Asia Trade & Export Finance Conference

Speaker Biographies London 2015 In order of appearance

Dr Benedict Okey Oramah President African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)

Dr. Oramah assumed the position of President of the African Export – Import Bank (Afreximbank) in September 2015.

Prior to his current role, he was the Executive Vice President in charge of for Business Development and Corporate Banking (BDCB), a position he occupied from October 2008 to September 2015. As Executive Vice President, Dr. Oramah supervised the Business Development functions, namely: Trade Finance, Project and Export development finance, Syndications and Specialized Finance (SSF), and Corporate Finance and Advisory Services (CFAS). He also supervised the Research and Knowledge Management Functions of the Bank. Further, he assisted the then President of the Bank in overseeing the Bank’s Strategic Planning and International Cooperation functions. Dr. Oramah joined Afreximbank as Chief Analyst in 1994 and was promoted to the position of Senior Director, Planning and Business Development in 2007.

Prior to joining Afreximbank, he held the position of Assistant Research Manager at the Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM) from 1992 to 1994.

Dr. Oramah holds M.Sc. and Ph.D. Degrees in Agricultural Economics obtained in 1987 and 1991 respectively from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He obtained a B.Sc. degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1983. He has published a book on “Foundations of Structured Trade Finance” and has written over 35 articles on a wide range of African economic, trade and trade finance issues.

He is a regular speaker at several trade and trade finance conferences around the world. Dr. Oramah is Chairperson of the Africa Chapter of the International Factors Group (IFG). He serves on the Board of IFG, the Editorial Boards of Trade and Forfaiting Review (TFR) and the Journal of African Trade (JAT), and is a member of the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO).

He is married and has three children.

Razia Khan Managing Director Chief Economist, Africa Standard Chartered Bank

Razia Khan is Standard Chartered Bank’s London-based Managing Director, Head, Africa Macro Research, responsible for providing in-depth analysis on African economies to the Bank’s clients.

Standard Chartered Bank provides regular quarterly and ad-hoc theme-based publications on African economies and markets, and has received recognition for providing the best research on Africa.

During her time with Standard Chartered Bank, Razia has been acknowledged as the leading analyst on African economies. As well as advising key multinational corporations and funds with African interests in

Europe, the US, Asia, and the Middle East, she is a frequent visitor to Africa, sharing her insights on African economies with clients and policy makers. A frequent media commentator, Razia is often called on to provide analysis of African markets in key local and international media.

Razia is a graduate of the London School of Economics with a BSc Hons degree in Economics and an MSc (Econ) in Development, including Monetary Economics and International Trade Law.

John O'Mulloy Global Head Trade & Structured Commodity Finance Standard Bank

John joined Chase Manhattan in 1978 where he ran the Trade Finance business. In 1998 he joined Standard Bank.

He was educated at New College Oxford and the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.

Toks Abimbola Director Business Development Shoreline Group

Over 18 years' experience in Private Equity Investment, Consulting, Strategy and Operations in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, India and Latin America.

Group Director of Business development at Shoreline - a Pan African Infrastructure and Energy group based in Nigeria.

Toks has a successful track record of leading investment origination, advisory, execution and operations across the infrastructure, agribusiness, engineering and energy sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. Adept at managing the complex interfaces between the private sector to African governments and regulators Additionally Toks founded GADCO the premier sustainable agriculture business based in Ghana.

Previously led Global Consulting Services at Hewlett Packard and was a member of the turnaround team at Energis - Exited to Cable and wireless.

Mr Abimbola also headed European M&A and distribution at Finoble Investment Banking.

Sanjoe Mathew Regional Associate Director Trade, Export & Structured Finance Huawei Tech

Sanjoe Mathew is heading the Middle East Region as Director of Huawei Technologies, a leading global ICT solutions provider. He is responsible for all the Trade & Export Financing related activities in 10 countries across the Middle East.

Sanjoe is a result driven professional with 21 years of experience in Finance & Financing with renowned multinational organizations in various regional roles. He joined Huawei in 2003 and is responsible for maintaining the relationship with clients, International banks, financial institutions & multilateral agencies. He also is taking care of Factoring, Forfeiting, Syndicated / Bilateral loans and Seller’s & Buyers’ Credit with/without ECA Coverage requirements in the region.

Sanjoe has helped various clients in the region in structuring trade and export financing solutions which optimize the working capital requirements, easing the cash flow pressures and also the risk mitigation. He has demonstrated proficiency in raising structured debt and project financing in domestic and international markets with exposure in the use of trade and trade financing products and asset based financing including Islamic products.

