Shaping the future of Youth Entrepreneurship

Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula is a distinguished innovator with a profound commitment to agriculture, environmental sustainability, and digital technologies. With over 5 years of experience pioneering technological advancements and enhancing the well-being of underserved communities, she co-founded Farmspeak Technology.

Adaeze spearheads the company’s growth strategy and product development initiatives, overseeing all facets of revenue generation and market expansion. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering from the esteemed University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In 2024, she was part of the top 16 innovators from Africa chosen by the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK. She was also part of the top 30 global young leaders chosen by the Youth Business International, UK. Adaeze’s exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship in Africa led to her recognition as one of the 2021 Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Top 22 African Entrepreneurs.

As a visionary leader, Adaeze has shared her insights on artificial intelligence in agriculture and youth empowerment as a distinguished speaker at notable events, including the Diverse Science Diplomacy Takes 2022 conference in California. She also addressed Forward Thinking Agricultural Systems with Digital Technologies at the prestigious Lagos State Economic Summit – Ehingbeti, 2022, among others.

Adaeze’s innovative prowess has garnered acclaim from esteemed organisations such as Cherie Blair and Fate Foundation (Road to Growth), recognising her as a young and innovative mind in 2022. Additionally, she was honored as one of Africa’s Top 20 entrepreneurs, representing Nigeria, by Women in Africa, Jamii Femme, Honoris Universities, and the in 2024 Coca-Cola Foundation.

Adenike is a social innovator with expertise in supporting and enabling small and growing businesses to grow sustainably. Her 22-year experience includes working in the private, public and development sectors to develop, fund and implement innovative programs and high impact policies for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and young people.

As the Chief Executive Officer for Nigeria’s foremost business incubator, she leads the organisation’s work in providing a wide range of programs to train, mentor and link Nigerian MSMEs with knowledge, support and mentoring while also leading research and policy advocacy work with other entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders.

Aika is a Partner at Dalberg Design in Nairobi, leading the Africa design team. With over 15 years of experience in user experience design, digital technologies, global public health, and social entrepreneurship, Aika is dedicated to driving social impact and innovation. Her expertise in creative facilitation, design, and organizational learning is deeply informed by Pan-African thought and Human-Centered Design (HCD) practices. Aika specializes in community-based problem-solving, with a focus on youth employment and education, inclusive health design for women, sexual and reproductive health, and the decolonization of research. Her participatory facilitation style encourages diverse perspectives, generating meaningful insights through group discussions.

She has led qualitative and participatory research and facilitated workshops and learning spaces in countries across Africa and works closely with bilateral and multilateral organizations. Aika holds a Bachelor of Science in Computational Biochemistry, a postgraduate certificate in Health Informatics, and is an Acumen 2015 East Africa Fellow.

Amelia is the Founder and CEO of Somo. She started working with schools and youth groups in Nairobi informal settlements in 2012. Passionate about creating avenues for people to break ceilings that have been set for them, she launched Somo’s initial programs in 2016. Over the past 8 years, she has built Somo, and with over 12,000 jobs created in Kenya and Tanzania, they are expanding their model to Uganda. Amelia holds a BA in International Area Studies from UC Berkeley and has worked in entrepreneurship and education across East Africa, in Mexico and in India. She is deeply passionate about entrepreneurship and the opportunities it can create for marginalized communities. 

Anita Tiessen is CEO of YBI, and leads the global network’s efforts to connect members, partners and young people to develop and scale new solutions that leverage the power of entrepreneurship to drive social and economic change. Anita has extensive experience in international development, human rights and leading global networks. Before joining YBI in 2018, Anita was CEO of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, a global movement of 150 country members, where she focused on growing the organisation’s reach and impact. Previously she was Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF UK, and Head of Communications at Amnesty International’s global headquarters.

Anna is YBI’s Head of Responsible Business, leading the network’s efforts to support young entrepreneurs to develop and scale effective social and green solutions. She also leads on sustainable business, inclusive entrepreneurship and decent work. 

Anna has 13 year’s experience in launching, strengthening and scaling up purpose-driven businesses globally, with a particular focus on the UK and East Africa.

Anne works as a product manager and research consultant with over 12+ years of experience working in different capacities in the education, water, and startup ecosystem. She currently works as a Senior Product Manager and Innovation Consultant with Qhala.

Anne has worked as an ecosystem builder and co-creator of policies, working with entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators in Africa to promote entrepreneurship. She holds a Business Information Technology (BBIT) degree and is pursuing her master’s in Education Leadership. Now, she serves as a Board member for the Open Wise Foundation. She is also an ICT for education specialist. She studies the growth and management of ICT Education implementation with published studies in mobile, eLearning, and offline learning. Anne previously worked as a product manager for Longhorn Publishers PLC and iHub; as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Eneza Education and as a research consultant for Intelipro, RefuSHE, and Goethe Institute South Africa. In her spare time, you can find Anne applying design thinking processes to ICT programs in the education and water sectors in Kenya and facilitating hackathon events.

Bat-Orshikh Erdenebat is a distinguished advisor at Development Solutions NGO in Mongolia, renowned for his visionary leadership in sustainable business practices. With a remarkable blend of over 15 years of experience in employment, entrepreneurship, and a profound commitment to social and environmental impact, Bat-Orshikh is a catalyst for positive change in the youth entrepreneurship landscape in his home country.

As a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and a Certified Management Consultant, he leverages a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to foster an inclusive, climate-smart ecosystem that supports and promotes entrepreneurship among disadvantaged youth in peri-urban and rural regions.

One of Bat-Orshikh’s flagship initiatives is the Youth Business Mongolia (YBM) program, a testament to his dedication to empowering young social and green entrepreneurs. Through collaborations with Youth Business International, the SME Agency of Mongolia, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and other supporting stakeholders, he has spearheaded efforts to navigate the complexities of sustainability. Under his guidance, these entrepreneurs have integrated circular economy principles and innovative green technologies into their operations, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Recently, Bat-Orshikh has been actively involved in studying the social and solidarity economy in Mongolia, promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and decent work. This passion drives him to create and shape an ecosystem conducive to social enterprises, cooperatives, and self-help groups in Mongolia, fostering a thriving community of transparent and decentralized businesses.

Mr. Benedikt Wahler is a German chartered banker, strategy consultant and (social) entrepreneur working since 1998 at the nexus of finance and impact. Since 2010, he has led more than 40 projects on inclusive finance, digital finance, regulatory advisory and SME banking for leading commercial banks, insurers, microfinance institutions, MNOs as well as stakeholders like EBRD, IFC, IDB or Gates Foundation.

He has worked in more than 40 developed and emerging markets around the world and been instrumental in designing and launching solutions that have reached > 8 million previously unbanked. Adding to his work on strategies that work for women and business- women, Benedikt has since 2022 pioneered research on serving young entrepreneurs with financial and non-financial services and works with banks and MFIs in 7 markets on a dedicated approach to young business leaders.

In addition to Benedikt’s background in banking and international finance, this work is also informed by his experience as supervisory board member at Europe’s original e-Commerce provider, in assisting on the 3x growth of a family business, as business angel and mentor to several startups in Europe, and as co-founder of 2 award winning initiatives that support young African entrepreneurs and digital professionals (Startup Lions Gmbh and Ampion).

Between 2010 and 2014, Benedikt was based in Lagos, Nigeria and helped build the business of Europe’s #1 strategy consultancy Roland Berger in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mr. Wahler holds a M.A. in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington, DC and Bologna, and a Diploma (MBA-equivalent) in Banking & Finance from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. He also studied in Buenos Aires,Argentina and at Stanford University.

