Charles Wanguhu is a Pan-Africanist with a focus on good governance and human rights. He is the founding director of the Enzi Ijayo-Africa Initiative, an initiative that focuses on Africa’s future development in the context of a global climate crisis. Wanguhu brings to NRGI broad experience in the management of natural resources and in energy governance. Since 2016 he has been on the board of the Africa Centre for Open Governance, a think tank with a focus on the structural causes of corruption, where he was formerly head of programs (2008–13).

Wanguhu is an analyst and has written widely on the political economy of oil exploration and production. He was previously the coordinator of the Kenya Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas, which coordinates civil society to provide a collective voice on oil, gas and broader extractive issues. He also held the position of civil society gas lead at the African Climate Foundation in 2022. Other previous positions include the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

Born in Kenya, Wanguhu earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire and his master’s in international and commercial dispute resolution at the University of Westminster. He is an alumnus of the Draper Hills Fellow Program at Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.

Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor is a distinguished Ghanaian politician, economist, and development finance expert with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. He is currently the Minister of Energy and Green Transition and a Member of Parliament for the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency. Hon. Jinapor has held various leadership positions, including serving as the Ranking Member of the Mines and Energy Committee and a member of the Finance Committee in Parliament. He has also served as a Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum and later as Deputy Minister of Power from 2013 to 2017. Hon. Jinapor has a solid academic background, holding multiple postgraduate degrees, including an MSc in Energy Economics, an MSc in Development Finance, an MBA in Marketing, and an MA in Economic Policy Management. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Development Finance at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. His research focuses on energy, foreign direct investment (FDI), and environmental sustainability, with notable publications in reputable journals.

Beyond his political and academic pursuits, Hon. Jinapor has contributed to Ghana’s energy sector as Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization and as a board member of the Electricity Company of Ghana. He has also led critical policy initiatives as Chairman of the NDC Manifesto Sub-Committee on Energy and Co-Chair of the Energy Transition Sub-Committee.

He frequently participates in international conferences, including COP28 in Dubai, the IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, and the Mining Indaba in South Africa. Hon. Jinapor is passionate about development, energy policy, and community development. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading and playing music.

Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson is a Ghanaian economist and chartered accountant who is currently serving as the Minister for Finance. He holds a PhD in Finance and an MSC in Economics from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and an MSC in Taxation from the University of Oxford.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from London South Bank University. Professionally, Dr. Forson is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana. His strong technical background in finance, taxation, and accounting is contributing significantly to Ghana’s economic and fiscal management.

Claudine Sigam is Director General of the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), where she leads African Union efforts to advance implementation of the Africa Mining Vision and the Africa Green Minerals Strategy, with a focus on mineral governance, value addition and sustainable mineral-led industrialization across the continent.

She brings extensive expertise in the extractive industries, including oil, gas and mining, gained over more than 30 years within the United Nations system, spanning natural resource-based industrialization, economic diversification, investment, commodity finance and the just energy transition. She contributed to the development of the Africa Mining Vision and later held a senior leadership role at the AMDC during its pilot phase at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

At UNCTAD, she designed and led major global programmes and policy platforms, including the OILGASMINE Global Policy and Investment Platform, which she led for 17 years, bringing together governments, industry, civil society and development partners.

She holds an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master’s degree in Industrial Economics from Université Pierre Mendès France, Grenoble.

Mr. Yagouba Traore is the Head of Policy Planning & Strategy at the African Energy Commission (AFREC). He has more than 25 years of experience in Infrastructure and Energy fields and related policy development at national, regional, and continental levels. Prior to joining AFREC, Mr. Yagouba served as Chief of Infrastructure Unit within the African Union Commission where he coordinated, among others, the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), an AU adopted strategic framework to address the infrastructure gaps in the sectors of Energy, Transport, ICT and Water. In his role, Mr. Yagouba is responsible for leading the delivery of AFREC’s strategic programmes on the development of energy resources in Africa, while providing policy and strategic support to the African Union Member States based on continental, regional and national priorities. He leads the continental programmes that ensure energy security including on expanding renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, modernizing African bioenergy, supporting energy transition, providing clean cooking services, improving institutional capacities and skills in the Africa Energy sectors.

