Speakers

Peter is a seasoned diplomat with a long history of service in the foreign service, following in the footsteps of his father. He has held various key positions, including Ambassador to several countries in Africa and South America, as well as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices in Nairobi. His career has been marked by significant achievements, including chairing critical negotiations at the UN and spearheading reforms in peacekeeping financing.

Throughout his career, Peter has demonstrated his commitment to public service, integrity, and sustainability. Notably, he oversaw the retrofitting of the Belgian Embassy in Nairobi to operate on a net-zero-emissions basis, a groundbreaking initiative that showcases his proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges.

Ambassador Philip Thigo, MBS is a Technology and Public policy expert. He has been the Executive Director for Africa for the Thunderbird School for Global Management and Advisor on Open Government for the Government of Kenya.

He was recognized by Apolitical as one of the World's 100 most influential people in digital government in 2018 and by Africa Com as Africa's Top #100 Most #Influential African Leaders in #Technology and #Telecommunications in 2023 under #Goverment and International Organizations.

Mr. Thigo was recently appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General into his High Level Advisory Board on Artificial Intelligence (HLAB).

Nasra Nanda is the CEO and ESG Lead at the Kenya Green Building Society, as well as the Chairperson of the World Green Building Council's Africa Regional Network.

Nasra is also a special elect Member of County Assembly, at the Nairobi City County Assembly, where she champions sustainability, with a focus on the urban agenda, women, youth and minorities. Nasra also serves as a member of the Global Policy Taskforce at the World Green Building Council.

Nasra is driven by the relentless pursuit of making a positive impact, providing practical solutions, and adding value to clients and the organisations she serves in as they seek to overcome their business and legal challenges, in an ever changing and fast paced world.

Nasra is a lawyer by profession and has a passion for ESG and nurturing, developing client relationships and business strategy, and unlocking what drives organizations and people to be at their best.

In terms of experience in legal practice Nasra previously worked for the Kenya and London offices of the largest law firm in the world where she was a member of the global ESG practice group, Corporate Commercial, Real Estate, Environment and Natural Resources teams.

Nasra has an L.L.B from the University of Nairobi, and has completed the Materiality of ESG Factors, ESG Specialisation course from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Oloo is the Regional Coordinator at the World Green Building Council (World GBC).

Oloo works closely with the Africa Regional Network of Green Building Councils (GBCs) to advance three pivotal objectives: fostering partnerships and enhancing capacity within GBCs, amplifying global advocacy efforts including the Africa Manifesto for Sustainable Cities and the Built Environment, and spearheading impactful initiatives through global and regional programs.

She previously served as an Advocacy Officer at the Architectural Association of Kenya, where she supported the design and coordination of local public advocacy campaigns. With a background in sustainability and program management, Oloo’s journey to World GBC was fueled by her passion for human rights, especially in climate justice. She believes in making a positive impact wherever she goes.

Azmeena is Chair of the Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS).

A lawyer and structural/civil engineer by profession, Azmeena has over 30 years of international and local experience in public and private sector real estate development, and facilities management. An EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Expert and Certified Energy Manaager, she has overseen the delivery of multiple green (LEED and EDGE) certified developments.
Azmeena also serves on the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Lands, Urban Development and Housing Board and is a member of the Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA) Affordable Housing Task Force.

Cecilia Andersson is a Programme Management Officer with the Urban Mobility and Solid Waste Management teams providing knowledge, advocacy and technical assistance to national governments and local authorities in the development and implementation of Solid Waste Management plans and Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. Prior, Cecilia managed the Global Public Space Programme which supports local and national governments in developing policy, preparing city-wide public space strategies and implementing public space projects. She is an urban and regional planner and has been working for UN-Habitat for over 20 years.

Wolf Bierens is an impact entrepreneur and an engineer in environmental technology, circular economy and bio-based construction. He founded Easy Housing in 2020 with the mission to make sustainable affordable housing accessible in emerging economies by building circular and bio-based homes. Wolf co-founded Dutch scale-up Sustainer in 2015 and was CTO until 2020. Sustainer developed a modular, digitalized and circular mass timber building system, which is licensed to contractors. Wolf was listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 (2017), in the Dutch Sustainable Young 100 (2016 & 2020), and is an MIT Solver (2022).

