He is the founder and CEO of EkoCab, an on-demand mobility marketplace that offers high-end ride services.

Cole’s career began as a New Mobility Consultant, advising governments on micromobility policies.

He has played significant roles in various African tech startups and is the President of Startup Huddle Lagos, which supports early-stage startups.

Segun attended Bells University of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources and Personnel Administration.

In 2017, Segun founded EkoCab, which quickly became a buzz in Lagos due to its innovative approach to ride-hailing services.

Despite facing significant financial challenges and bootstrapping his business, Segun’s determination led him to delve into the world of venture capital and angel investing.

This experience highlighted the biases and challenges African entrepreneurs face, which fueled his drive to create systemic change in the funding landscape for local startups.

Noticing the disparity in venture capital allocation to African startups, Segun founded Fund the Gap Alliance.

This organization addresses the underrepresentation of local founders in the venture capital ecosystem.

Fund the Gap Alliance has successfully raised capital for startups from 54 African countries and 26 countries globally.

The alliance focuses on educating both startups and investors, leveraging data-driven approaches, and providing mentorship and coaching to help startups succeed.

Segun is a well-known ecosystem builder and currently serves as the President of Startup Huddle Lagos, a community that supports 235 startups from pre-series to Series C stages.

His leadership extends to various roles, including International Partner at the World Business Angel Fund, Venture Partner at Wefunder, Openner.VC, and Zero to One Capital.

He is also a member of the SEC working committee on Angel Investment and Venture Capital in Nigeria (Machinelab Ventures (MLVP)) (AI Summit London 2024).

Throughout his career, Segun has been driven by a passion for mentoring and supporting other entrepreneurs.

His efforts are particularly focused on bridging the gender funding gap and empowering female founders.

He believes that investing in women is not charity but a smart economic strategy that stimulates growth and equality.

As the CEO, Mwasi has been instrumental in transforming the way millions of African children learn, combining fun with education to create a lasting impact.

She holds a degree in Finance and Banking from Lincoln University and a Master’s in International Management from King’s College London

Her educational background laid a strong foundation for her strategic and analytical skills, which she has effectively applied in various professional roles.

Before joining Ubongo, Mwasi gained extensive experience in finance and international management.

She worked with global financial institutions such as Citibank, Wachovia, and Bank of America, where she honed her strategic mindset.

Her career also includes impactful roles at Africa Insight Advisors and Camara Education Tanzania, where she led transformative initiatives and contributed significantly to organizational success.

Mwasi became the CEO of Ubongo in April 2022, bringing her vast experience and strategic vision to the organization.

Under her leadership, Ubongo has expanded its reach to over 24 million families across Africa.

The organization leverages various accessible technologies, including TV, radio, and mobile phones, to deliver educational content to children in diverse settings, including those in rural and underserved areas.

Ubongo produces localized and culturally relevant content, making learning relatable and engaging for African children.

Ubongo’s shows, such as “Ubongo Kids,” are designed to be both educational and entertaining, a combination known as edutainment.

This approach not only captivates children’s attention but also enhances their retention of educational material.

Ubongo has also initiated programs that cater to neurodiverse children, such as those with autism and ADHD. This inclusive approach ensures that their educational content is accessible and beneficial to all children, regardless of their learning needs.

His work focuses on ensuring safe childbirth and increasing vaccination rates in underserved rural areas. 

He is deeply committed to reducing maternal and infant mortality by addressing the critical healthcare gaps that affect these communities.

Dr Adereni is doing this through HelpMum, an organization dedicated to reducing maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria through innovative, low-cost mobile technology solutions.

The social enterprise initially developed Nigeria’s first publicly available e-learning platform for traditional birth attendants.

The platform was created in response to the high rates of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria

HelpMum’s initiatives later evolved into the development and distribution of “HelpMum Clean Birth Kits,” which provide essential sterile delivery materials to ensure safe childbirth in rural areas. 

His work extends to leveraging technology for healthcare improvements. 

He led the development of AI tools like ADVISER, which boosts vaccination uptake by providing tailored support based on geographic and logistical factors. 

