Balcha Reba has over 16 years of experience in Telecommunications regulation

Currently, he is the Director General of the Ethiopian Communications Authority, which is a National Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Postal sector 

George William Nyombi Thembo is an Economist and a seasoned Corporate Executive with experience in public service spanning more than 30 years.
Thembo has in-depth knowledge and diverse background in ICT policy, public policy and administration, and regulatory leadership in communications sector. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

Nyombi Thembo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Social Administration from Makerere University, a Master’s Degree in Development Economics from Uganda Martyrs University, Postgraduate Diplomas in Project Management from Bradford University in the UK, and Financial Management from the Uganda Management Institute. Additionally, he possesses various Certifications in ICT Policy, Public Utility Regulation, Investment Analysis, Public-Private Partnerships and Railway Transport and Logistics.

Nyombi’s professional journey includes notable roles such as Director of the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), Senior Economist with Uganda Railways Corporation, Projects Coordinator of the World Bank financed Transport Rehabilitation Project (Railways Component). Thembo has also worked closely with major financing agencies like the African Development Bank, DANIDA and KFW as Projects Coordinator.

On political side, Thembo has held Ministerial responsibilities in Primary Education, Luwero Triangle (Ministry responsible for the areas where the liberation struggle 1981-86 took place), and Information and
Communications Technology during his illustrious tour of duty as a Member of Parliament for 15 years. Nyombi Thembo has also taught Economics at high school (Principles of Economics) and university level (Managerial Economics, Microeconomics, and Project Planning). Thembo was also a Councilor of Kampala Capital City where he was the Finance and Administration Committee Chair for eight years. Outside his professional endeavors, Nyombi was a performing artist, play wright, producer, and artistic director. He is a family man, conservationist, and promoter of eco-friendly tourism in Uganda.

Tigist Kebede is an experienced entrepreneur specializing in the media, entertainment and telecommunications sectors. Throughout her career she has been driven by a passion for the Arts and Culture and combining this with emerging technologies and the best possible user experience for customers.

As Co-Founder and Operations Director of habeshaview, Tigist is responsible for leading habeshaview, one of the fastest growing streaming entertainment services in Ethiopia and with the Ethiopian diaspora community worldwide focusing on promoting and developing the culture and skills of Ethiopian content creators and bringing them to the global community.

In May 2023 habeshaview became the first IPTV service provide to enter the Ethiopian market in partnership with ethio telcom to provide rich and varied content with live international and national news channels, entertainment channels, video on demand, sport, audio channels and much more to ethio telcom’s customers.

Besides being a streaming service, habeshaview is also the first international film distributor currently for Ethiopian made content, taking selected films to international festivals and theatrical release in Europe and North America to promote good quality and original Ethiopian films worldwide.

habeshaview has co-produced feature length films and limited series and building on this experience is in the process of commissioning further original content in collaboration with talented film makers from Ethiopia. With time habeshaview will also be working with a broader range of content creators in the rest of the African continent.

Under Tigist’s leadership and building on the experience of serving the Ethiopian community, habeshaview has expanded into developing advance technology and user-friendly platform and mobile apps to provide a premium viewing experience that include live news channels, entertainment channels, audio channels, with a catch-up service and view on demand (VOD) with subtitled and monetarizing option to suit the Pan African market . The white label OTT / IPTV platform is currently licensed out to third party network operators, telcom and license holders to brand and customise with their own
colour and logo.

Outside of habeshaview, Tigist’s passion is supporting charities worldwide from volunteering in small and medium size charities to being on boards of trustees in national and local charities in the United Kingdom. As well as donating her time, Tigist has raised significant amount of funds for charities in Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, and the Philippines and continues to do so.

Menen is a highly accomplished sales professional, well regarded within the technology industry for
her 16 years of exceptional performance. Her career highlights include achieving over $400 million in
sales in 2015 while associated with Ericsson, one of the largest mobile vendors globally. Menen’s ability
to continually generate repeat business, notably at SES Video, underscores her profound understanding of both customer needs and the latest technological advancements, enabling her to
consistently exceed expectations and deliver superior service.

Beyond her sales expertise, Menen is deeply committed to building and nurturing strong, trust-based
relationships with each of her clients. This dedication is complemented by her solid academic background, which includes a degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s in business administration. Her academic contributions include a well-received research paper published in the International Journal of Process Management-New Technologies.

In 2020, Menen led her team to secure a significant share of the video market in Ethiopia, successfully
reaching an audience of approximately 10 million TV households. This achievement marks a key milestone in her career as she continues to expand her professional reach across Eastern Africa, aiming
to bring further success to her company in the coming years.

