2023 Speakers

speakers

The event will host over thirty (30) world-renowned global industry experts, speakers, business leaders, ministers, policy makers, and over three hundred (300) delegates from over thirty (30) countries. These will include:

south africa –Johannesburg

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Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) 2022. All Rights Reserved. Powered by DesignLeads

Hon. Philda Nani Kereng, is the Minister of Environment & Tourism. She has brought a new impetus to the tourism industry of Botswana by revising the tourism policy so as to enhance the participation of the country’s citizens in the tourism industry and to diversify the tourism products away from the traditional wildlife and wilderness to other products such as heritage & cultural tourism and increasing product diversification across the country. She has been instrumental in the development and adoption of the Botswana’s first Climate Change Policy and Strategy.

She has devised strategies to accelerate the recovery of Botswana tourism industry from the negative impact of COVID 19 through networking with different partners so as to achieve sustained growth while improving sustainable conservation practices and positioning Botswana as a tourism and investment regional hub.

Hon. Kereng efforts has earned due recognition and has been acknowledged as one of Africa’s Tourism Board Key Leaders in Africa.

She has also been active on the social front since 1995. She held until 2001 the post of Chief of Surveys and Follow ups of the Rural Industries Innovation Center, planning and managing nation-wide sociological research projects to improve industrial and farming activities.

Furthermore, she has also been a Project Officer for Community Development of the Action for Economic Empowerment Trust, a local partner of the US African Development Foundation (ADF), working closely with rural communities to identify, plan and manage community ecotourism projects.

Her grassroots knowledge of the Botswana’s society led the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to appoint her as Child Protection Officer to drive the national programme on orphan care and child services in collaboration with NGOs and CBOs. She was also instrumental in the development of the Children’s Act of 2009.

Hon. Kereng received an award for being one of Africa’s Tourism Board (ATB)’s Key Leader in Africa at the first East African Regional Tourism Expo on the 9 October 2021. The award recognizes her excellence in driving development of sound tourism recovery strategies. Such strategies include the review of tourism regulations, the Tourism Policy, development of climate change and response and integrated waste management Policy amongst the few.

Furthermore, she was recently recognized through the Pyne Awards Africa 2022 for outstanding contribution to community tourism development in Botswana and Africa by advancing priorities that are people centric in light of the health and economic setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic. As such communities have become core actors in the value chains created under the Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) programme

Hon. Philda Nani Kereng holds a B.A. in Public Administration and Sociology as well as a Masters in Sociology of Development (UK).
In parallel to her State responsibilities, she is an associate pastor in a local church and often acts as counselor and life coach for families, women and young people.

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili is Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 1 January 2018 after being elected by the 22nd Session of UNWTO General Assembly. He was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Kingdom of Spain, the Principality of Andorra, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Kingdom of Morocco and Permanent Representative of Georgia to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) up to December 2017.

Between 2009 and 2010, he was Minister of Economic Development of Georgia.As a Minister of Economic Development of Georgia, Mr Pololikashvili was responsible for overseeing the country’s long-term fiscal growth strategies, advancing foreign trade and investment policy initiatives as well as for promoting the development of the tourism, infrastructure and transportation sectors. He was instrumental in launching an innovative policy for the development of tourism in Georgia, prioritizing the sphere on both the government and private sector agendas. During Mr Pololikashvili’s tenure as Minister of Economic Development, through key policy reforms, marketing activities, improvement of infrastructure and visa liberalization initiatives, Georgia nearly doubled the number of international tourist arrivals, from 1.5 million (2009) to exceeding the 2.8 million mark by 2011. Those reforms paved the way for sustainable tourism practices in Georgia and poverty alleviation initiatives, placing Georgia among the top tourism destinations in the region. Minister Pololikashvili successfully led the economic liberalization processes, introducing supportive policies for SMEs, and incentive programmes to attract foreign investment for the development of hard and soft infrastructure.

2006 – 2009 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Kingdom of Spain.

2005 – 2006 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. In this capacity as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, he supervised the departments for administrative, budgetary, financial and consular affairs, as well as the Department for Human Resources Management. Mr. Pololikashvili was responsible for ushering in a new phase of more liberal and secure visa regimes, facilitation of processes to ease border crossing procedures, and deepening relations with various international organizations, including UNWTO.

H.E. Elias M. Magosi is a national of the Republic of Botswana who was sworn in on 18th August, 2021 as the Seventh SADC Executive Secretary at the 41st SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi. He assumed his
position on 1st September, 2021.