Dr. David Ofosu-Dorte, is the founder of AB & David Africa, a trailblazing Africa focused global business law firm spanning multiple African countries. His deep insights over three (3) decades are great value to clients seeking to succeed in Africa and he is the go-to-person when boardrooms require balanced analysis of issues that impact businesses in Africa.

David has recently been appointed to serve on the newly formed independent Advisory Group of Eminent Personalities to advance the African Union Development Fund, an initiative of AUDA-NEPAD.

He holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration, a Masters in Public Administration, a Masters in Applied Business Research and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a Fellow of the Ghana Institute of Planners.

Alaka Lugonzo is a seasoned programme management professional with over twelve years of experience working at the intersection of community and stakeholder engagement, law, policy, advocacy, gender, business and human rights, and environmental justice within the energy and extractives sectors. Her work spans oil, gas, and mining, with a strong focus on just transition and climate justice.

Over the course of her career, Alaka has led and supported strategic initiatives that strengthen accountability and responsible resource governance across Africa. Her expertise includes project management, strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, and policy engagement. She has extensive experience collaborating with development organizations, donors, governments, extractive industry actors, civil society organizations, coalitions, and regional networks to advance equitable and sustainable approaches to natural resource governance.

Alaka is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Dundee in Scotland. She also holds an Executive Certificate in Oil, Gas and Mining Governance from the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.

She has also contributed to academic discourse on energy transitions in Africa and authored the chapter “Gender Justice in the Energy Transition Era: Exploring Gender and Technology in the Extractives Sector” in the book Energy Transitions and the Future of the African Energy Sector: Law, Policy and Governance. Alaka currently serves as Partnerships Lead – Africa at Global Witness, where she works at the intersection of transition minerals, climate justice and Land and Environmental Defenders, supporting collaboration between civil society actors and global stakeholders to promote a responsible and equitable energy transition.

Dr. Theophilus “Theo” Acheampong is an economist, political risk specialist, and academic with 15+ years’ experience across public finance, energy, and extractives. He serves as Technical Advisor at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance, where he spearheaded the setup of the country’s first Independent Fiscal Council and Value for Money Office, and sits on the Investment Advisory Committee overseeing Ghana’s USD 1.4 billion oil-backed Sovereign Wealth Fund. He has delivered 60+ consulting engagements on economic modelling, resource taxation, macrofiscal reform, and industrial policy for clients including the World Bank, FCDO, African Development Bank, and NRGI. Theo holds a PhD in Energy Economics and an MSc from the University of Aberdeen, a BSc in Chemical Engineering from KNUST, and is reading an MSc in Taxation at Oxford University. He is regularly engaged by global media outlets such as the BBC, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg on Africa’s macroeconomic landscape and energy sector issues.

Nafi Quarshie (nee Chinery) is the Africa Director at the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) and a seasoned international development strategist with 30 years of experience in the international development sector and civil society. She leads NRGI’s Africa strategy, partnerships, programs on transition mineral governance and just energy tranistion , working with governments, civil society, and strategic partners to advance inclusive, equitable, and accountable resource governance. She is recognized for bridging high-level policy dialogue with on-the-ground impact and reshaping narratives on Africa’s extractive sector and energy transition. A 2014 Aspen New Voices Fellow, Nafi has written quite a bit about the extractive sector in Africa and holds degrees from the University of Reading, the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, and the University of Cape Coast. She is a steering committee member of the 2027 Africa Mining Indaba. 

