Speakers

MOONSHOT 2026

We’re bringing together some of the most audacious thinkers and doers in African tech, working on everything from fintech to commerce, energy, Web3 and AI, telco, cloud and more.

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Douglas Kendyson

Founder & CEO, Selar

STARTUP FESTIVAL

Douglas Kendyson is the Founder and CEO of Selar, one of Africa’s leading platforms for digital entrepreneurs, enabling creators to sell digital products, courses, memberships, and services to customers around the world. Since launching Selar in 2016, he has helped millions of creators build sustainable online businesses and access global markets through seamless digital commerce.

Before founding Selar, Douglas built his expertise in fintech and payments at Flutterwave and Paystack, where he worked on scaling digital payment infrastructure across Africa. His experience inspired him to create a platform that removes barriers to digital entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

Today, Douglas is a leading voice on the creator economy, digital commerce, and the future of work in Africa, championing technology that empowers entrepreneurs to monetize their skills and thrive in the global digital economy.

linkedin.com/in/gbagboola

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Douglas Kendyson

Founder & CEO, Selar
Kola Masha

Managing Director and Co-founder of Babban Gona

CLEAN/CLIMATE TECH

Kola Masha is Managing Director and Co-founder of Babban Gona, an agricultural technology and impact company using finance, data, and technology to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Africa. Under his leadership, Babban Gona has served more than 500,000 smallholder farmers and developed an Agri-Finance as a Service (AFaaS) platform that combines AI, biometrics, credit scoring, enterprise resource planning, and predictive analytics to expand access to agricultural finance.

An engineer by training, Kola began his career at 3M and General Electric before serving as CEO of a subsidiary of the Notore Group, where he led commercial strategy across West and Central Africa. He has also served as Senior Advisor to Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and was the first leader of a for-profit social enterprise to receive the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship. He holds degrees from MIT and Harvard.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Kola Masha

Senior Reporter, Bloomberg News
Ebuka Arinze

Chief Product Officer, Kredete

Ebuka Arinze is Chief Product Officer at Kredete, an AI-native stablecoin infrastructure company building the middleware for real-time global money movement. He leads product strategy across Kredete’s full platform, helping African immigrants and diaspora communities build credit, send money home, and access modern financial tools built for how they actually live.

A results-oriented product leader, Ebuka’s focus spans product leadership, agile development, and team building, with a track record of driving innovation and impactful growth at scale. Under his leadership, Kredete’s product has grown to serve over 6.5 million users across 200+ countries, processing $20 billion in annualized payments volume, with the company having raised $25 million in funding to date.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Ebuka Arinze

Chief Product Officer, Kredete
Mercy Emmanuel

Stablecoin/Blockchain Commercial Lead, Flutterwave

EMERGING TECH

“Mercy Emmanuel is the Stablecoin/Blockchain Commercial Lead at Flutterwave, where she leads the development and growth of the company’s stablecoin business. Her work focuses on identifying practical use cases for stablecoins, shaping go-to-market strategies, building partnerships, and driving adoption of stablecoin-powered payment solutions across Flutterwave’s markets.

With over eight years of experience across technology, fintech, blockchain, e-commerce, and financial services, Mercy has built a career at the intersection of growth, marketing, partnerships, and emerging technology. Her experience spans product marketing, business development, market research, and go-to-market strategy, with a focus on translating complex technologies into solutions that create meaningful value for customers and businesses.

Before joining Flutterwave, Mercy served as Growth and Operations Manager at Binance, where she oversaw market research and emerging market trends while supporting the company’s regional expansion efforts. She currently sits on the board of Sentz Global and has held leadership roles at organisations including CARS45, DealDey, and Xend Finance, leading growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, and marketing programmes across emerging markets.

With a background in law and a strong interest in technology and innovation, Mercy brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work, combining commercial strategy and market intelligence to help build and scale products in rapidly evolving markets”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Mercy Emmanuel

Stablecoin/Blockchain Commercial Lead, Flutterwave
Tayo Oviosu

Founder & Group CEO, Paga

FUTURE OF COMMERCE

Tayo Oviosu is the Founder, Group CEO, and Executive Chairman of Paga Group, one of Africa’s leading financial technology companies. A serial entrepreneur and investor, he has led Paga’s mission to simplify payments and expand financial access for millions of individuals and businesses across the continent.