Sellah Bogonko is a public policy expert with a passion for sustainable development. Her life’s career mission is to significantly contribute to finding sustainable models of addressing the youth unemployment challenge in Africa. Sellah’s 360 experience in the private sector, public sector and development world gives her a unique approach to design and implementation of policy and programs. She is committed to empowering and developing those she works with to achieve the best versions of themselves. Sellah has held a variety of roles in the public and private sectors that focus on youth empowerment, leadership and governance, education, economic empowerment, innovation and technology. Prior to Jacob’s Ladder Africa, she was Chief of Staff for Kirinyaga County, Chief Operating Officer of AG Group International, Group Operations Coordinator at Linksoft Group, and Strategy Operations Manager at Mellech Group.

Energy Access Manager, Licensed Class A Energy Auditor and with over 9 years’ experienced project energy manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Budget Proposal/Business development, energy Access project management, Capacity building, operations, renewable Energy, Battey storage systems, environmental projects, Energy Research, measurement and verification of Energy projects, Waste Management, Governance, Climate change advocacy/adaptation/mitigation. Skilled in AutoCAD, Microsoft Word, Microsoft excel, Microsoft power point, Microsoft project, water treatment and hydro Power Plants. Strong engineering professional.

Brian holds a double master's degree in project management and engineering management, a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP), lead ISO 50015 auditor in measurement and verification systems, a member of Association Energy Professionals Eastern Africa (AEPEA) and Association of Energy Engineers, (AEE). Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) Expert with green building society in the USA and IFC.

Miss Joan Watetu Gachoki is a passionate urban planner and sustainability expert who aims to create positive change in the world. She has a master's degree in sustainable urban development from JKUAT, and currently serves as a registrar at Women in Real Estate Kenya (WIRE), a network of professionals and entrepreneurs in the real estate sector.

She is also the founder and managing consultant of Eliye Consults, a firm that helps clients achieve their development and sustainability goals while making a positive social impact. She has multiple skills in urban planning, sustainability, and capacity building.

Simon Kiriba is a Partner at the Bowmans, Nairobi office. He is a construction lawyer involved in complex front-end construction contracting, dispute resolution (including adjudication), and disputes management within the construction sector.

Simon was a core member of the drafting team updating the Joint Building & Construction Council (JBCC) 1999 standard form contract.
He has successfully advised on numerous significant construction projects spanning Kenya, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana.
He has been recognized as a construction law specialist by leading international lawyers’ awards such as The Legal 500.

Raghav is the Chief Executive Officer for Africa Logistics Properties and is in charge of the strategic direction as well as the management of the organization. He is a real-estate professional with a proven track record of delivering results globally across asset classes for almost two decades.

He has been working in Kenya since 2020 when he arrived to establish Africa’s first real estate investment trusts (REITs) dedicated to purpose-built student accommodation. He subsequently managed the REITs, raising equity capital of approximately $50mn from a development finance institution and local institutional investors. He was also responsible for securing more than $100mn in debt from banks and through Kenya’s first green bond.

Previously, he has jointly led the growth of a major commercial real estate start-up venture in India and headed the development of projects across the MENA region for a major real estate developer in Kuwait, where he was also responsible for optimizing returns from a number of underperforming investments. He subsequently established his own consulting practice, which advised GCC families and corporates on real estate transactions and projects in the UK and the Middle East.

Raghav holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Sciences in Economics from the London School of Economics.

Jayant Jawa alias JJ is an African strategy expert at Daikin Industries Limited, Osaka, Japan and has been associated with Daikin Industries for over 11 years. During his time with Daikin Industries, JJ has served in various roles, across boundaries such as Singapore, Japan, Dubai, and most recently India, from wherein JJ is spearheading Daikin’s expansion into the African continent.