Adereni holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan and has been recognized with several awards, including the Ashoka Fellowship and the Waislitz Global Citizen COVID-19 Response Award.

With over two decades of professional experience, he is recognized for his commitment to fostering economic development and supporting entrepreneurs throughout the African continent.

Ben Ahmed began his career as a financial auditor at Arthur Andersen in Paris, where he developed a strong foundation in financial processes.

He later joined Accuracy, a corporate finance advisory firm, where he engaged in a wide range of financial activities, including due diligence and company valuations for large corporations in Europe, India, the USA, Brazil, and Australia.

His transition to private equity occurred in 2008 when he joined Fons Mediterrania Capital.

In 2013, Ben co-founded Mediterrania Capital Partners, where he has since led the North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa investment teams.

His proactive, hands-on approach has been instrumental in successfully executing numerous investment and divestment processes across various sectors, including healthcare, transport and logistics, financial services, construction, retail, and IT.

As Managing Partner, Ben oversees mid-cap transactions across all regions of Mediterrania’s operations in Africa.

Under his leadership, Mediterrania Capital Partners has supported over 240 groups and raised nearly 23.6 billion dirhams (approximately $2.6 billion) to finance businesses and infrastructure projects.

His leadership extends to his role as President of the Moroccan Private Equity Association (AMIC), where he aims to enhance the role of private equity in supporting Moroccan entrepreneurs and revitalizing the economy.

Under his guidance, AMIC continues to promote private equity as a vital tool for economic development, helping to increase investment capital penetration in Morocco.

Ben holds a Master of Sciences from ESTP Paris, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance (DESCF), and is a graduate of the General Management Program (GMP) from Harvard Business School.

His academic credentials complement his extensive professional experience, equipping him with the knowledge and skills to drive strategic growth and value creation in his portfolio companies.

She serves as the Lead and Executive Director of Merck for Mothers, a $500 million initiative by Merck aimed at reducing maternal mortality worldwide.

Under her leadership, Merck for Mothers has made significant strides, ensuring healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries for over 13 million women across 50 countries.

Dr. Etiebet holds an MD and an MBA from Yale University and has a rich background in both clinical practice and health policy.

Before joining Merck, she worked with Premier Inc., advancing health equity through population health management and value-based care initiatives.

Her experience also includes roles as an HIV physician, a health system administrator, and a global public health practitioner involved in PEPFAR-supported clinical programs.

Her work emphasizes the integration of private sector innovations with public health strategies to create sustainable health improvements, especially for underserved populations.

Merck for Mothers works with a wide range of partners, including governments, non-profits, and private sector organizations, to strengthen health systems and improve maternal health services.

The initiative leverages innovative healthcare solutions, such as improving access to quality maternal care, introducing new technologies, and developing life-saving products tailored to the needs of women in low-resource settings.

Dr. Etiebet also serves on several advisory boards and commissions, contributing her expertise to global health initiatives.

As the co-founder and CEO of Chapa Financial Technologies S.C., he has spearheaded efforts to simplify financial transactions for businesses in Ethiopia, addressing several critical challenges in the process.

Chapa, established in 2021, is a fintech platform designed to streamline digital payments for Ethiopian businesses, from entrepreneurs and SMEs to large corporations.

The platform simplifies financial transactions by integrating various payment methods, including bank transfers, debit card transactions, and other digital payments, into a single, user-friendly system​.

This integration is particularly beneficial in reducing transaction fees, a significant barrier for many businesses.

One of Chapa’s unique contributions is its effort to connect Ethiopia to the global economy.

Chapa enables Ethiopian businesses to engage in international trade more effectively.

Nael envisions a connected and thriving African economy where businesses can seamlessly transact across borders, unlocking the continent’s untapped potential through technology and innovation.

Additionally, Nael’s involvement with the Innovative Finance Lab Ethiopia highlights his commitment to enhancing access to financing for SMEs and startups, further supporting the development of innovative business models in Ethiopia.

Through Chapa, he is not only transforming digital payments in Ethiopia but also paving the way for a more integrated and prosperous African economy.

