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Meet the inspiring voices shaping our conference! Our speakers included industry leaders, innovators, and experts who shared valuable insights, sparked meaningful discussions, and inspired action.
Here you can all the speakers that presented at the conference along with thier full bios, topics and ppt slides. Divided by sessions for easy access.
Thank you for a great conference!
Founder & CEO, CultivAid
Dr. Tomer Malchi is a visionary leader in agriculture led economic development, international development, and value chain transformation. As the co-founder and CEO of CultivAid, Tomer has spent over a decade advancing agricultural innovation across East Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, leveraging Israeli knowledge and technology to drive food security, economic growth, and market-driven solutions. His expertise spans agricultural technology, climate adaptation, entrepreneurship, and investment in emerging markets.
Tomer holds a Ph.D., master’s, and bachelor’s degrees from the Faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University, and a degree in Industrial Labor Relations from Cornell University. He also currently lectures at the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Agriculture.
Director General, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute
Dr. Bwana is an accomplished agricultural scientist and the visionary Director General of the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI). With a strong background in agricultural research and leadership, Dr. Bwana has dedicated his career to advancing innovative agricultural practices to ensure food security and sustainability globally.
Dr. Bwana has a PhD in Agro ecosystem Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)-TZ and Aarhus-Denmark, MSc. in Managing the Environment from Wales-UK, MSc. Soil Science and Land Management and BSc. Agronomy (SUA). He For over 20 years, he has researched and disseminated technologies in Agriculture and environmental management.
Under his stewardship, TARI has contributed to improving crop yields, advancing climate-smart agriculture, and fostering research that directly impacts farmers’ livelihoods. Dr. Bwana is known for his commitment to bridging the gap between research and practical solutions for smallholder farmers, combining scientific excellence with a deep understanding of local needs. With a keen focus on innovation and sustainable development, his leadership ensures that TARI remains at the forefront of agricultural transformation in Africa.
Associate Professor - University of Zambia
ELIJAH PHIRI (PhD) is an expert in Land & Water Management with more than 30 years of professional experience. Prof. Phiri is an Associate Professor (Soil Physics) at the Department of Land Management at the University of Zambia. Prof. Phiri has provided effective leadership in teaching, research, and consultancy services at the University of Zambia.
Prof. Phiri teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in agricultural hydrology, soil physics, irrigation, agricultural water management, and agro-climatology.
Prof. Phiri provided leadership for the continental Framework on Sustainable Land and Water Management (CAADP) and the SADC Land and Water Management Programme. He is currently a director for the International Centre of Excellence for the Application of Big Data/Satellite in Agriculture and Food Security, hosted by the University of Zambia. Prof. Phiri has authored and contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed and commissioned publications in reputable scientific journals. He has conducted consultancy work in agriculture and rural development with FAO, UNDP, World Bank, AfDB, GoZ and SADC. He has strong networks with national, regional and international organizations worldwide
Associate Professor - Michigan State University
Ayala Wineman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University (MSU) and a Research Scientist for the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF). She holds a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics. Her research relates broadly to food security and agrifood systems transformation in Africa and elsewhere. In recent years, she has grown increasingly interested in the midstream of agrifood value chains—the many aggregators, transporters, traders, and processors who help move food from the farm to the consumer.
Regional Agronomist, TAHA
Philip John Shimba Bachelor holder in horticulture
20 yrs of working experience in horticulture industry in commercial companies (Rijkzwaan Tz, Fides Tz,Korfovouni seedpro) organizations
Tanzania Red cross society livelihood program in kilimanjaro(Agronomist) and currently working as Value chain development Officer(VDO) at TAHA
Director - State Department for Irrigation kenya
Daniel Odero is the Director of Irrigation Water Management, Harvesting and Storage in the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Kenya. He holds a Bsc degree in Agriculture and a Collaborative Masters in Agricultural and Applied Economics (Agricultural Policy and International Trade) from the University of Nairobi.
He has served in the Government for the last 28 years in the field of agricultural extension and smallholder irrigation programs since 2013. He is currently responsible for planning, resource mobilization, implementation and monitoring of irrigation water harvesting and storage under the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) initiative. He has coordinated development partner-financed programs including IFAD, SIDA, AfDB, WB and KfW/Germany in the field of irrigation, with wide experience in blended-financing model, where he has successfully implemented 24 smallholder irrigation projects on cost-sharing basis with the farmers.
