Conecta Summit Africa
Bio
Dr. Nneka Okekearu is a distinguished business development specialist and the Director of the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) at Pan-Atlantic University, where she also serves on the University Management Council. With over 25 years of experience and a doctorate in Entrepreneurship specializing in gender dynamics, she has dedicated her career to enhancing the leadership competencies of business leaders. An IFC-certified master trainer and assessor, Dr. Okekearu leads national efforts to certify business development specialists and oversees high-impact initiatives like Mastercard’s Transforming Nigerian Youth and various women-focused programs in partnership with the World Bank, Goldman Sachs, and the Cherie Blair Foundation.
As a passionate advocate for mentorship and gender mainstreaming, Dr. Okekearu has personally mentored over 300 business leaders. Her strategic guidance has empowered small and growing businesses to significantly increase their revenue, profit margins, and market share. Her leadership extends to several influential boards, including the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) West Africa, VFD Group PLC, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network Nigeria. She also chairs Learning and Development Africa, an organization dedicated to reshaping professional development across the continent.
Beyond her administrative and advisory roles, Dr. Okekearu is a sought-after facilitator for global strategy retreats, helping organizations optimize operations and clarify their long-term visions. Her academic background in Banking, Finance, and Management complements her research interests in business ethics and sustainability. She is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Directors and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria’s Mentoring Committee, continuing to champion social impact and sustainable business growth.
Bio
Iquo Oyekunle is the Chief Operating Officer at She Leads Africa, where she leads strategy, partnerships, programs, and operations to support the growth of African women entrepreneurs. With a professional background spanning finance, banking, pension administration, consulting, and operations, she brings a practical, systems-focused approach to ecosystem building.
She holds an MBA in Human Resource Management and professional certifications in human resources, finance, and leadership development. Her work focuses on connecting different female talent with institutions and varied opportunities, with a strong interest in supporting the building of stronger, more sustainable ecosystems.
Bio
Francis Sani is an innovation and strategy expert with experience supporting technology entrepreneurs and innovators globally.
With a background in management consulting and innovation engineering, Francis has supported over 300 high-growth startups across the world to raise millions of dollars funding, create thousands of jobs, and build value-driven companies impacting the world.
He previously led Pan-African acceleration programs at Co-Creation Hub, the largest Innovation Center in Africa, where he oversaw the execution of innovation projects with international partners such as Facebook, Airbus, GIZ, Google and others.
After CcHUB, he led global operations as Principal at MAGIC Fund, a $30M global early-stage VC fund investing in startups across the globe and whose portfolio companies are valued at $10B+. He also managed strategy for the CEO of one of the largest health tech startups in Africa, Helium Health.
He currently serves as a Technical Adviser to the visionary Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy. With a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and capital, he is supporting the execution of nationwide projects with the mission of accelerating collective prosperity through technical efficiency. He also leads the implementation of the largest technical talent accelerator in the world, 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT).
Francis sits on several advisory boards and is an occasional guest facilitator for leading
innovation centres.
Bio
Ifeyinwa Egwaoje is a seasoned development professional with over 20 years of experience in social innovation and systems change. Currently a Project Analyst at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), she leads the Young Africa Innovates Programme, a strategic partnership with the Mastercard Foundation aimed at catalyzing youth-led solutions to drive socio-economic development in Nigeria. In this role, she has supported over 1,400 atypical innovators across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to address critical challenges within their communities.
Previously, as the Director for Fellowship Ashoka Africa, Ifeyinwa empowered over 500 social innovators across 23 countries, facilitating resource mobilization and capacity building, supporting them to achieve continental scale. A seasoned researcher and gender expert, she leverages evidence-based data to drive decisions in public health and community development. Ifeyinwa holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counseling, and a Master’s degree in Community Development and Social Work.
Bio
Seye Olurotimi is a business leader, media entrepreneur, and MSME/Startup ecosystem builder dedicated to empowering MSMEs and driving sustainable growth across Africa. He is currently pursuing a PhD focused on the role and impact of Enterprise Support Organisations on MSMEs, deepening his contribution to policy and ecosystem development.