Menen is known for her dynamic and decisive nature, skillfully integrating industry insights with technical knowledge to drive innovation and growth. Her leadership and strategic vision make her a respected figure in the technology sector and an asset to any enterprise aiming to strengthen its market presence.

Wim Vanhelleputte is the CEO of Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC, a purpose-led technology and communication company committed to contributing to Ethiopia’s digital transformation and inclusion objectives.

Since taking the helm on 01 September 2023, Wim is responsible for steering the Safaricom Ethiopia team towards a profound mission – the transformation of lives through a digital future for all Ethiopians.

Wim has gained deep industry knowledge through his extensive leadership experience over the past 25 years in the telecommunications industry, serving in multiple markets across Sub-Saharan Africa.

In his most recent role, Wim served as the Operations Executive Markets at MTN Group where he orchestrated the performance and governance of four MTN operating companies across West and Central Africa. Prior to this role, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer at MTN Uganda, where he spearheaded the strong recovery of the company, through double-digit year-on-year revenue growth, increasing margins, and transforming the brand’s perception from old and tired to young and dynamic.

Wim’s dynamic journey through the telecommunications landscape also saw him assume the mantle of CEO at MTN Côte d’Ivoire for more than six years. He transformed the company from a GSM-only operator into the number one fully integrated telecom player in Côte d’Ivoire following the successful launch of mobile money, mobile data, and FTTx. Throughout his career, he has held executive positions, including Chief Executive Officer at Sentel GSM in Senegal, Managing Director of TchadMobile in Chad, and General Manager at Telcel Gabon.

He began his career as an Associate Engineer at Westinghouse Energy Systems Europe in the Czech Republic, before venturing into diverse global roles at Siemens Atea, including Project Engineer in Zimbabwe and Residential Project Manager in Gabon.

His academic prowess matches Wim’s professional achievements, with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Nuclear and Solid-State Physics, both conferred by the State University of Ghent, Belgium. He also holds a Special Degree in Power Plant Management from the Free University of Brussels.

Wim’s leadership journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to advancing the telecommunications industry and fostering digital transformation for communities across Africa.

Wim is happily married with two children.

Maurice Mugisha is a seasoned broadcaster, a corporate communications and marketing expert with over 20 years experience in the broadcast industry.

Maurice is currently the Deputy Managing Director, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, in charge of the Television and Radio Division, a role he has been in since December 2018.

Prior to this, Maurice served in different positions at the Nation Media Group, NMG, under the NTV Uganda and NTV Kenya brands of the Group. His last position at NMG was, Head of News/Editor in Chief with NTV Uganda.

His broadcast and journalism career started at a private TV Station, WBS TV (2003 – 2006) as News Anchor and Reporter. Maurice is farming enthusiast and an environmentalist.

Gary Shaw, born on November 6, 1961, in Kendall, UK, is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology innovator with a diverse career spanning decades. Educated at William Rhodes School in Chesterfield, UK, Gary graduated in 1979 before pursuing studies in Business at Birmingham University from 1979 to 1981.

In the early ’80s, Gary entered the media industry, making significant contributions. He served as a Commercial Representative at United Newspapers from 1981 to 1984 and later joined Johnson Press PLC. Starting as the Manager of Derbyshire Times Newspaper, he ascended to become the Commercial Director of GCBrittain, overseeing 17 regional newspapers in the UK.

In 1994, Gary founded HughesRae, an early-stage Internet Service Application build business. The company developed pioneering Internet applications for global enterprises in banking, pharmaceuticals, and media. Notable clients included Janssen Cilag, Boehringer Ingelheim, Siemens, HSBC, Barclays, Prudential, and Wembley Plc.

Successfully selling HughesRae to Morse PLC for $12 million in 1999, Gary then led Morse PLC’s Software division, growing it to 600 employees by 2001. In 2002, he established St-Enodoc, a global provider of lottery and gaming solutions. GTECH Corporation acquired 90 percent of St Enodoc Holdings Limited in 2008 for €28 million, marking GTECH’s entry into online gaming.

Remaining with GTECH, rebranded as IGT globally, Gary served as Chief Innovation Officer until 2015, working in New York, California (Silicon Valley), and Oregon.
In 2015, Gary founded Nektan, a mobile Ecommerce Platform. Nektan traded as a listed business until 2019, when it was sold as a going concern to Capricorn Capital, a global private equity firm managing approximately $8 billion in assets. The business was rebranded as Markortech.com.