Lecturer - Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP)
Dr. Rogers Andrew Lumenyela is an Agricultural Economist and expert in strategic planning and project design. He possesses a PhD and Master’s in Agricultural Economics and bachelor in Rural Development from Sokoine University of Agriculture. Dr. Lumenyela is an expert with a research interest in value chain analysis, policy analysis, strategic planning, and project cycle management. He is expert in quantitative methods, risk analysis (Simetar and FARMSIM), Impact Evaluation methods and qualitative methods. He has experience working with international organisations including Heifer International, AGRA, IFPRI, SNV, SwissAID, and Land Olake whose main programmes focus on livestock and livelihood.
Irrigation and Water Resources Specialist - Bislet-Agritec PLC
Michael Menker Girma is a hydrologist and climate change expert with over 15 years of experience leading research and capacity-building projects in water management across Africa. He has worked with UNECA, UNDP, the International Water Management Institute, and Ethiopia’s National Research System, as well as in the private sector. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences with a focus on hydrology and climate change, and is trained in hydrological modeling, climate downscaling, and the use of climate data for water and energy applications. His work spans Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, and Germany.
Chief Agricultural Research Scientist - Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture
Austin Tenthani Phiri PhD, Laureate is Chief Agricultural Research Scientist responsible for soil fertility research in the Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi where he has served for 22 years (2003-2025). Austin was Principal Investigator (PI) of a project on Sustainable scaling of climate-smart agricultural technologies and practices in east west and southern Africa: The case of Kenya Nigeria and Malawi, funded by the African Economic Research Consortium (2021-2022); and is co-PI of a project on Building Capacity for Innovation and Advancement of Climate Smart Agriculture in East and Southern Africa funded by Norwegian Government (2022-2026).
Researcher - Volcani Institute
Dr. Uri Nachshon is a researcher at the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Volcani Research Center, in Israel, focusing on water and solute dynamics in arid and semi-arid soils. He holds a PhD from Ben-Gurion University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Saskatchewan. His research investigates salt precipitation, evaporation processes, and the influence of soil properties on hydrological behavior, aiming to develop sustainable agricultural practices. Employing field studies, lab experiments, and numerical modeling, Dr. Nachshon contributes to improved water management and soil health in water-scarce regions.
Senior Agricultural Research Officer - TARI
Founder and Managing Director - Sky Energy Africa
Mr. Schizzo Thomson is a Malawian entrepreneur, engineer, and founder of Sky Energy Africa, a clean energy company operating in Malawi and Kenya. Recognized by Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 in 2019 and awarded Most Innovative Entrepreneur of 2023, he has led the introduction of electric vehicles in Malawi and driven clean energy adoption across Africa. Sky Energy offers solutions in solar, energy storage, e-mobility, wind, and green technologies. Mr. Thomson holds a Master’s in Energy and Sustainability from the University of Cumbria (UK), a BSc in Renewable Energy from AI University (USA), and a diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from MUBAS.
National Director Abundance Initiative Uganda - Gigawatt Global
Murungi Patrick is a Lawyer, Renewable Energy Enthusiast, Rotaractor, and committed Leader with a strong Pan-Africanist outlook. Passionate about sustainable development and community empowerment, he blends legal expertise with advocacy for clean energy and youth leadership across Africa.
Country Manager - Innovation Africa
Kelvin G. Madundo is a dedicated development professional with a strong background in community development and a master’s degree in project management. With over eight years of experience working with local communities across Tanzania, Kelvin is passionate about empowering marginalized populations through sustainable, impactful projects. His work combines grassroots engagement with strategic oversight, ensuring that community voices shape development outcomes.
Currently serving as the Country Manager at Innovation Africa Tanzania, Kelvin oversees the implementation of clean water and solar energy projects, bridging the gap between technology and community needs. He brings a wealth of expertise in stakeholder coordination, project planning, team leadership, and monitoring and evaluation.
Kelvin’s academic foundation in community development has fueled his commitment to inclusive growth, while his advanced studies in project management have sharpened his skills in planning, execution, and results-based management. He is known for his collaborative approach, ethical leadership, and unwavering dedication to improving lives through innovation and integrity.