He holds a Bachelor of Finance from the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala, India & MBA from University of Wales, UK, specializing in Corporate Finance.

Christian Karam Partner Africa Trade Finance

Christian Karam joined Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe in London in 2004, in the International Finance Department and later moved to the Trade Finance Department where he set up the Africa Desk and turned it into one of the most profitable businesses of the bank, with multi-million dollars in profits annually. Africa Desk provided bespoke trade finance solutions for clients across several African Markets. Christian's lateral thinking and ability to anticipate industry dynamics led to the developments of several initiatives, one of which is combining both the origination and distribution activities within the Africa Desk. Some of the transactions Christian worked on were awarded best deal prizes.

He has been a key speaker at several trade conferences in Africa and elsewhere.

Nisrin Hala Head Africa Desk SMBCE

Nisrin heads the Africa Desk within the Global Trade Finance Department at SMBCE London. She manages a multi billion dollar portfolio of assets across various markets in North, East, West and SouthAfrica. Her portfolio comprises Central Banks, Commercial Banks, Corporates, multilaterals and DFIs. The Africa Desk primarily provides short term debt solutions to FIs who are active in trade import and export.

Nisrin has been with SMBCE for 8 years; she has previously worked for Wachovia Bank, and also had a career in the media industry.

Nisrin holds a BA in Business Management & Economics, an MSc in int'l finance and an MBA from London Business. School.

Bob Kottler Managing Director Dawnus International

A Professional Civil Engineer with over forty years’ experience, mainly in International Markets working with leading contractors with an extensive involvement in Africa. In addition to my Operational

Management experience, I have worked extensively in Strategic Development and Business Procurement. This has covered Project winning through to Company acquisitions. I have expert knowledge of the methods required to bring together Projects, Clients, Partners and Finance and understand the imperative of winning business and of bottom line deliverables. I have held executive positions on a number of Boards for over 20 years with full P&L responsibility

Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

International Experience: Lived and worked in Peru, UAE, Spain, Sweden, Ghana, and Germany. Further extensive international exposure in Greece, Nigeria, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Viet Nam, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Libya, France, Spain, Sweden, Panama, South Africa, Uganda, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Bahrain, and the Ivory Coast.

Oliver Everett Chief Executive Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council (CWEIC)

Oliver Everett is Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, the body charged with facilitating trade and investment across the 53 nations of the Commonwealth. Prior to this, he was a Partner with NewMarket Partners, a situational management firm specialising in transforming businesses facing challenging situations. With operational, Board and strategy experience, Oliver has led turnarounds and given pragmatic and outcome focused advice to many Companies.

A Sloan Fellow at London Business School and a graduate of Liverpool University his experience includes distribution, engineering, contracting, leisure, restaurant, fashion and automotive as well as new venture start-ups across a number of fields.

Oliver is an Entrepreneur Mentor in Residence at London Business School.

Starting his career in the Royal Navy, he worked for Renault then Lotus Cars and the Marshall of Cambridge Group. Before joining NewMarket, he was an advisor and Non-Executive Director as well as running his own companies. He was Chairman of an engineering Company operating in the Marine and Utility sectors until December 2012.

Shannon Manders Editor Global Trade Review (GTR)

Shannon Manders is the Editor of GTR magazine, the world's leading international trade finance magazine.

She has extensive experience in moderating discussions, both at GTR’s own conferences and also at a range of other industry events hosted by the likes of the ICC, IFC and SWIFT (Sibos). She also regularly covers stories from international locations, and has hosted numerous roundtable discussions and webinars.

Shannon completed her degree in South Africa, and worked in the publishing industry there for five years before joining GTR in January 2009.

Tunji Owoeye Group Managing Director Elephant Group Africa

He is the Founder of Elephant Group Africa and a fellow (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Mr. Owoeye as the GMD of Elephant Group Africa oversees the affairs of: Elephant Cameroun Sarl, Elephant Agro Ghana Ltd, Elephant Senegal Sarl and Elephant Cote d`ivoire SA.

He was the National President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) a trade association and now a Member of the Board of trustees of NCAN, National Vice-President, and Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN). He was Nigerian representative of African Cashew Alliance (ACA) the umbrella body for cashew Trade in Africa.

