Dr. Ed Olowo-Okere, FCA

Senior Advisor to the Vice Presidency for Prosperity, World Bank Group

Ed Olowo-Okere has over three decades of experience in governance across the globe. He is currently Senior Advisor in the Prosperity Vice Presidency of the World Bank Group. Prior to that, he was Global Director of the World Bank’s Governance Practice, where he provided strategic leadership to the Bank’s work on public financial management, public procurement, public investment management, public institutional reform, domestic resource mobilization, subnational governance, anti-corruption and transparency, fiduciary assurance, political economy analysis, mainstreaming climate change in governance, and GovTech. His other positions at the World Bank include Director of Governance for the Africa, Middle East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia Regions, Director of Operational Services for the Africa Region, and Regional Financial Management Officer for the Africa Region.

Prior to joining the Bank in 1988, Ed held positions in the public and private sectors in Nigeria and New Zealand. He has researched and published in reputable international journals and lectured at undergraduate and postgraduate levels on accounting and finance. Ed holds a PhD in Management (with a specialization in Change Management and Public Financial Management) from the University of Bath, UK. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

An advocate of good governance and an anti-corruption curator, Ed has led many important initiatives in governance and institutions with global impact, for example, the GovTech Initiative and Global Partnership, the “Future of Governments”, Global Public Financial Management Reports, Supreme Audit Institutions Independence Maturity Index, GovTech Maturity Index, etc. He directed innovations in PFM to respond to development challenges such as human capital development, climate change, etc. Also, Ed has played various global leadership roles in public financial accountability. For example, he was the World Bank Director with oversight for the gold standard PFM diagnostic tool, Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA). He was the Chair of INTOSAI Donor Coordination Group, and Co-Chair for INTOSAI Donor Coordination Steering Committee. He was a Co-Chair of the Public Interest Committee (i.e. the oversight Committee) for International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB). He is a member of the Advisory Board of International Consortium on Governmental Financial Management (ICGFM).

Ed has won national and international awards. The most recent are the David M. Nummy Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Consortium on Government Financial Management (ICGFM) in 2023; the Global Leadership Award (for outstanding contributions to the global profession) from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) in 2022; and the Governance Pioneer Award in the 2021 ranking of the 50 most influential people in the world leading agile governance initiatives by Apolitical and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council (GFC) on Agile Governance.

Prof. Jane O.M. Ande, FCNA

Accounting Professor

Janet Oyemine Modupe Ande is a Professor of Accounting (Environmental Accounting and Sustainability Reporting, Auditing and Management Information Systems) and a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). She is the first female Professor of Accounting in Nigeria and Africa with 43 years of experience as a lecturer (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria; and University of Ghana, Ghana). BSc in Accounting 1979 from Ahmadu Bello University, where she also obtained her Masters in Accounting and Finance and PhD in Accounting from the University of Jos. She has served as Director of the Centre for Financial Economics, Director of Personnel (DS), Director of Short Courses and now Visiting Professor at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Nigeria.

International Assignments: President (2015-2017) of the African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA) - Received a grant from the World Bank Group for research initiatives in collaboration with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA). First Editor-in-Chief of the AAFA Journal and Vice President General of the International Association for Accounting Education and Research (IAAER). Held the first Professorship in Accounting at the University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Ghana, where she served as an external examiner for 11 years. The Chair was sponsored by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana. International Faculty Member of Haggai International for Advanced Leadership, Maui, USA. She served as a consultant to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the HIV/AIDS Mapping Survey in Nigeria in collaboration with TVT Synergy, New York, USA. She was the guest speaker at the inaugural Nigerians in Diaspora, New Jersey, USA in 2010. She was an external examiner at Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya, PhD in Accounting.

University of Jos and National Missions Deputy Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences from 1993 to 1994 and Head, Department of Accounting and Management Sciences (now Faculty of Management Sciences) from 1998 to 2004. Managing Director, Unijos Consultancy Ltd, University of Jos from 2007 to 2010. Her 2002 proposal: Sustainability after Carnegie secured US$500,000 out of the US$2 million earmarked for the establishment of the Advancement Office. She has supervised and reviewed 42 PhDs (national and international) and over 200 Masters. She has served and is still serving the National Universities Commission (NUC) from 1999 to date – University Accreditation, Verification and Visitation Panels. She was the Director General of the Nigerian College of Accountancy, the training arm of ANAN, and Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on International Membership Campaign/Education and Research Committee of ANAN when the Association became a member of the Accountancy Bodies Association of West Africa (ABWA), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). She is currently a member of the Sustainability Reporting Standards Adoption Readiness Group of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. She is married to Rev. Emmanuel Usman Ande, a retired banker. She is the mother of four adult biological children, numerous estranged children and grandchildren.