Benson is a highly experienced MSMEs Development Expert with over 13 years in enterprise development, anchored by his certification as an ILO-SIYB (Start and Improve Your Business) Business Trainer. This certification is the foundation of his expertise, enabling him to effectively train, mentor, and guide entrepreneurs in starting, improving, and scaling their businesses. His knowledge spans business formation, financial management, and sustainability, which he applies in his role as Livelihood Program Coordinator and Entrepreneurship Development Lead at CAP Youth Empowerment Institute.

At CAPYEI, Benson oversees multiple MSME development and vocational training programs under the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework. His strategic use of the SIYB methodology has empowered many young entrepreneurs, driving job creation and the development of a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. His work has a strong focus on fostering networks among key stakeholders to create lasting impacts on youth employment and enterprise growth.

Bia Santos is the CEO and founder of Barkus, a financial education and inclusion edtech invested by Google for Startups that has helped over 150,000 people in Brazil. As the executive director of Barkus, she was recognized by Forbes in the Under 30 list in the Science and Education category. She was also recognized by the Powerlist 100 as one of the 100 most influential Black people in the Lusophone world and as the Tech Entrepreneur Brazil at the Women that Build Awards in 2022.

Bia holds a degree in Business Administration from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ – Brazil) and the University of Porto (UPorto – Portugal); a postgraduate degree in African and Afro-Brazilian History and Culture from the Instituto Pretos Novos (IPN – Brazil), with research in entrepreneurship, finance, and diversity; and she is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Fundação Dom Cabral, ranked among the top 10 business schools in the world by the Financial Times.

In addition to being nominated for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the premier professional exchange program of the U.S. Department of State, she is one of the counselors for the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the Equity and Inclusion area and is a member of the State Council of Women’s Entrepreneurship (CEEF) of the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Blessing Sunday is a dynamic Communications and Marketing Strategist with over five years of hands-on experience in shaping impactful communication initiatives. A versatile editor and writer passionate about leveraging the power of strategic communication to drive brand growth and engagement.

At FATE Foundation, she serves as the Communications and Marketing Manager, developing innovative communication strategies to boost brand reach and visibility. In this role, she has demonstrated her expertise in crafting compelling narratives and campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences.

Blessing is the Founder of BUS Public Speaking Academy where she empowers individuals to become effective communicators and public speakers. She is the convener of the social impact project, King of Podium (KOP), an annual oratory competition that focuses on youth and national development. She is also the convener of the Teen Girl-child Conference (TGCC), an annual community impact project, designed to empower and raise “a confident girl-child” in the slum.

She holds a B.A in English from the University of Ibadan and a Masters in Media Communication from the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University in Affiliation with Lagos Business School.

Blessing is a seasoned speaker & trainer, corporate compere, and gospel singer.

Capucine is an international development expert at Enabel, specialising in digital for development and entrepreneurial ecosystems. With significant experience in NGOs and development agencies, she uses information technology to improve access to essential services and support the development of local start-ups and BDS providers in Africa and the Middle East. Her work aims to build entrepreneurial capacity, digital skills, facilitate access to finance, and promote public-private partnerships for sustainable development.

Catherine is a pioneering force in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem as the Founder and CEO of Fetola, one of South Africa’s leading business growth agencies, that has propelled over 2,000 SMEs to success. Her strategic vision has positioned Fetola as a critical ally for social investors and philanthropists focused on sustainable development and tackling Africa’s pressing issues of unemployment, inequality, and poverty.

Catherine is the small business growth guru, a Forbes 50 Over 50 leader and a powerful advocate for change, for entrepreneurs, for South Africa and for the planet. Through Fetola she is continually seeking new and greener ways to solve unemployment, inequality and poverty. Fetola does this by helping entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses, making the world a better place by building businesses that last.

Born in Zambia, Catherine has two degrees in Agriculture, an MBA, and more than 30 years of business growth experience having created enterprises in 5 different sectors across 3 different countries.

Charles Ocici – Director General – Enterprise Uganda

Charles has 25 years of business and enterprise development, corporate governance, banking, project investment finance, strategy development and general business advisory and consultancy career in Uganda and the rest of Africa. He is the Founding Executive Director of Enterprise Uganda, Uganda’s premier institution in the development world-class Small and Medium scale Enterprises; He is the President and Chairman of Enterprise Africa, a 14 member umbrella body of Enterprise Development Institutions with linkages to the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He is a guest lecturer on Master of Business Administration Programme at Makerere University Business School and an acknowledged commentator, thinker and authority on Private Sector Investment and enterprise development issues in the African region. Charles holds as Master of Business Administration and MSc in Investment Analysis from the University of Stirling, UK. He also holds a BSc.  Agricultural Economics

Cleon is a professional with a unique blend of computer and data science expertise. He joined Somo in 2020 as a back-end developer and business coach. Through the years he has  grown from back-end developer to data and impact architect and then in 2024 ascended to the role of Tech and Impact Manager. In this capacity, Cleon has been instrumental in driving innovation and impact evaluation for Somo’s various programs, particularly
those focused on empowering SMEs. With a deep understanding of both the technical and
social challenges faced by businesses, he’s worked directly with over 600  entrepreneurs in sustainable practices.

His experience spans sectors such as recycling, clean energy, and agro-processing, helping these businesses mitigate the effects of climate change and improve their operational efficiency.

Dareem Jeffrey is from the rural village of Moruga in deep south Trinidad. He is a 28-year-old entrepreneur who began exploring the world of business at the age of 17.

Mr Jeffrey owns and manages the EcoWash brand, the country and Caribbean’s first water conservation car wash, which guarantees a clean car using only 2 litres of water. It is the ONLY legal carwash in Trinidad and Tobago during water restrictions (apart from the bucket and sponge method).

EcoWash’s business model involves empowering youth, especially those from vulnerable areas, to run their units at strategic locations, such as malls. Their objectives are two-fold: reduce water wastage while providing youths with a positive outlet which will make them self-sustainable.

EcoWash & Dareem has won several awards over the years including Top Innovation in the World at World Congress in Switzerland 2023 and USAID Top Water Innvovation in the Caribbean

Dejan is Head of Innovation, leading the innovation agenda to deliver a step-change in the number of young people accessing our products and services and, in our ability, to equip them to thrive in a digital, globalized world. Dejan brings extensive expertise in strategic development, innovation, and business expansion, leveraging Human Centered Design and Lean Startup methodologies. He commenced his career at Deloitte, later leading corporate strategy and innovation at Bupa for eight years. With over a decade in the private sector, Dejan transitioned to a prominent UK charity, focusing on societal integration. He holds an Executive MBA and a degree in Biotechnology.

Dennis is a dedicated community development professional with over a decade of experience, specializing in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), entrepreneurship development, and general community-based project design and management. A unique blend of technical expertise, managerial understanding, and a passion for program administration and project management marks my career. I draw my expertise from a vast experience in private sector engagements to bridge the gaps between training institutions and the private sector, ensuring a higher transition of graduates to jobs and extensive experience in youth empowerment and development programs in rural and urban settings. I am passionate about the youth with proven skills and expertise in sustainable livelihoods promotion, CBET curriculum development and assessment knowledge, and youth business mentorship and training.

He is a PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP) certified and holds an MBA in management.

Deryl brings over 20 years experience working with corporate partners to support charities in the UK.  She is particularly passionate about working with founders as they launch and grow their businesses and is always on the lookout to connect them to opportunities.  Originally from New Zealand, Deryl loves to travel and meet new people, and is usually the first one on the dance floor!

Dunja is the Head of International Relations and Green Entrepreneurship at KIZ SINNOVA gGmbH, with a special focus on Youth and Micro entrepreneurship. Over the past 8 years, she has developed numerous entrepreneurial training and scholarship programs for a diverse range of beneficiaries, collaborating with various private and public stakeholders. She is also leading KIZ’s social, green, and circular strategy and entrepreneurial development, with the goal to successfully support young micro entrepreneurs on their sustainable journeys. One of her core beliefs is that entrepreneurial ecosystems benefit most from a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial scene. She understands that entrepreneurship, when viewed through different lenses and socio-cultural backgrounds, can be a significant driver of social and environmental change.

