Africa

Hajer Sharief, the Libyan peace activist, co-leads the work of the Together We Build It (TWBI) organisation that promotes women and youth participation in peacemaking. Hajer is one of UN Women’s 12 Champions on Women, Peace and Security and Human Rights, as well as being a member of the Extremely Together young leaders, an initiative… read more »

Naana Frimpong is a partner in the global law firm, DLA Piper’s white-collar defence group where she leads the firm’s US/Africa engagement and serves as the US representative on the DLA Piper Africa Board. Frimpong is also a board member for her firm’s Global Scholarships Programme, a member of the Yale University President’s Council on… read more »

Louisa Mojela is the Founder and Chair of Bophelo Bioscience and Wellness Company (now Bophelo Biomed) cultivating cannabis for medicinal products in Lesotho. She worked for the Lesotho National Development Corporation; the Development Bank of Southern Africa as Project Leader in Business and Entrepreneurial division; the World Bank, Africa Region in Southern Africa Division; and… read more »

Aya Chebbi is a Pan-African feminist and Tunisian diplomat whose mission is the liberation of African women and girls. She rose to prominence as a voice for democracy and a political blogger during Tunisia’s peaceful revolution in 2010/2011 which toppled a 23-year dictatorship. She is the Founder of Nala Feminist Collective (Nalafem), Africa’s largest multigenerational… read more »

Amina J Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. She previously served as Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where she steered the country’s efforts on climate action. She first joined the United Nations in 2012 as Special Adviser to former Secretary-General… read more »

Vice President Chamber of Mines of Namibia Mr Kasete has more than 33 years’ of global experience in the mining industry, including in executive, corporate, operational and strategic roles. Prior to joining Dundee in February 2016 as MD & VP of Dundee Precious Metals, Mr. Kasete served as Managing Director of Murowa Diamond Pvt Limited,… read more »

Vice-Chancellor and Principal Wits University Professor Zeblon Zenzele Vilakazi was appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University in January 2021. Previously holding the position of Vice-Principal and DVC Research, he brings a wealth of experience, insight and knowledge to the University and the Executive Team. Prof. Vilakazi is committed to making a positive impact on society… read more »

Senior Manager: Strategy & Business Development Gold Fields Gold Fields has nine operating mines in Australia, Peru, South Africa and West Africa (including the Asanko JV) and one project in Chile, employing over 22 000 people with mineral resources of 111Moz and reserves of 48Moz. Zandile Cindi heads South Deep’s strategy and business development and… read more »

Group Head of Tax Anglo American Zahira Quattrocchi currently serves as Group Head of Tax at Anglo American Plc. She is a senior leader and board member with 20 years of international experience for multi-billion dollar corporates across mining, consumer, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical sectors with extensive footprints across established and emerging markets. Qualified… read more »

Executive Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Impact Anglo American Platinum Yvonne joined Anglo American Platinum in 2020 from Kumba Iron Ore where she was executive head of Corporate Affairs since 2011. She previously filled the same role at Anglo American Coal South Africa. Her experience spans both the private and public sectors. Prior to… read more »

ESG Director Grant Thornton Yugen Pillay is currently the lead Partner / director in business consulting at SNG Grant Thornton. He has over 23 years business improvement experience which includes ESG implementation, governance and strategy enhancements, process improvement, transformation implementation and management of risk. Yugen is an United Nations accredited  Trainer for the SDG Impact… read more »

Director General Guinea Alumina Corporation Youssuff Sylla is Director General and Director of Human Capital of Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) after serving as the com-pany’s Commercial Director since 2019. He has over 20 years of experience across Africa, Europe, and North America, which in-cludes 13 years in the mining sector and five years with a… read more »

Senior Investment Officer Prosper Africa Will Pearson is Senior Investment Advisor at Prosper Africa, a U.S. government program promoting two-way trade and investment between the U.S. and African countries. He has nearly 20 years of experience working with diverse teams in North America, Europe, and Africa in the energy, infrastructure, and impact investing sectors. Before… read more »

Managing Director Richards Bay Minerals – Rio Tinto plc Werner Duvenhage – Managing Director Richards Bay Minerals Werner joined Rio Tinto in 2013 as the Managing Director for Rossing Uranium Limited in Namibia and in 2018 he was appointed as Managing Director of Richards Bay Minerals in South Africa. Prior to joining Rio Tinto, he… read more »

Executive Director Development Partner Institute Wendy Tyrrell is Executive Director of the Development Partner Institute, a role she has held for just over five years. The Development Partner Institute (DPI) was launched in 2017, working on leadership in sustainability and ESG across the mining value chain. Through collaboration and partnership, the DPI develops platforms for… read more »