H.E. Magosi started his career in public service as Management Analyst in the Directorate of Public Service Management of Botswana in 1989 and rose through the
ranks to become Permanent Secretary in different ministries before his appointment as the Principal Secretary to the President in February 2020, effectively becoming the head of Public Service in Botswana. In this role, he coordinated and facilitated delivery linkages
for ministries and parastatals to achieve national and international obligations; and provided advisory support to the President, Vice President, Cabinet, Permanent
Secretaries, Private Sector and regional bodies.

In the private sector, H.E. Magosi has served in senior human resources portfolios, having served as Cluster Head of Human Resources-Consumer Banking, Southern
Africa at Standard Chartered Bank from 2013 to 2014. There, he managed and droveoverall human resource strategy and provided appropriate human resource solutions for the Consumer Banking businesses in the cluster comprising Botswana, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. H.E. Magosi was Head of Human Resources for Botswana Life Insurance Limited from 2007 to 2010 before assuming a group role in Botswana Insurance Holdings
Limited, of which Botswana Life Insurance is a subsidiary, and where he served as Group Head of Human Resources from 2010 to 2012.

H.E. Magosi has an in-depth understanding of the role of SADC in promoting and deepening regional integration, cooperation and development having served as Director
of Human Resources and Administration at the SADC Secretariat where in addition to the development and execution of Secretariat’s human resource strategy, he was
instrumental in engaging and coordinating with SADC Member States and other stakeholders as a member of the Secretariat Management.

With an extensive experience and a proven track record of service in the public and private sectors spanning over a period of more than 30 years, H.E. Magosi understands
that achieving SADC goals and objectives requires collective and collaborative efforts of all Member States, partners and stakeholders, and has an unwavering commitment to working closely with relevant structures in the SADC Member States, the Private Sector, International Cooperating Partners as well as regional and international bodies in the promotion and furtherance of SADC objectives. As head of the SADC Secretariat, a principal executive institution of SADC, H.E. Magosi will, among other strategic functions, oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic
Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 and SADC Vision 2050 which envision a peaceful, inclusive, competitive, middle-to-high-income industrialised region, where all
citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being, justice and freedom., competitive, middle- to high-income.

H.E. Magosi holds a Master’s Degree in Organisation Development from Bowling Green State University, USA, Graduate Diploma in Management Services from the University of Bolton, United Kingdom and Bachelor of Arts Economics/Statistics from the University of Botswana.

Tumiso MacDonald Rakgare was born 39 years ago at Scottish Livingstone in Molepolole. He grew up in Mogoditshane where he did both primary and secondary studies, at Mogoditshane Primary and Mogoditshane Junior Secondary School respectively before transferring to Tlogatloga Junior Secondary School where he completed junior certificate. He then proceeded to Ledumang Senior Secondary to do BGCSE before enrolling at the University of Botswana to study for a Bachelor of Business Administration (General Management).

He has successfully completed an Executive Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship at the University of Botswana.

Hon. Rakgare is a passionate footballer & table tennis player with good playing record in both sporting codes. He played for Notwane FC juniors for 5 years, joined Black Peril FC in the National First Division League before retiring to focus on academic commitments.

He is also the Former Secretary General of Media Social Club (MSC). A social club of both practicing and retired media practitioners in Botswana.

POLITICS

Currently Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane Constituency and appointed as the Honourable Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture.

He was the Botswana Congress Party Youth League President from 2015 and 2017.

He served in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Youth Wing (NYEC) between 2010 and 2012.

He was appointed the first Student Peer Ambassador for Sports and Culture at the University of Botswana in 2010.

He was elected President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Botswana in 2009.
WORK EXPERIENCE

Administration, Marketing and Communications Executive at ILES, an education wing of BOPEU – May 2017 to December 2018.

He won a record 15 Media awards during his 11 year service as a Sports Reporter.

On air Sports Consultant – Yarona FM- January – December 2015

Head of Sports- Duma FM – December 2010 to January 2014

Sports Presenter at GBC (now EBotswana) from 2011 to 2012

Sports Presenter at Yarona FM – November 2004 to November 2010

Sports Analyst – Botswana Television (BTV), 2005 to 2007

Sales and Marketing representative at SBM Pipes in 2005

COMMUNITY SERVICE

He Co-founded the Annual Thamaga Christmas Football Tournament, it was founded in 2006 and is still running.