JJ, in his current assignment leads International Business for Daikin India, based at India, responsible for Daikin’s product penetration strategies into Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, East African nations, of which Regional base is at Kenya. For the East African region, JJ, other than sales penetration strategies, he has been instrumental in establishing skill development centers at Don Bosco centers at Nairobi, Kenya and at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. An extremely affable people’s man, JJ strives to strengthen Daikin’s business towards leadership with a uniquely developed strategy of mixing Global Strategies with a Localized Flavour.

Today, Daikin is a leading HVAC player in the region with its products making significant inroads, and its skill development initiatives creating local jobs for our African brothers and sisters. With his rich experience of Daikin, we are extremely desirous of his contributions towards a Greener Africa.

Vicky Karuga is a creative, dynamic,executive leader, and entrepreneur having begun her professional journey as a Registered Architect of 18 years creating and transforming spaces for various organisations. She later transitioned into Managing Director for Profiles International, a leading Talent Management Solutions provider that prides itself in offering sustainable solutions for Business’s most important resource, People.
This Transition saw her delve into the world of Psychometrics, Digital Learning and Emotional Intelligence, Leadership and Culture. She leads the Genos Pan Africa Distributorship.
As a Woman in Business, she is the COMESA Federation of Women In Business (Kenya Chapter) President.
She is a music enthusiast and plays with a Local Rock Band when she can, and sings with the Nairobi Music Society.
She believes in the power of people, in self-discovery and draws greatly from the stories of inspiration told by others.

Adnan is a Partner in the Real Estate and Construction department at ALN Kenya. He focuses on property law, conveyancing, property development work, property joint ventures, construction, banking and corporate commercial law.

He also advises extensively on property acquisitions, property joint ventures, construction contracts, asset and share acquisitions, non-contentious probate matters, and the structuring of property developments, including residential and mixed-use projects.

Adnan’s expertise is acknowledged by leading global directories including Legal 500 and Chambers Global. He is a member of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee of the Kenya Property Developers Association, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and qualified by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Sigee is the Managing Partner at Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews and the head of the banking and finance team. Sigee also has significant experience in real estate/conveyancing law where she advices real estate developers and in general corporate commercial law with a bias in business set-up in Kenya and advising on continuing corporate governance matters.

In her banking and finance practice, Sigee represents both Kenyan and foreign lenders with respect to secured and unsecured financing and has also acted for borrowers in local and cross-border financing transactions. She has acted as the lead advisor on several project finance transactions focusing on infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Government of Kenya.

Sigee has previously been recognized as a highly regarded lawyer as well as a Woman Leader by IFLR 1000 for her depth of experience and leadership skills; as is evidenced by the number of highly complex transactions that have needed innovative solutions where she has been the team lead. She has also been recognized as one of the top 50 women in commercial law practice by the Nairobi Legal Awards trust 2024.

Roy Githaiga is an experienced Master of Architecture and sustainability consultant with close to a decade of expertise in the built environment. His focus in the last couple of years has been in creating solutions for Affordable & Sustainable Housing, solutions for Informal Urban Settlements, and research development on ABMTs. He has also implemented sustainable management practices and culturally sensitive solutions as a Sustainability Lead focusing on the rebuilding and restoration of cultural and economic relationships through regeneration, land preservation, ecosystem services, and conservation. As an advisory Board member at Easy Housing, and a Board member at the Kenya Green Building Society, Roy has committed himself to leading the pursuit of innovation, particularly around affordable housing, which aligns with and resonates with diverse communities.

Etta Madete is a Kenyan housing developer, architect, and sustainable development expert, passionate about systemic solutions to the housing crisis that embrace both affordability and sustainability.

Etta is a licensed architect and has 8+ years of experience in development, leading teams, and managing projects, including Zima Homes, which is a $3 million Edge-certified & gender-inclusive housing development in Wangige, Kenya. She has experience in working on all portions of the development cycle, from fundraising, acquisitions, research and predevelopment to design, construction, and delivery.

Also passionate about advocacy, she has worked at the Harvard Joint Centre for Housing Studies, taught at the University of Nairobi for 6 years and has led and published research and exhibitions locally and internationally. Etta has an undergraduate degree in Architecture(UON), and a Masters in Sustainable Architecture(UON), and I has recently completed her Master’s in Real Estate from Harvard University.