Benedicta Lasi is a Ghanaian lawyer and development strategist who serves as Executive Chair of the African Trade Chamber (ATC), where she promotes private sector-led trade, investment, and regional integration, advancing frameworks aligned with the AfCFTA. She also serves as the Chair of the Executive Council of the Africa Governance Centre (AGC) and as a Senior Partner at Fitch Attorneys. With a background in law, political science, economic policy, and peace and security, she bridges governance and economic development to support inclusive transformation across the continent. Benedicta has a diverse expertise in transactional law, energy, infrastructure financing, telecommunications, international trade, and impact investing on the African continent. She also currently serves as the Chairperson of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Commission on Trade & Investment. 

Dr. Olufunso Somorin, Regional Principal Officer, coordinates the carbon market program at the African Development Bank, leading the strategic partnerships with public and private sectors on scaling carbon investments in Africa. He combines this with leading the climate change and green growth program in the 13 countries of Eastern African region. He also contributes to Bank’s program on climate policy frameworks, climate finance, nature/biodiversity finance, and green industrialization. Between 2013 and 2017, he coordinated the Bank’s work on addressing fragility and building resilience within the Horn of Africa.

Dr. Somorin has written more than 50 publications on climate policy. Somorin holds a PhD in International Environmental Policy from Wageningen University, the Netherlands. As an Erasmus Mundus scholar, he holds two MSc degrees in agriculture and forest policies. He is an executive education alumnus from Bradford, Cambridge, and Oxford Universities (UK), IE Business School, and University of California, Berkeley (USA). He gives guest-lectures at King’s College (UK) and Strathmore University (Kenya). He is a recipient of several awards and recognitions, including the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowships (US) for his work on climate policy in Africa.

Dr. Somorin is currently serving on the UN Secretary General’s Taskforce Expert Group on Net Zero Policy.

Ikal Ang’elei is an accomplished environmental activist. She is the co-founder and Director of Friends of Lake Turkana, a grassroots organisation dedicated to promoting social, economic, and environmental justice in the Lake Turkana Basin, one of Kenya’s most vital and vulnerable ecosystems.

Ikal holds a master’s degree in public policy and political science from Stony Brook University in New York. Her work has been internationally recognised, particularly for her advocacy on behalf of indigenous communities in Northern Kenya. In 2012, she was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her efforts to raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of the Gilgel Gibe III Dam, which posed significant threats to the livelihoods of local communities dependent on Lake Turkana.

She also serves as the Board Chair of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP). Through her leadership and activism, Ikal continues to champion environmental conservation and sustainable development, with a focus on empowering marginalised communities. Her commitment to justice and equity makes her a strong leader for ACEP as the organisation advances its mission to shape the governance of energy and extractive resources in Africa.

Ikal Ang’elei is an accomplished environmental activist. She is the co-founder and Director of Friends of Lake Turkana, a grassroots organisation dedicated to promoting social, economic, and environmental justice in the Lake Turkana Basin, one of Kenya’s most vital and vulnerable ecosystems.

Ikal holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Political Science from Stony Brook University in New York. Her work has been internationally recognised, particularly for her advocacy on behalf of indigenous communities in Northern Kenya. In 2012, she was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her efforts to raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of the Gilgel Gibe Ill Dam, which posed significant threats to the livelihoods of local communities dependent on Lake Turkana.

Through her leadership and activism, Ikal continues to champion environmental conservation and sustainable development, with a focus on empowering marginalised communities. Her commitment to justice and equity makes her a strong leader for ACEP as the organization advances its mission to shape the governance of energy and extractives resources in Africa.

Mkhululi Nkosilamandla Ncube is the Programmes Officer at the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), a specialized agency of the African Union. He provides strategic operational support and coordination for the implementation of the Africa Mining Vision and its Action Plan, as well as the minerals segment of the African Union Commodity Strategy.

Mkhululi currently leads the Li-Ion Afro-Hackathon Initiative as a demonstrable implementation of the African Green Minerals Strategy and also oversees the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) portfolio at AMDC, where he is currently leading the African Gemstone, Jewellery Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC) series – spurring multiple gemstone and jewellery events across the continent. With close to 20 years of minerals development experience, Mkhululi has held roles in development, knowledge management, and policy research at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Development Policy Management Forum (DPMF). His work has covered natural resources management, regional integration, trade, youth, and women empowerment. Additionally, Mkhululi has a separate background as a farmer, a small-scale mining beneficial owner, and an entrepreneur, having been recognized as a Start-upper of the Year and a multiple international finalist in community-based social enterprise competitions.