As the driving force behind MSME Africa, he works at the intersection of enterprise support, business development, policy advocacy, and access to opportunities, equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools, insights,community and networks to thrive. With extensive experience in training, media, and enterprise support, Seye has supported thousands of business owners to improve profitability, build resilience, and scale sustainably.
A multiple award winner, Seye is a sought-after conference speaker, consultant, thought leader and facilitator, known for delivering practical, insight-driven sessions that help entrepreneurs move from survival to long-term value creation. He is a member of the MSME Community of Practice of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), a SMEDAN-certified Business Development Service Provider.
Bio
Tim Chege is a healthcare systems researcher with expertise in advancing innovation and strengthening health systems in resource-constrained settings. His work spans health technology assessment, economic evaluation, and policy reform, with a track record of shaping solutions across pandemic preparedness, malaria control, maternal and child health, cancer care financing, nutrition, and health security financing.He is currently leading outcome mapping and process evaluation for initiatives focused on strengthening healthcare entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa, with a particular interest in how entrepreneurial ecosystems and health systems intersect to drive scalable, locally grounded innovations. Currently pursuing a PhD in Healthcare Management, Tim combines academic rigor with practical experience to advance evidence-based decision-making and build resilient, innovation-driven health systems
Bio
Oluwajoba Oloba is a seasoned expert in corporate structuring and business
development, with over a decade of experience in driving success across various sectors. For the past four years, he has been instrumental in empowering startups and SMEs to establish robust brands in emerging markets, streamline operations, and create sustainable business models. His dedication to early-stage ventures, gender equality, LegalTech, and innovation in emerging markets underscores his commitment to fostering growth and inclusivity.
Oluwajoba has a proven track record of co-founding successful ventures such as Tutor NG and SilverAce Solicitors LP. He currently holds key roles as Co-Founder of The Nest Innovation Hub and Manager at the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Technology Innovation and Support Centre. His deep understanding of legal frameworks and business dynamics is supported by a master’s degree from the University of Dundee and a strong legal background.
Beyond his professional achievements, Oluwajoba is an influential member of
various advisory boards and committees in both the private and public sectors. His involvement with the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce, and state Ministries of Innovation in Nigeria highlights his commitment to human capital development and sustainable business practices.
Oluwajoba Oloba’s expertise and leadership make him a pivotal figure in the tech ecosystem and business advisory landscape. His ability to bridge the gap between innovation and legal compliance is invaluable to the industry.
Bio
Christine Mwende is a Business Development, Public Relations, and International Trade expert with over eight years of experience shaping enterprise growth, ecosystem development, and strategic partnerships across Kenya and the broader African region. As the County Executive Officer at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Nairobi, she plays a central role in positioning the Chamber as a leading Entrepreneurship Support Organization, driving high-impact programs that unlock opportunities for SMEs, startups, and sector-focused innovators.
She has led transformative initiatives across health, trade, and youth entrepreneurship, including the Afya Bridge Program while collaborating with global partners such as the Mastercard Foundation and financial institutions to expand access to finance and capacity building. A strong advocate for the African Continental Free Trade Area, Christine champions intra-African trade, regional integration, and market access. Her work reflects a strategic focus on private sector growth, policy influence, and building scalable, future-ready entrepreneurial ecosystems across Africa.
Bio
Christine Anene is the Senior Chapter Coordinator at Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs West Africa, where she leads initiatives focused on strengthening the ecosystem of intermediaries that support Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs). Her work spans engagement with investors, DFIs, academic and research institutions, advisory firms, and capacity development providers to improve how knowledge, capital, and business support are delivered to entrepreneurs across the region. She also brings experience from Crystal Lens Impact Africa Foundation, where she supported career and entrepreneurship development for youth in vulnerable communities. She is particularly passionate about advancing more sustainable and effective models for Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs), with a focus on long-term ecosystem resilience and impact. Christine holds a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership from Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and an MBA with distinction from the University of Deby.
