Filali has a robust background in finance and investment, having played a key role in establishing Azur Innovation Fund, which aims to support impactful entrepreneurs and drive innovation within the region.

Under his leadership, the firm has successfully navigated the complex landscape of early-stage investments, fostering the growth of numerous startups.

Filali is instrumental in managing the Azur Innovation Fund, which has been pivotal in securing investments for high-potential startups in Morocco.

The fund focuses on innovative companies, particularly in agribusiness and consumer sectors, driving significant growth and development within these industries.

Filali has been involved in supporting various startups, including Tookeez, a fintech company that recently raised $1.5 million to redefine the customer loyalty ecosystem in Morocco.

His efforts have been recognized for fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, helping them achieve substantial growth and impact.

Filali’s contributions to the private equity landscape in Africa are notable for their focus on innovation and sustainability.

By targeting sectors with high growth potential and societal impact, Filali has helped shape the investment narrative in Morocco and beyond.

His work emphasizes the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs and building ecosystems that drive economic development and technological advancement.

Filali’s vision for Azur Innovation Management and the broader private equity space in Africa is centered around supporting entrepreneurs who can create significant positive impacts.

His leadership is characterized by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth, aiming to position Morocco as a leading hub for entrepreneurial activity in Africa.

He attended Castlebrook High School and Holy Cross Sixth Form College and later studied at Sheffield Hallam University.

After completing his education, Samuel returned to London in 2013 and embarked on a career in various management roles.

His professional journey took a significant turn in 2016 when he appeared on BBC One’s “The Apprentice,” where he showcased his business acumen and sales prowess.

Although he was eliminated in week seven, his performance on the show propelled him into the public eye.

In 2017, Samuel founded Build and Master, a startup accelerator aimed at educating and mentoring entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses. 

This initiative underscored his commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent and supporting the growth of new ventures.

In 2020, Samuel Brooksworth founded Remoteli, an innovative on-demand staffing organization designed to support businesses globally in building remote workforces.

Remoteli provides a range of services, including business assistance, customer service support, social media management, business development, and software development.

The company’s mission is to empower businesses by providing flexible, scalable, and cost-effective staffing solutions.

Under Samuel’s leadership, Remoteli has achieved significant milestones.

In 2022, the company was named Global Startup of the Year at the Startup Awards National Series, a testament to its impact and growth in the remote staffing industry.

Samuel’s entrepreneurial journey is driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to addressing global workforce challenges.

His vision for Remoteli is to revolutionize the way businesses approach staffing, making it easier for companies to access top talent regardless of geographical constraints.  

Remoteli has quickly established itself as a leader in the remote staffing industry.

The company’s mission is to bridge the gap between businesses and talented professionals worldwide, providing tailored staffing solutions that drive business growth.  

Her career is distinguished by a profound commitment to improving health outcomes and promoting education across Africa.

Dr. Atoki’s professional journey is marked by a blend of strategic leadership roles in both the private and non-profit sectors.

Before joining ABCHealth, she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where she led the Sustainability and Climate Change team.

This role allowed her to develop and implement strategies aimed at promoting sustainable business practices and addressing climate-related challenges.

As the CEO of ABCHealth, Dr. Atoki has been instrumental in fostering partnerships and collaborations to enhance healthcare access and quality across the continent.

ABCHealth advocates for joint efforts, partnerships, dialogues and multi-sector alliances whilst carefully selecting our technical partners to deliver results.

The organization drives alliances that develop, deploy and scale impactful health programmes and interventions on a sub-region and country-by-country basis across Africa, fact-finding and researching to establish disease burdens and local needs in order to customize solutions.

Under Dr. Atoki’s leadership, ABCHealth has engaged in significant initiatives, including a notable partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to improve health systems in Africa.

Impact of Climate Change on Africa

The continent, known for its rich biodiversity and vibrant ecosystems, is facing unprecedented challenges due to rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

These climatic shifts threaten not only the natural environment but also the livelihoods and well-being of millions of Africans.

In recent years, Africa has experienced some of the most dramatic evidence of climate change.

From prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa to devastating floods in Southern Africa, the consequences of a warming planet are becoming ever more apparent.

These environmental changes have profound implications for agriculture, water resources, and food security, making the continent’s path to sustainable development increasingly complex.

