As Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, I am charged with promoting continuous dialogue with Kenyans abroad, championing the protection of Kenya’s diaspora rights and welfare, developing an incentive framework for diaspora remittances, harnessing diaspora savings, facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology transfers, and mainstreaming the Kenyan diaspora into the national development process.

Jeminatu Alabi-Isama is a passionate tech leader with over 10 years at Google, where she championed education initiatives across Africa, the UK, and now the US. A true thought leader, Jeminatu co-founded Tech Connect Africa to bridge the gap between the African diaspora and the local tech community. This organization fosters collaboration and empowers both groups, reflecting her dedication to building a stronger, more inclusive tech landscape.

Rama Afullo is the Founder and CEO of Satlyt, a company focused on creating fast and secure edge computing in space. Before this, he was a Product Manager at SpaceX’s Starlink, where he played a key role in scaling satellite internet globally. Rama also held significant positions at Google, where he managed global investor programs for startups and AI and led business development for Google Space. His earlier career includes roles at Tesla, where he was among the first employees in Africa, and as a founder of multiple startups. He holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town and has furthered his education in space systems engineering.

With over a decade of expertise in Research, Design, Implementation, and Management of Digital Technologies, Dr. Shikoh specializes in catalyzing digital transformation solutions for organizations in Africa and Emerging Markets. Her passion lies in solving complex challenges in key sectors including Agriculture, Education, Health, Payments, Retail, and Renewable Energies. Dr. Shikoh’s remarkable journey includes the establishment of Safaricom Alpha, Africa’s pioneering corporate innovation hub. She also has a rich background working alongside industry giants such as Google and Microsoft in their emerging markets teams.

Tom is a seasoned Product and Business Strategy Leader with a professional journey spanning technology hubs across the globe. From Nairobi to Dublin and San Francisco, he has built a rich international experience. With over a decade of experience at Google, Tom has a proven track record of success in both B2C and B2B products. Currently based in San Francisco, California, he serves as the Product and Business Strategy Lead for Google Chrome Browser, working closely with senior leadership to shape product strategy, make critical investment decisions, and develop strategic plans.

From tech to media to investments, Ashley’s diverse background fuels impactful marketing campaigns for RingCentral, a $2 billion SaaS company. With a budget exceeding $100 million dedicated to driving pipeline, she crafts strategic marketing initiatives. Her Berkeley education and startup experience propelled her success in product launches, driving revenue growth, and amplifying brand awareness. Now, Ashley’s strategic vision and creative flair ignite cross-continental investment and collaboration, fostering innovation within the tech ecosystem.

Augustine is a tech leader with a remarkable journey of survival from the Liberian civil war. His experiences as a refugee instilled a deep-seated desire to empower others, a passion that shines through his decades’ experience in People Operations and Product Strategy.

At YouTube, Augustine’s leadership within the Core Experiences organization has a direct impact on billions of users worldwide. He works alongside senior leadership to identify and implement crucial improvements, ensuring the platform continues to add value to users.

His involvement in venture capital further highlights his commitment to empowering others. As the deal team leader for the Black Angel Group, he’s actively driven over $4M in capital deployment to promising businesses. His focus on ecosystem building speaks to his broader vision: to foster sustainable growth and impactful change across the continent.

June Okal is the Senior Manager, Global Stakeholder Engagement, East and Southern Africa for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). She is a qualified Technology, Media, and Telecommunications lawyer from Kenya and has extensive experience providing legal and policy support to global businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa, including at Meta (formerly Facebook), American Tower Corporation, and Google. 

Mia von is a seasoned operator, VC, angel investor, and entrepreneur dedicated to empowering African startups. With a strategic mindset paired with empathy, she helps founders unlock their full potential. Originally from Germany and a Harvard Business School alum, Mia moved to Africa in 2009, where she co-founded DukaConnect, an AI-powered retail startup that was later acquired by Mastercard. After leading the Boston Consulting Group’s Johannesburg and Nairobi offices, she became a Partner at Persistent Energy Capital, a climate-focused VC firm. Now a key contributor at Future Africa, Mia lives in Kenya with her husband Eston and their four children, traveling widely in pursuit of visiting 100 countries.

Kibet Martin is a dedicated founder and strategist, committed to advancing Africa’s supply chain infrastructure. As the Co-Founder of Ramani.io, he is building financial infrastructure to support the continent’s supply chains. A Founder Fellow at On Deck, Kibet brings a wealth of experience from previous roles in Strategy & Operations at Waymo and Lime, as well as Strategy & Finance at Google. With a strong background in finance and strategic operations, Kibet is focused on creating innovative solutions for Africa’s evolving business landscape.