Mr. Mawji is the Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network and leads the network’s liaison with the East African Community.

He is a graduate of the London School of Economics, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a former Partner at EY based in London. Upon retirement from professional practice, he was appointed by the UK Government to the UK Trade & Industry Board and the Board of UK Export Finance. He was appointed an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Aga Khan University.

Sheila has over 14 years of Project Management experience in the built environment and renewable energy sector. She is passionate about promoting sustainable development in the built environment and utilizing opportunities in the green space to further grow this in the local context.

Currently as Head of ESG at AIML; an integrated Real Estate company providing student accommodation, Sheila is managing green certification and GRESB certification of the company portfolio. These have a positive impact holistically on the policies and practices of the company and its stakeholders regarding ESG.

Previously, Sheila worked in the Oil & Gas and the energy industries (Total Kenya Ltd. & KenGen) both at the project and regulatory levels influencing policy formulation while at Energy Regulatory Commission. Sheila is a trained Civil Engineer currently completing an executive Masters program at Strathmore University, certified PRINCE2 practitioner and an EDGE Expert. Sheila is also a former board member of the Kenya Green Building Society.

Njenga Muchekehu serves as the C40 Cities City Advisor for Nairobi. Under the UK Government funded UCAP Climate Action Implementation (CAI) Africa Programme, he is embedded within the Nairobi City County Government, where he works with city officials to implement priority high-impact actions from the Nairobi Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2020 - 2050 and to mainstream the city's CAP into governance, planning and decision-making structures.

He is passionate about African cities and the role of the public sector in driving the urgent action required to address the climate emergency. He holds a M.Sc. in City Planning and Real Estate Development from the University of Glasgow and a B.Sc. in International Business Administration from USIU-Africa.

Masua Mutua is the Regional Director for Eastern & Southern Africa at Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter. He leads strategy, resource development, program design, and quality implementation of housing market systems, resulting in strategic activities supporting low-income families and incremental home builders. Masua oversees interventions in healthy housing, construction services and labour, behaviour change, and innovative housing technologies, focusing on sustainability and climate resilience to help millions of households access decent housing.

Masua has a strong background in market systems and entrepreneurship. He is a key advocate for sheltertech solutions and has previously consulted for Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and has worked in the banking sector, among them Standard Charted Bank and Faulu Microfinance.

Munyala Mwalo is a distinguished leader in design and technology, seamlessly integrating Environmental Science and Agri-Tech with Service and Behavioral Design. As the Design Director at the Action Lab, a Collective Intelligence Design Lab at the Regional Center of Excellence, Munyala is at the forefront of innovation. He is a founder at the Institute of Design and Innovation and the East Africa Regional Lead for Proportion Global Design Collective, where he excels in human-centered problem-solving.

As a founding member of Space AI, he pioneers the fusion of advanced technology with empathetic design, transforming the dairy value chain. His versatile expertise spans design in startups, government, and social impact sectors. Munyala’s deep knowledge of AI enhances his significant industry influence.

A global mentor and coach, Munyala Mwalo is a catalyst for societal change, driving groundbreaking innovations that reshape industries and improve lives.

Beatrice Mwangi is a Project Manager, Affordable Housing Specialist, and a Sustainable Urban Development advocate. She has approx.. 7 years’ experience in the housing space. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Urban Management Tools for Climate Change from the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Project Management at the Liverpool John Moores University.

She is a Research Manager at the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF).

Geofrey has over a decade of experience in Civil Engineering across Africa and the Middle East. He specializes in using digital engineering tools to enhance the design and delivery of built environment assets, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and future-proofing investments. Geofrey’s notable projects include a housing study in East Africa assessing opportunities for the inclusion of sustainable timber in mainstream residential housing development, advisory work for the development of Zanzibar’s Building Code, and the development of embodied carbon factors for selected construction materials in five African countries.

Lydia is a partner at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (Kieti Law LLP) where she leads the Real Estate Practice in Nairobi. She has amassed over 14 years of experience in the field and has been at the forefront of advising on complex and high-end real estate transactions. She is equally experienced in bank securities documentation and securities review having acted for various commercial banks in Kenya in the preparation and perfection of security documents, and securities review to confirm compliance. Lydia's deep expertise and perspective on the legal frameworks has extended her contributions to the legal community as a thought leader.