He is the National President of the Rice Importers, Millers, Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIMIDAN), National Chairman of Association of Rice Investors (ARI), National Chairman of the Farm Inputs Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FISAN).He is also an Ambassador of the National Schools Agriculture Program (NSAP) of Nigeria. He is a Transformation Leader in the New Vision of Agriculture division of the World Economic Forum (WEFORUM)

He is an Executive member of the Agric committee of Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) which is the most respected advocacy group for Nigeria.

Mr. Tunji Owoeye is happily married with children.

Charles Weller Managing Director Africa Trade Barclays

Charles Weller started his banking career in 1984, initially with Standard Chartered Bank, in Germany, focusing on International Trade Finance. During the late 1980s and early 1990s he lectured extensively on the subject of International Trade, particularly in China and published a number of manuals and works on various aspects of Trade Finance. In 1990, Weller moved to WestLB, where he worked in Eastern Europe in Russia and Hungary, before moving to The Netherlands to manage the Dutch operations of WestLB.

From 2000 to 2006, he built up a coverage business focusing on European postal and logistics businesses for WestLB out of Dusseldorf, Germany, before relocating to Johannesburg, RSA, as Head Sub-Sahara for WestLB. In 2009, Weller moved to Deutsche Bank, based in Lagos, Nigeria, growing Deutsche’s Transactional Banking activities in West Africa, a position he held until January 2015, when he joined Barclays to develop the Group’s FI Trade business in Nigeria and across Africa.

Weller has been covering Nigeria, directly and indirectly for some 30 years, when he was involved in managing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s debt rescheduling programme with the then Chase Manhatten Bank in the 1980s. He is very passionate about Nigeria and Africa.

Charles Weller is married and a proud father of four children. He enjoys travelling throughout Africa and fly fishing in remote and wild places.

Keji Ajayi Manager Corporate Finance Oando

Baba Epega Chairman & Founder EMC3

A graduate in Mathematical Economics and Spanish from Queen Mary & Westfield College, London University; Baba spent his first 7 working years in banking and finance in the City of London. Firstly as an Interest Rates Swaps Broker at Garban InterCapital, after which he became an Interest Rate Swaps Interbanker at Barclays Capital then a Futures & Options FX Trader for Droubi Trust Incorporated. It was following a sabbatical in China and Bali that he decided to follow his heartfelt vocational career in marketing, networking and events, thus the idea that is now emc3 was born.

Started in 2000 AD with the head office located in London’s Notting Hill there are now satellite offices in UAE, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, the USA and Lagos, Nigeria where Baba has been based for the last 2 years. Clients range from ultra-high net worth individuals, super brands, and multinational corporations to government agencies. He also runs an organization called The Richard Coker Foundation which supports those with the Sickle Cell Anaemia condition.

Baba’s hobbies include scuba diving, studies on the life and times of King Mansa Musa Keita (1280-1337), enabling the Africapitalism philosophy, opera and rugby.

Edward George Head Research Ecobank

Dr Edward George is head of group research at Ecobank, managing a team of ten analysts covering the fixed-income, currencies and commodities space in Middle Africa. Prior to being head of research, Edward headed the soft commodities desk, with a focus on cocoa, coffee, cotton, sugar and grains. Edward is also a specialist on Francophone West Africa and Lusophone Africa, and is the bank’s expert on intra-African trade and trade finance. Edward works closely with the corporate bank and trade finance teams, and regularly visits soft commodity producers, processers and traders across Ecobank’s 36- country African footprint. Prior to joining Ecobank in March 2011 Edward worked for The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for seven years as a Senior Editor in both the Commodities and Africa Departments. He was responsible for producing and editing reports on Lusophone and Francophone Africa, as well as on 25 industrial raw materials, food, feedstuffs and beverages. Before joining the EIU, Edward worked as a freelance writer covering the politics and economics of Sub-Saharan Africa. A linguist by training, Edward is fluent in French, Spanish and Portuguese and holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Bristol. His PhD thesis on the Cuban intervention in Angola was published as a book by Routledge in 2005 and came out in paperback in December 2012.

Rollo Reid Technical Director ReidSteel

Rollo Reid Graduated from Birmingham University in 1965 and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers. He served in various positions (all involving engineering) in various countries. In 1978 he left the Army to work in REIDsteel, a company which designs, manufactures, exports and builds a wide range of steel structures, large aircraft hangars with doors, highway bridges, industrial and commercial buildings, defensive structures and so on. Rollo Reid, CEng MICE FIStructE. MInstRE.