Dr.(Mrs). Olutoyin Madein, FCNA, FCCA, FCA

Chartered Accountant

Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin S. Madein is currently the Accountant General of the Federation of Nigeria. She has a rich experience of over 30 years in the financial sector as an Accountant, Financial Manager and Internal Auditor in the Federal Civil Service. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Madein was the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Federal Civil Service. She started her career in the civil service as a mid-level officer in the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and later joined the pioneer staff team of the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP) and the National Poverty Alleviation Programme (NAPEP). She also served in various ministries such as the Ministry of Police Affairs, Trade and Industry, Works and Housing, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Abuja. During her early years before joining the Federal Civil Service, she worked as the Executive Officer (Accounting) at the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Abeokuta.

She served and is still serving on the National Universities Commission (NUC) from 1999 to date – Accreditation, Audit and Visitation Panels of Universities. She was the Director General of the Nigerian College of Accountancy, the training arm of ANAN and Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on International Membership Campaign/Education and Research Committee of ANAN when the Association became a member of the Accountancy Bodies Association of West Africa (ABWA); Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA); and International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). Currently a member of the Sustainability Reporting Standards Adoption Preparation Group of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. She is married to Rev. Emmanuel Usman Ande, a retired banker. Mother of four adult biological children, numerous estranged children and grandchildren.

Dr.OKUNOLA, Adesola Olajumoke

Deputy Director (Faculties) of ICAN

Dr Adesola is the Deputy Director (Faculty) at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a strong advocate for sustainability. She was appointed to represent ICAN on the Nigerian Task Force on Readiness for Sustainability Reporting. With a strong academic background, Dr Adesola has served as a lecturer at Pan-Atlantic University and Augustine University, where she used her expertise to advance the education and professional development of future accountants, particularly in financial management and project accounting.

Adesola was part of the founding staff of Redeemer University, where she served as the World Bank Financial Management Specialist for the African Center of Excellence in Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) and as the Project Accountant for the Human, Heredity, and Health in Africa (H3 Africa) grant. Her experience is further enriched by her experience in audit practice at KPMG, where she honed her skills in auditing and consulting services. She obtained her PhD in Accounting from Bowen University, a Master of Science from Babcock University, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Olabisi Onabanjo University and a Diploma in Accounting from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. Her research interests, as evidenced by her published work in local and international journals, include emerging issues in audit practice, public finance, sustainability and corporate reporting.

Adesola is a Fellow of ICAN and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, having started her career through the Associate Technician programme. She recently conducted training on sustainability reporting and assurance for the National Association of Insurers in Lagos and Ogun States and was a guest speaker at the 11th Annual Auditors Retreat for the Office of the Auditor General, Lagos State, where she presented on the role of auditors in strengthening due process in emergencies. Beyond her professional activities, she enjoys her role as a wife and mother, balancing a fulfilling family life with her professional achievements.

Mensah Serge

Chartered Accountant

He began his professional career in 1995 after obtaining a Master's degree in Management Sciences at the National University of Benin. After obtaining his Chartered Accountant Diploma (DEC) in 2008, Serge MENSAH is registered with OECCA-Benin (2008), ONECCATogo (2009) and CNOEC - France (2013) and works as a tel. Already in 2005, he created BEC SARL in Africa and in 2014, ACCEC SAS in Europe, a group of accounting and auditing firms that he still chairs today. His career has led him to work in many countries including France, Canada, in several West and Central African countries, enriching his professional and cultural experiences. From 2015 to 2024, in Benin as in Togo, Serge MENSAH worked with passion as an active member of several commissions (Training, quality control) and the council (mission manager). In July 2024, Serge MENSAH was elected by his peers as President of OECCA-BENIN for the 2024-2027 term.

Derek Amandu Hill

Information Technology Expert

Mr. Derek Amandu Hill is an information technology professional with 15 years of experience in public sector information system reforms. He led the implementation team for Liberia’s first Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), a system that has become the foundation of public financial management (PFM) in Liberia. Mr. Hill is currently coordinating the implementation of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) within the Liberian Revenue Authority, a flagship system for sustainable domestic resource mobilization.