Dunja holds a master’s degree in International Economics from the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree Iin Sustainability and Circular Economics at the Harvard Extension School in Boston. She has lived, studied, and worked in Germany, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, and the United States.

For the past 10 years, Ellen has been committed to unlocking the potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs and impact businesses.

She is the Co-Founder and Principal of SoJo where she has collaborated with over 40 ESOs in 15 countries across the globe to design, deliver and scale their support for impact entrepreneurs. Through her work she is particularly interested in designing effective and inclusive support for overlooked and underfunded entrepreneurs including youth, women and racialized entrepreneur. In 2023, she supported the YBI Sustainability Toolkit project – leading the co-creation of the toolkit alongside 10 YBI members.

Ellen is also the co-author of Scaling Pathways, a project of Duke University’s Centre for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) in collaboration with USAID, Skoll Foundation and Mercy Corps. Scaling Pathways unpacks lessons learned from the scaling journeys of some of the world’s top social entrepreneurs. As a social enterprise consultant and business coach, Ellen also works directly with nonprofits, charities and startups to leverage social enterprise and social finance as a tool to scale their impact. 

Frédéric is a social entrepreneur and international development consultant based in London. He has spent the past 10 years creating solutions that support refugees in developing their own businesses, both as a consultant for UNHCR’s Livelihoods unit prior to founding TERN and as the co-founder of TERN.

TERN focuses on creating inclusive entrepreneurship programs and ecosystems for refugee entrepreneurs, so they can thrive through the power of their own ideas. TERN has supported over 700 refugee entrepreneurs to date, and strives to launch 1,000 refugee-led businesses as a first major milestone.

Fred and his colleague Emily Leonard are the practitioners behind the SEER Training Programme and Online Toolkit, aimed at YBI member organizations interested in supporting refugee entrepreneurs for the first time or expanding their existing support. At the Kenya Summit, Fred is co-leading a session called “Supporting Newcomer Migrants & Refugees in Your Community into Entrepreneurship” and looks forward to meeting you there.

Frédéric is dedicated to promoting community-led innovation and self-empowerment. His focus is on ensuring underrepresented groups have an equal seat at the table while achieving self-representation and independence. Fred actively collaborates with leaders who have lived experience to create solutions for the communities they know so well.

His expertise includes innovation management and open education. He has served as a Livelihoods Innovation & Open Education consultant for UNHCR, designing programs that help communities become self-reliant agents of change. With 12 years of experience in leadership, building startup ecosystems, incubators, social enterprises, and blended learning programs, Frédéric brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work supporting refugee entrepreneurs.

Gökçe Nil Akar holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature, as well as Psychology, from Ege University. Since joining Habitat Association in June 2022, she has made significant contributions, starting as an Operation Coordinator and progressing to her current role as Project Manager. In her role as Project Manager, Gökçe leads and coordinates several impactful programs in collaboration with both private and public sector partners. Her responsibilities include the development, implementation, and management of entrepreneur support initiatives within the framework of YBI’s HighFlyers Programme. Additionally, she plays a crucial role in project writing and partnership development through Habitat’s International Relations Commission. Here, Gökçe focuses on establishing and nurturing organizational partnerships, while also supporting the project writing process. 

Grace is an Associate Director within the International Development Advisory Services (IDAS) unit at KPMG East Africa, based in Nairobi. She has over 16 years of experience in strategic management, programme design and implementation in a range of sectors including agriculture, the digital economy, and renewable energy.

Grace is passionate about developing sustainable solutions by understanding and addressing root causes of development challenges. Her expertise in programme design and implementation is anchored on a market systems development approach. She has led market studies with a focus on entrepreneurship and its potential for job creation across the sub-Sahara Africa.

Grace holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, and is a Certified Public Accountant

Hannah is YBI’s Deputy Director of Development and Programmes, leading the team that ensure high quality delivery of YBI’s global programmes funded by multiple partners including Accenture, JP Morgan and Google.org amongst others. She also works closely with the team to grow and diversify income streams to maximse YBI’s impact.

Hannah has over 10 years experience in design and delivery of social impact programmes across the globe.

An entrepreneur, Environmentalist, A leader, A coach, mentor, and Business Development Service provider.

Haron runs Lira seedlings Center an agricultural and environmental company where he’s been CEO since 2014. In 2022 he also founded Harotech Infinit Ventures a technology based venture that carries out engineering, technology and education production and services. The same year he founded  Dintech constructions that does general domestic constructions and provides environmentally friendly construction materials.

He co-founded Young Achievers Network Uganda in 2021 that supports business growth especially young entrepreneurs.

A leader, serves in Church of Uganda, leading the young people for eight (8yrs) till now, currently the provincial youth and children ministry delegate diocese Lango, and Provincial Youth and Children ministry resource Leader province of the Church of Uganda (national level).

A trained and authorized Business Development services provider by Ministry of Trade and finance Uganda, through private sector foundation, African management Institute (Kenya) and MasterCard Foundation

Helena leads the online promotion of the key themes and events that make YBI a thought leader of youth entrepreneurship, working closely with partners and members to promote the impact of the YBI network and showcase the inspiring work of the young entrepreneurs it serves. She also oversees content and brand creation, increasing recognition of the YBI network’s impact. Helena has several years of experience in marketing campaigns, content creation and developing online communities.

Ms. Doroba Hendrina Chalwe, a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in the development sector, currently holds the position of Division Manager, Education, and Skills Development at the African Development Bank. Her diverse roles as a development practitioner, educationalist, mathematician, gender expert, and Leadership coach have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the field.

Ms. Doroba’s leadership at the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Africa was marked by significant achievements. Under her guidance, FAWE was awarded the $1 million Al-Sumait Prize and recognized as a 2017 Laureate for African Development in Education. Her influence on policy and practice has been instrumental in promoting gender equity and equality across 33 African Countries.

Ms Doroba also served and represented FAWE on various advisory Boards, including the Global Education Monitoring Advisory Board, the UNGEI Global Advisory Board, and African Union Specialized Technical Committee and ADEA. She also served as chairperson of the Gender in My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Network Steering Committee. Her contributions to these various boards ensured that girls’ and women’s education issues were prioritised and considered.

In her previous engagements, Ms. Doroba has held various positions in the international development arena, including the Irish Embassy in Zambia, Oxfam GB- Zambia, and the Ministry of Education- Zambia.

A teacher by profession, her passion remains to empower the youth by improving policies, strategies, and opportunities in education and skills development, including professional coaching. She promotes and strengthens linkages between tertiary Education, Human capital development, and skills needs in local African industries.

Ms Doroba is an alumnus of the National University of Ireland, Dublin, the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Nkrumah Teachers’ Training College in Kabwe, Zambia: A Synergos Senior Fellow, Global Women Leadership Network (GWLN) member, and Brave Thinking Institute.

Henrietta leads RPA’s efforts in the practice area of economic inclusion covering financial inclusion, empowerment, and economic opportunities with the objective of a more equitable and just global economic development. She works with and serves stakeholders and donors in these issue areas, including funder collaboratives and foundations, while leading or participating in thought leadership, donor funded sponsored projects, and other work advancing RPA’s mission. She was formerly Nigeria Program Director, where her responsibility was to liaise with Nigerian government stakeholders to assess the needs, challenges and opportunities to enable the government to drive financial inclusion regulatory reform with a focus on strengthening pro-poor financial inclusion policies and identifying Digital Financial Services (DFS) requirements to support an enabling regulatory environment in the emerging market. Before joining Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in November 2020, Henrietta was the Managing Director at ARM Financial Advisers where she was responsible for digital financial services, innovation, retail distribution and Group Corporate Transformation and IT. Prior to that, she was Head of Payments and Mobility and the Management Consulting Lead for Financial Services at Accenture.