In 2020, Gary relocated to Africa, engaging in Ecommerce projects in Ethiopia with the government. Playing a pivotal role in implementing an IPTV solution in collaboration with Ethio Telecom, Gary established a partnership with Mware, delivering the solution in Ethiopia.
In 2023, Gary moved to Rwanda to collaborate with the RBA on a commercial OTT solution set to launch in January 2024. Gary Shaw continues to contribute significantly to the intersection of technology, commerce, and innovation globally.

Daniel Belayneh is a graduate in Political Science and International Relations. He has held executive positions in various government and local and international NGOs in Ethiopia and Canada.

He has worked as: Head of International NGOs Dept. for the Ethiopian Government; Country Director for World Organization for Educational Resources and Technological Training (World ORT Union); and Counselor at the City of Toronto Community and Neighborhood Services in Canada.

He has later worked as General Manager and Management Executive for private business companies in hospitality management and international coffee export. In extracurricular engagement, he is a Book Reviewer of historical and biographical literature, and also running a 15,000 member book and literature review club he established 11 years ago.

Currently, he is the Chief Executive Officer of African Renaissance Television Service (ARTS TV). He also produces and hosts ARTS TV programs such as: “Horn of African Digest” and “Diplomats’ Corner.”

Mohammed Hassen Awol is an accomplished Ethiopian author and journalist with a BA in Foreign Language and Literature from Addis Ababa University and MBA master of Business administration (candidate)

From LEADSTAR COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP. His journalism career includes positions at Addis Press Newspaper, where he rose from editor to editor-in-chief, as well as roles at Radio Fana and Ethiomihdar Newspaper. He managed a Tech Science TV show for an organization called STIC.

Over the past ten years, he has transitioned to digital journalism and blogging, running his own platforms on Facebook, YouTube, and Telegram. Mohammed has also authored two books, “SEWYEW”, biography of Ethiopia’s PM and “YEDAGNACHEW HASABOCH” Not to mention the soon to be released historical book, I’M A SOLDIER. Currently, he serves as the CEO of Walta Media and Communication Corporate, a media company which is transformed into one of the most popular media institutions in the country on his watch.

For 24 years, Mike Strano has continually explored the Creative Business of Africa. Since  moving to Eastern Africa, from Australia in 1998, Mike and his Team have Built one of best known Entertainment Companies in Africa – PHAT! Music & Entertainment Limited, with  interests in Media, Event Production, Licensing and Industry Building. 

During 2016, The Business Daily and KPMG listed PHAT! at No.36 of the Top 100 Mid-Sized  Businesses in Kenya – the first-ever Company in the Creative Industry to be Recognised  with this prestigious Award. 

In October 2014, Mike also Co-Founded what is now YAKWETU™ Online Limited. Meaning both  “Of Us” and “For Us” in Kiswahili (the most popular African language). YAKWETU™ is an Online  Home Entertainment & Edutainment System – of Africa, for Africa. 

Using their proprietory Kenyan-made Applications, YAKWETU™ is an online Distributor and  Retailer of Digital Content, from Africa, to Africa and for Africa – through a Range of thoughtfully  Curated branded Services, that supply Consumers with securely Encrypted original Titles, that  fairly Pays the Creators – unlike Pirated alternatives. 

As a benchmark, think of Amazon’s suite of Digital Media, like Prime Video, Freevee, Amazon  Music, Audible and Twitch – and that’s our Growth Plan for African Content, on The Motherland  and to her Diaspora. 

YAKWETU™ exists to Fairly Pay the Creatives of Africa, who Lose upto 99% Revenue to Piracy;  and don’t have enough options Online to Earn a Living. 

YAKWETU™ also exists for 475 million SmartPhone users in Africa, who Want to Consume their  own Content via Pay-As-You-Go, like how they buy Airtime – NOT via Subscription. 

Released on 26th September 2019, their Poof-of-Concept is MyMovies.Africa™, as a Mobile-first  Digital Cinema Extension, offering securely Encrypted original Movies from Africa (i.e. New  Releases, Classics, Features, Shorts, Animations, Documentaries, etc) on Smart Devices, across  Africa and to her Diaspora in 195 Countries. 

Its core Products are a Premium Video On Demand – PVOD (#RentFor2Days) for New Releases,  Transactional Video On Demand – TVOD (#RentFor7Days), Electronic Sell Through – EST  (#OwnForLife) purchase and Watch Parties via ZOOM, all Accessed here:  

https://app.mymovies.africa. More information here: https://www.yakwetu.africa 

On 11^th July 2023, YAKWETU™ emerged 1 of the 7 Winners from 548 Submissions and 25 Finalists  – from 16 Countries and from Industries like creative, food, green technology, health & more, at  the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s WIPO Global Awards 

https://www.wipo.int/global-awards/en/2023/winners.html

Mike is also the Founding Chair of Partners Against Piracy Association of Kenya – a multi sectoral Coalition, of local and international Associations, Societies and Companies, representing  the interests of thousands of Creatives in Kenya and the World, in terms of the Protection of their  Intellectual Property against Piracy.

