SITA 2025 SPEAKERS

Founder & CEO, Shenzhen Power-Solution & Solar Run Energy Xia (Susan) Li is a leading social entrepreneur advancing affordable clean energy for Bottom-of-the-Pyramid communities, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa. As Founder of Shenzhen Power-Solution and Solar Run Energy, she has delivered solar solutions to over 60 million people, replacing kerosene lighting, powering homes and appliances, and supporting climate-resilient livelihoods. A global voice for inclusive and sustainable innovation, she champions user-centered design, circular product principles, and local value creation, including solar manufacturing in Africa. Recognized as Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 by the Schwab Foundation and the World Economic Forum, Susan is reshaping energy access with scalable, life-changing solutions for vulnerable communities worldwide. Founder & CEO, Bafing Projects Sarah Bayoh is the Founder and CEO of Bafing Projects, a Swiss–Ivorian impact investment and project development firm bridging capital, culture, and innovation to accelerate Africa’s sustainable transformation. Through strategic partnerships with governments, investors, and local entrepreneurs, she leads initiatives spanning agriculture, renewable energy, film, and tourism, fostering inclusive growth and circular economies across West and Central Africa. A passionate advocate for diaspora engagement and women’s economic empowerment, Sarah champions investment models that balance profitability with legacy and social impact. Her work reflects a deep commitment to building resilient African economies driven by ancestral wisdom, modern innovation, and shared prosperity. Risk Philanthropy for Collective Impact Natsuno Shinagawa is a visionary feminist and social innovator committed to justice, trust, and human connection. She is the co-founder of Egregor, a pioneering risk-philanthropy organization proving that collaboration and mutual confidence can magnify social and environmental impact. With over a decade of experience across Africa, she has worked with Dalberg Advisors, the World Bank, a UN agency, and several NGOs. She also served as Head of Impact Evaluation at the Virunga Foundation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A speaker, writer, and podcast host, Natsuno continues to inspire through her work at the intersection of empathy and evidence. A World Bank Scholar and Oxford graduate in Public Policy, she speaks English, French, and Japanese, with additional knowledge of Spanish and Swahili. Minister Counsellor with the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the World Trade Organization (WTO) M. Ogwuche  plays a leading role in shaping Africa’s voice on global trade policy. With over 19 years of experience in negotiating, analysing, and designing trade and investment frameworks, he has become a key architect of Nigeria’s international trade strategy. He currently serves as the African Group Focal Point on WTO Agriculture negotiations, representing collective African interests in one of the most strategic and sensitive areas of global trade. Mr. Sunday also represents Nigeria in the WTO Councils for Trade in Goods and Services, as well as in key Joint Statement Initiatives on E-Commerce, Investment Facilitation, MSMEs, and Domestic Regulation of Services. A graduate of the University of Bern (Master’s in International Law and Economics, Magna Cum Laude) and the University of Jos (B.Sc. in Business Management, Second Class Upper), he brings together academic excellence and real-world expertise to promote inclusive and equitable trade. International development expert and cross-cultural strategist Minh is devoted to fostering collaboration between African institutions and global partners. With over 15 years of experience spanning international diplomacy, sustainability, and social innovation, she has led impactful programs that strengthen cooperation, promote gender inclusion, and advance circular economy practices across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Her career reflects a deep commitment to rebalancing global partnerships , ensuring that local expertise, indigenous knowledge, and cultural intelligence are recognised as essential components of sustainable development. Minh has worked with multilateral organisations, NGOs, and private sector coalitions to design frameworks that connect communities, investors, and policymakers around shared goals of prosperity and environmental responsibility. A passionate advocate for South–South and triangular cooperation, she champions an approach to international collaboration grounded in mutual respect, equity, and long-term impact. Her work bridges worlds, combining policy insight with on-the-ground experience, and embodies the belief that meaningful transformation happens when cultures learn from one another. Humanitarian Innovator & Social EntrepreneurMaster of Ceremony  SITA à Genève 2025 John Ede is a humanitarian innovator and social entrepreneur known for his commitment to transforming how the world approaches aid and development. He is the Founder and CEO of Ohaha Family Foundation, a Nigeria-based organisation working to empower vulnerable communities through education, food security, and skills development initiatives. With over a decade of experience in humanitarian work, John has become a strong voice for reforming the global aid system, advocating for sustainability, dignity, and economic inclusion in place of dependency. His work bridges compassion with entrepreneurship, bringing practical solutions to long-standing social challenges. Recognised by the United Nations and international media for his innovative approach to social impact, John represents a new generation of African leaders who are reimagining the meaning of development. At SITA à Genève 2025, he will serve as Master of Ceremony, guiding conversations with his trademark mix of insight, humour, and humanity, setting the tone for a forum that moves from aid to agency. Partner, Clean Valley Capital (CVCap) Paul Walentynovicz is a seasoned M&A and cross-border transactions expert with extensive experience across Poland and Western Europe. At Clean Valley Capital (CVCap), he leads strategic advisory initiatives connecting institutional capital with emerging technologies and sustainable infrastructure. With a focus on energy security, biodiversity protection, and green finance, Paul helps design innovative investment frameworks that balance profitability with long-term environmental and social impact. His work reflects CVCap’s global mission to build economic resilience through transformative, sustainability-driven projects. Professor of Practice of International Relations, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva Prof. Délidji Eric Dégila is a governance and international relations specialist with extensive experience across Africa, Europe, and the multilateral system. At the Graduate Institute of Geneva, he leads research and teaching on African governance models, institutional reform, and sustainable development policy. A thought leader and policy advisor, Prof. Dégila explores the intersection between global governance, security, and development, emphasizing Africa’s role in shaping new paradigms of cooperation and innovation. His insights bridge academic rigor with real-world