Before founding Paga, Tayo held leadership roles at Travant Capital Partners, a West African private equity firm, and Cisco Systems in Silicon Valley, where he focused on corporate development and strategy. His work has earned global recognition, including CNBC’s West Africa Entrepreneur of the Year, and he is an Endeavor Entrepreneur.

Beyond Paga, Tayo is an active angel investor and co-founder of Kairos Angels, supporting the next generation of African entrepreneurs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Tayo Oviosu

Founder & Group CEO, Paga
Samuel Kigo

Senior Manager, Data, Analytics & AI, Kenya Airways PLC

Samuel Kigo is a data and AI leader at Kenya Airways PLC, where he spearheads the airline’s data science strategy, advanced analytics, machine learning operations, and AI-driven decision-making.

Under his leadership, the Data Science & Analytics team has deployed ten AI agents across the business, achieving approximately 90% reduction in manual effort, and launched RedTail, an AI knowledge assistant now serving over 900 active users. A passionate advocate for AI literacy, Samuel has driven training for 150+ staff (rated 4.7/5) and championed the adoption of enterprise AI tools across the organisation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Samuel Kigo

Senior Manager, Data, Analytics & AI, Kenya Airways PLC
Emeka Afigbo

Convener, Africa Deep Tech Foundation

EMERGING TECH

Chukwuemeka “Emeka” Afigbo is the Convener of the Africa Deep Tech Foundation (ADTF), which builds structured pathways for African technologists working on frontier innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotech and robotics. Through the Africa Deep Tech Challenge, the Africa Deep Tech Conference in Lagos, and initiatives such as the Laptop LLM Challenge for offline AI, ADTF connects builders, researchers, investors and policymakers across the continent and its diaspora.

He is also Senior Director of Developer Success at Okta, the San Francisco-based identity security company. He previously spent several years at Facebook (now Meta), driving its global developer community programs strategy and leading Platform Partnerships for the Middle East and Africa. Before that, he led developer programs across Sub-Saharan Africa at Google. He holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a Master’s in Technology Innovation Management from Carleton University, and an MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Emeka Afigbo

Convener, Africa Deep Tech Foundation
Eugene Uka

Interim CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria & Africa Data Centres

BIG TECH/ENTERPRISE

Eugene Uka is a technology executive with nearly two decades of experience scaling digital infrastructure, networks, data centres, cloud services, and AI capabilities across Africa. He currently serves as Interim CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria and Africa Data Centres, where he leads market operations, strategic execution, and stakeholder engagement for Cassava Technologies in Nigeria.

Eugene has played a role in shaping Nigeria’s digital infrastructure landscape, including contributing to the development of the National AI Strategy and the framework for the Sovereign Cloud Initiative. His expertise spans digital infrastructure, cloud adoption, digital sovereignty, enterprise transformation, and subsea and terrestrial connectivity.

He holds an MBA from the University of South Wales and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Statistics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Eugene Uka

Interim CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria & Africa Data Centres
Kelvin Muriuki

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Taka Earth

CLEAN/CLIMATE TECH

Kelvin Muriuki is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Taka Earth, a climate technology enterprise developing intelligent waste management infrastructure and advanced data analytics systems across East Africa. Under his strategic leadership, Taka Earth designs and deploys AI-enabled smart bin networks that monitor waste streams in real time. These solutions deliver critical circular economy analytics, verified ESG reporting, and comprehensive resource traceability to enterprise clients, educational institutions, and industrial partners.

Operating at the intersection of hardware engineering, climate innovation, and digital transparency, Kelvin focuses on transitioning urban and industrial waste operations from reactive logistics to data-driven resource recovery networks. His initiatives enable corporate brands and facility managers to fulfill statutory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates, derive actionable consumer insights from waste patterns, and achieve measurable carbon reductions.

Kelvin brings over 15 years of technology and data leadership experience to his role. Prior to founding Taka Earth in 2022, he held key positions at prominent technology and media organizations, including Cellulant, Mdundo, Radio Africa Group, and Africori.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Kelvin Muriuki

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Taka Earth
Kopano Cowen

Chief Executive Officer, Connect Channel

Kopano Cowen is a South African media executive, producer, and creative strategist with more than 20 years of experience across Africa’s media and entertainment industry. Her expertise spans content acquisitions and rights management, creative development, licensing, production, OTT distribution, and executive leadership.

