TEDxALURwanda

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Alice Carter

  East Africa Director at Brink

  Alice Carter is the East Africa Director at Brink, an innovation practice dedicated to addressing global challenges by integrating innovation and behavioural science. At Brink, Alice champions the belief that innovation extends beyond isolated breakthroughs; it thrives when entrepreneurs, governments, and philanthropists work together in a systemic and intentional way. Leading Brink’s efforts in East Africa, she focuses on fostering collaborations that catalyse transformative and sustainable change.

• Carene Roxanne Umugwaneza

  Mission Curator - Healthcare

  Carene Roxanne is the Mission Curator-Healthcare at African Leadership University and leads the Health Employment Pillar for the Health Collaborative. With a background in global health and research, she focuses on health education, women’s health, and non-infectious diseases. She has worked with the Alliance for Healthy Communities and the Rwandan Defense Force on HIV prevention and psychosocial support. Carene also contributes to the National Technical Working Group for Key and Priority Populations at the Rwanda Biomedical Center. Her expertise in women’s sexual and reproductive health was further deepened through work with the Rwandan Women Network. She holds an MSc in Global Health Delivery from the University of Global Health Equity and a degree in Healthcare Management from Southern New Hampshire University.

• Chidi Afulezi

  Product Management Expert

  Chidi Afulezi is a seasoned product management coach, digital strategist, and venture builder. He founded redKola Digital Labs focusing on digital transformation, and The Massive Company for innovative products in African markets. Chidi co-founded aKoma Media and Rouse Media. He is Head Faculty at ALU School of Business, teaches at UC Berkeley and General Assembly, and has a background in product management at top companies. His work aims to shape Africa's digital and creative economies.

• Damilola Adeduro

  Visual Designer

  Damilola Adeduro is a visual designer and communications professional passionate about turning ideas into impactful visual stories. With a background in graphic design and communications, he builds visual identities and creates content for brands and organisations driving positive change. He has worked with global bodies like the UN and led digital campaigns for educational and tech startups. His expertise spans graphic design, visual identity, social media marketing, communications, and custom typography. Damilola co-founded Lucreative Africa to equip African creatives with business skills and runs Amì Design Co, a studio focused on storytelling through letterforms.

• Derek Johnson

  CEO, Eko Solutions Group

  Derek Johnson is a native son, finding his way home. Raised and educated in equal parts in Ghana, the UK, and the US, Derek has dedicated his life and work to challenging perspectives and finding the points of alignment where others only see dissonance. He is the CEO of Ekow Solutions Group, where his team is rethinking the enterprise buyers experience, with the goal of making it easier for them to identify, qualify, and engage small businesses with unique value propositions. As an active catalyst in the tech community, he has served on the advisory boards of Women in Technology and the Shared Harvest Fund. In his roles as a technology leader, he has been pivotal in opening and growing offices in several countries including, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and India. Derek has earned degrees from Morehouse College and the Georgia Institute of Technology. His education in liberal arts, engineering, and business have shaped his empathetic voice that guides all his interactions.

• Elikem Vorgbe

  Student, Community Manager @ Meaningful Business

  Elikem is a community manager at Meaningful Business, a UK-based organization supporting global leaders who merge profit with purpose to address challenges related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is also a freelance researcher with experience in user experience, market research, policy analysis, and brand audits. Driven by a passion to solve Africa’s policy and strategic needs, Elikem emphasizes high-quality research that centers on human experience to ensure context and nuance are integrated into solutions for both public and private sectors.

• Eniola Mafe-Abaga

  Global Advocacy and Partnership Director at B2P

  Eniola Mafe Abaga, Global Advocacy and Partnership Director at B2P, brings 15+ years of experience in stakeholder engagement, systems change, and sustainable development. At the World Economic Forum, she led advocacy coalitions like the OneMap and 2030 Vision Initiatives, partnering with UNDP and major tech companies. Eniola managed a $90 million social enterprise for Chevron in Nigeria, advised the Nigerian Government on Social Investment, and worked at Vital Voices Global Partnership. As Co-Founder of #TheNewNigerian, an online community of 50,000+ members, she's shaping Nigeria's future through collective action. Named one of OkayAfrica's 100 Women in Africa in 2018, Eniola's expertise spans corporate social responsibility, government advisory, and community building. She holds degrees from Georgetown University (Executive Masters in Global Leadership and M.A., School of Foreign Service) and Spelman College (B.A.).

• Georgina Fleming

  Venture Capital

  Georgina has built and invested in numerous ventures globally. She is the founder of Kupa Global, which builds a global inclusive hiring firm bridging Europe and Africa. She is also a founding member of Systemiq Capital, a leading European climate venture capital firm. Prior to this she led the creation of the Rwanda Water Resources Board, a pioneering government institution in Rwanda to manage water resources nationally. She is the founder of ZOF Africa, where she volunteers to promote technology & leadership education in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Korty EO

  Filmmaker, Co-founder Any Production, Popular Youtuber

  Korty EO is a filmmaker, Co-founder, Any Production, and one of Nigeria’s most popular YouTubers. She gained recognition 2 years ago for her unique storytelling style. Her YouTube channel has featured artists like: Rema, Asa, Don Jazzy, Tems, Victor Osimhen, Ayra Starr, etc. Her youtube channel has grown to over 300,000 subscribers and 20 million views In 2022, Korty was selected for the YouTube Black Voices fund. In 2023 she made her directorial debut on The Victoria’s Secret Documentary, and this year, she was featured on Rolling Stone’s Creator Special

• Najeeb Abdulhamid

  Researcher at Microsoft

  Najeeb G. Abdulhamid is an ethnographic researcher at Microsoft Research Africa (MSR Africa), based in Nairobi, Kenya. His work is dedicated to understanding how people interact with technology and leveraging these insights to develop actionable design solutions that empower workers. Najeeb earned his PhD in Computer Science from Brunel University(opens in new tab), London, and holds an MSc in Information Systems from the University of Aberdeen(opens in new tab), Scotland, UK. His academic journey has equipped him with a profound understanding of the technological landscape.

• Zulfawu Tahiru

  Gender Equality Advocate

  Zulfawu Nobre Tahiru is a Development Senior Associate at the African Leadership Group, where she leads stewardship and engagement efforts to support transformational initiatives across the continent. A passionate advocate for gender equality, youth, and community development, Zulfawu combines her professional expertise with a deep commitment to creating opportunities that empower marginalised communities. Her mission is to empower young girls in disadvantaged communities through policy, advocacy and access, with a focus on women in continuous conflict communities. Prior to the African Leadership Group, she contributed to impactful projects through roles at organisations such as the African Union - African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Philanthropy Forum, and Global Citizen Year. Zulfawu is also an alumnus of the African Leadership University, with a Bachelors in International Business and Trade.