Michiel Hendriksz Private Sector Trader, FarmStrong Commodities Founder & Executive Director, FarmStrong Foundation

Michiel Hendriksz is President and founder of FarmStrong Commodities SA (CH); he is the former Global Sustainability Director at ADM Cocoa. He designs and manages numerous sustainability programs in West Africa and Indonesia for major multinational companies in the cocoa and confectionary industry. He served as an ExCom board member of the World Cocoa Foundation, was a Steering Committee member of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Cocoa Livelihoods Program and an active board member of the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI).

Mr. Hendriksz is Vice-Chair of the Consultative Board at the International Cocoa Organization, and is an advisory panel member of the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards. In the almost 17 years at ADM he held several commercial roles such as the Head for Trading & Sourcing West Africa.

Mr. Hendriksz gainedextensive experience in agriculture-based rural development in West Africa. He works on high social-impact projects for gender equality, education and vocational training, finance and bankability and the use of modern mobile technology solutions in rural areas. The main focus of his work today is on sustainable, integrated agricultural production systems for the large majority of independent (and not yet organized) farmers in West Africa. Mr. Hendriksz holds a Bachelor of Science in Tropical Agronomy and International Trade (Netherlands) and a Master of Science in Agribusiness from Cranfield University (England). He is fluent in Dutch, German, Spanish, French, Italian and English.

Brian Klaas Consultant, Menas Associates Fellow, London School of Economics

Brian Klaas is a Fellow in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics and a consultant for Menas Associates in London.

As part of his doctorate at the University of Oxford, Dr. Klaas has conducted extensive long-term research in Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Thailand, Tunisia, and Zambia, meeting with top-level politicians, diplomats, business leaders, former rebels, generals, and journalists. He is an expert on elections, democratization, democratic transitions, volatility and political violence.

In addition to academic research, Dr. Klaas has served as an adviser or consultant to the International Crisis Group, the Carter Center, Transparency International, the state government of Lagos, DFID, and private multi-billion dollar investors in sub-Saharan Africa. His writing or commentary have recently been featured in The New York Times, the Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, VICE News, Good Governance Africa, Africa Today, Democracy in Africa, and African Arguments.

Arnaud Louis Director Sovereigns Group Fitch Ratings

Arnaud Louis is Director in Fitch Ratings’ sovereign team. He covers Francophone Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.

Arnaud has previously worked as an economist at the French Embassy in London where he updated the French Treasury on new economic and financial developments in the United Kingdom. He began his career at COE-Rexecode, a think tank in France, where he focused on the structural weaknesses of the French economy.

Arnaud holds two masters, one from the ENSAE (Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l Administration Economique, Paris) and another one from the University of London (Master of finance applied to economic policies). He also holds a bachelor degree in philosophy from the Sorbonne University.

David Nelligan Partner DLA Piper

David Nelligan is a finance partner in the Energy and Infrastructure Finance Group at DLA Piper based in London. David advises leading financial institutions and borrowers particularly in emerging markets and Africa. He has advised on projects and general corporate financings in Africa for nearly 20 years. Matters on which he has advised include advising the sponsors on the N3 toll road project in South Africa and the SA National Roads Agency on the N4 toll road project, advising the lenders on the financing of capital equipment purchases by the South African National Roads Agency, advising lenders on the financing of various port developments by Transnet in South Africa and other ECA supported loans across Africa including in South Africa, Angola, Tanzania and Nigeria. David also advises sponsors and lenders on renewables projects.

Anne-Marie Woolley Head Energy & Metals, Global Commodity Finance Nedbank CIB

Anne-Marie Woolley is Head of Energy & Metals for Global Commodity Finance at Nedbank Capital. Based in London she has been involved in corporate and international banking for over 33 years, and has gained solid practical business experience though dealing with a diverse client base, ranging from large multi-national corporations, commodity traders and private companies, to state owned entities. Her clients, both importers and exporters, require innovative solutions for their working capital needs, both in the short and medium term.

Anne-Marie’s work experience includes Barclays where she held several positions including Director of Global Structured Trade Finance and, more recently, Head of Trade Finance & Services for the Barclays Africa business. This encompassed the responsibilities for trade in 14 countries. After her time at Barclays she joined Standard Chartered where she was a Director of Structured Trade Finance.

Anne-Marie’s work experience includes a 2½ year sabbatical where she spent time in freelance consultancy, working with EADB and DFCU in Uganda and the Banks of Bahrain and Kuwait. Her most recent role prior to joining Nedbank was as the Head of Structured Trade & Commodity Finance for Africa at Standard Bank, a position she held for 7 years.