Worked with various NGO’s in Mogoditshane to mobilize resources to help the under privileged.

Assisted all schools in Mogoditshane (3 primaries, 2 juniors and 1 senior school) during their Prize Giving ceremonies with Prizes for best students both academics and sports.

He is an avid participant of the popular annual Matlolapata games both as a player and volunteer.

Thabo Prince Thamane is the Chief Executive Officer of Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), with effect from January 1, 2011. Prior to that, Thamane was responsible for the operations of CEDA as the Deputy CEO (Operations).

In his role as the CEO, Thamane advises the CEDA Board of Directors on all policy matters and takes responsibility for the implementation of CEDA policies and the execution of all strategies and Board resolutions. He ensures the achievement of the strategic objectives and mandate of CEDA through sound management practices. CEDA has continued to progress positively under the stewardship of Mr Thamane. In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) noted CEDA as the Best Performing Parastatal amongst all the MITI parastatals.

Thamane has been with CEDA since 2003 and has progressed over time in different management roles. Amongst his various responsibilities, Thamane was integral in the formation of the CEDA Young Farmers Fund in 2007 where he staffed and trained the team in the department, set up procedures and processes and subsequently appointed to Head the Agribusiness sector in early 2009.

Thamane holds an MBA specialising in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from York St. John University. He is also an alumni of the University of Botswana, London Business School and Wits Business School.

After serving as an EXCO Member of the African Association of Development Financial Institutions (AADFI) for a number of years, Thamane was elected as AADFI’s Chairman during in June 2019. AADFI currently has 82 member institutions and is headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The Association is a member of the World Federation of Development Finance Institutions (WFDFI) and has observer status at the World Bank. AADFI bestowed CEDA with the Best Performing Development Financial Institution (DFI) in its network for 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Further to his appointment at AADFI’s Chairman, Thamane was appointed as Chairman of the World Federation of Development Financial Institutions (WFDFI) in January 2019. He also serves as a board chairperson at The Botswana Society. He has continued to build public confidence and ensure that CEDA becomes even more visible and accessible to Batswana.

Hamza Farooqui is a committed South African entrepreneur holding a commanding presence across multiple sectors including fuel, convenience, real estate, technology, hospitality, tourism, and global financial services. As the founding CEO of Millat Investments since 2016, he has consistently steered negotiations with global business giants to successful conclusions.

Farooqui has not only earned the trust of the Canadian multinational Alimentation Couche-Tard, the force behind Circle K, but also bridged a strategic alliance with Swiss based Trafigura, allowing him to play in the downstream fuel and gas space through the Puma Energy brand. He envisions lighting up the South African convenience map with 300 Circle K stores within the next three years.

His resilience shone through the COVID crisis when he brought American hotel giant Hyatt to South Africa, opening the Hyatt Regency in Cape Town at the pandemic’s peak. Following this, two more Hyatt properties sprouted in Johannesburg, with a fourth one set to open in 2024.

With an ambitious target of controlling two thousand keys in South Africa by 2024, Farooqui is not one to rest on his laurels. His innovative thinking has led to a partnership with Uber Eats, making Millat the pioneer hotel group to launch dark kitchens in South Africa.

Informed by diverse cultures and a powerful sense of community, the well-travelled Farooqui embodies a service-oriented ethos. He ceaselessly advocates for South Africa’s vast potential as an investment destination, fuelling his vision for a flourishing hospitality industry and a transformed fuel landscape.

Farooqui previously served as MD for satellite radio company WorldSpace in Africa, where he spearheaded capital raising efforts that culminated in a triumphant NASDAQ IPO.

Farooqui ventured into hospitality and tourism launching his first global hotel brand with Coral Hotels in 2009. He paved the way for the Hilton brand in South Africa, introducing Hilton to Cape Town in 2011, and opening Conrad Pezula in 2012 – a first on African soil for the prestigious brand. Farooqui remains committed to his vision of seeing South Africa emerge as an economic powerhouse on the global stage.

For Farooqui, his journey has never been solely about achieving personal milestones or acquiring wealth. He is driven by the ethos of servitude, a principle that permeates all his ventures and partnerships.

Farooqui is not merely an entrepreneur; he is a vision bearer for South Africa, striving for socio-economic development, fostering unity, and promoting a culture of altruism.