She has served as the Chairperson of the Financial Inclusion Channels Working Group and member of the National Financial Inclusion Technical Committee for the implementation of Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion strategy. She is a graduate of the University of Lagos, Nigeria and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) with specialization in Corporate Strategy and Economic Policy from the Maastricht School of Management, The Netherlands. She is a certified Trainer, Change Management and Balanced Scorecard professional.

Ibrahim is the Entrepreneurship Coordinator at Generation Unlimited. He supports imaGen Ventures and GenU’s pipleine of new enterprise building and incubation efforts. Ibrahim formerly worked as program director of Epiverse, a data.org program for distributed pandemic tools. He has over 10 years of experience accelerating open innovation in the public and private sectors. Previously, he led UNICEF’s pathfinding initiative supporting 10 governments in leveraging open software and open data to strengthen public services. He also led several tech startup accelerators and funds in cutting-edge commercial and social solutions, and he holds a master in digital transformation and innovation leadership from IE University.

Jackson is an experienced project manager, strategist and trainer with a passion for entrepreneurship and teams. He has over 15 years’ experience with a mission to: “Develop teams, streamline processes/systems and transform organizations.” He has combined a dual career in finance and operations with people development through management training, strategic planning, team development and business transformation. 

He assists organizations achieve their vision, enhance their efficiency and maximize their profitability and sustainability. 

In the last 9 months, Jackson has been connecting innovative Kenyan startups with international investors, mentors and experts as the Team Lead for Startup Savanna (Kenya Industrial Entrepreneurship Fund), World Bank funded project under the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.

In his previous role as Head of Projects, Jackson worked with over 400 SMEs directly and indirectly across several value chains, start-ups, and growth SMEs in various industries. The projects with an emphasis on access to finance and investor readiness have entailed financial management training, business planning and business coaching services across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Rwanda and Mozambique.  He brings to the table a unique blend of SME/business experience, stakeholder management, coaching capability, consulting skills and training expertise.  He has run multi-projects such as Meta- Boost(Previously Boost with Face Book), GIZ Bridging Access, GIZ Women Entrepreneurship for Africa, Fairtrade Africa, ITC Markup and Aceli Africa

His rich training and consultancy experience has seen him work with over 100 organizations across private, government and not for profit sectors. 

His knowledge is reinforced by his business mindedness gained from his experience and training in finance as well as accounts.  He is a qualified CPA, Certified Master Trainer and a certified TOT with COLEACD (Specialises in the Entrepreneurship within the Agri-business sector.

Jada is a Programme Manager at Youth Business International (YBI).

With a background in Youth Work, having designed, delivered and managed local and national development programmes, Jada is passionate about enabling young people to thrive personally and professionally, including leveraging partnerships to accomplish this. This is reflected in her other roles and activities, serving as an Ambassador, Advisory Board member and Coach.

As an entrepreneur herself, Jada advocates for creating sustainable solutions to the issues that youth and communities face. Combined with a desire to contribute to impactful change on a global scale, it was this passion, skills and knowledge that led to her joining the YBI team in 2023.

James Irungu Mwangi is the founder and CEO of Africa Climate Ventures, where he is working to build and accelerate transformative climate-smart and carbon-negative businesses across the continent. James is also the founder of the Climate Action Platform – Africa (CAP-A), a public benefit organization launched in 2021, to unlock Africa’s potential for inclusive prosperity through Climate Positive Growth.

Previously, James co-founded the Dalberg Group, and over a 20-year period, led the Dalberg’s expansion into Africa, served as Global Managing Partner of Dalberg Advisors, and as Executive Director of the Dalberg Group. James serves as an independent director on several boards including the Skoll Foundation, the Global Centre for Pluralism, One Acre Fund, Old Mutual Limited and Koko Networks.

James holds an AB in Economics from Harvard University and is a 2021 Yale University World Fellow. He is a 2009 Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellow, a 2013 Young Global Leader. For his efforts to put Climate Positive Growth on the global agenda, James received a 2022 Climate Breakthrough Award and was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2023 by the New African magazine.

Jo joined YBI in 2016 and has been the Director of Membership Services and Engagement since 2018. She leads the teams that drive Network growth and engagement, design and deliver learning content, and provides key evidence and learning, ensuring YBI members are the go-to place for high-quality youth entrepreneurship support.

Her 15-year experience includes working in the private and not-for-profit sectors to design and deliver impactful learning programmes. Jo’s background is in mentoring and coaching, and this continues to be a passion, especially because, for young people trying to start, grow, and sustain a business, having a mentor continues to be a critical support and contributor to the success of the young person and of their business. 

As she embarks on her third YBI Global Summit, Jo reflects on these gatherings as pivotal moments in her career journey. They serve as vibrant hubs of collaboration, innovation, and collective impact, fuelling her drive to continuously elevate the support and opportunities available to young entrepreneurs worldwide.

Keerthana is the founder and ceo of 9NUTZ MILLETS PVT LTD,

Her company specializes in producing millet based cereals and snacks ,such as sweets, biscuits, chocolates, namkeens and chikkis. She produces these products without using sugar, maida, wheat, and rice.

Lakshmi is the Founding and Managing Trustee of the Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST), a pioneering organisation in youth entrepreneurship development in India. Armed with an academic foundation in Physics and Engineering Science from Delhi University and New York University, Lakshmi began her career at AT&T-Bell Laboratories, where she gained valuable experience in technology and management.

In the early 1990s, Lakshmi returned to India with a vision to empower the nation’s youth. Collaborating with the late J. R. D. Tata, she founded BYST with the aim of mentoring young people and guiding them to become successful entrepreneurs. Her unwavering commitment to this cause has seen the organization grow into a national benchmark for youth entrepreneurship over the past three decades. Under her leadership, BYST has helped countless young individuals from underprivileged backgrounds start and grow businesses, contributing to India’s socio-economic transformation.

Lakshmi attributes much of her success to the unconditional support of her family, who have been her backbone throughout her journey. She views challenges as opportunities and has led BYST through numerous obstacles with resilience and determination.

Today, BYST stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring young entrepreneurs, and Lakshmi continues to champion the cause of youth empowerment. Her work has left an indelible impact on the nation, and she remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders, ensuring they play a pivotal role in India’s continued progress.

Liana  is an experienced management consultant and project manager with around 20 years of experience in the marketplace, MBA. Since 2003 has been engaged in various business and development projects including development of entrepreneurship, business and investment plans, feasibility studies, strategy developments, market analysis, etc. Worked in numerous economic development projects initiated by international agencies and organizations such as European Commission, USAID, UN, OXFAM, World Vision, the ICCO in the Netherlands and others. Since 2017, coordinating the economic development initiatives at Jinishian Memorial Foundation in Armenia.

Lilian is a devoted Finance professional with 6 years of experience in finance, entrepreneurship, and research. She has extensive knowledge and experience in budgeting, financial data and statements analysis & review, risk analysis review & management, creating Excel dashboards and operating reports, loans & grants management, tax management, proposal writing, and internal audit review.

Her passion for dynamism and development has focused mainly on the impact sector. She is  constantly improving to match the current changes and has had the privilege to work in both profit and non-profit sectors.

She is passionate about helping businesses and mostly startups reach high growth to further
scale their businesses and has supported over 100 MSMEs in low-income areas to set up solid financial structures as well as making sound financing decisions to run their
businesses adequately.

Mandy is the Operation Director at Startup Vietnam Foundation. She leads the development of critical projects that address national and local economic challenges. Mandy’s human-centric approach focuses on designing programs that empower leaders and communities to achieve innovative excellence.