Invest in Leisure and Cultural Ventures

  Let’s face it, culture is capital. And Africa? Well, it has the largest, most vibrant pool of young people, full of energy, ideas, and a thirst for something to call their own. Remember when you were young and how crucial it was to have a little fun? It’s through play and creativity that we learned everything, from tying our shoes to reading our first words. Fun is the best teacher, and it’s what makes the absence of everything else bearable. Now, here’s the thing: When young Africans are asked why they’re leaving the continent, they mention corruption, poor infrastructure, and a lack of opportunities. But when you ask what would make them stay? They talk about comfort, business infrastructure, and leisure. It’s no surprise, when they land in Paris, the first selfies are in front of the Eiffel Tower or Champs-Élysées. We can do that in Africa, but bigger, better, and in ways that only we can! Our young people are hungry for the chance to enjoy their youth, to create, and to have the space to recreate themselves. They’ll turn their creativity into businesses and, yes, they’ll spend their money enjoying it. Why? Because quality leisure is the food for a young mind. So, whether you’re thinking about investing in an amusement park, a film studio, cultural celebrations or tourism real estate, we have the opportunities. And trust me, Africa is ready for it. Africa’s stories, rhythms, art, and aesthetics are unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else. Join us at SITA 2025 where we’re showcasing some seriously investible projects in creative hubs, fashion platforms, heritage tourism, and festivals. Support a sector where creativity is the heartbeat of the economy. Let’s create a future where the world comes to Africa to have fun and invest in the process! Support a sector where creativity drives economy.

Fish Farming

  🚀 Ready to be part of the future of fish farming in Côte d’Ivoire? 🌍 While Côte d’Ivoire is spending a jaw-dropping 736 million dollars annually on frozen fish imports, our beautiful coastline and clean rivers remain underutilized. But guess what? The tech is here, and the opportunity is now! At Bafing Projects, we’re transforming this untapped potential into impactful circular economy projects. From Etueboué to Adzopé, Touba, and Grand-Lahou, we’re building the future of sustainable fish farming, combining it with agriculture to meet the rising demand for local fish – and we need YOU to be part of it! 🌱🐟 💡 This is your chance to make a real difference, help us reshape the industry and end reliance on imports. Get involved, or better yet, come meet us at SITA 2025 in Geneva (November 13-14), where we’ll be unveiling the blueprint for these game-changing projects. Your milk cow (yes, we’re talking serious opportunity) is right here, don’t miss out! Invest in our fish farming ventures in Etuéboué, Grand Lahou or Touba. Reach out at info@bafing.ch for more informations.

Humanity is a plague!

  I had a 10-minute, tear-provoking conversation… with a dodo. We explored the tragic overlap between her story and my work. She told me that just 60 years after first contact with humans, her entire species was gone. Gone. That’s what we are, a plague! In my mother tongue, a traditional blessing says: “May you be a blessing to all who cross your path.” And yet for wildlife, crossing our path is often a death sentence. Capitalism has failed the Earth and even humanity. It’s time to unlearn what we’ve been taught about hoarding resources. It’s time to stop exploiting and start co-creating. Time to trade domination for partnership, scarcity for shared abundance. This is why my sisters, my friends, my co-conspirators Yvonne Apiyo Brändle- Amolo and Asma Derja show up every day, to ensure technology does not deepen inequality, does not fuel mass murders, and does not serve the destruction of this planet we all share. We won’t let AI leave Africa behind and we won’t let Africa be left out of AI. Our languages will be spoken. Our solutions will rise. And our sacred humanity will guide every line of code we touch. This conversation must happen. And it will, at SITA à Genève. Because while we grow food to end hunger, we must also grow conscience to prevent technological injustice. For bold, honest, and solution-driven discussions, come to SITA. We are not just imagining the future, we’re shaping it. Get your tickets here: www.bafing.ch and save the date: November 13-14, 2025 in Geneva. Picture of Yvonne Apiyo Brändle- Amolo, Sarah Bayoh, Asma Derja and Emerald Agulanna showing what ethics look like at AI for Good.

The extinction of dodos, representation and authenticity

Dodos are extinct, but a light perfume of their spirit lingers… A legacy left behind for the inhabitants of this planet. By the magic of technology, Harry Yeff has given a voice to the sacred spirit of lost souls. And what a voice. A female voice, with that singing Mauritian accent that gives her English its musicality and depth. Although the message was impossible to ignore, I found myself wondering: Would I have been moved just as deeply if her voice had sounded different? What if she had spoken with a British accent? Would I have still listened, with the same attention, without that sound of authenticity? This is why representation matters in technology. Mimicking an accent is only the tip of the iceberg, but it’s a start. It opens the way for conversations to take unfamiliar paths. Paths that don’t center Western comfort or downplay historical responsibility. They simply exist, in their universal truth and honesty. A few months ago, my sister and friend Liza Brenda Sekaggya made me realize something. I don’t code-switch anymore. For those unfamiliar, code-switching is when we, minorities, strip away our cultural identity to blend into the mainstream, especially around non-melanated people. It wasn’t intentional, but I can trace the end of my code-switching to the start of my journey with Bafing Projects. My authentic self didn’t need adjusting. So I accepted that I would not be for the lazy. If my accent is hard to hear, listen harder. I’m already speaking your language, that’s half the work. You can do the rest. Investing in Africa should follow the same rule. We will not strip our ambition of what makes it us, just to make it more palatable. Instead, we’ll show you the value rooted in service, community, and the preservation of nature. If you’re not ready to listen, You’re not our people. And that’s okay.