Wambugu is a Franchise Consultant with a very high-level understanding and practice of franchising. He is one of very few fully-fledged franchise consultants in Africa (outside South Africa and Egypt) offering a unique one-stop shop for businesses wishing to franchise their local brands, to re-align/turnaround their struggling franchise operations, to acquire franchises, settling in international brands seeking to franchise in Africa and helping governments to mainstream franchising as a strategy for long-term GDP growth and for local businesses to fully seize opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

He is the Franchise Expert at the AfDB-funded Africa Franchising Accelerator Project 2021-2025 (AFRAP) in Tanzania which is building 100 indigenous brands into national, continental and international franchises, among them ten micro and small operators aggregated along their respective value-chains before franchising them. Additionally, he is currently involved in mobilizing banks in Africa to participate in the recently approved Afreximbank Franchise Financing Facility which seeks to grow the franchise sector in Africa. He is also an Associate at the Dubai-based franchise firm, The Franchise Trainer.

Wambugu has researched extensively on franchising in Africa, having participated in a survey of the sector in 18 African countries commissioned by the Afreximbank, a report of which was launched on 13 June 2022. Resulting from this, Wambugu is currently involved in engaging commercial banks across Africa to take advantage of a franchise financing trade finance facility set up by Afreximbank for lending to franchise sector players as recommended in the report. This involves identifying bank customers who meet a pre-set franchiseability criteria, training and hand-holding them through the franchise development process under their bank, training the banks to develop franchise-specific loan products and helping the banks to structure their applications for the franchise trade finance facility from Afreximbank-which, on a case-by-case basis is accompanied by a grant to facilitate franchise development training and hand-holding. The funds are also available for businesses people seeking to become franchisees of local and international brands.

Wambugu is also the researcher carrying out the baseline franchise sector survey in Tanzania and in addition to the feasibility study for the Africa Franchising Accelerator Fund (AFRAF) in the East African Community (EAC) for AfDB under AFRAP.

Wambugu is an accomplished author on franchising. Between October 2017 and July 2021, Wambugu ran a weekly column on franchising in The Citizen (in Tanzania) and has contributed franchising articles in The New Vision (Uganda) and in The East African. He has also discussed franchising on national TV channels in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and has presented on franchising in many entrepreneurship conferences across East Africa, including Kenya National Assembly’s Speakers’ Forum. He is currently finalizing a book on franchising for African businesses.

He has carried out numerous stakeholder sensitization programs on distribution, franchising and licensing, including an online session organized by the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) in May 2020 and a physical workshop in Accra organized by the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), a US department of commerce initiative in August 2023. In May 2023 Wambugu presented on franchising in the EAC at the World Franchising Symposium organized by the Dubai-based franchise firm, The Franchise Trainer. In May 2022, Wambugu presented AFRAP’s activities at the General Assembly of the World Franchise Council (WFC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, opening the door for the Franchise Association of Tanzania (FATA) to join the WFC. In late 2018, Wambugu presented to the two houses of Parliament at the KEPSA-organized Parliament Speaker’s Round Table on how the Kenya Government could use franchising to manage its burgeoning wage bill and deliver on its BIG4 Agenda of Manufacturing, Food Security, Universal Healthcare and Affordable Housing, all which are common problems even for other EAC governments. In September 2019, Wambugu was a key presenter at the Strathmore University Entrepreneurship Conference focusing on franchising as the key to opening up opportunities for Kenyan MSMEs seeking a share of business under the AfCFTA. In November 2017, he presented on franchising at the East Africa Trade and Investment Conference at Serena Hotel, Dar Es Salaam.

Wambugu is currently involved in preparing several businesses in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya to franchise and has ongoing discussions with many more in Africa to engage towards the same. Recommended by the AfDB to the KCB Group in Kenya, he worked on KCB Foundation’s 2Jiajiri Program to structure identified franchise champions in six key sectors to franchise and absorb the foundation’s beneficiaries. He is also a focal point for a number of international trade missions of foreign embassies seeking to introduce their franchises in Africa.

Trained extensively under a generous grant program of the AfDB, Wambugu singled out franchising as the next big thing for SMEs in Africa and has set out to expand his knowledge in the area and together with a few other workshop participants spearheaded the formation of the Franchise Association of Tanzania (FATA) in 2012 aimed at providing a center point for all franchising activities in Tanzania. He represented Kenya and Tanzania in the now defunct Pan African Franchise Federation (PAFF).