Mandy is a strong advocate for Vietnam’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape. Her role involves developing strategic initiatives and forming collaborations that foster economic development and societal improvements through innovation. She has exceptional skills in managing cross-sector partnerships, which allows her to consistently drive forward programs that unite government bodies and private sectors. Mandy aims to create robust pathways for Vietnam’s entrepreneurial talent, not only for immediate impact but also for long-term, scalable changes that can enhance Vietnam’s position on the global innovation map.

Mariam Kupi is a passionate advocate for the blue economy and marine conservation hailing from Kilifi County, Kenya. At just 23 years old, she is the founder of DOSPAN, a social enterprise dedicated to collecting and recycling plastic waste. Mariam is committed to tackling environmental challenges through innovative solutions. Under her leadership, DOSPAN has successfully implemented initiatives that not only clean local waterways but also empower communities to engage in sustainable practices.

With a degree in sociology, Mariam discovered her entrepreneurial spirit at the age of 20, opting to make a tangible impact through business. She is also a skilled software developer, having created RESAFI app that streamlines the plastic waste collection process for DOSPAN,by empowering waste pickers thus enhancing efficiency and community involvement.

Mariam’s work bridges the gap between technology and environmental sustainability, showcasing how innovative approaches can drive meaningful change.

Mariana Rodrigues holds a degree in Social Communication – Journalism from São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP) and a specialization in Digital Marketing and Innovation in Public Policy from Fundação Getúlio Vargas.

She has over ten years of experience creating methodologies, facilitating processes, and managing projects related to Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Local Development, and Income Generation. Mariana led projects at Instituto Votorantim in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, Instituto Walmart, and Fundação Itaúsa. Through Aliança Empreendedora, she has worked on projects with Instituto Assaí, Coca-Cola and others. In recent years, she has been dedicated to strengthening the Advocacy and Government Relations area of Aliança Empreendedora, focusing on the cause of productive inclusion in Brazil, particularly among youth and women. This commitment has led to tangible results, including active participation in shaping four national policies that address the needs of this group. She has received several awards, including the Aberje São Paulo Award with the ReDes Program in 2014, the ABT Award for Best Community Development Practices in 2018, and the Design Awards in 2022 for innovation. Also, the organization she represents, Aliança Empreendedora, was recognized as the best NGO for income generation in Brazil in 2023, a recognition largely attributed to their dedicated work with Brazilian youth, a crucial and primary audience for driving real change.

Marion Ngoya, Founder and Creative Director of Lingo Styles in Nairobi, Kenya.Lingo is a youth-led women-led fashion and design company.

Through Buruka Training by Somo Africa, Marion mastered the art of operating Lingo Styles professionally using knowledge, tools and grant acquired in 2020.

Lingo Styles focuses on environmental protection by creating designs using African-inspired fabrics, including recycling fabric waste into new clothes and accessories. The business provides job opportunities to local designers, photographers, and models and trains women and ambitious youth in garment construction.

Passionate about women and youth empowerment, Marion is making a difference in her community through Lingo Styles.

Mark is a leadership coach and founder of All Your Idea.  All Your Idea is a coaching practice supporting leaders to better understand how they harness their strengths and further explore their leadership approach to increase their personal and professional impact.  Mark works with leaders and their teams across organisations such as Spotify, Channel 4, The Guardian and WPP.

Prior to his coaching career, Mark spent 20 years as a c-suite leader, gaining experience across the marketing, technology, and education sectors.  Mark led independent technology start-ups and UK communications agencies including Mindshare and dentsu.

Mary is the Chief Program Officer (CPO) for the Inkomoko Group of Companies. With over 17 years of experience in the development space working on entrepreneurship development, Mary brings a wealth of expertise to this role. She has worked in program management, network building and philanthropy.

Before joining Inkomoko, Mary served as the Program Manager at Argidius Foundation. Additionally, she held the position of Senior Regional Manager at the Aspen Institute – Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), where she successfully established the East Africa Chapter.

Mary holds a Masters in Public Policy and Management from Strathmore University, an MBA from the USIU-Africa,  and a Bachelors degree  in Communication and Political Science from the University of Nairobi.

Matt Smith is Director for Policy and Research at the Global Entrepreneurship Network, where he drives much of the organization’s interface with governments in 180 nations. Smith has worked at the heart of the UK’s world-leading entrepreneurial ecosystem for 13 years, first as co-founder of student entrepreneur charity NACUE, and most recently as co-founder of the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE) – a UK-based entrepreneurship foundation. Under CFE, Smith published policy-focused research reports on topics as diverse as seaside town revival, ex-prisoner rehabilitation, small firm procurement and military entrepreneurship. His reports on university incubators and refugee entrepreneurs led to the creation of best-practice communities, the latter of which now connects refugee entrepreneurship organisations across 28 countries. Matt also has experience translating research into practice, working with the UK government to pilot and scale entrepreneurship programmes supporting prisoners and refugees. Smith also helped launch the European Startup Network in 2016 and from 2020 has served on the board of the National Enterprise Network – connecting enterprise support organisations across the UK. He remains a Senior Fellow at CFE where he contributes to CFE’s continuation of his ground-breaking work on refugee entrepreneurship.

Matt Wallace, is CEO of YBI member ONOW and a dedicated social entrepreneur with over a decade’s experience championing underserved young female business owners. ONOW has launched 500+ enterprises and innovatively employed technology platforms for 350,000 users. With his profound expertise in leveraging technology for MSME growth and a strong commitment to gender inclusivity, Matt brings a unique perspective on scaling impact, promoting technological adoption, and furthering gender equity in entrepreneurship. Matt’s newest tech4good venture, ONOW Ascent, helps expand young entrepreneurs access to capital and networks by understanding their cash flow, their growth prospects, and their market opportunities.

Mercy is a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience in driving impactful programs across diverse sectors within the entrepreneurship ecosystem. As the Founding CEO of ASSEK, she represents over 150 entrepreneur support organizations, advocating for the growth and development of startups and SMEs in Kenya.

Her background includes roles such as Partnerships & Communications Manager at Entrepreneurship for Impact Foundation, where she supported the expansion of programs across 20 African countries, and Senior Programme Manager at the African Management Institute, achieving significant skill improvement in management staff across East Africa.

She has also contributed to projects in healthcare, such as implementing online Health Management Systems in Kenyan hospitals. Mercy’s passion lies in equipping leaders and entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to thrive, especially in challenging environments like the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additionally, she serves as an advisor for various brands, demonstrating her commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the business community.

Miranda leads YBI’s positing and leadership voice strategy. She and her team also promote the impact of the network and its members and showcase the inspiring stories of young entrepreneurs we support. She started her career with a decade at full-service communications agencies working in PR and campaigns for a host of big brand household names. She has been working in the humanitarian and not-for-profit sector since 2016, was formally Head of Media and Campaign for War Child UK and holds an MSc in International Security and Global Governance.

I am Moses Ayoli, the owner and CEO of Ayoli Farm Enterprise, a company that deals in goat rearing and marketing. With a background in agriculture, technology, and leadership, I have provided technical guidance, administration and networking opportunities leading to expanded market reach and profitability across markets for the enterprise. Being a person with visual impairment, I envision a fully empowered person in an inclusive community and am determined to serve in any position that drives me towards creating equal opportunities for all.

Trusting that visual impairment is not the limit, I present myself as a role model with the ability to turn creative ideas into reality, the most recent being the invention of a non-digital Ugandan Bank note identifier for persons with a print disability.

With the knowledge and skills acquired through education, experience, workshops, and research, I have used agri-business to promote family development, educate siblings on both formal and informal learning settings with a focus on quality output as well as increased business and employment opportunities for all.

In my free time, you can find me discovering and experimenting with innovative ideas and skills.

