Jacob Fohtung, Research Associate, Global Prosperity at Clayton Christensen Institute

Jacob Fohtung is a research associate at the Christensen Institute. He researches how individuals, businesses, governments, and nonprofits can leverage innovation to create prosperity in low-income countries and communities.

Before joining the Institute, Jacob founded Jamani Corporate Group, LLC, a conglomerate of platforms that aim to build growth markets with a focus on Africa via in-depth entrepreneurship research & education, networking, podcasting, world-class consultation, and funding.

He earned a dual Master's degree in Business Administration and Finance from Babson College.

Olajumoke Oduwole, CEO, KJK Africa

 Olajumoke Oduwole is a Software Product Developer and the CEO of KJK Africa, one of Nigeria’s leading Software Design and Development Company. At KJK, She leads a team of tech experts to build software products and deliver services that help businesses optimize production and service processes, deepen customer relationship, and grow revenue.
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Olajumoke has also developed the expertise and experience to help non-tech businesses venture into the tech space with ready to market products and services with more than 11 years’ experience. She was listed on Forbes Africa 30 under 30, 2020

Victor Mapunga, CEO, FlexID Technologies

Victor Mapunga is a seasoned serial entrepreneur from Zimbabwe with experience in Blockchain, Crypto, FinTech & E-commerce, amalgamated with a focus on emerging markets and the role of investment in the developing world. He is Co-Founder & CEO of FlexFinTx, creators of FlexID, a digital identity wallet which aims to unlock access to financial, insurance, healthcare & government services to over 400 Million Africans.

​He is the Co-Founder & MD of Mutapa, one of Zimbabwe’s fastest growing E-Commerce & FinTech startups, serving hundreds of merchants & empowering businesses to expand their markets through a global marketplace. He is a previous speaker at the Blockchain Africa Conference & has received training in entrepreneurship & technology from Yale University, M.I.T. & King’s College, London respectively.

Kalifa M Faal, Founder & CEO, KMF Technologies

Kalifa M Faal is a Computer Science graduate from Florida State University. He is the founder and CEO of KMF Technologies an IT Solutions provider in The Gambia. His successes include nomination by The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for its Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. 
Mr. Faal has spent the past 5 years evangelizing an industry-wide shift in internet technologies to help provide solutions to deliver faster internet speeds and last mile connectivity within The Gambia through his 2nd startup XOOM Wireless Limited. 
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In 2017, XOOM Wireless was acquired by Orange Sonatel, the leading Telecommunications service provider in West Africa

Carl Manlan, Vice President Inclusive Impact & Sustainability, Visa CEMEA

Carl Manlan is Vice President, Social Impact for Visa Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa. His focus is on enabling community impact with local, regional and global partners, co-creating partnerships that support Small and Medium Businesses, Individuals and households to thrive in the CEMEA region.

​Prior to Visa, Carl served as the Chief Operating Officer at Ecobank Foundation where he led the bank’s social impact work in 33 markets in Africa. Before Ecobank Foundation, Carl held various leadership roles at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Economic Commission for Africa, The Global Fund and UNDP. Carl holds an undergraduate degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Cape Town and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. He is a Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellow and an Aspen Institute New Voices Senior Fellow.

Lexi Novitske, Managing Partner, Acuity Venture Partners

Lexi Novitske moved to Nigeria in 2012 from The United States, believing the country held immense untapped potential, with an under-penetrated consumer population, expanding infrastructure and online access, and an active entrepreneur network. In 2014, Lexi launched Singularity Investments, a private capital-backed venture investment firm, and backed market champions in fintech and enterprise software including Paystack, Flutterwave, mPharma, and Migo. In 2019 Lexi acquired the firm’s portfolio and launched Acuity Venture Partners continuing Singularity’s mission to invest in technology companies driving trade and financial identity across Africa. 

Lexi previously managed investments at African private equity firm Verod Capital Management. Prior to joining Verod, she was focused on Africa investments at Small Enterprise Assistance funds and covered financial services at New York-based Sandler O’Neill Asset Management. Lexi is a board member at several early-stage companies and faculty member and mentor to several accelerators and start-up academies. Lexi is a CFA Charterholder and a Kauffman Fellow.

Nefe Etomi. Finance and Strategy Specialist at Paystack

Nefe Etomi is a Finance and Strategy Specialist at Paystack. She studied Accounting and Finance at the University  of Warwick (Warwick Business School) and completed her MBA at HEC Paris. She has a background in Banking, Consulting and Venture Capital.

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