Founder and CEO - Water 4 Mercy
Nermine Khouzam Rubin immigrated from Egypt at 8 years old after she, her parents, and 4 siblings lived through the 6 Day Arab-Israeli War in Port Said. She speaks 3 languages and graduated with Honors with a Major/Minor degree in Psychology/Chemistry. She has a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Health Science (MHS) from the University of Florida and held executive positions within the healthcare field in architecture/facilities planning, marketing/business development, managed care/information systems, and consulting. Nermine retired after 15 years to be a full-time wife and mother to Leslie, her husband of 30 years, and her 2 children, Samantha and Nathan, who are now 25 and 24 years of age. After observing firsthand in 2017 persons in remote Africa dying of thirst and hunger, having lost all hope, Nermine researched extensively and prayed for an optimal solution to address the root of their problem. In 2018 she founded Water 4 Mercy and contracted with the world’s leading experts in solar, water, and agriculture to provide a sustainable solution. THE ANSWER to permanently breaking the vicious cycle of poverty is to have clean water, food, and HOPE. In 2019 Nermine initiated AITeC, Agricultural Innovation and Technology Centers, to teach innovative solutions for knowledge development, nutrition sensitivity, climate resilience, income generation, teacher training, and youth empowerment. The hands-on curriculum enables students, alongside local farmers and extension workers/agents, to learn best practices in horticulture and animal husbandry from skilled Israeli agronomists and ultimately improve the undernourished communities’ health. She sits on multiple committees and organizational boards, including Clearwater Central Catholic High School, Florida Bar Grievance Committee, Leadership Pinellas, and Main Street Economics.
Associate Professor - The Water Research Foundation, UMD
Lola Olabode works as a Research Program Manager at the Water Research Foundation (WRF), where she has worked since 2000. Prior to the Foundation, Lola worked as an epidemiologist investigating food and waterborne outbreaks at the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Lola directs a comprehensive and dynamic research portfolio on compounds of emerging concern, microplastics in water, and receiving water linkages in water quality. Lola is on the scientific advisory boards for the Global STEWARDS National Science Foundation National Research Traineeship (NRT) Program at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Emerging Contaminants Summit. She is an active member of the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) Disinfection and Public Health Committee (DPHC). Lola has a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Tougaloo College, a Master’s degree in public health from the George Washington University, and is a board certified environmental scientist by eminence.
Professor of Biotechnology - Mbeya University of Science and Technology
Godliving Y. S. Mtui, PhD, is a Professor of Biotechnology at Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Tanzania. His research and consultancy areas are: Microbial enzyme biotechnology, environmental science and technology, microbiological water quality; plant science and technology, and plastic biodegradation. He has already published two theses, authored and co-authored 43 international journal papers, 14 conference proceeding papers, 13 non-referred conference papers and numerous scientific reports. He has supervised more than 30 research (undergraduate and postgraduate) students. Moreover, he has attended more than 100 international, regional and in-country conferences, workshops and symposia.
Ph.D. Student - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Ariel Aviram is a doctoral student in the Geography Department at the Hebrew University, working under the supervision of Prof. Eran Feiteslon and Dr. Shira Bukchin Peles. His current research explores International Development science and policy approaches that address the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to the food, energy, and water nexus. Moreover, he initiates innovative ways to implement knowledge and technologies and evaluate their impact to enhance communities’ resilience and adaptive capacity worldwide.
Cluster Manager - AGCOT
Abdallah Hamadi is a seasoned agronomist and cluster manager with over 13 years of experience in
agronomy, project management, and sustainable agriculture. Currently overseeing cluster operations in
Mbeya, Songwe, Rukwa, and Katavi under SAGCOT, he leads transformative initiatives across key value
chains—Poultry, Dairy, Rice, Tea, Sugarcane, Potato, and Avocado—through strategic Public-Private
Partnerships (PPP). Proven track record in managing large-scale plantations, smallholder farmer
schemes, and environmental stewardship. His leadership in EU, RNE, USAID-funded projects and
corporate sustainability programs has earned national recognition, reflecting his commitment to
agricultural excellence, community empowerment, and climate-smart innovations.
Lead Research and Department Head - Policy Studies Institute
Dr. Ashagrie Gibtan is a Policy Analyst and Food Scientist at the Policy Studies Institute (PSI). He previously served as the Director General of PSI, where he gained extensive experience in public policy influence and institutional engagement. His expertise ensures that research findings effectively inform national planning and policy decisions. With a strong academic background, Ashagrie has worked as a researcher and Assistant Professor at Silla University (South Korea), Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa University, and Bahir Dar University. His research focuses on agriculture, food systems, food security, and bio-economy sectors in Ethiopia.