Leonard is an experienced Program Manager having spent more than 10 years leading programs around Agribusiness, Innovation and Circular Economy for social businesses. Having worked with more than 1600 entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia and South America, Leonard shares extensive experience in supporting businesses towards transformative change by integrating circular principles into business models, processes, and product lifecycles.

He is passionate about leveraging innovation to achieve environmental and social sustainability goals while enhancing economic viability.

Naho is Social Innovation Coordinator of ETIC (Entrepreneurial Training for Innovative Communities), one of the largest networks of social change leaders in Japan. Founded in 1993, its ultimate goal is to establish ecosystems where every individual unleashes their entrepreneurial potential. At ETIC, Naho consults with aspiring social entrepreneurs on their processes to develop business plans and impact models, supporting their personal growth along their entrepreneurial journey.

With her new role as Global Partnership Officer, she intends to mainstream the values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the existing programs through collaborating with overseas foundation and entrepreneurs support organizations. To start with, she is working to develop new programs targeting female leaders and entrepreneurs from Asia-Pacific, thereby advancing initiatives around gender equity within the social sectors.

She holds Bachelor’s degree from School of International Liberal Studies of Waseda University, Japan and Master’s degree in Environmental Governance from University of Freiburg, Germany, and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach Certification.

Ndungu Kahihu is the Executive Director of CAP Youth Empowerment Institute (CAP YEI) based in Nairobi, Kenya. Previously, he served on the CAP YEI Board as Board Secretary for four years. CAP YEI is a Youth focused NGO that works to provides skills training and support to enable vulnerable youth to secure decent opportunities to earn a living. Ndungu has more than 25 years of experience in international development, specializing in youth issues as well as program development and management. He has worked in many countries including Canada, Sudan, South Sudan and with the Council of Europe. He has also worked with many international development agencies, including the Kenya Scouts Association, Canadian Crossroads. International, Save the Children and Plan International. He is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University and the United States International. Ndungu Kahihu is currently engaged on the issue of TVET reform in Sub-Saharan Africa and as researched and published widely on the subject

Neelam brings over a decade of proven expertise in international development. Her experience spans the entire programme lifecycle, from conceptualisation to implementation and has successfully delivered impactful initiatives in the sector. Neelam joined Youth Business International in 2023 as their Head of Development and Programmes. Prior to joining Youth Business International, Neelam was the Head of Programme Funding at SOS Children’s Villages UK where she led the development and implementation of the programme funding strategy to maximise funding from trusts, foundations and statutory funders. She led the development and implementation of the organisation’s flagship youth employability programme in The Gambia.

Neelam is also co-chair of Bond’s working group to support INGOs to enable locally led development. The working group is focused on strengthening sector wide learning around specific areas to support organisations to improve their approach to locally led development.

Neelam is passionate about building transformational partnerships to ensure young people worldwide have access to relevant skills and development opportunities so they can create their own futures.

Nicholas’ career has focused on developing enterprise related solutions to poverty. He was the founder of Opportunity International UK part of the global financial inclusion network, Opportunity International of which he was one of the architects. With Opportunity, he helped start two MSME banks in Eastern Europe and an investment fund for financial inclusion for Eastern Europe.  Leaving Opportunity, he helped establish Basic Needs, focused on mental health in developing country contexts, where he helped develop a model for community mental health care that included pathways to enhance employment and income generation for people with mental illness. He then joined Oxfam GB first as Country Director for Russia and subsequently Director for Strategy and Innovation globally and focused on emergent areas of concern – urban poverty, impact investing, micro-insurance – and helped launch the Small Enterprise Impact Investing Fund. With Argidius, the focus has been on developing small and growing business support ecosystems and especially on identifying what are the characteristics of an effective business development intervention; and, how to improve businesses access to knowledge, talent and finance.

Palmira Travassos de Figueiredo Paulo Mungoi, holds a degree in Human Resource Management and labour inspection has 15 years of experience across the public, private, and non-governmental sectors (NGOs) as consultant and Human Resources Manager. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in education, which complements her strategic and people-centred approach to organizational development.

About a year ago, Palmira decided to expand her career into operations management at ideialab, where she initially oversaw people management, administration, and procurement. She later transitioned to a project management role (as Action Catalyst), coordinating program and event logistics, managing budgets, preparing activity reports, supporting the impact assessment of projects. She has also facilitated entrepreneurship-focused training sessions and now she´s in process to gain experience as business advisor.

Passionate about people, continuous learning, and creating a positive impact, she is committed to fostering diversity and sustainable development in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Pearl Emefa Siale is a Senior Associate at Challenges Ghana, where she leads the RISEE programme in Ghana, which empowers young entrepreneurs, both with and without disabilities, to develop viable and sustainable businesses. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded programs focused on youth employment, business development support for young entrepreneurs, women’s economic empowerment, and capacity building for persons with disabilities.

Pearl’s expertise spans project management, capacity building, business advisory services, talent development, and organizational development. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from Delhi University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Ghana.

Phuong is a dedicated project management professional with 4+ years of experience in fundraising, MEL management, and spearheading impactful initiatives at Startup Vietnam Foundation. Her expertise lies in empowering women entrepreneurs, tackling environmental challenges, and fostering innovation within Vietnam’s development sector.

PHUONG’s project leadership spans diverse areas, including:

• Women’s Economic Empowerment: Leading a multi-year initiative to equip women entrepreneurs with the skills and resources to overcome societal barriers and succeed in business.
• Environmental Sustainability: Managing a project to address plastic waste and promote innovative solutions within the plastic packaging value chain.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL): Designing and implementing MEL systems to ensure clear and coherent impact measurement for various projects.

With a background in fundraising for international NGOs and hands-on experience in MEL, PHUONG possesses a comprehensive understanding of the development sector and its priorities. Her passion lies in driving positive change through effective project management and strategic collaboration.

I am Rafi Mohammad, the Founder and CEO of Fixi, a platform I created to revolutionize the way repair and service workshops operate. My journey into entrepreneurship began when I moved to Sweden from India in 2018 to pursue a master’s degree in industrial management and innovation. It was during this time that I realized the repair services industry was in dire need of modernization—processes were outdated, inefficient, and often inconvenient for both businesses and customers.

Driven by a passion for solving real-world problems, I founded Fixi with a vision to streamline workshop operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and ultimately, transform the industry. Over the years, I’ve worked tirelessly to develop Fixi into a platform that empowers workshops to save time, boost productivity, and improve service quality.

As an entrepreneur, I am deeply committed to sustainable growth and creating customer-centric solutions that address the challenges faced by the repair industry. My journey has been one of perseverance, learning, and continuous innovation, and I am excited to continue leading Fixi towards a future where efficiency and customer satisfaction are at the forefront of the service industry.

Rashed Mamun is the CEO of Bangladesh Youth Enterprise Advice & Helpcentre (BYEAH), a seasoned management consultant with over a decade of experience in women and youth empowerment. His expertise spans strategic planning, program design, and impact assessment, with a proven track record of fostering inclusive growth and driving social change through innovative solutions.

Throughout his career, Rashed has spearheaded $25 million worth of development projects across multiple countries, collaborating with multilateral partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, and the European Union. His prowess extends to the private sector, where he successfully managed a $10 million product portfolio, showcasing his skills in financial management and resource optimization.

Rashed’s international experience is extensive, having worked on significant projects in Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Myanmar. His work with the ADB in Timor-Leste focused on enhancing the Ministry of Education’s capacity in planning and managing technical secondary education. In Myanmar, he led ADB’s largest education sector project, which included implementing a National Assessment Policy with an emphasis on equity across gender and other dimensions.