As CEO and Executive Producer of Connect Channel, Kopano has developed and produced some of South Africa’s most successful unscripted formats, including Married at First Sight Mzansi, Our Perfect Wedding, and Date My Family. She has also executive produced a Netflix reality series in Kenya.

Passionate about developing the next generation of creative leaders, Kopano has lectured in unscripted content and format development at AFDA and Vega School. In 2025, she joined the inaugural GIBS Executive Programme in Media Leadership, focused on strengthening strategic and commercial leadership in Africa’s evolving media landscape.

linkedin.com/in/gbagboola

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Kopano Cowen

Chief Executive Officer, Connect Channel
Tolulope Omoleye-Osindero

Founder and Managing Partner, Fluxis Capital

FUEL: THE INVESTOR CONFERENCE

Tolulope Omoleye-Osindero is Founder and Managing Partner of Fluxis Capital, a venture credit firm providing non-dilutive debt financing to revenue-generating technology companies across African markets. She brings over 16 years of experience in structured finance and law, with expertise spanning private credit, venture finance, digital banking, risk and compliance, and cross-border growth.

Previously, she served as Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance at Branch International, where she supported expansion, debt fundraising, and risk and compliance across the US, India, and African markets. Earlier, she led structured, corporate, and venture finance at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, advising DFIs, funds, and banks on large-scale financings. She holds an MSc in Law and Finance from Queen Mary University of London and is completing an Executive MBA at London Business School.

linkedin.com/in/gbagboola

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Tolulope Omoleye-Osindero

Founder and Managing Partner, Fluxis Capital
Ayo Arikawe

Co-Founder, ThriveAgric

CLEAN/CLIMATE TECH

Ayo Arikawe is the Co-Founder of ThriveAgric, an agricultural technology company that is passionate about ensuring food security and productivity in Africa by empowering smallholder farmers through its flagship proprietary product: Agricultural Operating System (AOS).

To date, ThriveAgric has partnered with several organizations to unlock over $200m in financing for farmers, working with over 1 million farmers across 5 African countries.

Ayo serves as a mentor to Google Launchpad, was a top 10 African Business Hero by the African Business Heroes, and was the winner of the 2022 Visa Everywhere Initiative. He’s also a venture partner at Velocity Digital and Kaleo, two early-stage investment firms that have backed over 100 companies, including companies like Terra Industries and Chowdeck.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Ayo Arikawe

Co-Founder, ThriveAgric
Biola Alabi

Partner, Delta40 Venture Studio

FUEL: THE INVESTOR CONFERENCE

Biola Alabi is a Partner at Delta40 Venture Studio, an African venture studio and fund that builds and invests in early-stage climate innovations across energy, mobility, and agriculture. She is also a General Partner at Acasia Ventures, a VC fund investing in fintech, SaaS, and e-commerce enablers across North and Sub-Saharan Africa. With over 20 years of experience as an investor, venture builder, founder, and media executive, she has backed more than 50 startups across climate tech, fintech, health, and the creative economy. She also serves on the boards of Pulse Africa, Akili Network, and the Lagos Angel Network, where she is Deputy Chair.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Biola Alabi

Partner, Delta40 Venture Studio
Takuma Terakubo

CEO & General Partner, UNCOVERED FUND

FUEL: THE INVESTOR CONFERENCE

UNCOVERED FUND is an Africa-focused venture capital firm. As a university student, he interned at Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, where he worked on microfinance and subsidiary businesses, gaining firsthand experience in impact-driven business and venture creation in emerging markets at the Nobel Peace Prize–winning institution.