Vincent Egoro is the Executive Director of Energy Transition Africa (ETA), an independent Africa-led institution advancing the continent’s energy transition through research, leadership development and strategic convening. His work focuses on one central question: how Africa can build the people and institutions needed to deliver a competitive, inclusive and resilient energy transition. Through ETA, Vincent leads the production of evidence-based analysis, develops the next generation of energy transition leaders through the ETA Fellows Programme, and convenes policymakers, industry, researchers and development partners to strengthen the human infrastructure that underpins Africa’s energy future. Vincent has worked across energy transition, natural resource governance and climate policy for more than a decade, collaborating with governments, regional institutions, civil society and international partners across Africa. He is a TED speaker and is recognised for advancing practical conversations on how stronger leadership, institutions and technical expertise can translate Africa’s energy ambitions into industrial development, economic competitiveness and long-term prosperity. He believes Africa’s greatest energy opportunity will be determined not only by the resources it possesses, but by the capabilities it deliberately builds.

Rushaiya Ibrahim-Tanko is Global Policy Director at the Energy for Growth Hub and a lawyer with expertise in energy and natural resource governance, contract transparency, and public-sector accountability across emerging markets. Her work focuses on energy contract transparency, government engagement, utility governance, and the relationship between energy, mining, industrialization, and economic growth. She works with governments, policy institutions and civil society to strengthen power-sector governance, improve the design and oversight of energy contracts, and address the fiscal and investment risks associated with electricity markets.

Rushaiya previously worked with the Natural Resource Governance Institute and served as Technical Advisor to the UK-funded Strengthening Action Against Corruption program, where she contributed to transparency reforms including Ghana’s Companies Act, 2019 and beneficial ownership register. She has also practiced law in Ghana and served as Head of Research for Ghana’s 2024 Constitution Review Consultative Committee. She holds qualifications from the Ghana School of Law, Mountcrest University College, and the University of Ghana.

Senior executive with more than 20 years of experience across continental institutions and multinational organisations in Africa and Europe. Proven track record in green industrialisation, transition minerals and extractive industries, industrial policy, trade facilitation, market development, economic analysis, strategy, finance and resource mobilisation. Experienced in leading cross-functional teams, shaping policy-relevant and investable programme concepts, facilitating high-level stakeholder dialogue, and producing analytical and strategic outputs for governments, development partners and decision-makers.

Rachael A. O. Antwi is the Group Head of Sustainability, Environmental & Social Risk Management, and Sustainable Finance Governance at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, overseeing operations in 34 African markets and 38 countries. Her role integrates sustainability strategy and risk management within one of Africa’s largest banking groups. She has mobilized over USD 1.04 billion in sustainability-linked capital, including the USD 450 million Sustainable Agriculture & Natural Capital Bond, the first ICMA-designated Nature Bond from a commercial bank, listed on the London Stock Exchange in May 2026. Rachael has a background in corporate and investment banking at Absa Capital, contributing to Africa’s first platinum ETF and multiple ETF listings. She holds various qualifications, including an MBA and MSc from the University of Oxford, and serves as the ICMA Regional Deputy Chair for West Africa.

Dr Ketakandriana Rafitoson is a Malagasy political scientist, anti-corruption activist, and human rights defender who serves as the Global Executive Director for Resource Justice Network – formerly known as Publish What You Pay (PWYP), since 2024; and the Vice-Chair of Transparency International since 2023.

Her research and advocacy focus on just energy transition, good governance, democratization, citizens’ engagement, and women and youth’s empowerment. Fond of social justice, she holds a PhD in Political Science and another one in Sociology for Development. She lectures at the Catholic University of Madagascar and co-founded several social movements locally. Beyond her official roles, “Ke” also sits on the international boards of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) and the African Women Against Corruption Network (AWACN), and as a former TED Speaker, is the curator and founder of TEDx Manjakamiadana.