At the helm of BYEAH, Rashed’s mission is to empower youth-led businesses in Bangladesh, transforming them into impactful global enterprises. He has led numerous initiatives that foster digital and business skills among thousands of youth, with a particular focus on empowering women entrepreneurs. His work consistently emphasizes the integration of sustainable practices into business models, promoting both social impact and environmental responsibility. Through these efforts, Rashed has demonstrated a commitment to creating a more inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Bangladesh

Rashed’s educational background includes a Master of Development Studies from the University of Dhaka, specializing in Public Policy Analysis, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from North South University. He has further honed his skills through various professional certifications, including becoming a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and a Project Management Professional (PMP).

His ultimate vision is to rewrite the narrative from “talent is everywhere, opportunity is not” to “talent is everywhere, so will be the opportunity.” Rashed is passionate about accelerating impact entrepreneurship by leveraging data, innovation, and technology to create sustainable solutions that empower individuals and communities. Through his work, Rashed continues to pave the way for a future where opportunities are as abundant and widespread as talent itself, particularly focusing on marginalized groups and promoting gender-inclusive policies in entrepreneurship and education.

Rebecca is the CEO and Co-Founder of the African Management Institute, a tech-enabled company delivering practical business training to managers and entrepreneurs across Africa.

AMI has trained 50k+ people across 39+ African countries, raised over $2.5M in investment, and has on-the-ground presence in 8 countries with offices in Nairobi, Johannesburg, Dakar, and Kigali. Our web and mobile platform has 80+ short courses and 3,000 practical tools, in English, French, Arabic, Swahili and Kinyarwanda. Our clients include major foundations (Mastercard Foundation, Rockefeller), DFIs, multinationals (KLM, SC Johnson), and dozens of innovative companies across sectors and geographies.

Rebecca is passionate about promoting and cultivating entrepreneurship, enterprise, and social innovation in Africa. She has extensive experience in strategy, research, and communications consulting, and has been published in leading international media (Reuters, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Guardian). Before AMI, Rebecca previously spent nine years as a foreign correspondent and news manager for Reuters, leading coverage of companies and markets across Africa, and writing about business, politics, and development from 13 countries in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

MBA (cum laude) in Entrepreneurship from South Africa’s Gordon Institute of Business Science. BA (First Class) in English and French literature from the UK’s University of Manchester.

Regina is the Head, Community Impact and Engagement, Africa, ME and PK.

Regina has proven expertise and experience in Sustainability, Communications, Community engagement and Marketing. Having worked for global organizations in different markets in Africa and Asia – Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Hong Kong and UK, Regina is highly skilled in driving and aligning global strategies locally, managing different cultural and international dynamics.

Regina holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree specializing in Marketing, a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management and a Masters’ degree in Poverty Reduction, Policy, and Practice from University of London. She is a Certified Coach with Neuro- Leadership Institute UK .

She is passionate about empowering youth and women. Her interests outside of work include running, reading and kick boxing.

Rehana is an international development executive with 22 years of experience working with young people to tackle poverty, unemployment and injustice. She has designed, implemented and scaled successful youth development programmes in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Her background spans the civil society and government sectors, with particular expertise in youth: participation, formal and non-formal education, employment and entrepreneurship; gender and inclusion. Over the past decade, Rehana has driven policy, programme and organisational change with YMCAs globally. Rehana is delighted to be joining YBI and its partners for the 2024 Global Youth Entrepreneurship Summit in Kenya.

Rob Omondi is an impact-driven professional who has spent the last eight years driving the growth and scale of different venture-backed enterprises across Africa. He is passionate about innovation and its impact on customers, communities, and ecosystems and was previously part of the team spearheading successful Go-To-Market initiatives and commercial excellence at Nova Pioneer, a pan-African network of schools that is nurturing the next generation of African leaders and innovators.

He completed his Master’s in Public Policy with a focus on Development Economics, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Commerce with a focus on Finance at the University of Nairobi. Rob is currently part of the Africa Investment team at Imaginable Futures.

Romeo is a former C-Suite Executive, and is the Founder and CEO of Lumorus Plc., a social impact consultancy, working with global companies in Corporate Governance, Corporate Services and ESG. He is also the Co-Founder & Chairman of Naseberry Capital and is a regular international speaker in a range of business, governance, culture & leadership-related topics, and has spoken extensively across the UK, the USA, numerous African countries and all over the Caribbean.

Romeo’s experience includes being a chief executive, non-executive director, including chairman, management consultant, and board advisor in both public and private sector enterprises globally.  Romeo’s strategic as well as practical capabilities include large-scale organisational change projects, public/private collaborations, corporate governance, company secretary, financial regulations, sustainability and diversity competency development at both national industry and individual enterprise levels. He has broad experience and publications in leadership, business and performance improvement, and as author of two number 1 selling books and guest-features in publications across governance, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, social impact, leadership, business and performance. He is also a Hollywood Producer of numerous films and Philanthropist.

Romeo is a Trustee and sits on the board of YBI

Ronald Mugaiga is the CEO of Ecomak Recyclers, an innovative company transforming plastic waste into eco-friendly construction materials. With a background in Biosystems Engineering, Ronald is passionate about sustainable development and environmental conservation. Under his leadership, Ecomak Recyclers has significantly reduced plastic pollution and created economic opportunities in local communities. Ronald is dedicated to driving positive change through innovative recycling solutions and sustainable business practices.

Ronald is a financial literacy coach and business development professional. Ronald has provided business management, financial literacy and capacity building training to Corporate organisations and Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) for the last 10 years. Ronald has also facilitated several capacity building sessions focusing on mind-set change, strategy, human resource management, financial management and financial literacy. Ronald is the Director of Research, Innovation and Learning(DRIL) at Enterprise Uganda. Ronald holds a Masters of Development Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a Bachelors of Statistics from Makerere University-Uganda.

Rose Namutebi is a social Worker and an Entrepreneur, qualified in Project Management, Gender and Human Development with a master’s Degree in Local Governance and Human Rights from Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi and bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Makerere University Uganda. Rose has a wealth of experience in youth entrepreneurship development, Gender and disability inclusion programming, Livelihood and food security, Lobbying and advocacy among others.

 She is a strong advocate for gender, youth and disability inclusion and a Human rights activist.

Rose currently works with Cordaid Uganda as a Gender Focal Person and a Project Coordinator for Highflyers, a project that supports 50 high performing young entrepreneurs to expand grow and attain business resilient. Rose also supports Cordaid’s mentoring program as the Mentoring Manager

Rose majorly supports Youth in Agribusiness, young men and women who derive their livelihoods from agriculture and agriculture related businesses. Since 2019, Rose has continuously supported rural entrepreneurs with Business development skills, mentoring support programs, access to finance that has transformed young people’s business mindset and contributed to business resilience.

Rose is married, with three beautiful children, she is passionate about serving vulnerable groups/communities with a desire to cause a positive change in their lives. She loves associating with entrepreneurs, enjoys travelling to new places and devotes her time to participate in church missions at a community level.

Rosemary is a strategic leader and supply chain expert with over 17 years of experience as lead consultant on enterprise development programs, trade and international development across the African continent. Working with a variety of multinationals and development partners including Unilever, USAID and UNIDO, she has led various value chain development initiatives across diverse sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, service, retail and the green economy.

Rosemary has served on several high impact boards including GS1 –  a global non-profit supply chain standards organization and Fairtrade Africa. She also serves on the Steering Committee Chair for the National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in Kenya.

As Regional Director at the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs -ANDE, a program of the Aspen Institute, she leads strategic partnerships and growth programs in East Africa. ANDE is a global network of over 300 organizations that propel entrepreneurship in developing economies.

Dhoumbia aspires to be the best in selling fresh fish and all kinds of sea foods at affordable prices.

Sandra is a visionary sustainable artist and designer who transforms textile waste into breathtaking, large-scale biodegradable wall art. Working from her studio in Scotland, she collaborates with local manufacturers and designers to repurpose natural fiber waste using her own plant-based glue, turning discarded materials into stunning pieces that challenge the boundaries of sustainable design.