Ashagrie has led long-term collaborative research projects, joint policy-oriented analyses, and impact evaluations of government flagship programs in partnership with national and international research institutions. He is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between research and policymaking, ensuring that data and research outputs directly shape policy. He has established a systematic approach to disseminating research findings to relevant ministries and stakeholders. Additionally, Ashagrie has played an active role in developing viable policy recommendations for decision-makers, contributing significantly to the formulation of national policies and strategies. He maintains a strong network with policymakers in Ethiopia and globally, further enhancing his ability to influence evidence-based governance.
Researcher (PI) - Agriculture Research Organization
Dr. Alon Sela is a data scientist and complex networks researcher holding a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Tel Aviv University. He completed his postdoctoral work in physics and network science at Bar-Ilan University. Alon has published 12 peer-reviewed papers, including two in Nature Human Behavior, accumulating 470 citations. He has led major research projects funded by Horizon Europe and Israeli Climate Hub initiative. His work spans from medicine, human behavior, physics, agriculture and climate. After serving as a senior lecturer at Ariel University (Israel), Alon joined the Agricultural Research Organization, Israel’s leading agricultural research institute.
Researcher - Volcani Institute
After getting education in Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, since 1997 my research is focused on subsurface hydrology (MSc. thesis). In my PhD (Hebrew University) and PostDoc (University of Texas) I concentrated mostly in water flow and solute transport in fractured carbonate rocks. Since 2008, I am a researcher at the Volcani Institute, Israel, dealing with interaction between agriculture and water resources (e.g. nitrate contamination of aquifers under agricultural land, irrigation with water of various qualities), soil-aquifer phenomena under Vertisols. In the last decade, I am into Managed Aquifer Recharge with water of various quality for domestic and irrigation proposes.
Senior Researcher - Volcani Institute
Dr. Eddie Cytryn is a Senior Researcher and Director of the Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences at the Volcani Institute in Israel. His research centers on agricultural dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, focusing on impacts of treated wastewater irrigation, animal husbandry and aquaculture. He was coordinator of the EU-PRIMA consortium “Decision support-based approach for sustainable water reuse application in agricultural production (DSWAP)”, and has served on numerous committees, panels and working groups
that assessed risks of AMR associated with wastewater reuse and antibiotic use in animal husbandry. Dr. Cytryn has published 80 manuscripts in leading peer-reviewed journals, with over 10,000 citations, an H index of 45, and an I10 Index of 73.
Tanzania Country director - Cultivaid
David Zukerman is the Country Director for CultivAid in Tanzania, where he leads the organization’s agricultural development and capacity-building initiatives. With a strong background in plant science from the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Agriculture, David brings hands-on experience across various agricultural sectors—from compost production and mushroom farming to leading training and demonstration programs for farmers and students in East Africa.
Co-Founder & CEO - Livy Africa
Naomi is an award-winning entrepreneur, researcher and farmer. She is Co-Founder & CEO
of Livy Africa, a pioneering enterprise transforming Tanzania’s cocoa value chain through
farmer-led value addition, youth innovation, and sustainable market access. She leads
Mababu Chocolate, Tanzania’s first premium tree-to-bar brand to meet international
standards and integrates agro-tourism and eco innovation into rural development. With over
20 years’ experience across healthcare, digital, mental health, and enterprise, Naomi has
supported hundreds of ventures and been recognised as a UK innovation role model. She
sits on the NIHR Global Health Research Advisory Board and lectures internationally on
social enterprise, entrepreneurship, health and inclusive innovation.
Chief Executive Officer - the Avocado Society of Kenya
Muthomi Ernest is the CEO of the Avocado Society of Kenya, an organization dedicated to promoting sustainable and profitable avocado agribusiness in Kenya. He holds professional qualifications from institutions such as the University of Nairobi and the University of Pretoria, among others.
Under his leadership, the Avocado Society of Kenya has played a significant role in boosting Kenya’s avocado industry. Some of his contributions include:
Supporting Farmers: The society provides guidance to farmers on increasing production and tapping into global markets.
Economic Growth: His efforts have contributed to Kenya’s avocado exports reaching billions of shillings annually, with plans to double the export value in the next five years
Promoting Quality Standards: He advocates for the export of mature and high-quality avocados to maintain Kenya’s reputation in international markets.
