With over 13 years of transformative leadership across diverse markets in East and West Africa, I excel at solving complex problems and driving innovation. My expertise lies in leading and defining strategies through consulting engagements, business development, and the design and implementation of cutting-edge cloud and AI architectures. My lion’s share of experience has been within the dynamic financial services sector, collaborating with banks, insurance companies, and fintech pioneers. As a business leader, I bring a global perspective and a track record of turning vision into measurable results, particularly in leveraging cloud technology and AI to enhance security and drive digital success.

over 6 years as IT Auditor, Network and System security Evaluator and Auditor and Cyber security analyst in the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) and currently a Senior IT risk management officer in Amhara bank

Getahun Assefa holds an MSc degree in Computer Science from the University of Mysore, India. He joined the information system world in 2017 at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. He works as a Data Centre Admin, Database Admin, and is currently working as a Senior Network Administrator.

He holds an MSc in computer science and a BSc in Information Technology. Hailu boasts over 10 years of experience in financial institutions

Timothy Laku is a proven CIO/CTO with over 20 years of expertise in leading large-scale technology modernization initiatives that accelerate growth and foster innovation. With a career spanning both the private and nonprofit sectors, Timothy has successfully delivered more than 100 high-impact technology projects, transforming the operational landscape of organizations across Africa and beyond.

Brian Kiplagat is the Practice Lead for the Cybersecurity Team at NTT DATA. He has a background in Cybersecurity and Networking. As the Practice Lead for the Cybersecurity Team at NTT DATA, he spearheads initiatives to safeguard digital assets and ensure robust security frameworks. Additionally, he has served as a Solution Architect, designing and implementing comprehensive security solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of clients. At the upcoming Event, he will be a panelist, sharing his insights on the latest advances in Cybersecurity and Cloud Technologies. He will discuss how these technologies can be leveraged to navigate and mitigate the ever-evolving threat landscape, offering valuable strategies to combat emerging threats

Abebe Alemu is a researcher and consultant in the Information systems and digital industries. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. In addition, he has obtained a master’s degree in Computational Intelligence and Computer Science, as well as a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. In his professional capacity, Dr. Abebe serves as a lecturer, researcher, systems solution architect, and consultant for ERP solutions and digital technologies. His expertise includes project management for the development of digital solutions, and he works as a lecturer and researcher in universities and provides consulting services to a diverse range of clients, including banking institutions and NGOs. At present, Dr. Abebe is concentrating on financial digital technologies and their implications for various industries. He is dedicated to integrating solutions that employ AI and ML, while also evaluating the significant role of IoT in these sectors. Furthermore, he is committed to understanding how big data can shape the financial industry and is actively developing strategies that will enable organizations to remain competitive and reap the benefits of technological advancements, all within the context of emerging cybersecurity considerations.

Passionate and results-driven climate change advocate I’m a passionate and impact-driven climate change advocate with over a decade of experience advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mobilizing youth, and implementing transformative environmental solutions. My journey bridges grassroots action with global engagement to create inclusive, sustainable change. As a consultant, I lead innovative eco-farm initiatives and clean energy projects that strengthen climate resilience and empower marginalized communities. I bring a strong academic foundation with a PhD in Ecological Science, complemented by prestigious Environmental Leadership awards from UC Berkeley, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) from the U.S. State Department, and Women & Enterprise Development, India. I’ve had the honor of working with a wide network of international organizations, research institutes, universities and global forums contributing as a public speaker, presenter and consultant. My role extends beyond climate to include cultural diplomacy, engaging with Embassies, the African Union (AU) and international partners to promote intercultural understanding and development cooperation.