Bio
Ibukun Omololu is Gender Expert and Principal Consultant of The Teal Tree Company, a gender consulting firm focused on closing gender gaps and driving socio-economic development across communities and nations. With over 18 years of experience, she has led impactful projects globally, including initiatives for women in agriculture and business, promoting financial education and inclusion that has benefited over 6,000 women and multiple organisations across Africa and globally. Her expertise spans consulting, advisory, and capacity-building for development agencies, private sector organisations and financial institutions.
She has contributed (and continues to contribute) to initiatives such as the Flourish Africa Foundation, One Billion Naira Fund, Aceli Global Gender Lens Investing Fellowship for East African Lenders, Acumen Gender Accelerator Program for women-led businesses across Africa; championed the launch of the Bloom Women Network at Sterling Bank in 2019; trained over 800 women in financial literacy through the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Road2Growth project; and engaged with the Central Bank of Nigeria on financial inclusion frameworks, among other projects.
Ibukun is a nominee for the 2021 Trailblazers Award by Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL), an alumna and facilitator for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) – a White House/Department of State initiative, and a member of the pioneer cohort of the Vital Voices Leadership Journey. Additionally, she is a 2022 Techsters Alumna and was recognized as one of The Peak Performing Women of the Year 2024 – TPP Admirable Women in Leadership.
A sought-after speaker and published author of three books, she is passionate about advancing women’s leadership, inclusive workplaces and socio-economic development.
Bio
- ESO Programme Manager at Impact Investors Foundation.
- Program Manager | SME Ecosystem Architect | 20+ Years Scaling Impact Capital & SME
- Agricultural Finance Value Chain Expert.
I build systems for African SMEs to thrive and lead the Nigeria ESO Collaborative; a network of over 230ESO organizations to unlock impact capital. I am also facilitating the implementation of the Argidius SCALE blueprint on SME sustainability for Enterprise Support Organizations in Nigeria. I have extensive experience on Ford Foundation, NIRSAL, Sense, Women for Women, FCDO, GIZ and MEDA projects. My Global Executive Education Certificates are from Columbia Business School (New York),West London College (UK) and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management (Germany). I currently support SME pipeline development, capacity building, technical support and advisory services for inclusive growth, climate resilience, and women’s economic empowerment targeting over 300growth stage SMEs to unlock $1Billion Impact funds in Nigeria. I have participated in the UK Tech Future Females Acceleration Programme (2021) was a Judge for the Heifer International AYute West Africa (2025) and Mentor for GAIN Epic Accelerator Programme(2025).
Bio
Joshua Adedeji is a strategic innovation leader and ecosystem builder with over 15 years of experience leading transformative social impact programs and innovation networks across Africa and globally. He has driven strategic circular innovation and technology transfer across multiple sectors, including agriculture, textiles, e-waste, and energy.
Joshua has supported and advised leading development and financial institutions in diverse senior capacities, including State Representative for the Mara Foundation, Sustainability Consultant to Access Bank, West Africa Regional Head for the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), Country Lead for Innovate UK, and Lead for Market Systems Development with the Mastercard Foundation. His work consistently bridges policy, finance, and entrepreneurship to scale inclusive and sustainable solutions.
Bio
Peter Ayobami Okanola is a distinguished Circular Economy Specialist and PMP® certified professional with over 15 years of expertise in sustainability, innovation, and enterprise development. As the Head of Special Projects at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), he leads high-impact initiatives that drive strategic innovation, unlock green jobs, and foster inclusive economic growth across Lagos.
A result-driven strategist, Peter has developed over 50 implementable concepts across the recycling, agriculture, and cosmetics value chains, successfully bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and global markets. He is deeply committed to building systems that work and people who thrive, leveraging public-private partnerships to position the circular economy as a cornerstone for sustainable development in Africa.
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Conecta is an initiative led by Bridge for Billions that seeks to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem worldwide through the training of incubators and the support of industry leaders.
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