Over the years Wambugu has successfully delivered numerous leadership development and entrepreneurship consultancies for leading corporates, MSMEs and organizations such as the World Bank, UNIDO, UNHCR, UNDP, SIDA and EAC among others including the Government of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. He has also carried out leadership and change management training for many organizations and governments across East Africa since 2001.

In the early days of his career, Wambugu worked with Diners Club, Visa and McCann Erickson franchises in Kenya.

He is an Education graduate in Economics and Business Studies from Kenyatta University (Kenya), a Certified Public Secretary (not practiced) in Kenya, a holder of a Post-Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development from the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), an Empreteco and has attended numerous short courses in entrepreneurship, franchising and enhancing consultancy skills.

Devota Kasanda Mdachi is a name which is well known in Tanzania, especially in the Tourism Industry for the role she played in seeing that Tanzania is placed high on the list of the world’s best African destinations.

With more than 28 years experience of working in the Tourism industry, Ms. Mdachi has held a number of positions both in the Public and Private sectors.

She started working with Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) in 1994 and was first employed as a Tourist Information Officer. Over the period of 10 years she rose high up the organisation’s ladder to the positions of Senior Tourist Information Officer ; Principal Tourist Information Officer and Head of the Tourist Information Centre , Dar-es-salaam and Principal Marketing Officer. In June 2011,Ms.Mdachi was appointed Director of Marketing of the Tanzania Tourist Board and later was appointed as the Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board in 2015. Ms. Mdachi is the first Tanzania woman to hold the positions of Director of Marketing (2011-2015) and Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board (2015-2021).

Ms. Mdachi worked with Abercrombie and Kent (Arusha) as a Tour Manager (1993-1994)) and at The College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM,Moshi, Mweka) as a Lecturer in Tourism Marketing and Events Management (2021-2023). Currently, Ms. Mdachi is teaching at the National College of Tourism, Dar –es-salaam and the Ag. Head of Department of the Events Department.

Ms. Mdachi has also worked as an Intern at the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA), under the Marketing and Communications Department.

Ms. Mdachi has also been a Board member of The Tanzania Women’s Bank, Tanzania National Parks and Tan Roads.

Through her position and undertakings over the years, Ms. Mdachi has been able to be a great role model to young girls and women in Tanzania , especially in the tourism sector. She is a member of The Association of Women In Tourism in Tanzania (AWOTTA) and Guardian and Advisor of the newly formed Tanzania Association of Women Tour Operators (TAWTO).

She has received a number of awards and was nominated as one of the recipients of the ‘Nyerere Golden Awards’ by The Mwl. J.K Nyerere Golden Awards in Science and Technology Achievements (2014 and 2015).

In 2016 , the CEO Global (Pty) LTD a South African based company, awarded Ms.Mdachi an award as Tanzania’s Country winner in the category of “Government Employed Official Sector of CEO Global’s Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government”

Women in Management Tanzania, recognized her as one of the Top 50 Women in Management in Tanzania in 2019 and was also recognized by the AKWAABA African Travel Market and ATQ News as one of the recipients of the African Travel 100 Women Awards in 2019. In 2021 she was recognized by Coca Cola Beverages Africa and awarded as one of the recipients of the The Mwanamke Shujaa Leadership Award.

Ms. Mdachi holds a BA degree in International Relations and Advanced French Language from the University of Dar-es-salaam (1991); M.A in Tourism from the Open University of Tanzania (2008) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Tourism from the International School of Tourism, Rome Italy (2000).

Mrs. Susan Akon Akporiaye an entrepreneur per excellence. A very focused and passionate person, a go-getter by nature. A firm believer that whatever one sets his or her mind to achieve is possible with God’s help. These sterling qualities have defined my entrance and contributions to the industry I currently serve in the travel and tourism industry.

Being the Chief Executive of Topaz Travels and Tours Limited (an IATA Certified Travel and Tourism Management Company), I am currently the National President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, the single largest travel and tourism trade body in West Africa. Interestingly, I am the second woman in the over forty seven (47) years history of the Association to attain this position, I consider this an acknowledgement and testament of true leadership qualities and exceptional persona.

In addition to the above, I am also the second deputy President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, (FTAN).