Expanding Global Markets: He has been instrumental in opening new export markets for Kenyan avocados, including China, Malaysia, and India.
Kenya is now the seventh-largest producer of avocados globally, and the fruit is a key contributor to foreign earnings in the horticulture sector. Muthomi’s leadership has been pivotal in this growth. What are your thoughts on the avocado industry’s impact on Kenya’s economy?
Country Manager - Norges Vel Tanzania
Sesilia Jeremia is a grassroot economic empowerment expert with more than 8 years of experience in leadership positions.
She is a dedicated professional known for her contribution in Tanzania agriculture sector especially her skills in strengthening the smallholder farmers to be competitive actors in the value chains. She has innovated and piloted different models that works for smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Her strong skills in engaging women and youth in agriculture sector has contributed to improvement of women and youth livelihood in rural communities.
Since 2019, she has been leading Norges Vel Tanzania (NV-TZ), a Norwegian non-for-profit organization with more than 17 years in Tanzania focusing on strengthening food production value chains. In NV-TZ she is responsible for leading the overall direction of Country office.
She has a master’s degree in Community Economic Development (MCED) and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from University of Dar es salaam.
Assistant Lecturer - University of Dar es Salaam
Paschal C. Massay is a skilled Irrigation and Water Resources Engineer with extensive experience in water management, sustainable agriculture, and project development. He holds an MSc. in Water and Sustainable Development from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education and a BSc. in Irrigation and Water Resources Engineering from Sokoine University of Agriculture. Currently pursuing a PhD in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering at Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, his research focuses on climate change, hydrology, and water security.
As the Co-founder and Technical Director of Holly Green Agric Group Ltd, Paschal has led irrigation feasibility studies, system designs, and project implementation. He is also an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, specializing in irrigation engineering, water harvesting, and small dam design. His expertise extends to research, consultancy, and training, with contributions to projects on water security, irrigation efficiency, and climate-smart agriculture.
CEO - Kenya Water Institute
Dr. Solomon Leiro Letangule EBS, was born in 1985. He is the Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Water Institute (KEWI). He joined the Institute in February 2023 from the Kenya School of Government (KSG) where he provided distinctive leadership as the Director of KSG Baringo Campus. He is an accomplished Business Strategy and Change Management Professional with experience in both the public and private sectors. Before joining KSG, he worked with public institutions such as the Judiciary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the then Ministry of Home Affairs. He has been instrumental in setting up effective business strategies and management systems. Dr. Letangule has published in internationally recognized journals. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration (Strategic Management), a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership, an MBA (Strategic Management), and a BA.
Senior Research Scientist -Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Eng. Fabian Kaburu is an agricultural engineer cum senior research scientist with over 30 years of expertise in irrigation, water management, and environmental impact assessments. He holds a Master’s in Land and Water Management and a BSc in Agricultural Engineering. As a Research Scientist at KALRO, he leads a team of 20 scientists and technical staff on the development and dissemination of climate-smart agriculture, sustainable irrigation, and water resource management technologies and innovations. He has authored several technical guidelines on irrigation and water harvesting. I have collaboratively worked with organizations like the World Bank, JICA, and IMWI, on water-energy-food solutions in the area of capacity buil
Assistant Lecturer and Department Coordinator - Mzumbe University
Mr. Emmanuely Zephaline Nungula is a soil scientist and agronomist with broad expertise in research, teaching, consultancy, and community outreach in soil science, environmental management, and natural resource conservation. He holds an MSc in Integrated Soil Fertility Management from Kenyatta University and a BSc in Agronomy from Sokoine University of Agriculture.
As an Assistant Lecturer at Mzumbe University’s Department of Environment and Sustainable Development, he teaches, mentors students, and contributes to research and extension programs. His work focuses on land evaluation, soil fertility, sustainable agriculture, soil mapping, GIS, remote sensing, and climate change.
Mr. Nungula has led projects on organic inputs, conservation agriculture, and integrated nutrient management. He has over 20 peer-reviewed publications, and his technical skills include ArcGIS, QGIS, R, GenStat, and SPSS. He serves as Secretary of the Tanzania Agronomy Society and is a member of the Soil Science Society of East Africa. His achievements include the East Africa Scholarship and recognition in the SustainFood Zero Hunger competition.
