The Future of Finance & Trade in Africa

Program Overview

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

8:30-9:15 A.m. REgistration

Master of Ceremonies

Busie Matsiko

Founder & President, New York Africa Chamber of Commerce

9:15-9:30 a.m.

Welcome Remarks

Michael Glatzer

Vice Provost for Academic Budgets, George Washington University

Serge Tshibangu

Chairman, US/UK Africa Business Council

9:30-10:00 A.m.

Opening Keynote

Ousmane Diagana

Vice President, Western and Central Africa, World Bank

10:00-11:00 A.m.

Financial Innovations Driving Africa's Growth

Join a discussion that will explore innovative financial solutions essential for meeting the ongoing demands in infrastructure, and critical minerals. These innovations are vital for supporting smart foreign direct investment and promoting industrial development. The panel will also provide valuable advice for American companies looking to explore export and trade opportunities in Africa as well as exploring the needs of the unbanked to help integrate them into financial systems.

Hervé Claude Ntumba Batukonke

Director General, Fund for Investment Promotion (FPI), Democratic Republic of Congo

Martin Kimmig

Chief Investment Officer, Cygnum Capital

Danny Leipziger

Professor of International Business and International Affairs, George Washington University

Hon. Mokhethi Shelile

Minister of Trade, Industry and Small Business, Kingdom of Lesotho

Tim Streeter

Global Head of Investor Relations, PIDG

11:00-11:15 A.m.

Coffee Break

11:15A.m.-12:15 p.m.

Harnessing Emerging Technologies For Inclusive Economic Growth

This panel will explore the transformative effects of emerging technologies such as cloud computing, AI, and enhanced internet connectivity. These innovations and complementary policies are vital to support new industries and to provide learning and job opportunities for the growing youth population of Africa. Panelists will present case studies and discuss the opportunities and challenges in technology adoption across Africa, and the potential for cross-border collaborations to drive progress.

Alwaleed Alatabani

Practice Manager, Finance, Competitiveness and Investment (FCI) Practice Group for East Africa, The World Bank

Dwayne L. Allen

Senior Executive Partner, Gartner

Obinna Isiadinso

Global Sector Lead, Cloud and Data Centers, and Senior Investment Officer, Digital Access, The World Bank

Tian Lan

Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, GW

Hon. Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea

Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Republic of Mauritius

12:15-1:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Ensuring Food Security Through Sustainable Agribusiness And Innovative Farming Techniques

This panel will focus on the critical components of food security, examining sustainable agribusiness practices and innovative agricultural methods. Topics will include seed innovation, supply chain realignment, distribution strategies, and the value chain. Panelists will explore the impact of smart farming technologies in enhancing productivity, reducing waste, and building a resilient food system, offering solutions to pressing food security challenges across the continent.

Kambale Kisumba Kamungele

Private Sector Representative, Agriculture & Agro-Industries, Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC)

Moses Kansanga

Associate Professor of Geography and International Affairs, George Washington University

Nkem Okeke

Founder/President, Medicalincs, Healthlincs

Shahid Yusuf

Chief Economist, Growth Dialogue

2:30-2:45 p.m.

Coffee Break

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Building Sustainable Cities: Renewable Energy And Affordable Green Housing

This panel will explore how renewable energy, infrastructure, and transportation intersect to create sustainable communities. Experts will discuss integrating clean energy solutions into infrastructure projects and the role of innovative transportation systems in promoting sustainable growth, job access, and improved spatial allocation of public investment. Panelists will share successful case studies, challenges, and collaborative efforts that demonstrate how these elements can work together to foster sustainable development and enhance community resilience.

Dagmawit Moges Bekele

Director, Peace Fund Secretariat, African Union

Andrew Brown

Founder & Managing Partner, Canmore Capital

Dr. Ede Ijjasz-Vásquez

Non-resident Senior Fellow, Africa Growth Initiative of the Brookings Institution

Hon. Mohlomi Moleko

Minister of Natural Resources, Kingdom of Lesotho

Mary Porter Peschka

Division Director for Eastern Africa, IFC

3:45-4:45 p.m.

From Pit to Port: Synchronizing Energy and Transport Infrastructure to Unlock Africa’s Critical Mineral Corridors

This panel explores the Lobito Corridor, a flagship Global Gateway project and Africa’s first open-access transcontinental rail link connecting the DRC, Zambia, and Angola to global markets via the Port of Lobito. The session will highlight how strategic collaboration between African partners, the U.S., and the EU can drive regional integration through infrastructure modernization, the development of critical raw material value chains, and investments in renewable energy and agriculture. Panelists will examine the corridor’s role in accelerating sustainable economic growth, facilitating smoother trade transit, and creating long-term employment opportunities, offering examples for how corridor and hub projects across the continent can drive mutual prosperity.