Konish is a seasoned Civil and Environmental Engineer and an ENV SP (Envision Sustainability Professional), currently serving as a Green Buildings Specialist at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya. Konish began his career at the grassroots level in Northeast India, where he worked on community-driven projects aimed at improving education, infrastructure, and energy access in remote, conflict-affected regions. This early experience laid the foundation for his commitment to sustainable development. At UNEP, Konish focuses on fostering global collaborations and developing knowledge products aimed at promoting energy efficiency and sustainable construction. His expertise extends to supporting governments and organizations in adopting innovative solutions for urban sustainability, aligning with global climate goals. Previously, Konish has worked with UN-Habitat in Lebanon, where he contributed to infrastructure projects and environmental management plans, and at the World Climate Foundation, where he worked on fostering climate-positive partnerships. His international experience is further complemented by his academic background, holding an MSc in Environmental Science and Policy from Clark University.

Mary Porter Peschka is IFC’s Regional Director for
Eastern Africa based in Nairobi, Kenya. In this role, she leads the implementation of
IFC’s strategy, oversees its operations across sectors, and manages key relationships
with clients, partners, and governments in the sub-region. Her focus is on creating,
expanding, and deepening markets in Africa that create jobs and opportunities for
more people.

Mary, a United States national, joined IFC in 2004. Prior to her current role at IFC,
Mary served as Director of the Sustainability & Gender Solutions Department, and
Director of the Global Advisory Solutions Department. She also previously served as
Regional Head of Advisory Services in Latin America & the Caribbean, and Regional
Head of Sustainable Business Advisory in the Middle East & North Africa. Before
joining IFC, Mary held various positions in the public and private sectors, including
Market Access International, an economic development consulting firm; St.
Genevieve Group, a group of international mining companies; and the U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID).

Mary holds a BA from George Washington University, an MSc from the London
School of Economics, and an MBA from the University of Oxford.

Mr. Nickson Otieno is the co-founder and Chairman of NIKO GREEN.

He is a registered architect and sustainability expert who is committed to enabling the transition to a climate-smart, circular and green economy through design, research, training and technology.

Equipped with a proven track record in the following areas of expertise: Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), green building, climate change, circular economy, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), renewable energy and energy efficiency.

He previously served as Co-founder and Environmental Design Director at Trine Architects Ltd, the Director, Green Africa Standards and Certification at the Green Africa Foundation, the President of the Executive Boards of World Student Community for Sustainable Development (WSCSD) and the Young Engineers Foundation for Sustainable Empowerment. As well as an Eisenhower Fellow.

He has been one of the leading advocates for electric mobility in Kenya, in both government and the private sector. At BasiGo, Nderitu has led the introduction of E-bus technology to the Kenyan matatu sector and helped the company secure over 450 reservations from Nairobi bus operators. He has also helped lead the establishment of the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK) which has advocated for policies to catalyze the entire e-mobility industry in Kenya.

Dr. Tiriongo joins KBA from the Central Bank of Kenya, where he had served as economist for more than 13 years, out of which he was attached to the Secretariat of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for 11 years. Dr. Tiriongo holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam-Tanzania, conferred under the Collaborative PhD Programme in Economics for Sub-Saharan Africa of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC). He has been a research fellow of the AERC since 2016 and was awarded in 2017 to participate in the AERC/IMF Visiting Scholars Programme. He has also received training from several leading organizations, key among them the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI).

Mary Ngechu is a renowned social entrepreneur and environmental ambassador who has made a significant impact in Kenya’s manufacturing industry. As the Managing Director of Line Plast Group, she has promoted a circular economy and reduced waste through her innovative initiatives, earning her several recognitions, including being named a UN Person of the Year runner-up in 2017.

Mary is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, and her efforts have led to the creation of jobs and opportunities for many Kenyans, with a vision to lead a discussion on the untapped potential for entrepreneurship and skills development in waste management and utilization.