With a background in textile design and a drive to push the limits of artistic expression, Sandra’s work is more than just art—it’s a movement.

Sara is a senior labour economist and head of the Employment Analysis and Economic Policies Unit in ILO Geneva. She previously led the research unit in the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. Her areas of expertise include labour market analysis, employment policy development, skills and employability promotion and youth employment. She has led a global programme on the transition from school to work, assisted ILO member states on evidence-based policymaking, and written extensively on issues relating to the world of work.

Sara is CEO of Youth Business Spain, a national network of not for profit organisations working to generate opportunities for entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on underserved people including women, migrants and youth.

Since 2011, Sara has held leadership positions, managing projects and teams in the business, public and private sectors. Sara graduated in Law and Political Science, with postgraduate studies in Institutional Relations and International Information.

Serena joined YBI as Director of Development and Programmes in October 2023, having spent over 25+ years working across the corporate, not-for-profit  and impact focused space. At YBI, Serena is responsible for overseeing all efforts to grow and diversify income streams to help maximise the impact of YBI’s mission and programmatic engagements around the world.

Serena is passionate about entrepreneurship as a key engine for growth, wealth creation and the empowerment of individuals and their communities, as well as being a potential catalyst for addressing social and environmental challenges using business/market models.

Prior to joining YBI, Serena spent 7 years in leadership roles in fundraising and partnerships within the global climate innovation (Climate-KIC) and climate finance space (Climate Bonds Initiative). Before that she spent 5 years working with businesses focused on creating social and environmental impact through their operations whilst at the Social Stock Exchange. Serena has been involved in the social economy and sustainability space since 2008, when she set up her own marketing and communication consultancy dedicated to helping social enterprises and charities step up their profile with key stakeholders.

As a Director within The Challenges Group, Shaun oversees a diverse range of mulit-national projects and business development. As programme director for “Youth to Work”, Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment and Entrepreneurship (RISE/E) initiatives, he has supported over 450 young graduates in Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda in securing employment, while also helping over 300 SMEs create nearly 292 new jobs. As the Director for the Denis Goldberg Scholarship programme he has empowered scholars from Rwanda, Zambia, and Ghana to pursue remote master’s degrees and expand their professional networks.

In his role of Business Development, he has co-created and secured over $2 million in new project proposals. As a passionate advocate for life-long learning, he has lead Challenges Chartered Management Institute (CMI) partnership for the past 5 years, enhancing management training programs and earning recognition for Challenges as a finalist for Innovation Training Partner of the Year (2021) and Outstanding Training Partner of the Year (2023).

Outside of work, he is an avid (amateur) triathlete and loves walks with his son and dog

“There are too many people looking for a better life, too little looking to make life better.” This quote symbolizes Shedron Collins’ passion for creating social impact.

Shedron Collins has dedicated the past 15 years to Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago (YBTT), where he currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With a strong educational background in Economics and Project Management, he has effectively led YBTT in leveraging the Business Model Canvas and Design Thinking to support entrepreneurs in solving real-world problems. His work focuses on empowering entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that contribute to a better future for all.

In addition to his role at YBTT, Shedron is the Chair for the Steering Committee of Youth Business Caribbean, advocating for sustainable entrepreneurship across the region. He is also an active Rotarian, currently serving as the New Generation Chair, working closely with youth. His volunteer efforts extend to being a chess facilitator, helping young people learn and excel in the game of chess.

Shedron’s commitment to social impact and sustainable entrepreneurship is complemented by his extensive experience in public speaking, leadership, and strategic planning. He has facilitated numerous events and panel discussions and has served as an MC on multiple occasions. His career is dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering sustainable business practices, making a significant impact on the entrepreneurial landscape in the Caribbean.

Through his work, Shedron aims to inspire and engage the next generation of entrepreneurs, encouraging them to use sustainable entrepreneurship as a tool to create a better world.

Stephanie Ayieta is an award-winning multimedia journalist currently working at Kenya
Broadcasting Corporation, where she hosts the popular technology program “Take on Tech” and a
vibrant morning show on Y254, Kenya’s youth station. With a keen interest in business and
technology, Stephanie is dedicated to keeping her audience informed with timely tech updates that
highlight crucial issues impacting today’s youth.
Her passion lies in empowering young innovators and start-ups by providing them with a platform
to share their stories and solutions. Stephanie believes in the transformative power of storytelling
as a means to address critical global issues within the entrepreneurial landscape.
Driven by her commitment to fostering awareness and understanding, Stephanie’s work goes
beyond reporting; it is a relentless pursuit of narratives that inspire change. Through engaging
presentations and insightful discussions, she aims to positively influence youth and communities,
creating a ripple effect of knowledge and empowerment. With each broadcast, she strives to spark
conversations that shape the future, bridging the gap between technology and the vibrant potential
of the next generation.

Sushil Ram serves as the Advisor (Youth Development) in the Social Policy Development Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat, located in London. In this position, his primary role is to provide guidance and support to Commonwealth member countries in establishing an enabling environment for youth development. Mr. Ram’s main responsibilities encompass the development and implementation of the Commonwealth’s youth engagement and empowerment program, as well as offering technical assistance in formulating evidence-based youth policies and programs. One of Mr. Ram’s key areas of focus revolves around fostering economic empowerment for young people in the Commonwealth through initiatives centred on entrepreneurship, skills building, and work-based learning. With his master’s degree in international development, Mr. Ram brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work.

Sylvia is a seasoned professional dedicated to promoting the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities. With a degree in commerce, she has a wealth of experience working alongside individuals and organizations, guiding them on their journey to create inclusive ecosystems for people with disabilities. Sylvia is passionate about fostering a world where inclusion is at the core of every sector, ensuring that people with disabilities are valued and fully integrated across all areas of society

Veronika Czarnocka is a graduate of the University of the Arts London, where she specialized in Fashion Technology and Design. As a pioneer in zero-waste fashion, she has dedicated her career to sustainable design, with a particular focus on upcycling and repair. Veronika is the Creative Director and founder of INTU, a circular fashion company established in 2022. INTU specializes in implementing repair systems for leading fashion brands to collectively reduce the global textile waste crisis. Her mission is to inspire individuals to embrace the uniqueness of repaired and upcycled garments.

Vicki is Head of Membership at YBI, leading the Membership team in building a growing, dynamic and inclusive network of entrepreneurship support organisations.

Vicki has 14 years’ experience working with organisations that support young people to reach their potential both internationally and within the UK, having held senior posts at Mosaic Network, Prince’s Trust International and The University of Kent prior to joining YBI. Vicki is passionate about empowering young people, building communities, and equity of opportunity. Vicki holds an MA in International Relations from the University of St Andrews.

Virgile Bahujimihigo is a Senior Program Officer at Segal Family Foundation where he leads the foundation’s Kenya and Uganda programs.

As Senior Program Officer, Virgile supports Segal’s Kenya and Uganda grantee partners through Active Partnership and conducts due diligence on potential and current partners.

With a background in finance, Virgile is adept at budget design, donor funds and general financial management.

Virgile holds a Bachelor of International Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and speaks more than five languages

Zaynab is a Programme Manager at Youth Business International (YBI) in the UK.

With over 15 years of experience, she has a rich background in programme and project management, stakeholder engagement, and education. Before joining YBI, Zaynab managed global projects at WF AID and led educational initiatives at MyBnk, where she developed and delivered financial education programmes to young people across the UK. Zaynab’s career also includes roles in community outreach, youth development, and teaching. She holds a BA in English Literature from Queen Mary, University of London, and a PGCE in English from the Institute of Education, University of London. Passionate about making a positive impact, Zaynab is committed to fostering growth and development in the communities she serves.