Daniel Getachew, a tech entrepreneur from Ethiopia, is the visionary Founder and CEO of Guzo Technologies, a dynamic startup based in Ethiopia. With a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Madaa Walabu University and a Master’s in Software Engineering from Adama Science and Technology University, Daniel possesses a strong educational background, currently pursuing his PhD in AI and Robotics from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University.

At Guzo Technologies, Daniel leads a dedicated team focused on developing innovative solutions in IoT and Robotics, including their Guzomap XR Studio, offering users an immersive experiences targeting future tourism and education technologies. Daniel’s vision extends beyond technology; he is determined to digitally preserve Africa’s heritage, ensuring that future generations connect with their culture in
engaging ways.

Recognized for his contributions to the tech industry, Daniel along with his team won accolades in national and international ICT competitions, with notable projects like the Battle of Adwa VR experience highlighting Ethiopia’s historical triumphs. His impact on Ethiopia’s tech landscape is profound, with Guzo
Technologies earning recognition for its groundbreaking work. As an active member of the tech community, Daniel continually pushes boundaries and inspires others, known for his commitment to innovation and his ability to merge entertainment with education seamlessly. Daniel’s dedication to leveraging technology for positive change is evident in his efforts to make a difference in his
community and beyond. With his passion for technology and his determination to create a better future, Daniel Getachew is a true pioneer in the industry.

Fabio Gattari is the Founding Director of Etere Pte Ltd, which was established in 1987 in Italy. Fabio is
an accomplished Software Analyst and Systems Planner with over three decades of media and IT
industry experience. He maintains the role of Lead Software Architect at Etere and designs
technologies at the forefront of technologies, preparing users for the future with forward-thinking
solutions. Fabio Gattari’s stronghold is the ability to interface and interact at a high level with the
business world, resulting in several key partnerships worldwide. In the face of the fast-changing
media landscape, Fabio has led Etere to be amongst the most trusted brands in broadcast and media
software solutions, well known globally for its reliable performance and innovative framework.

Jaran Mellerud is a bitcoin miner and market analyst. As the CEO of Hashlabs Mining, he offers investors bitcoin mining solutions on several continents, including Africa

Amanyehun R. SiSAY is a veteran of the Ethiopian media landscape, bringing close to two decades of experience to his roles as a mediapreneur, media manager, business consultant. He is the founder and CEO of CHAMPiON Communications. Founded in 2011, CHAMPiON has become a driving force in Ethiopian media, upholding the values of ethical, professional, and responsible journalism

Aman’s journey began with a solid foundation in Political Science, earning his BA from Addis Ababa University in 2005 and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Catholic University of Milan in 2018. He further honed his skills through extensive training programs, from media leadership at Rhodes University in South Africa to prestigious institutions like the Poynter Institute and Point Loma Nazarene University in the United States. His commitment to professional development extended to programs at Hive Global Inc. and exposure to leading media outlets like VOA, Bloomberg Television, and the Associated Press.

In 2012, Aman’s vision materialized with the establishment of the Ethiopian Business Review (EBR), with Aman at the helm as Executive Editor for eight years. Since 2020, he has served as the executive publisher, ensuring EBR continues to be a trusted source of business news CHAMPiON didn’t stop there.

Recognizing the evolving media landscape, Aman spearheaded the launch of Addis Maleda, an Amharic weekly newspaper focusing on current affairs, in 2018. Demonstrating agility in the digital age, Addis Maleda transitioned to a fully digital platform in November 2022, extending its reach across social media platforms

Aman’s commitment extends beyond his own ventures. His passion for fostering ethical journalism is evident in his dedication to training editors and nurturing fresh talent. Additionally, his recognition as a 2014 Edward R. Murrow Fellow, a prestigious program of the U.S. State Department, underscores his leadership in the media community

Aman’s dedication extends beyond Ethiopia’s borders. His extensive travels for media and business missions across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia demonstrate his global perspective and commitment to fostering international connections

Amanyehun R. SiSAY stands as a testament to dedication and vision. Through CHAMPiON Communications, he has not only built a successful media enterprise but also played a pivotal role in shaping the Ethiopian media landscape, ensuring it thrives on the principles of responsible and ethical journalism

With 20 years of experience in the media- working as a print and broadcast journalist in Ethiopia and abroad, as well as a teacher, lecturer, and communication consultant, Begna has managed various media initiatives- including launching the first radio program on HIV AIDS ‘Yibekal’ and recently on girl-empowering TV drama ‘Yegna’. Begna has worked for global publishing giants like PEARSON, Harper Collins & McMillan as well as briefly for BBC in 2005.