Associate Professor - Chuka University
Geofrey is a Self Starter Results Oriented Agricultural Expert with a strong focus on sustainable agricultural production systems including soil, water and environment management to improve food and nutrition security. Geofrey has travelled to different countries in Europe, Asia, Middle East, USA, and Africa on training and research visits. Geofrey is involved in training, research, technology dissemination, and consultancy together with other to enhance global food supply chains and mitigate global climate change. Have a great interest in agricultural products value-chain analysis and inclusive agribusiness. Geofrey is innovative in the application of problem solving research methodologies and modern skills in climate change adaptation and mitigation and soil fertility management for sustainable crop production.
Lecturer - Egerton University, Kenya
Dr. Miriam Karwitha Charimbu is a lecturer, researcher and consultant in agricultural research and education with knowledge and understanding of the education and agricultural sector to provide solutions and create opportunities for collaborations and partnerships. She is a lecturer in the Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University. She is a Postdoctoral fellow of Alliance for African Partnership fellowship program at Michigan State University, USA, a Visiting Scientist with International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Kenya and One Planet Fellowship Laureate with African Women in Agricultural Research. Miriam works and mentors with students, farmers, farmer groups and extension service providers to enhance crop productivity and reduce losses.
More information: https://www.egerton.ac.ke/eprofile/18306
Lecturer & Researcher - Mbeya University of Science and Technology
With a solid academic background, industry experience, and a diverse teaching portfolio, Anna Minja Arturu has been working as a lecturer, researcher, and consultant in nutrition, food science and technology, and the broader food system. She is passionate about integrating teaching with research while maintaining a strong interest in public engagement on food safety, food policies, nutrition, food value addition, and the wider STEM fields.
She is the founder of Lishe-Lab, a youth-led NGO dedicated to promoting nutrition best practices and addressing critical food safety concerns, promoting consumption of highly nutritious diets, women and youth inclusion and strengthened food safety policies.
Group Managing Director - Communications
Jacob Ouma is a PR and strategic communication leader in Africa, earning Business Daily’s recognition as Top 40 Under 40 Men in Kenya 2015, and 40 Under 40 Africa Communication and Marketing 2024 Winner in the Marketing and Communication Category. He established AdMedia Communications in 2009, where he oversees a client portfolio spanning diverse sectors including Energy, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Governments and NGOs, Big Tech, Fintech, Banking, Sports, Health, and Development Finance Institutions.
Among his clientele include NBA, AFD, ECOWAS, UNDP, Meta, EU, IOM, AGRA among many others. A sustainability champion and impact entrepreneur, Jacob has investments in electric vehicles (EVs)in Malawi and Air Purifiers Ltd in Kenya, a company that suppliers air quality monitoring and management solutions in Africa.
Jacob holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Public Health degree from Kenyatta University in Kenya.
Community Manager - SID-Israel
Ahava is a dedicated professional with a deep passion for sustainable development and social justice. With experience in the social and therapeutic sectors, Ahava has built a career focused on fostering positive change and creating equal opportunities for people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Most recently, Ahava led the marketing team at a grant consulting firm, collaborating with startups, companies, and academic institutions to drive innovation and promote cross-border partnerships between Israel and the European Union.
Holding a B.A. in Psychology & Gender Studies from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an M.A. in Sustainable Development from Tel Aviv University, Ahava harnesses her academic background alongside hands-on experience to drive meaningful and effective change. Driven by a strong commitment to creating a better world, Ahava continues to pursue work that bridges social, environmental, and economic progress.
COO - Laguna Innovation
Liana Berlin-Fischler is a multidisciplinary professional integrating design, psychology, ecology, and business to foster inclusive cultures and drive systemic change through systems-thinking. As Chief Operating Officer of Laguna Innovation, she leads strategic operations, business development, and organizational planning to scale off-grid wastewater treatment and reuse solutions. She also manages the Track II Environmental Forum at the Arava Institute, advancing cross-border environmental initiatives between Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians through shared ecological challenges. Liana holds a BA in Media Arts and Social Change from the University of Maryland, an MA in Environmental Studies from Tel Aviv University, and certifications in permaculture and business design leadership.
Director Africa Institute - American Jewish Committee
Wayne Sussman is the Director of American Jewish Committee’s Africa Institute. Wayne is the Chair of the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music in the Soweto township in Johannesburg. He also chairs two prominent organizations in the South African Jewish community. He also speaks regularly on developments within South Africa and across Africa as well.