Mr. Hill is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University (United States of America) and the University of Liberia (Liberia), where he earned a Master of Information Technology and a Master of Finance degree, respectively. He studied accounting at the undergraduate level at the African Methodist Episcopal University (Liberia) and earned a Bachelor of Accountancy degree. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Cybersecurity (CC) and Project Management Professional (PMP). Mr. Hill has dedicated his career to consulting and implementing information technology. He believes that information technology is a lever to reduce inequality and promote good governance around the world. He is also a strong advocate for the safe and ethical use of technology. Mr. Derek Amandu Hill is married with 4 children.

Mawuli Oloukora AKPAKI

Chartered Accountant and Development Economist

Mawuli Oloukora is a chartered accountant and development economist, he has been providing management consulting services to SMEs and development entities for 27 years; he provides auditing and statutory auditing services to companies. He has led several missions to set up and provide advice on the protection of management information systems in the context of the management of large development projects and also SMEs in Togo.

Education: DECOFI (Diploma of Accounting and Financial Expertise) Cotonou, Benin, DESCOGEF (Diploma of Higher Studies in Accounting and Financial Management) of UEMOA Dakar, Senegal, DESS (Diploma of Higher Studies) in Economics, specializing in regional planning and community management, Master in Business Administration, Master in Economics, Bachelor of Economic Sciences, all in Lomé, Togo He is an accredited member of ONECCA-TOGO and a member of the French Institute of Audit and Internal Control (IFACI). He has worked in many places, including 2E-FINANCES (Expertises et Evaluations – Finances) and Cabinet GESURI Lomé, Togo. Africa Business LinkVentures (ABLV-ltd), Accra, Ghana. To name a few. He has also been a lecturer in ISM information system audit; project evaluability; monitoring-evaluation of policies, programs and projects; financial and accounting auditing practices; Consulting expertise in monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects. He is married and a father. He speaks French and English fluently. He has some basic knowledge of German and Swedish.

IBRAHIMA THIERO

Cybersecurity expert

With 20 years of experience in the field of cybersecurity, I had the chance to support the digital transformation of large groups such as Orange Mali. As a former RSSI and current Group IT Manager at IVENTUS MINING, I have developed solid expertise in the protection of information systems, particularly in the telecommunications and mining sectors. I am passionate about new technologies and I am convinced that cybersecurity is a major issue for all organizations.

I have extensive expertise in risk management, secure architecture design, incident response and employee awareness. I am ISO27001 LA, ISO27005 and ITIL certified. At Orange Mali, I implemented a security strategy that significantly reduced the number of incidents and managed and successfully obtained ISO27001 certification. At IVENTUS MINING, I am in charge of securing operations in complex and isolated environments.

Jacob Ideji, MBA, CISM

Cybersecurity expert

Jacob Ideji is a committed husband and father of two, as well as an esteemed cybersecurity practitioner with over a decade of experience influencing the global digital landscape. As a thought leader, he is dedicated to advancing security inclusion, driving innovation, and improving cybersecurity in the private and public sectors. Currently, he serves as the Field CISO at E-Panzer, a cybersecurity consultancy focused on these areas. A pioneer in integrating AI-powered security solutions, Jacob has worked with large enterprises such as Cisco and partnered with forward-thinking startups to build products that address today’s diverse security challenges. These challenges span understanding the needs of the unbanked, improving data security, establishing true user identity, and addressing infrastructure gaps. Jacob has been instrumental in building partnerships between governments, private enterprises, and technology companies to advance digital transformation.

Passionate about cybersecurity, Jacob advocates for robust measures to protect financial infrastructure and systems from the growing threat of cyberattacks. Jacob is a sought-after speaker at conferences, sharing his expertise on the intersection of fintech, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. His mission is to foster a resilient, inclusive, and secure financial future around the world. With a degree in Computer Science and an MBA in Management and Leadership, Jacob skillfully combines his technical expertise with a strategic vision for a safer and more inclusive world.

SENA DAKE

Chartered Accountant, Lawyer

Sena Dake is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation Ghana (CITG), a Lawyer and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors. She has held various managerial and technical positions in the private and public sectors.

Sena is the former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana (ICAG). She has served as a board member of PAFA and was the Chairperson of the ABWA Technical Team and supports the Audit and Risk Committee of the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA). She is passionate about her work and loves the planet, people and peace.