Mary has over 19 years’ experience in capital markets development, regulation and legal practice. She is passionate about supporting transformative capital market initiatives that promote economic development in Africa.

Mary currently manages several projects on policy and regulatory reform, demonstration transaction support and product development. She also coordinates FSD Africa’s support for the establishment of a credit enhancement facility in Kenya and leads FSD Africa’s work on gender bonds. She has a keen interest in exploring innovative long term financing solutions to address Africa’s sustainable development needs.

Before joining FSD Africa, Mary worked at the Capital Markets Authority, Kenya (CMA Kenya) for almost nine years as Manager, Corporate Approvals, responsible for coordinating the review of capital raising transactions and license applications. Mary was also directly involved in policy and regulatory development for new products such as green bonds, exchange-traded funds, REITs and asset-backed securities as well as licensing of the first derivatives exchange in Kenya.

QS. David Mathu Njuguna, is an accomplished construction and management professional in both public and private sectors. He has over 15 years' experience of local and global knowledge in public policy, strategy, innovation, business development, fundraising & partnerships, research & capacity building and environmental sustainability.

QS. Mathu holds a BA in Building Economics (Quantity Surveying) from the University of Nairobi, Master of Science in Procurement and Logistics from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology and is currently a doctoral researcher in Management Science and Engineering at the Harbin Institute of Technology, China. In 2010, he was ranked the overall best quantity surveying candidate nationally in the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya’s professional examinations and was ranked among the Top 40 under 40 men in 2022. In 2023, QS. Mathu was ranked 1st Runners Up- Best People Focused MD/CEO by the Institute of Human Resource Management-IHRM.

Following his contribution in service delivery, QS. Mathu was honored by the Head of State with the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) award.He is a registered Quantity Surveyor with the Board of Registration of Architects & Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (BORAQS), corporate member of the Institute of the Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK), Full member of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management and a professional diploma member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS-UK)

Kioi is the Co-Managing Director for IHS Kenya responsible for Credit and Portfolio Management. He comes with over 28 years’ experience in Construction, Engineering, Development Management and Real Estate Investment. Over the years he has gained experience in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa across different asset classes working for sovereign backed asset owners and blue chip Development and Construction companies. He holds an MBA from Bradford School of Management in the UK, an Honours Degree in Civil Engineering from Loughborough University in the UK and a Diploma in Building Engineering from the Kenya Polytechnic. He is affiliated to the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, the Institution of Civil Engineers in the UK, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK and The Urban Land Institute in the US.

James Odongo is a distinguished professional with a wealth of experience in public policy development, strategic planning, community empowerment, and organizational management. He currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO), where he is dedicated to driving sustainable practices in the realm of producer responsibility. Before his role at KEPRO, James served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry- Nairobi Chapter. In this capacity, he exhibited exemplary leadership and a profound commitment to fostering a vibrant business environment within the region.

With a proven track record, he has successfully overseen initiatives in research, policy development, capacity-building, and resource mobilization. An adept communicator, James is experienced in fostering strategic partnerships with various stakeholders including governments and donors, making him a key player in establishing collaborative relationships with aligned organizations.
James's journey to leadership began with his tenure at the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), where he led the Research, Policy & Advocacy Department. During this period, he demonstrated a keen aptitude for strategic thinking and advocacy, playing a pivotal role in shaping policies that positively impacted the architectural landscape. His expertise extends across various domains, encompassing program management, research, and systems strengthening, with a specialized focus on fortifying Business Member Organizations (BMOs).

James's extensive knowledge and pragmatic approach have been instrumental in elevating these organizations to new heights. James Odongo is an alumnus of the University of Nairobi (UoN), where he earned a B. A in Planning, setting a solid foundation for his professional journey. Currently pursuing an Msc. in Urban Management from the same institution, James has overtime showcased his unwavering commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.
With a remarkable blend of academic achievements, hands-on experience, and a dedication to community betterment, James Odongo exemplifies effective leadership and positive change. His contributions continue to leave an indelible mark on the realms of sustainable development, policy advocacy, and organizational excellence.