Donovan Chimhandamba is a visionary industrialist and founder of Nyanza Light Metals, a pioneering manufacturer of Titanium Dioxide and Energy Transition Materials including Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Zirconium Oxychloride (ZrOCl2), located in Richards Bay, South Africa. Holding a Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) degree in Industrial and Manufacturing and an MBA, Donovan has extensive experience including senior roles at Engen Petroleum Refinery (industrial engineer), PPC Cement (operations engineer), Vesuvius International (Manufacturing & Operations General Manager), National Empowerment Fund (Fund Manager – project preparation, project finance and private equity), and Group Five (Business Development). In 2011, he co-founded Arkein Capital Partners, establishing Nyanza Light Metals (2011), Razorite Healthcare Fund (2013, divested in 2015), Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (2016), and Transition Metal Industries (2023). As President and CEO of Nyanza Group, Donovan drives economic growth, job creation, and sustainability through innovative industrial projects focused on transforming Africa’s abundant mineral ores into high value products, earning him recognition as a thought leader in mineral beneficiation and value addition for Africa’s industrialization and energy transition.

George Chikondi Lwanda is Economic Adviser, Energy and Natural Resources, at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. He advises 56 member countries on mining, petroleum, critical minerals, fiscal regimes, revenue management and energy transition finance, with particular attention to small states and least developed countries. A development economist with 25 years across Sub-Saharan Africa, he served as UNDP’s regional adviser on extractive industries and natural resources governance, supporting 15 governments on mining policy reform, fiscal regime design, contract transparency and beneficial ownership. He co-authored the Country Mining Vision Guidebook, adopted by the African Union as the operational tool for turning the Africa Mining Vision into national action plans. He later headed the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in The Gambia, coordinating 21 UN agencies.

His earlier career spans the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Jobs Fund at South Africa’s National Treasury, the European Commission Delegation in Malawi and the Reserve Bank of Malawi. He holds an MSc in Economic Management and Policy from the University of Strathclyde and a postgraduate diploma in International Trade Law and Policy from the University of Cape Town. He is an Asia Global Fellow of the University of Hong Kong.

Charles spearheads research and advocacy initiatives focusing on various aspects of the climate change and energy transition landscape, such as the economics of the energy transition, the solar PV value chain, clean cooking, and methane management in Africa’s oil and gas sector. His expertise also extends to diverse projects in the extractive industry, covering topics like natural gas demand and supply dynamics in Ghana, local participation in the oil and gas sector, local labor absorption in Ghana’s extractive industry, and gender-responsive budgeting in mining-affected communities.

Charles’ research interests revolve around risk mitigation and investment decisions related to both utility-scale and small-scale renewable energy technologies in Africa. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Finance, with a specialization in Renewable Energy Investments, from the University of Ghana Business School.  Additionally, Charles holds a master’s degree in Operations Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Mathematics, both earned at the University of Ghana.

Jerry Ahadjie is a mining and natural resources specialist with 30 years of experience in mineral resource management, policy analysis, mineral sector regulation, investment promotion and development finance.

He is currently Chief Minerals Officer at the African Development Bank, supporting the Bank’s work on responsible mineral development, value addition, resource-based industrialisation, and implementation of the

AMV and Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy across Regional Member Countries, helping countries strengthen mineral governance and translate mineral endowments into sustainable development outcomes. Prior to the Bank, he worked with the Ghana Minerals Commission, rising to Deputy Manager for Sectoral Policy, Planning and Projects.

He holds a BSc (Hons) in Mining Engineering and an MSc in Mineral Exploration (GIS-based applications) from the University of Twente, Netherlands, plus several professional certificates in mineral policy and economics, development finance, mineral value chains, strategic management, mine closure and project management. He has authored and delivered numerous publications and presentations on Africa’s mining sector, particularly on mineral governance, value addition, critical minerals and sustainable resource-based development.