Since his return to Ethiopia in 2011, he has worked for various organizations including the US Centres Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Ethiopia as a Communications & Media Relations Specialist for three years based at the US Embassy in Addis.

Currently, Begna manages the media company he co-founded, Omni Comm PLC, which specializes in production, training, and communication consultancy services. Omni Comm manages a network of more than 40 community media houses on a unique project Community Radios for Peace (CR4P). Member of Christians in the Media has two master’s in Communication and Education from the University College London- UCL, the Institute of Education (IoE), and the University of Wales

Earned BA in Theatre Arts and MA in Literature from Addis Ababa University. Now a PhD candidate of African Studies, Culture, Media and Arts. Worked as creative and performing artist as writer, director and actor. Thought at Addis Ababa University for 22 years and also served as director and Dean.

Former Director General of the Ethiopian National Theatre, Former Head of the Addis Ababa Culture Arts and Tourism Bureau, Former Chief of Staff of Deputy Prime Minister, FDRE. Now Deputy CEO of the National Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation and Head of Creatives.

Rebecca is a solution-focused education and communication specialist who has more
than 20 years of experience in media, communication, education, and educational
management.
She received her MA in Ethiopian Studies (with specialization in Museology), BA in
Broadcast journalism & communication, and BA in English Literature from Addis Ababa
University, as well as a Diploma in Educational Administration & Management from the
Asian College of Teachers and Diploma on Media Studies from Oslo University.
She works in different media houses in Ethiopia and abroad as a photographer, reporter,
editor, editor-in-chief, and producer, she is also co-founder and publisher of the first
bilingual monthly sports magazine, and she is a teacher and School Manager.
Rebecca is a member of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television,
currently serving as chairperson for the Ethiopian Media Women Association (EMWA)
executive board.

Jane W. Thuo, Ph.D., is a Development Communication, Media and Gender specialist as well as a professor at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Nairobi. She is currently the Chairperson at the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) where she previously worked as its Executive Director.

She has over the years championed for the rights of women both in the society and in the media industry and keen on issues surrounding digital safety and security. She serves as the Vice Chairperson of Action Africa Help-Kenya (AAH-K) board and sits on the advisory board of an Nigeria based Media NGO, Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP). She has been one of the judges for the Annual Media Excellence Awards (AMEA).

She has a wealth of experience working as a Development Communication Specialist overseeing the development and implementation of communications, media and stakeholder engagement strategies for different international, local and government institutions in Kenya. Between 2011 and 2013, she served as a member of the Kenya National Steering Committee that developed the National Action Plan on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325; and of the Technical Working Group involved in development of the institutional strengthening standards and their indicators for Kenya CSOs.

Jane holds a Ph.D. from University of Nairobi, a Master of Arts in Communications degree from Daystar University and a B.Ed (Arts) from Moi University.

She is a fellow of the 2010 Annenberg-Oxford Summer Institute and an alumnus of the African Women Leadership Institute (AWLI).

Salome Kitomari is a seasoned Tanzanian journalist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication and currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Mass Communication. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, she has garnered extensive expertise in the field. Salome has been recognized with more than ten prestigious journalism awards across various categories, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication.

In 2018, Salome clinched the top spot at the Excellence in Journalism Awards in Tanzania (EJAT), further solidifying her position as a leader in her field. She serves as the Chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Tanzania Chapter (MISA-TAN), and is a valued member of the Regional Governing Council of MISA Regional, advocating for Freedom of Expression and Right to Information.

Currently, Salome holds the position of News Editor at Nipashe newspaper, where she continues to make significant contributions to the field of journalism. Additionally, she utilizes her wealth of experience to train aspiring journalists, shaping the future of media.

Salome’s journalistic endeavors extend beyond national borders, as she has reported on international issues such as the 2016 USA Primary Elections and the African Union Heads of State summit. In August 2021, she participated as an International Observer in the Zambia General Election, further highlighting her commitment to promoting transparency and democracy on a global scale.

Yared is a seasoned professional in the financial technology sector, with an impressive career spanning over 18 years. He began his journey as a teacher for 6 years, but soon found their calling in the dynamic world of FinTech and Banking for the last 12 years.

He has held leadership positions in Technology Companies based in the country and have served as a Director and Associate VP for digital banking and IT departments in three different banks in Ethiopia, and a state-owned bank in the UAE.