Below are the Updated Data Points on Climate Change in Africa

1. Temperature Increases:
   • Africa is warming faster than the global average, with temperatures in recent decades rising at a rate comparable to or higher than other continents. 
   • Extensive areas of Africa will exceed 2°C of warming above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century​  (World Economic Forum)​.
2. Sea Level Rise:
   • Sea levels are rising at an accelerated rate along Africa’s coasts, reaching 5 mm per year in several oceanic areas surrounding the continent.
   • This rate exceeds the global average of 3–4 mm per year and poses significant risks of coastal erosion and habitat loss​ (World Meteorological Organization)​.
3. Extreme Weather Events:
   • Africa has experienced increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones.
   • For instance, Tropical Cyclone Idai in 2019 was among the most destructive recorded in the southern hemisphere, causing widespread devastation​ (UNFCCC)​​.
4. Impact on Agriculture and Food Security:
   • Climate change has led to a 45.6% increase in the number of undernourished people in drought-prone sub-Saharan African countries since 2012.
   • The reduction in crop productivity due to heat and drought stress, as well as increased pest and disease damage, poses severe threats to food security​ (UN News)​​​.
5. Economic Costs:
   • African countries lost nearly $9 billion in 2022 due to climate-related loss and damage. The projected costs of loss and damage due to climate change are expected to reach at least $290 billion under a 2°C warming scenario​ (Brookings)​​ (UN News)​.
6. Adaptation and Mitigation Costs:
   • The cost of climate adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be between $30 to $50 billion per year over the next decade. These investments are crucial for building resilience and supporting economic development in the face of climate impacts​ (UNFCCC)​​ (World Economic Forum)​.

Spotlighting Africa’s Environmental Champions

As we observe World Environment Day, it’s crucial to recognize and celebrate the individuals making significant strides in combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability across Africa.

These champions are not only addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change but also driving innovative solutions that benefit communities and ecosystems.

1. Elizabeth Wathuti – Founder and President of Green Generation Initiative
2. Nyombi Morris – CEO, Earth Volunteers
3. Oluwaseyi Moejoh – Executive Director & Co-founder, U-recycle Initiative Africa
4. Anthony Nyong – Director, Climate Change and Green Growth
5. Fatou Jeng – Youth Representative – United Nations Secretary General’s Early Warning System for All
6. Jocelyne Tsonang – Project Manager Africa, Green Bond Corporation
7. Ibrahim Thiaw – Executive Secretary, UN Convention to Combat Desertification
8. Dr. Al-Hamndou Dorsouma – Division Manager, Climate and Green Growth Department at African Development Bank Group
9. Mirey Atallah – Head of Nature for Climate Branch at United Nations Environment Programme
10. Moubarak Moukaila – Head of Environment and Climate Finance at West African Development Bank
11. Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno – Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Environment & Climate Change
12. John Ewoi – Environment and Social Manager at Verdant Capital
13. ROSE MWEBAZA – Director and Regional Representative for Africa at UNEP
14. Michael Waiyaki Nganga – Founder, Miti Alliance
15. Toni J E Beukes – Head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) at HYPHEN Hydrogen Energy
16. Hatim Aznague – Climate Policy Analyst
17. Onyinye Anene-Nzelu – Head, Mini GridsHead at ENGIE Energy Access
18. Mohammed Dahiru Aminu – Non-Resident Fellow at Africa Policy Research Institute
19. Martin Lyambai – Environmental Finance Officer at Biodiversity Finance Initiative
20. Jumoke (Mujidat) Omodeni – Director at EcoSciGen
21. Samuel Osei-Amponsah – Community Coordinator at ETHAccra
22. Oghosa Erhahon – Co-Host, Global Tales of Carbon Transition
23. Abimbola Abikoye – Climate Change Consultant at DARNA Research ApS
24. Dr Meggan Spires – Director, Climate Change, Energy & Resilience at ICLEI Africa
25. Shamini Harrington – Vice President: Climate Change at Sasol
26. Zarina Moolla – Head of Climate Action Implementation (Africa) at C40 Cities
27. Naoufal Mahdar – Vice-President, Climate Action & Decarbonisation at OCP S.A
28. Miguel Ugochukwu Peters – CEO, African Circular Business Alliance (ACBA)
29. Nachilala Nkombo – Founder Women Leaders for Climate Action
30. Linda Evelyn Namulindwa – Climate Justice Activist at Green Futures Initiative
31. Wako Joel – Environment Journalist
32. Sophie De Coninck – Climate Facility Global Manager at UNCDF
33. Jonah Kirabo – Country Lead at Climate Clock
34. Sara Khairy – Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) at EY
35. Hamza Al-Assad – Head of Climate Strategy and Regional Delivery (MENA) at EBRD

HShe is the founder and CEO of the Southern Africa Embrace Foundation, a charitable organization, dedicated to empowering marginalized women, children, and youth across Southern Africa.