Paul Gaye

President of GICA

Mr. Gaye is the current President of The Gambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (GICA). He is an international accountant, auditor, business and tax consultant with 18 years of post-qualification experience. He is a past Board Member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Past President of the Rotary Club of Bijilo, The Gambia (under Rotary International), Past Assistant Treasurer of Rotary District 9101, West Africa; Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fairchildes Primary School, Croydon, Surrey, United Kingdom. Since 2014, he has been a Management Consultant of Nexia Payce Consulting (The Gambia) which provides multi-disciplinary professional services. The firm’s clientele is spread across all sectors; public (government and public enterprises), private and international donor agencies. His numerous assignments have benefited clients in the fields of financial services (banking, insurance, foreign exchange and transfers), wholesale and retail trade, education, agriculture, information technology, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, hospitality (holiday packages, hotels and restaurants), road/building design and construction, mechanical engineering, printing and design, intellectual property rights, etc.

Mr. Gaye holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom. He is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). He is also a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT). In 2018, he authored four operating manuals (Financial Reporting, Internal Audit, Human Resource Management and Procurement Procedures) for the University of The Gambia.

Dr TRAORE Bakari

Ethics Expert

Dr. TRAORE Bakari is a graduate of the University of Nice. He holds a doctorate in business law and economics. He is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in ethics. He is a court-appointed lawyer. He contributed to the drafting of the code of ethics and professional conduct for civil servants. He has provided ethics training to several public administration executives, including members of the General State Inspectorate and the High Authority for Good Governance. In the private sector, he has trained a number of people in various companies. He has led the drafting of numerous charters of values and codes of conduct (codes of ethics).

Dr TRAORE has a deep knowledge of the Ivorian institutional context and has been involved in numerous reform projects. He was Director of Cabinet of the President of the High Authority for Good Governance for six years. He is well acquainted with the challenges facing the telecoms/ICT and postal sectors for having carried out the study that led to the reform of the legal status of regulatory bodies in the UEMOA area. On September 10, 2024, he was awarded an international prize in Houston, USA, for his expertise in the fields of governance, CSR and ethics. He also introduced a recommendation on ethics in the Code of Governance and Social Responsibility of Ivorian companies. Dr Traore is a member of the ISO CT 309 WG1 working group, responsible for developing the series of standards on good governance. Dr. TRAORE Bakari has conducted numerous studies for UNIDO, UEMOA, ECOWAS, DGPE, the French Embassy, the World Bank, BRVM, CGECI, CGRAE, LONACI, DGI and others. He is the author of several books and articles on corporate governance.

Hama Hamadou GARBA

Chartered Accountant

Mr. Hama HAMADOU GARBA is a Chartered Accountant and Statutory Auditor, with more than 18 years of experience in the field of auditing, accounting and consulting. He was Senior Manager at KPMG Paris until December 2012 before returning to Niger where he is currently the Managing Partner of YERO Audit and Consulting.

Mr. HAMADOU GARBA is currently registered with the Order of Chartered Accountants of Niger, where he supports companies in managing their financial obligations and improving their governance. He is strongly involved in the activities of the Order and has held several positions: - 1st Vice-President of ONECCA Niger since November 2022; - President of the National Commission of the Table from 2019 to 2022; - Secretary General of ONECCA Niger from 2016 to 2019. During his various positions held within ONECCA Niger, Mr. HAMADOU GARBA represented Niger at several meetings and forums at the national and international level. He was an active member in the work of PAFA on Public Finance Management (PFM) in Addis Ababa, Johannesburg and Marrakech. He was an active member in the work of the Permanent Council of the Accounting Profession (CPPC) of UEMOA from 2016 to 2019. He also participated in several ABWA meetings.

Festina Macauley

Chartered Accountant

Mrs. Festina Macauley is a Chartered Accountant with 24 years of post-qualification experience in Public Financial Management, Auditing and Accounting in the public and private sectors in Sierra Leone. She is currently the Deputy Accountant General in the Accountant General’s Department, Ministry of Finance – Sierra Leone. She has rich experience in preparing and publishing all government accounting information in accordance with the legal regulatory framework. Strong knowledge in implementing several public management reform strategies such as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (IFMIS) deployment in Ministries, Departments and Agencies. She has worked extensively on the design and implementation of internal controls in the private and public sectors. Mrs. Macauley was part of the team responsible for the development of the Accountant General’s Department Accounting Manual. She has managed the audit of several institutions in both the public and private sectors. She is a good mentor who has coached several staff members in achieving their professional goals.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics (Hons)- Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) – Oxford Brookes University. She is a Fellow, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK); Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sierra Leone (ICASL) - FCA (SL).

