He is currently serving as The World Bank Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa. In this pivotal position, Mr. Diagana shoulders the responsibility of nurturing relationships with 22 countries while overseeing a vast portfolio of projects, technical assistance initiatives, and financial resources valued at over $40 billion. His impressive journey with the World Bank includes serving as the Country Director for Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea, and Togo, with his base in Abidjan.

Preceding this role, he held the position of Country Director for Mali, Niger, Chad, and Guinea, stationed in Bamako. Ousmane Diagana’s career has been marked by visionary leadership and a deep commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of millions across Western and Central Africa. His unwavering dedication to development has made a significant difference in the region. Under Ousmane’s leadership, the Western/Central Africa Region at the World Bank has seen remarkable progress in addressing critical challenges such as poverty reduction, infrastructure development, healthcare, and education.

Meet Aida Diarra, the Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at Visa, and a true visionary in the realm of payments and financial services. Aida Diarra has dedicated her career to making financial services accessible to all, especially in regions where this access was limited. Her tireless efforts have empowered countless individuals and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa, paving the way for economic growth and prosperity.

Aida’s work at Visa has been instrumental in shaping the digital payments landscape in Africa. Her innovative strategies and partnerships have accelerated the adoption of digital payments, providing secure and convenient financial solutions to communities across the continent. Aida’s leadership is an inspiration to many aspiring leaders, particularly women in the tech and financial sectors.

He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Itot Africa, a DRC-based startup providing customised digital content, coding, programming, training and e-learning to businesses, SMEs and entrepreneurs in Africa and the United States. Founded in 2017, Itot Africa has emerged as a beacon of hope for countless young Africans seeking to enhance their skills and embrace the opportunities offered by the digital realm. The impact of Itot Africa is far-reaching.

By offering accessible and relevant education, they are not only enhancing employability but also nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of countless African youth. Through their efforts, individuals are gaining the confidence and knowledge to harness the power of technology for their growth and the prosperity of their communities. Samy Mwamba’s work with Itot Africa is a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, innovation, and a commitment to education converge.

She is the CEO of SanlamAllianz, one of the largest insurance companies on the continent. Under Delphine’s visionary leadership, Allianz Africa has achieved unprecedented milestones. She has been at the forefront of steering the company’s expansion across the continent. Her dedication to innovation has resulted in the development of innovative solutions that address the diverse needs of Allianz Africa’s clients.

Delphine, who is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and financial inclusion, serves as an inspiration to countless individuals, especially women, who aspire to reach the pinnacle of leadership in the financial and insurance sectors.

Arif has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, having worked for multinational organizations and public sector entities across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Prior to joining Microsoft, Arif held several senior positions at GE Oil & Gas, Emerson Automation Solutions, and Surface Business Group. She is passionate about digital transformation and is committed to helping Egyptian organizations accelerate their digital journey.

Arif is also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She is a board member of Egypt Women on Boards Observatory, Egypt’s Chamber of Information Technology & Communication, and the Advisory Board of UNICEF GenU Egypt (Shabab Balad). She is a highly accomplished and respected leader in the Egyptian technology industry, with her appointment as General Manager of Microsoft Egypt a testament to her skills and experience.

Under Arif’s leadership, Microsoft Egypt has made significant progress in helping Egyptian businesses and the country embrace the digital future. She has overseen the launch of several new initiatives and programs, including the Microsoft Egypt Innovation Center and the Microsoft Egypt TechSpark Accelerator. In recognition of her many achievements, Arif has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Women Forum’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Egypt, the Women in Tech Global Leadership Award, and the Egyptian Women Forum’s Distinguished Female Leader.

He is the Founder and CEO of Wetility, a solar solutions company harnessing the sun’s power to keep South African homes and businesses energized. Founded in 2018, Wetility’s mission is to “make clean energy accessible and affordable for everyone in Africa.”

The company offers a wide range of products, including solar panels for homes and businesses, solar batteries, and solar water heaters. Maposa’s innovative energy solution is helping businesses and homeowners save money on their energy bills, reduce their carbon footprint, and become more energy independent. Under his leadership, Wetility has achieved a number of notable milestones, including raising $48 million in debt and equity to expand its solar energy product.

Caren Wakoli, the founder of the Emerging Leaders Foundation (ELF), is one such remarkable individual. Her journey is an inspiring testament to the power of one person’s vision to create lasting change. Born and raised in Kenya, Caren recognized the immense potential within her country’s youth population, despite the many challenges they faced. It is for this reason that she set out on a mission to nurture this potential and transform it into tangible impact.

Caren’s vision gave birth to the Emerging Leaders Foundation, a non-profit organization that has since become a cornerstone of youth empowerment in Kenya. Through ELF, she has provided young people with the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to become leaders and changemakers. Caren’s work extends beyond leadership development. She is a vocal advocate for gender equality and social justice, championing the rights of women and marginalized communities in Kenya.

She has over two decades of experience driven dramatic results in the education sector, with a focus on reengineering the mindset of African children to create their economic prosperity through STEM skills. Dr Adetola Salau’s journey in education and STEM began with a deep-rooted passion for equipping the youth with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Armed with this passion, she embarked on a mission to revolutionize education in Africa.

With a doctorate in education, Dr. Salau possesses a profound understanding of the pedagogical principles that underpin effective teaching and learning. This expertise has been instrumental in shaping her innovative approach to STEM education, which places an emphasis on practical, hands-on learning experiences.

She envisions a future where African children are not just consumers of technology but active contributors to its advancement. To realize this vision, she founded organizations and initiatives aimed at empowering children with STEM skills that are not only competitive but also transformative. One such initiative is the Global Educational Skills Summit (GESS), where Dr. Salau is a distinguished leader.

With a passion for innovation and a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in the region, Hany has made significant contributions to Africa’s tech ecosystem. He is the Managing Director of Sawari Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Egypt that invests in technology startups in the MENA region. He is also the Co-Founder of Flat6Labs, a startup accelerator program that has become a beacon of hope for early-stage startups across the region.

Under Hany’s leadership, Flat6Labs has emerged as a pivotal player in the MENA startup ecosystem. The program offers startups financial support and invaluable mentorship and guidance, helping them transform their ideas into successful businesses. Hany’s journey from a visionary entrepreneur to a catalyst for change in the MENA startup ecosystem is inspiring. His dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to fostering innovation have made him a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs across the region.