He joined Samurai Incubate in 2014, supporting startups and large corporations across Japan and Israel in launching and scaling new ventures. In September 2019, he founded UNCOVERED FUND, which now manages two funds with 36 portfolio companies. He also co-founded Zaribee in Kenya, a motorcycle-focused asset financing company, serving as a board director until the business was successfully exited to WASSHA Inc. at the end of 2025.

linkedin.com/in/gbagboola

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Takuma Terakubo

CEO & General Partner, UNCOVERED FUND
Yinka Ibukun

Senior Reporter, Bloomberg News

Yinka Ibukun is a senior reporter for Bloomberg News, covering economic trends, sustainability, and equality issues across Africa. Her reporting has ranged from Nigeria’s solar boom to Senegal’s social-media-powered youth protests, drawing on more than 15 years covering West Africa. Yinka wrote for Reuters and The Associated Press before joining Bloomberg in 2015. She holds an MSc in Sustainable Development Studies from the University of Sussex and speaks fluent French.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Yinka Ibukun

Senior Reporter, Bloomberg News
Idris Bello

Managing Partner, LoftyInc Capital

FUEL: THE INVESTOR CONFERENCE

Idris Bello is the Managing Partner of LoftyInc Capital, a Pan-African venture capital firm, and a prominent angel investor and startup advisor. An advocate for African entrepreneurship, he founded the Afropreneurs Angels Group, a global network of more than 100 African executives across health, financial services, energy, agriculture, technology, and venture capital.

Recognised by CNN as one of Africa’s Top Ten Technology Voices, Idris is also a Singularity University Impact Fellow and serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited.

His career spans technology, energy, consumer goods, and healthcare, with experience at organisations including Procter & Gamble, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative. He is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Houston, the University of Oxford, and Rice University.

linkedin.com/in/gbagboola

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Idris Bello

Managing Partner, LoftyInc Capital
Temilade Salami

Founder and Creative Director, Tuntunre | Climate and Sustainability Expert

CREATIVE ECONOMY

Temilade Salami is a climate education and sustainability expert, author, and the Founder and Creative Director of Tuntunre, a circular fashion brand transforming discarded denim into functional, long-lasting clothing and accessories. Through Tuntunre, she is working to build one of Africa’s leading circular denim hubs while creating practical solutions to textile waste.

With nearly a decade of experience in climate education, communications, and youth engagement, Temilade has led projects across 26 African countries and worked with organisations including UNESCO and the Global Partnership for Education. Her work sits at the intersection of sustainability, enterprise, storytelling, and African innovation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Temilade Salami

Founder and Creative Director, Tuntunre | Climate and Sustainability Expert
Dayo Odulate-Ademola

Managing Director, Branch International in Nigeria

FUTURE OF COMMERCE

Dayo Odulate-Ademola is the Managing Director of Branch International in Nigeria, where she leads the company’s operations, growth, and market strategy. Since taking on the role in 2021, she has driven Branch’s growth towards profitability and sustainability while overseeing teams across key business functions.

Prior to Branch, Dayo was Head of Innovation at EFInA, where she managed a multi-million-dollar innovation fund supporting financial service providers and fintech startups working to deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria. She has also held roles at Union Bank, MainOne, and Rosetta Stone.

With more than 15 years of experience across technology, fintech, banking, and financial inclusion, Dayo specialises in business strategy, innovation, product development, customer segmentation, and performance management. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Economics from Temple University and a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Dayo Odulate-Ademola

Managing Director, Branch International in Nigeria
Tito Cookey-Gam

Principal, Partech Partners

Tito Cookey-Gam is a Principal at Partech Partners, where he established the firm’s Lagos office.
At Partech Africa, he focuses on growth-stage investments across Africa. Tito has worked in venture capital, private equity and advisory.

At Global Ventures, ARM and Crasner Capital. Over the last decade, he has been directly involved in the deployment of over $100m+ in equity and debt on the continent.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Tito Cookey-Gam

Principal, Partech Partners
Adetayo Bamiduro

CEO & Co-founder, MAX

EMERGING TECH

Adetayo is the CEO at MAX. He leads the team, sets strategic direction, and drives partnerships at MAX.
He studied Computer Science at the University of Ibadan, where he built one of Nigeria’s first mobility platforms. He moved on to build a stellar career as a Software Engineer, Product Manager and Management Consultant at leading companies such as the UAC Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, NLNG (a Shell subsidiary), Konga.com and Dalberg.

Adetayo previously delivered a Production Optimization Platform that generated $100M in revenue in Year 1 of operation. He studied for his MBA at the MIT Sloan School and London Business School from 2013 to 2015.
While at MIT, he co-founded MAX alongside Chinedu Azodoh. Adetayo is now focused on building MAX into a Unicorn.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemi-olajide-49907432/

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Adetayo Bamiduro

CEO & Co-founder, MAX