sustainable, green practices.

Under her leadership, Melanin Kapital has transformed from a traditional crowd-lending platform into a dynamic hub that combines access to affordable green credit with carbon offset solutions.

The platform harnesses advanced climate data to evaluate and support SMEs, addressing critical challenges such as financial inclusion and climate resilience in emerging markets.

The company’s mission is both ambitious and impactful: to enable 1 million African SMEs to access $1 billion in green credit while reducing 50 million tons of CO₂ emissions by 2030.

Mélanie’s work not only bridges the financing gap for businesses but also accelerates Africa’s progress toward achieving its climate goals and building a sustainable future.

Her focus is rooted in solving the dual challenges of financial exclusion and climate vulnerability faced by African SMEs.

Traditional financing systems often overlook these businesses, leaving them unable to scale or adopt eco-friendly practices.

Mélanie is addressing this gap by creating an ecosystem that integrates finance with sustainability.  

Her innovative approach to merging climate action with financial technology has earned Melanin Kapital recognition as a leader in Africa’s green transition.

The platform also supports the global carbon market by helping SMEs monetize their carbon reduction efforts through carbon credits.

Mélanie Keïta’s exceptional contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named in Forbes 30 Under 30 (2021).

She is the founder and CEO of Ecobarter, a social enterprise transforming waste management in Nigeria by enabling individuals and households to live waste-free.

Through her innovative initiatives, Rita is at the forefront of tackling the mounting waste crisis in Nigeria while empowering marginalized communities.

With a background in geosciences, Rita’s interest in sustainability stems from her understanding of the critical intersection between the environment, technology, and human well-being.

She founded Ecobarter in 2018 to solve the persistent issue of waste mismanagement in Nigeria.

The enterprise addresses the growing environmental degradation caused by improper disposal of recyclable materials such as plastics, cans, and paper.

Ecobarter operates through a technology-enabled platform that allows households to schedule doorstep pickups for their recyclable waste.

In exchange, users earn points based on the weight and type of waste they contribute. These points can then be redeemed for cash, essential products, or services, creating a circular economy that incentivizes sustainable living.

Rita’s work goes beyond waste collection, having spearheaded the development of Nigeria’s first indigenous Reverse Vending Machine (RVM).

These automated devices issue instant credits to reward consumers for recycling used beverage containers, such as plastic bottles and cans.

This groundbreaking innovation not only enhances recycling infrastructure in urban areas but also encourages public participation in environmental conservation.

Her initiatives empower internally displaced women and informal waste pickers, providing them with income opportunities, skills training, and dignified working conditions.

Nigeria generates millions of tons of waste annually, much of which is improperly disposed of, leading to environmental pollution, public health hazards, and economic losses.

Rita Idehai is determined to change this narrative by creating a culture of responsible consumption and recycling.

Her groundbreaking efforts have earned her national and international recognition, including the Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA), 2024.

As the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Winich Farms, an agritech platform launched in 2020, he is on a mission to revolutionize the agricultural supply chain in Nigeria and beyond.

His efforts are driven by a commitment to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, enhancing food security, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

Attai holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, Nigeria.

During his university years, he co-founded Attai’s Beans, a business focused on processing and repackaging beans for consumers.

This experience gave him firsthand exposure to the inefficiencies plaguing Nigeria’s agricultural supply chain.

He witnessed how farmers struggled with market access, fair pricing, and financial inclusion.

Inspired to create lasting solutions to these challenges, he set his sights on building a platform that would directly connect farmers with off-takers, reducing reliance on intermediaries.

Winich Farms was born out of Attai’s vision to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

The platform connects smallholder farmers directly with retailers, processors, and large-scale buyers, eliminating middlemen who often exploit farmers.

By streamlining the supply chain, Winich Farms ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their produce while reducing food waste and inefficiencies.

Under Attai’s leadership, Winich Farms has built a network of over 4,000 agents across 16 states in Nigeria, enabling farmers to reach a broader market.

The startup has also introduced digital wallets and debit cards for farmers, promoting financial inclusion and empowering them with access to credit and insurance services.

Attai’s innovative approach and leadership have garnered both national and international recognition. Some of his notable achievements include:

In October 2024, Winich Farms raised $3 million in pre-Series A funding. This milestone underscored the platform’s growth potential and impact, with the funds earmarked for expanding order fulfillment centers and enhancing technological infrastructure.