Contributions to the Industry-

For over 16 years I have been actively involved in the promotion and facilitation of Travel Consultants/Agents to Travel and Tourism conferences and event in Africa, Europe and America for sensitization, interactions, new possibilities and collaborations.
I have initiated programs and projects that are focused on revamping the downstream travel sector in Nigeria and Africa like the International Travel and Tourism Conference (ITTC) which maiden was held in Johannesburg South Africa.
As a leader who is committed to true service, I have kept my communication lines open to provide members and affiliates with quality information and enlightenment needed to handle their business with a clever display of professionalism and dexterity.
I pioneered the NANTA Capacity development and Accreditation Programme (CBAP) which has improved the quality of professional services offered by travel professionals in Nigeria.

Topaz Travels and Tours Limited in Abuja, is a company I conceived and started some seventeen years ago, and the company continues to thrive through diligence, value for customer satisfaction and professional knowledge. With my leadership, Topaz Travels has received several awards for astounding performance over the years.

Our professionalism, efficiency and longevity in the industry have made us a preferred choice for Non Governmental Organizations in Nigeria.
Topaz Travels continues to contribute her quota in the creation of employment opportunities in the travel and tourism industry through her empowerment programs (i.e. trainings, mentorships and internship opportunities)

Alan Renaud is Seychelles’ Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine since November 2018.

Prior to his appointment as Principal Secretary, Alan served as General Manager for Revenue Management, Partnerships and Government Affairs at Air Seychelles, capping a 15 year career where he served as General Manager Corporate Affairs, Head Corporate
Planning, and Head Training Academy, among other executive positions.

As Principal Secretary, Alan:

Presided over the retirement of all of Seychelles landing and departure cards in 2022, creating a true paperless border entry system;
Presided over the launch of Africa’s first biometric corridor at an international airport
in December 2021, being the second to achieve this in the world after the UAE;
Served as Project Director for Seychelles’ new digital Travel Authorisation System,
launched in September 2020 to assure the re-opening of borders in the safest
manner
Led the inauguration of Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority Bill in 2020
Presided over Seychelles’ accession to nine new multilateral air treaties in 2019 and
2020
Presided over Seychelles’ accession to five new multilateral maritime treaties in 2019
and domesticating the International Ship & Port Facility Security Code in 2020

Alan most recently served as

Alternate Head of Delegation at ICAO’s 41st Assembly;
Co-chair of the High-Level Djibouti Code of Conduct Meeting in Dubai, June 2022 to discuss the development of regional capabilities against new and emerging threats
to maritime security in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

Alan has been an invited speaker and panelist at the

The 6th Border Management and Identity Conference, December 2022
Africa’s Travel Indaba on Connectivity and Market Access Opportunities, May 2022
UNWTO Statistics Workshop, July 2021
IMO’s Regional Webinar on challenges faced by seafarers and identification of best
practices for the COVID-19 pandemic, October 2020
UNWTO/ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa in Cabo Verde, March 2019
IATA Aviation Day – Africa held in Abuja, May 2016
ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN) held in Bali, December 2014.

He served as moderator at the

Second ICAO Meeting on the Sustainable Development of Air Transport in Africa held in Antananarivo, March 2015.

He is a magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University in Applied & Engineering Physics.

Dr J. Kwesi Eyison is an entrepreneur and business executive with transformational leadership credentials in the public, private, corporate and organisational sectors of the Ghanaian socio-economic landscape/environment.

Dr Eyison is the Vice President of Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), the Vice Chairman of the Ghana Sector Skills Council (Tourism & Hospitality Sector), the immediate past President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) and a member of the steering committee of the Public Private Partnership Forum (PPPF) of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) & The Ministry of Tourism Arts & Culture (MOTAC).

He is the founder and CEO of Pacific Tours, Pacific Solutions (Advertising & Marketing Communications Consultancy Firm affiliated with the ICOM global network), Pacific Digital Marketing and Pacific Eyison Farms.

Kwesi is a certified United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Tourism Practitioner and an accomplished Marketing Communications consultant and practitioner. He is a member of the African Tourism Board and the International Advertising Association (IAA).

He holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from the SMC University, Switzerland, Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with Marketing Major from the University of Ghana, Legon and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Biochemistry and Food Science from same University. He has professional graduate diploma degree from International Professional Managers Association (IPMA) and is a certified International Labour Organisation (ILO) Skills For Social Inclusion in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

Dr. Eyison is Travelife/Global Sustainability Tourism Council Certified Sustainability Manager in Ghana with commitment to maximising the positive impact of social and environmental sustainability of Tourism in Ghana.

Kwesi is also a certified Google Analytics Professional/Practitioner and Digital Marketing facilitator with transformational agenda on digitalisation in the Tourism Industry in Ghana.