Ndeye Marieme Fall

Chartered Accountant

Seeing a Prosperous Africa populated by AfroChampions with Impact who rewrite the Continent's Narrative thanks to their Success Stories, this is the vision of Ndeye Marieme Fall, President of Réseau Entreprendre Dakar since 2017. After a rich & diverse international experience in auditing in Senegal & Luxembourg at Ernst & Young, BDO, Kpmg & Citibank, she created the firm G&G Professional Services in 2014. Versatile and open-minded, this Certified Public Accountant offers her clients digital access to the services and advice on organization, strategy and financial management that she provides them. Ndèye Marième FALL is a Chartered Accountant and member of the Council of the National Order of Chartered Accountants and Chartered Accountants (ONECCA) of Senegal. Passionate about youth entrepreneurship and attentive to business leaders, she supports them using the agile coaching method "Phoenix" combining personal development & best management practices and operational excellence. The G&G firm, which has become a reference in Senegal and is now based in Abidjan, attracts thanks to its authentic and original brand and counts among its clients SMEs and large companies from various sectors: Oil & Gas, Fueling, Construction, New Technologies, Education, Banks, Sanitation, Business Services. It supports them towards better professionalization of their strategic, commercial and financial management, thanks to tailor-made digital tools. It offers them a strategy for digitalizing their business, administrative and financial procedures for optimized management of their figures and results.

Beyond the traditional professions of auditing and accounting, G&G has been supporting them for 10 years now towards a better professionalization of their strategic, commercial and financial management, thanks to tailor-made digital tools. It offers them a strategy for digitalizing their business, administrative and financial procedures for optimized management of their figures and results. G&G is a member of the international TGS network, ranked in the top 25 audit and consulting networks worldwide. As a versatile consultant, G&G aims to be the best ally of the business leader! Furthermore, her passion for the success of entrepreneurs has pushed Marième to get involved in non-profit associations. Founding member and first president of the CJD in Senegal, Marième is JDette (values of benevolence and solidarity) at heart but she is also dedicated to the Réseau Entreprendre Association of which she is the President. Since July 2024, she has also been elected by her entrepreneurial peers as President of the Association "Senegal Accompagnement" (Sen.Acc), an association that brings together business support structures in Senegal and whose objective is to: • Federate: Bring together and coordinate support actors; • Strengthen: Professionalize and increase the impact of support by strengthening the skills of actors in particular; • Influence: Promote an environment favorable to entrepreneurship. 4 Daughter, wife & mother, Ndèye Marieme Fall demonstrates, through her personal example, to African Women Professionals in Accounting that they can flourish by combining Work and Family Life. In order to impact women in her sector, she is available to share experiences and exchanges based on her personal example.

Dr. Njumbe Slvester, FCA

Chartered Accountant

He is a Chartered Accountant by profession and a Partner at PwC Francophone Africa. Currently Country Assurance Leader and Managing Director of PwC Congo, he is also an Audit Partner for some key clients of PwC Cameroon. He attended primary school at Nyandong Catholic School and secondary school at St Joseph College in Sasse, Cameroon. He went to the United Kingdom on a scholarship from the Cameroonian Government in 1991 to study Civil Engineering. After graduating, he was awarded another scholarship (Telford Research Institute) to study a PhD in Structural Engineering in 1995. He joined PwC London in 1998 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales in 2001. In 2011, he became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

Returning to Cameroon in 2003, he joined PwC Francophone Africa. In 2012, he was sent to Congo to lead PwC’s Assurance & Advisory practice and was admitted to partnership in 2013. In 2018, he was appointed Territory Assurance Leader for PwC Francophone Africa (Head of Assurance business for the 9 Francophone African countries) and joined the Executive Leadership Team (TLT) of PwC Francophone Africa. He held this position until November 2023, when he resigned to focus on client service and spend more time with his family. He has written and taught courses in specialized areas of financial reporting and has also written on the differences and similarities between US GAAP, IFRS and the OHADA accounting framework. In recent years, he has developed a keen interest in the subject of ESG, particularly its impact on stakeholders in Sub-Saharan Africa and has published a few articles on the subject. He advises clients on ESG preparedness, compliance and reporting and how they can enhance the value of their businesses through voluntary adoption of best practices.