Chris is the Chief Executive Officer of Dhamana Guarantee Company. Dhamana, is an East African focused financial guarantor with a principle business of guaranteeing local currency debt obligations through the provision of unconditional and irrevocable guarantees for the timely payment of scheduled principal and accrued interest on issued bonds or loans. The setup of Dhamana is being supported by investment from the UK through InfraCo Africa (Part of PIDG), African Development Bank, Cardano Development, the County Pension Fund in Kenya, and a technical assistance facility funded by FSD Africa.

Chris has 20 years of experience in project finance and structuring across Europe and Africa. Most recently, he was an investment specialist with the IFC and prior to that, a project and infrastructure professional with PwC and Mott MacDonald in the UK.

Jasper Onyango is an infrastructure development and project management specialist with over 10 years of experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa. Jasper joined the Private Infrastructure Development Group Limited (PIDG) in April 2020 as the Regional Technical Assistance Manager for Africa and is in charge of managing PIDG’s grant activities including upstream technical assistance support to governments and strategic partnerships with development partners active in the region.

Prior to joining PIDG, Jasper was the Associate Director in charge of Urban and Infrastructure Development sector for IPE Global Limited, a multinational development consulting group, where he worked as a project manager and urban services and infrastructure development specialist in projects funded by various donor agencies and DFIs.

Mina holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Business and Economics, specialising in Corporate Finance and Financial Management from Lund University. In 2022, She got a Certificate of Competency from the Sirdar Applied Directorship Programme. She has worked as a CFO over the last 7 in the finance, agriculture, technology, and affordable housing sectors across Africa. Her focus has primarily been on the scale-up of innovative, high-impact businesses. She is the Finance Director at Unity Homes, a housing developer. She is responsible for governance, risk management, strategy, fundraising, and capital allocation. She is also developing innovative mortgage solutions to enable more people in Kenya & Nigeria to become homeowners. Since 2013, She has served as Non-Executive Director at Stora Markie Drift AB, a 1000-ha crop cultivating and gain handling company in Sweden.

10 years of professional experience in Market & Business Development - Sustainability, Green Building & Environmental Services

2 Years in Facilities Management Services

B.E. Electrical from University of Mumbai, with MBA in Energy & Environment from Symbiosis, Pune
Specialties: Business development, networking, negotiations, writing

With over 20 years of experience working at the highest levels of government and multilateral institutions, I am entrusted to serve in government leadership teams of complex national and city projects that have substantively nurtured the UAEs global position.

As Executive Director at Expo City Dubai, my work is about driving strategic partnerships and collaboration, shaping our city into a global knowledge and action hub for sustainable growth.

I lead capable teams who draw upon a decade of key insights and lived experience from Expo 2020 Dubai's urban development, World Exhibition and COP28 journey, to create and exchange knowledge and experience with countries, cities and communities around the world, in the context of sustainable growth and development.

We work across three main areas:
- Global Partnerships
- Knowledge Exchange (thought leadership products, publications and flagship programmes and events)
- Advisory Services (urban planning, programmes and events curation)

Also, I serve as a Board Member of the United Nations Global Compact Network UAE, as an advocate for the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the principles of responsible business.

Honourable Alice Wahome is a seasoned parliamentarian whose previous work in Kandara constituency created impact and drove local growth. As part of her work in Kandara, Alice started several projects that are aimed at capacity building, women empowerment as well as self help groups focused on community mobilization for wealth creation.

Hon Alice Wahome picked water, education & health as key programs in her work. In her first 3 years of parliamentary constituency work, Alice facilitated and ensured completion of stalled 7 health center projects thus opening to the public.

Charity is currently a Senior Research Manager at IBM Research Africa. Previously she led the Public Sector team whose mission was to develop commercially viable technologies that transform how governments function and provide services to their citizens. She and her colleagues worked with the Kenyan government as technical advisors to develop and help implement reforms that transform the business environment for SMEs to thrive. In the first year of implementation this work resulted in Kenya's ranking on the World Bank annual Ease of Doing Business ranking improving by 21 spots and Kenya was rated the third top reformer in the world.

Charity holds a PhD in Chemistry from Purdue University and a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Xavier University.