His expertise lies in implementing core banking and digital banking solutions, a skill he has honed since 2013 in the markets of East Africa and the Middle East. His academic background includes a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, and he is a certified Project Manager and Scrum Master.

Currently, he is making significant strides as the Senior Director of Business Development and the Country Director for Ethiopia at Visa. His vast experience and unique insights make them a valuable addition to our panel today.

Sammy has over 15 years of experience developing strategy, driving business transformation, and supporting nonprofits to expand across various markets. He is passionate about addressing the learning gap in sub-Saharan Africa by leveraging creativity as a tool for change. As the Director of Growth at Ubongo, Sammy works to grow the impact of our work by maintaining the reach present in the countries we are in while also looking for new opportunities to reach more kids across the continent!

Linda is a Video Content Specialist with 15+ years experience.

As the Director for Content Hub Limited, Linda and her team support organizations in solving complex challenges with media content management in Sub Saharan Africa.

Based in Nairobi Kenya, Content Hub Limited provides support in end to end content operations to both broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Linda has gained a wealth of experience in Media management, both Free to Air and Pay TV; as well as Video on Demand. Linda’s desire is to see local content achieve global quality standards

George Kimani is a trailblazer with an illustrious 23-year tenure in broadcast marketing, advertising, and content distribution at the highest echelons of senior management. His passion has contributed in shaping the landscape of the Kenyan film sector, where he contributed to film policies, spearheading initiatives like the Film Federation of Kenya, Discop Kenya content market, and championing the cause of local content through his involvement in the Kenya Local Content Working Group.

As an esteemed speaker on broadcasting and film matters across East Africa for over a decade, George has garnered international recognition for his expertise, representing global content interests in the region and serving as a consultant for digital migration initiatives throughout Africa. His multifaceted background as a trained filmmaker and marketer uniquely positions him as an ambassador for African stories, amplifying their impact and relevance on both local and global stages.

Million is presently the Managing Partner of BDO in Ethiopia, member of BDO International, the 5th largest global professional services orgaanization. BDO in Ethiopia is one of the largest professional services firms in Ethiopia. He has significant advisory experience in several areas of information technology, banking, manufacturing, hopitality, and financiaal services. He previopusly served global and local professional services firms incluing Ernst & Young (Ethiopia) and Audit Services Corporation.

He is certified management consultant by Ethiopian Management Institute and won an honor prize of being a Welch Scholar for his outstanding academic results at Jack Welch Management Instutute Executive MBA program.

Million has over 20 years of professional experience in management consulting.

Danny Mucira is an accomplished business leader who is passionate about empowerment, entertainment and the role of creative arts in uplifting African youth in order to mainstream them economically.

Currently, he heads the Trace business in East Africa as the Managing Director tasked with rolling out the full suite of Trace products in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia.

Israel is a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Chapa, an Ethiopian Fintech company headquartered in Addis Ababa. Chapa specializes in financial services and data engineering, focusing on securely resolving payment challenges for ambitious businesses and governmental entities across developing nations, particularly in East Africa.

Before his involvement with Chapa, Israel’s career trajectory included research roles at the NBU-MSE Lab. He concentrated on two-photon polymerization techniques and innovative smart TPP printing methodologies. His prior experience extends to significant contributions in research labs focusing on Humanitarian AI, Multi-Frame Super-Resolution, and climate change concerns, including notable tenures at Mila in Montréal, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Google Brain.

Israel’s research interests span various domains, including machine learning, data mining, and deep learning applied in physics and finance. He leverages these technical competencies to tackle real-world challenges, offering valuable insights and solutions to complex problems within these sectors.

At Chapa, Israel is pivotal in steering the company’s technological advancements and strategic initiatives. His expertise and experience in cutting-edge technologies, coupled with a passion for leveraging AI and data-driven approaches, contribute significantly to Chapa’s mission of fostering secure and efficient financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of businesses and organizations in emerging markets.

Matt Angus-Hammond has been designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative media research projects in developing markets since 2005. His work has covered over eighty countries, helping advertisers, media agencies, media owners, governments and international development organisations to understand their media audiences and make informed, data driven decisions.

His early career included seven years guiding Unilever’s brand positioning and media strategy across their key African markets with Millward Brown (now Kantar), after which he spearheaded the establishment of new East and West African offices and client portfolios as Market Insights Director. In 2014 he joined US mobile tech firm Mobile Accord, which under the GeoPoll brand had developed an innovative mobile-based media audience measurement product that delivers overnight TV and radio audience ratings in developing markets. Leading GeoPoll’s business development efforts across southern and West Africa, he conceptualised and implemented innovative research solutions for clients in the media, marketing, FMCG, financial, government and international development sectors.

