Exploring SDG Investment Opportunities in Africa

Joanne is the Senior SDG Investment Advisor in UNDP Africa Finance Sector Hub (AFSH) supporting countries to accelerate investments that align with SDG goals. Prior to joining the AFSH, Joanne was the Regional Advisor: Climate Change and Innovative Finance based in UNDP Indonesia’s Innovative Finance Lab (IF Lab) where she was providing technical advice on financing SDGs. Joanne is passionate about fighting climate change and generating development results by leveraging innovative financing mechanisms. Over the past eight years she supported countries in Asia Pacific to strengthen planning and budgeting systems and implement public financial reforms that incentivize climate action.

Nikita is the Co-CEO of Insta Products and oversees the sustainable growth of INSTA's new ventures and expansions. Her vision is to fight for zero hunger in Africa one child at a time. She is passionate about building local supply chains and ending the cycle of malnutrition.

Hortense Mudenge is the Chief Strategy Officer of Rwanda Finance Limited, the company promoting and developing Rwanda as a leading financial destination for international investment and cross-border transactions in Africa. Hortense is a seasoned management consultant, with over 10 years of experience in advising international development and private-sector clients on business and market development. Prior to joining Rwanda Finance, Hortense worked with Dexis Consulting Group and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, as a consultant, providing technical expertise in the delivery of donor-funded investment programs and grant facilities.

Keiran is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mr. Green Africa a tech-enabled plastic recycling company that tackles waste management problems. Keiran has 10+ years experience in business building, a background in banking (BoAMerrillLynch) and Bachelor of Business Administration (HWZ, Zurich).

Damilola Akinnayajo has diverse work experience spanning various industries. Most recently, they served as the Head of Partnerships & Growth at Bankly starting in February 2023. Prior to that, they founded a company called Spices by Asabi in 2020, where they focused on creating and selling healthy and delicious meal spices sourced from local farmers in Nigeria. Damilola worked as a Fintech and Business Solutions Partner at ProvidusBank from May 2022 to February 2023. They also held roles at Sterling Bank Plc, starting as a Sales Associate in November 2015

Habiba Ali is the managing director and CEO of Sosai Renewable Energies Company, one of the largest distributors of renewable energy in Nigeria. Sosai Renewable Energies provides renewable energy products like solar lamps, water purifiers and solar panels, as well as energy consulting services to help bring clean, renewable energy solutions to Nigeria’s budding communities. Ali also co-founded the Developmental Association for Renewable Energies (DARE), and is a member of the Partnership for Clean Indoor Air and the Nigerian Energy Network. She holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Vincent serves as Head of Markets for Symbiotics. In this position he manages a team of 50 people that prospects and analyses financial institutions’ potential social and economic returns and keeps abreast of impact investment trends. He previously spent five years in Cape Town as Symbiotics’ Regional Manager for Africa and extensively covered Latin America and Eastern Europe as an analyst. Previously, he worked in South America and Eastern Europe as Supply Chain and Operational Project Manager for Nestlé, reviewing the production and optimizing the internal processes of the company’s regional entities.

James Mwangi is a Kenyan born accountant, career banker, businessman and entrepreneur. He is the current CEO of Equity Group Holdings. Mr. Mwangi was included among The Financial Times' 2009 list of the top 50 thought leaders of emerging markets and the top 20 most influential people in Africa. He was the Founding Chairman of Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board from 2007-2019, tasked with ensuring Kenya became a middle-income country with high living standards by 2030. Mr. Mwangi is a Presidential National Task force member on the Kenya COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and Chair of its Health Committee. He is also the current Chancellor of Meru University. Mr. Mwangi graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, and passed the Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPAK). He also graduated from the advanced management programme at the IESE Business School in Barcelona.