Tsendai is a Principal & Regional Head, East Africa at EchoVC.  Prior to joining EchoVC, Tsendai worked at TPG covering Africa private equity. His responsibilities included conducting due diligence on potential investment opportunities, leading deal execution, and monitoring portfolio companies.

Previously he worked at Emerging Capital Partners, an Africa-focused private equity fund based in Nairobi, Kenya. Prior to Emerging Capital Partners, Tsendai was an Associate at H.I.G. Capital in Boston, where he completed growth private equity transactions in the technology space. Tsendai began his career at The Blackstone Group as an Analyst with the technology M&A team in Boston.

Tsendai graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.

Daisy Liech is a seasoned professional with a rich background in investment analysis, portfolio management, and corporate strategy. Currently, she serves as the Director of Portfolio and Strategy at TLcom Capital, where she drives value creation for portfolio companies and strategic growth initiatives.

Previously, Daisy held key roles at Twiga Foods, including Chief of Staff, where she spearheaded organizational strategy and operational excellence, and Senior Associate in Financial Planning & Analysis, contributing to the company’s growth in the agribusiness sector. Her career journey also includes impactful stints at ARCH Emerging Markets Partners, Centum Investment Company, and Naspers Limited, where she honed her expertise in private equity and financial planning.

With a solid foundation in research from her time at the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Daisy combines analytical rigor with strategic insight, making her a driving force in Africa’s business and investment landscape.

Sarah Wanjohi is a seasoned investment professional with extensive experience in venture capital and strategic advisory. Currently serving as a Senior Associate at Atlantica Ventures, Sarah has been instrumental in supporting startups and early-stage companies across Africa. Before joining Atlantica Ventures, she honed her expertise at Open Capital Advisors, where she progressed from Business Analyst to Senior Associate, delivering impactful advisory services for businesses across diverse sectors.

Her dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and driving growth in emerging markets underscores her commitment to creating sustainable value. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Sarah continues to play a pivotal role in empowering businesses to achieve their full potential.

 Rosemary is the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Yudah Capital (www.yudahcapital.com) and has had the opportunity to back a diverse range of startups including Fonbnk, Flourish FI, Republic,Parrot and Duhqa. Previously, Rosemary held executive roles at US Bank, where she spent the last 17 years, most recently as the Sr. Vice President of Digital Platforms where she helped modernize APIs that power the online banking app used by over 10 million customers. She also worked as a Venture Scout Investor for LIghtspeed Venture Partners, with over $25B in AUM 

Kosen Kenta is a seasoned professional specializing in early-stage venture capital, startup ecosystems, and corporate law. Currently serving as a Principal at Antler, Kosen plays a pivotal role in identifying and supporting exceptional founders, investing in innovative startups, and scaling businesses globally. Before this, he excelled as a Program Manager at Antler, guiding entrepreneurial teams through ideation, validation, and growth over two and a half years.

Antler, recognized as the world’s most active early-stage investor, has enabled Kosen to work at the forefront of venture creation. His efforts have contributed to the success of startups across diverse industries, including AI, robotics, fintech, and healthtech.

Before joining Antler, Kosen was a Senior Analyst at Open Capital Advisors, where he provided strategic advisory services to businesses across Africa. His earlier experience includes practicing corporate law with CMS Daly Inamdar Advocates and contributing to legal and investment strategy as a Legal Analyst at Cytonn Investments.

Kosen’s multidisciplinary expertise bridges the gap between law, finance, and entrepreneurship, making him a transformative force in fostering innovation and empowering founders to build impactful businesses.

Ben Roberts is a seasoned technology executive, entrepreneur, and innovator with a career spanning over two decades. As Co-Founder of LipaGas and Nova Space, he is currently focused on driving impactful ventures in Africa. Ben serves as Chairperson of the Board at Young Scientists Kenya, fostering innovation and scientific talent among youth, and as Chair of the ICT Sector Board at KEPSA, shaping technology policy and advocacy.

Previously, Ben held pivotal leadership roles at Liquid Intelligent Technologies, including Group CTO and CEO of Liquid Telecom Kenya, where he spearheaded Africa’s digital transformation. With expertise in telecommunications, business transformation, and policy, Ben continues to advance technology-driven solutions for sustainable development.