In February 2024 he was appointed to head up GeoPoll’s new specialised Media Audience Measurement team, a role in which he has overseen media audience measurement, profiling and insights projects in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Afghanistan, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Benin, Togo, Kenya, Liberia, South Africa and Tanzania. Clients include the US Agency for International Development (USAID), BBC Media Action, Omnicom, Farm Radio International, the Malala Fund, Vodacom, Kantar Media, Mediametrie, Nation Media Group, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ministry of Information of the Government of Ghana.

In August 2023 he was awarded Best Paper at the 24^th annual conference of the Pan-Africa Media Research Organisation in Casablanca for his media audience measurement work in the DRC. He holds a degree in Social Anthropology and African History from Rhodes University, South Africa.

Monica Juma is an employee at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, KBC, currently holding the position of
Controller Television Programming where she is devoted to ensuring quality programming by acquiring
top notch productions for both KBC Channel 1 and Y254.

A seasoned trained communication and TV techniques expert Ms. Juma has extensive experience in
Television programming having joined KBC Channel 1 as a TV announcer doing dawn and late night shifts
which included running across to the radio to do recordings for the dawn breaks. Urban born and breed
she has leaved in Nairobi where most of her early life was influenced by television programmes dancing
to KIDS Incorporated watching Vitimbi and waiting ardently for TV Set to begin transmission at 4pm.

Monica is the current Chairperson Women in News, Kenya Chapter. She has Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Public relations and higher diploma in Communication and television techniques.

A cohort of 2022 WAN IFRA Women in News , a proud fellow of Poynter Institute Florida, with over 15 years of experience in television programming ,she has been called upon to content critique panels, speak at Public broadcasting platforms and at somewhere along the line Monica has become an influencer, mentor ,a tech and digital security enthusiast.

She is a champion for Gender equity and still offers her services for voice overs, besides enjoying Documentaries Monica loves travelling and reading.

Abenezer Feleke is an accredited communication, and project management specialist with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, as part of the Africa-Advisory group, as the Strategic Communications Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office, National ID Program. He oversees the Communications & Knowledge Management unit, as Director of Communications, leading the technical and strategic advice in planning and implementation of Ethiopia’s Digital Identity as part of Digital Ethiopia Strategy 2025. He is responsible for the development and roll out of a comprehensive national Communications Strategy as part of a 350Mln USD World Bank financing backed by digital systems for registration and authentication including supporting the Program’s engagement with internal and external stakeholders to drive residents’ trust and achieve 90 million enrollment targets by 2025.

With more than a decade of experience, Abenezer has multiple credentials specializing in digital marketing, branding, public relations, advocacy, and communications. Prior, he has delivered multiple projects by working for notable multinational non-profit organizations and businesses including Multichoice Africa/DStv, Fonterra, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and the Danish Refugee Council leading nation-wide communication plans and projects in key areas of technology, health, nutrition, and humanitarian assistance. Abenezer is a certified Digital Marketing Professional with the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), a PFQ with the Association of Project Management Professionals (APM) based in the UK.

Dr Tigist Dessu Gebrehiwot is Director at Capital Business School and Senior Legal consultant at Ethiopian Alliance Advocate LLP. She has a Doctoral degree (LLD) in Intellectual Property law (2018) and a master’s degree in International Trade and Investment Law (LLM) (2015), both from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Dr Tigist spent several years working at the University of South Africa in various positions including lecturer for corporate governance and music law. She is the author of the Introduction to Agriculture and Food Law of South Africa course for UNISA, Center for Business Law, College of Law, she also helped develop the Knowledge Management Course for UNISA, at the South African research chair, Society and Technology, at college of law, peer-reviewed various academic papers, she work as intellectual property assessor at the Directorate Innovation and Technology and Commercialization, UNISA.

Her research work has been presented at various international and national forums and published papers in accredited journals in the fields of Intellectual property law and agriculture and food law. In her previous career, she worked as a legal consultant in various private law firms and Lawyer for Human Rights at the National office, in Pretoria, South Africa, as a managing partner and senior IP consultant at Alpha Nitrom PLC, she also serves as a Country Director for Ethiopia at the International Institute Peace Leaders (IIPL).

Abenezer Mekru Alemayehu is a distinguished Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professional and Software Programmer with an extensive career spanning multiple prestigious organizations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His journey in the tech industry began with an enriching internship at the Information Networking Security Agency (INSA), where Abenezer sharpened his skills as a Software Programmer. This foundational experience laid the groundwork for his deep understanding of information security and network infrastructure, setting the stage for a career dedicated to technological innovation and safeguarding digital assets.

