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.

Tim is a Fractional CIO/CTO with 20+ years leading technology modernization across Africa. He has delivered 100+ innovation projects spanning AI, cloud, data platforms, and cybersecurity for high-growth startups, enterprise, and impact organizations. Tim specializes in scaling products in low-data, mobile-first environments and building cross-border payments, analytics, and automation capabilities. He advises founders and boards on technology strategy, organization design, and measurable impact, and has helped teams raise capital, de-risk scale-up, and accelerate time-to-value.

Dr. Beakal Gizachew Assefa is an AI researcher, data scientist, and Assistant Professor at Addis Ababa University, as well as Principal Data Scientist and former Head of Machine Learning and AI Research at Kifiya Financial Technology. He earned his Ph.D. from Koç University in Istanbul, where he also served as a research and teaching assistant. He leads Ethiopia’s National AI Policy and Strategy Task Forces and the Resilient Agriculture theme at the Resonance AI4D Lab. His work in AI spans theoretical research, practical applications—including finance, agriculture, and health—remote sensing–based insurance, AI fairness, alternative data credit scoring, and national policy and strategy. With extensive experience in financial compliance, credit scoring, and fraud detection, Dr. Beakal has applied AI to tackle emerging market challenges. He has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications and is recognized for bridging cutting-edge research with real-world solutions, shaping AI for sustainable and inclusive development in Ethiopia and beyond.

Dr. Jeremiah is a cybersecurity engineer, researcher, entrepreneur, and enthusiast with over 10 years of experience in cyber-Defense and information security. As a mentor and speaker, he focuses on cutting-edge protection strategies and tactics to help businesses stay ahead of malicious threats. An Excellence Award winner in Cybersecurity Incident Response and Cybercrime Management from Young CISO, Dr. Jeremiah holds a Ph.D. in Cyber Defense and numerous certifications. Before founding MCS Security Solutions, Dr. Jeremiah worked with global companies like PayPal, Microsoft, and Google through their bug bounty programs, helping them strengthen their security posture.

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

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.

Johnah Ngui is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in technology and business development. As the Head of Business Development for Africa, he blends technical expertise with commercial acumen to drive market growth and innovation. Johnah has played a pivotal role in leading digital transformation efforts and technology adoption across various institutions, fostering collaborative partnerships to meet business and strategic goals. With a strong educational background, including a BSc in Computer Science, he is dedicated to bridging the gap between technology solutions and business success, ensuring customer satisfaction and driving positive change in the tech industry.

Teferi Assefa is the Director of Enterprise Infrastructure at Cooperative Bank of Oromia, with over 17 years of experience in information technology and digital infrastructure leadership. He holds an MSc in Computer Science and leads the strategy and operations of enterprise infrastructure and data center services, ensuring secure, scalable, and resilient platforms. Teferi is a strong advocate of software‑defined infrastructure, cloud computing, DevOps practices, AI‑augmented workforce models, and value‑driven IT service management, with hands‑on experience across private and public cloud environments.