His story is one of dedication, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of solutions to empower businesses and foster economic growth.

She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management from the University of Sussex.

Amanda’s career spans various sectors, including healthcare and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

She transitioned into logistics after working in health insurance, where she helped pilot a nationwide delivery of chronic medications.

Her significant roles include serving as General Manager at Zippy Logistics, now Loft Africa, where she handled modern trade distribution for popular household brands.

Messenger.ng, co-founded with her brother in 2018, started with last-mile deliveries and has grown to become a major logistics partner for companies like Jumia and DHL Express.

The company has expanded its services to include order fulfilment, warehousing, and cold chain solutions, aiming to capture a significant portion of the $5 billion market in Nigeria.

Amanda’s leadership and innovative strategies have earned her recognition, including being named one of the top 50 finalists in the 2022 Africa’s Business Heroes competition by the Jack Ma Foundation.

She emphasizes persistence and leveraging strengths in her entrepreneurial journey, aiming to transform Messenger.ng into a globally recognized logistics company​.

In 2020, recognizing the inefficiencies in Gabon’s public transportation system, Houla-Houla founded WebCars, a startup dedicated to carpooling for short distances.

What began as a simple WhatsApp group has now evolved into a comprehensive platform that connects passengers and drivers within trusted networks.

This service allows passengers to plan their trips, ensuring they can avoid the frequent delays and shortages associated with public transport.

For drivers, WebCars offers a means to earn additional income while providing rides to people they know, creating a safer and more reliable travel environment.

Through his startup, WebCars, he aims to address the challenges of unreliable public transportation and provide a reliable, community-based carpooling solution.

By creating a platform that allows users to form carpooling groups with trusted individuals, he is working to make transportation more accessible, efficient, and secure for both passengers and drivers

Before the inception of WebCars, he founded Rehoboth Finance in 2016, where he served as CEO until 2022.

In 2019, he launched Les Génies Solidaires (LGS), an investment fund that aims to foster economic growth and support local businesses.

Jean-Arsène holds a degree in mathematics and physics from the University of Science and Technology of Masuku and a master’s degree in accounting and finance from the National Institute of Management Sciences.

She graduated from ESSEC Business School with a Master’s in Management, majoring in Finance, and started working in 2002.

Her first job was at Montagu Private Equity (previously HSBC Private Equity), where she was an investment director.

She managed a large European investment fund worth over €4 billion and gained valuable experience in various sectors like media, food, health, distribution, and automotive.

Moving to African Markets

In 2010, Meriem moved back to Morocco and became the Investment Director at Infra Invest in Casablanca.

She played a key role in raising and managing a significant African Infrastructure Fund worth €80 million.

One of her major successes was closing the fund’s first deal in Kenya, showing her ability to succeed in different market environments.

Leadership at SEAF

In 2017, Meriem joined SEAF (Small Enterprise Assistance Funds) as Senior Managing Director.

She led the SEAF Innovation Funds Initiative in the Maghreb Region, focusing on investing in innovative startups and tech-enabled small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

She also managed the SEAF Morocco Growth Fund, strengthening her influence in venture capital across the MENA region.

Founding EmergingTech Ventures

Meriem founded EmergingTech Ventures, a spin-off from SEAF’s venture arm, and serves as Managing Partner.

The firm invests in transformative, founder-led companies in emerging markets.

Her vision is to support knowledgeable founders and drive early-stage investments in challenging environments.

Meriem is a strong advocate for digital transformation and entrepreneurial growth in Morocco.

She is the President of CGEM’s (the Moroccan employers’ organization) Commission for startup and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Her advisory roles with various development finance institutions highlight her dedication to regional economic development and innovation.

Recognition and Legacy

Meriem Zairi’s career showcases her dedication to fostering entrepreneurial success.

Her journey from private equity to venture capital and entrepreneurship demonstrates her commitment to innovation and economic growth in Europe and Africa.

As a leader and mentor, she continues to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, significantly contributing to the vibrant startup ecosystems in the regions she serves.