Following his internship, Abenezer transitioned to a full-time role as an ICT Officer at HWA Web Technology. In this capacity, he applied his programming expertise to develop and implement software solutions aimed at optimizing business operations and promoting innovation within the company. His ability to address complex technological challenges with effective solutions marked a significant period of professional growth.

Currently, as the Technology head Ethiopia at habeshaview Technology and Multimedia PLC, Abenezer oversees the strategic integration and management of ICT systems, ensuring technological resources align with the company’s strategic vision. He excels in team leadership, strategic planning, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.

Abenezer Mekru Alemayehu’s career is marked by a steadfast dedication to the advancement of technology for business efficiency and societal benefit. His diverse experiences across various sectors underscore his adaptable skill set and deep understanding of the transformative power of ICT.

Conducted studies on the challenges of Copyright Enforcement and Level of Copyright infringement conducted studies on copyright and neighboring rights legal gaps, provide expert witness on the issue of copyright and neighboring rights

Also provide technical assistance to copyright and neighboring rights collective
management organization, carried out pre-raid operations and anti-piracy operations in collaboration with law enforcement agencies

Organized National work shop on copyright and neighboring rights, contributed articles to EIPA Journal and provided training to Judges, Attorneys, Police, right holders and other stakeholder

Graduated from Haromaya University in Physics (B.Ed) and in ICT in Education (M.Ed) from Addis Ababa Univeristy, I had worked as a lecturer at Dilla University. In line with my academic career I had been engaged in the media and literary endeavors for years and after leaving DU, I joined Sheger FM Radio fulltime and worked as radio host, narrator and social media expert. From 2022 onwards, I am working as documentary department head where I would produce, translate and narrate documentaries. Published five books.

Joyce Shebe is one of Tanzanian’s prominent female journalists, with over 20 years of experience in traditional and digital media, she specializes in investigative reporting, especially on gender issues.

Currently, she serves as the Chief Editor at Clouds Media Group. She oversees news content, in addition to her editorial responsibilities, Joyce has a strong background in event management and
public relations.

She has successfully organized and coordinated numerous media events, and campaigns leveraging
her skills to enhance the visibility and reputation of both organizations and causes she’s passionate
about.

Since November 2012, she has been a student at The University of Dar es Salaam, working towards a
Masters in Science of Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Previously, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from The Open University of Tanzania, graduating in
2013.

Aside from her role at Clouds, Joyce is actively involved in various professional associations, She’s
the Chairperson of the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA), and also a former board
member of The Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF).

Beyond her professional life, Joyce is a dedicated mother of two, working towards a society where
gender equality and the rights of women and children are upheld.

I am a graduate of the University of Nairobi, Kenya with a Bachelors degree in Electrical and Electronic engineering. Throughout my career from internship up to now which has been a journey of 20 years, I have been in a technology voyage where I have witnessed technology progress from analog to the present day digital era. I have seen equipment and systems grow from an assembly of analog electronic
components to advance to microchips and software driven. I have been fortunate to undertake practical electronic repairs, installation and maintenance of simple electronic and telecommunications equipment to handling complex systems as an engineer.

From the onset of my engineering profession it does appear that my destiny was to be a broadcast engineer and to contribute in that space. My first formal engagement away from the academic corridors was being exposed to broadcast equipment for marine and global navigational systems at an internship level at African Marine and General engineering company at the coastal side of Kenya. That set the pace for hands on work in the engineering filed. Thereafter, I have never left the broadcast space. I have moved from one broadcast or media company to the other up to present one, Cape Media Ltd in Kenya.

My first encounter with digital transmission technologies started with ISDN technology in the year 2004. As the technology has grown exponentially, I have grown to offer solutions in the broadcast media
space taking in to account what transmission media and technology is suitable for any solution required. Up now, I have acquired extensive experience in RF broadcast for TV and FM radio; and in satellite and IP
communications.

In all my formal engagements, I have held leadership roles in addition to dispensing my technical responsibilities. I am always motivated to work in a dynamic and challenging environment that allows me to fully utilize my skills and experience to make a significant contribution to any organization.

Tigabu Haile is the founder of Eshi Express, Ethiopia’s premier last-mile delivery company, catering to corporations and e-commerce enterprises

With a rich background as the former President of the Ethiopian Courier Association, Tigabu has been a key player in the logistics landscape in the region

Additionally, he is the host of Meri Podcast, a prominent business platform that features successful Entrepreneurs in Ethiopia and beyond