He is a Promoter and Advocate of Tourism & Hospitality Sector Skills Development in Ghana for Skilling Up; Reskilling & Upskilling of industry practitioners, the youth and the underrepresented for social inclusion in Ghana.

He is married with three children.

Nonnie Kubeka currently Heading the Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau (GCEB) in South Africa. Nonnie has 25 years of experience Destination Marketing within the Business Events Industry. Highly skilled project management with a Bachelor of commerce, MBA in strategic Marketing degrees. Before heading the GCEB, she held various positions in including being a Commercial Director of the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Her current role is to create and execute business strategies to position Gauteng as a Premier international MICE destination.
In her current role, Nonnie has been recognised by Forbes Africa Woman her influential role in Business events industry, nominated in the Africa Business Leadership Awards, named amongst the Top 40 Women in MICE and recently awarded the ICCA Inspirational Woman Award 2018 by the International Conference and Convention association. She served on the several Association boards in Africa, SAA, Airchefs, Cape Town Tourism, Sandton Tourism, SA Travel Centre, Southern African Association of Convention Industry,
and currently serving in UNISA Tourism Advisory Board, Vaal University of Technology advisory board, SAAIA Advisory board and ICCA Educational Committee.
Nonnie has also served as a deputy chairperson in the ICCA Africa Chapter, assisted in increasing Africa chapter membership by supporting the launch of the African Society of Association Executives to encourage meetings to be held and rotate around the Africa continent and contributing to co-creating the first ICCA Africa Client supplier workshop. She has been a panel member in several discussions about how the South African business events sector can create jobs and boost the economy.

Under the direction and leadership of Nonnie, the Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau is tasked to market, promote, foster and develop business tourism and events in the province. Within her scope of work, Nonnie developed a business events strategy for the province and initiating and implementing bidding, hosting and marketing activities nationally and internationally that have generated over 44 000 employment opportunities for women, youth a, assisted in growing SMME businesses and contributed over R10bn to the Gauteng Economy. Additionally, she is responsible to develop strategic partnerships with suppliers such venues, airlines, associations, educational institutions, professional conference organizers, tour operators, event and exhibition planners in South Africa and other countries, as well as support establishments and events that help put the province on the map.

speakers

2023 speakers

His Hon. The Vice President

H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili

H.E. Wamkele Mene

H.E. Elias M. Magosi

Hon. Philda Nani Kereng

Hon. Tumiso MacDonald Rakgare

Patricia de Lille

Hon. Mmusi Kgafela

Hon. Heather Mwiza Sibungo

Boikanyo Osego Ntwaagae

elcia grandcourt

Senthil Gopinath

Hon. Babara Rowdzi

Emily Mburu-Ndoria

Derek Hanekom

Thabo P. Thamane

Frank Mustaff

Moseketsi Mpeta

Petra Pereyra

Evelyne Freiermuth

Hamza Farooqui

Jon Danks

Robyn Williams

Desire Loumou

Dr Kamilla Swart

Natalia Bayona

Francisco Gómez Durán

Wambugu Wa Gichohi

Keith Vincent

Boipelo Tladinyane

Devota Mdachi

Dan D’Souza

Thabo Seshoka

Susan Akon Akporiaye

Bernadine Galliver

Jean Byamugisha

Ms. Wincey Ramaphoi

Kwakye Donkor

Gloria Kisilu

Miller Matola

Keitumetse Setlang

Bokani Mathape

Mokwena Morulane

Susan Ongalo

Sebulon Chiliho Chicalu

Jabulani Debedu

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa

Christelle Grohmann

Didier Scaillet

Esmaré Steinhöfel

Jerry Mabena

Barry Clemens

Zaim Muhammad

Joe Motse

Mikul Shah

Gobusamang Keebine

Winnie Muchanyuka

Didier Dogley

Glenton De Kock

Kennedy Agyapong

Lily Rakorong

Agnes Mucuha

Samantha Muna

Lee-Anne Bac

Jeanette Moloto

Sandile Chipunza

Ridhwaan Suliman

Ben Anane Nsiah

Lesedi Tomana Nduna

Dr. Brian Ngwako Mahosi

Alan Renaud

Nosiphiwo Mahlangu

Akwasi Obeng Adjei

Dr. Kwesi Eyison

Beatrice Chaytor

Katlego Mphahlele CA(SA)

Daphine Natacha Lekipaik

Gorata Gabaraane