The foundation focuses on education, youth empowerment, gender equality, and rural economic development in countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Dr. Zemura-Bernard’s career spans over two decades, during which she has gained experience in both the non-profit sector and international development.

She has served on numerous boards and committees, including those associated with UN Women, the African Union, and various United Nations agencies.

Her work has earned her multiple awards and recognitions, highlighting her contributions to humanitarian causes and gender equality.

Dr. Zemura-Bernard is also known for her roles as a global events moderator and public speaker, often advocating for the rights and empowerment of vulnerable groups at high-level global events.

Her foundation, the Southern Africa Embrace Foundation, holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), allowing it to participate in UN deliberations on a variety of issues related to its mission.

He has a strong background in finance, having held significant roles such as Head of Finance at Touchtech Payments, which was acquired by Stripe, as well as positions at Stripe and Paystack.

His journey began with an education in Accounting and Finance at the Dublin Institute of Technology, followed by a career start at Ernst and Young, one of the world’s big four accounting firms.

Kinvi’s career path transitioned from accounting to the tech investment space, illustrating a successful shift from traditional finance to entrepreneurship and investment in the tech sector.

He is the co-founder of HoaQ, an investor community with over 100 investments across Africa and its diaspora.

HoaQ is particularly notable for its role in backing entrepreneurs and creating scalable businesses for Africa and its diaspora.

The club boasts over 300 members and investors from 14 different countries, focusing on early-stage startups serving Africa and the diaspora.

He is also the Founder of Stealth Startup.

As the pioneering Country Manager at Sand Technologies (ALX Africa) in Nigeria, Ruby is at the forefront of a transformative mission that’s shaping the next generation of tech leaders.

Under Ruby’s leadership, ALX Nigeria has become a catalyst for change, impacting over 145,000 Nigerian youths by equipping them with vital tech skills and opening doors to rewarding careers.

Remarkably, more than 40 per cent of these beneficiaries are women, underscoring Ruby’s commitment to fostering gender inclusivity in the tech space.

Ruby’s dedication and innovative strategies have not gone unnoticed, as she has been honored with prestigious accolades like the AOT Social Innovation Award and the Gage EdTech Award.

But her influence extends beyond the boardroom, as she is also the co-founder of Archivi.ng, where she plays a pivotal role in preserving Nigeria’s heritage through digital archiving, ensuring future generations have access to their rich history.

An award-winning film writer and producer, her work has garnered international acclaim, with her short film “Samaria” winning the ‘My 1st Short Film’ award at the Stockholm Film Festival.

At her core, Ruby is an educator and mentor, imparting her knowledge of Law at the Centre for Law and Business and guiding thousands of young minds through platforms like ALX, Co-Create, and YALI.

She is currently serving as the Chief Investment Officer at the Catalyst Fund.

With a remarkable 13-year career in managing venture capital funds and accelerators, particularly within the climate technology space, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability.

Karen’s role at Catalyst Fund involves leading the end-to-end investment process, which includes sourcing, due diligence, and closing deals, as well as contributing to post-investment support of the portfolio.

She specializes in impact investing within the Private Equity and Venture Capital sector in Africa, showcasing her dedication to supporting startups in their nascent stages with a clear impact mandate.

Having grown up on a farm, he takes pride in supporting African farmers by sharing knowledge to maximize income and constructing efficient value chain solutions, leveraging technology to enhance the process.

He is the founder and managing director of Keep IT Cool (We are hiring) , a Kenyan company that provides cooling services and links supply to demand through a B2B e-commerce platform.

Keep IT Cool, supported by Google, introduces a cutting-edge cold chain-powered smart distribution platform.

This technology-driven solution provides proximity-based cold chain services to underserved fisherfolk and traders in East Africa, incorporating innovative business models and off-grid and on-grid cold chain solutions.

The platform is designed to minimize post-harvest losses and enhance market access.

Additionally, the platform contributes to environmental sustainability by cutting carbon emissions by 51% (69 tCO2e). This is achieved through strategies such as reducing food waste, deploying solar-powered coolers, and using hybrid trucks to enhance logistics in the fishery value chain.

By integrating smart technology and sustainable practices, Francis has addressed critical challenges in food distribution, ensuring that quality and freshness are never compromised.

His company’s innovative approach has not only improved the livelihoods of thousands, including fishermen and farmers but also set a new standard in the industry.

Francis’ contribution to food security in Kenya has earned him accolades and recognition on various prestigious platforms.