Anne-Marie has established a high external profile through speaking engagements at substantive conferences and articles in various publications.

Nedbank has Global Commodity Finance teams based in Johannesburg and London.

Amelia Slocombe Senior Associate Director Loan Market Association

Amelia joined the LMA in October 2010 and assists with the Association’s documentation projects, education and training events and regulatory and lobbying matters. Amelia was also responsible for editing “The Loan Book”, "Developing Loan Markets" and "The Real Estate Loan Book" which were published in 2011, 2013 and 2015 respectively by the LMA, and wrote the LMA’s Guide to Regulation.

Prior to joining the LMA, Amelia was a banking and finance solicitor at Pinsent Masons LLP, where she acted for numerous domestic and international corporate banks and a variety of UK and international borrowers, focusing on general syndicated finance, leveraged and investment grade acquisition finance and real estate finance. Amelia also spent time on secondment in the FI, NBFI and Insurance teams at Barclays, where she gained experience of cash management, structured finance products, and clearing and settlement systems.

Nabil Frik Head Client Coverage for Francophone Africa British Arab Commercial Bank

Nabil Frik is acting as Head of Client Coverage for Francophone Africa at British Arab Commercial Bank’s (BACB) in London. He is responsible for directing sales and executing the bank’s marketing strategy in Francophone Africa, Algeria and Morocco.

Nabil has over 20 years of experience in Africa (including Maghreb) and the Middle East in the fields of Export/Trade (commodities) and Project Finance (infrastructure projects).

He previously worked for Qatar National Bank, where he was the regional transaction banking Head for Europe in London. He has also held positions at Arab Bank, ING Barings and Siemens Financial Services in Germany.

Nabil has a degree in Power Generation and Distribution and a postgraduate in Economics (Bielefeld/Germany University of Applied Sciences).

Farrukh Siddiqui Managing Director& Head Global Trade & Loan Products, Middle East & Africa J.P. Morgan

As Managing Director and Regional Head of Global Trade for the MEA region at J.P. Morgan, Farrukh Siddiqui works with large corporations to deliver solutions that meet complex financing requirements.

Farrukh has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of roles in the region and has been in senior roles with regional banks, delivering solutions both to multi-national and regional corporations.

Farrukh was mandated by J.P. Morgan in 2006 to drive the growth of the bank’s trade finance business in the region and his accomplishments at delivering J.P. Morgan’s ambitious growth plans have seen him entrusted with the leadership of the bank’s Trade Sales for the MEA region.

Farrukh has led the development of several innovative products that meet the often complex trade finance needs of customers whilst satisfying both regulatory and risk management requirements. His in- depth understanding of regulatory and risk management issues often sees him being consulted, both internally and externally, during the development of solutions.

Farrukh has spoken at several Trade Finance events and is regularly commended for his ability to throw fresh light on all aspects of global trade financing from product, regulatory and risk perspectives.

Nicholas Stockdale Director ECA & Capex Financing Solutions Barclays

Nicholas Stockdale is responsible for leading the origination of ECA guaranteed debt (both loan and bond formats) across the Barclays group and across all ECAs, working in both emerging and developed markets. Nicholas joined Barclays Investment Bank in 2000 and has worked on numerous ECA guaranteed structured / project finance transactions and multiple sovereign and corporate transactions across the Power, Utilities & Infrastructure, Transport, and Telecoms sectors. He joined Barclays ECA Finance team in August 2008, having previously worked in both the Power, Utilities and Infrastructure, and TMT sector coverage teams. Prior to joining Barclays he worked as a project financier at Edison Mission Energy, closing a number of project financings across Europe. Nicholas is also a qualified Chartered Accountant, having undertaken his training at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He studied at Exeter University and holds a BSc. in Chemistry and Law and a BA. in Law.

Alejandra Hidalgo Head Export Finance ABB Group

Alejandra Hidalgo is Head of Customer Finance in ABB Asea Brown Boveri, Zurich. In this role, Alejandra leads a team of financial advisors with the mandate to arrange the financing of projects where ABB Group companies are participating as suppliers or contractors. The areas of focus are solar energy, off shore wind and energy efficiency. Prior to this position, she spent 5 years in the Swiss reinsurance company Swiss Re, in roles entailing corporate strategy and financial reinsurance.

From 1995 through 2004, Alejandra worked in the former ABB Financial Services. During this period, Alejandra served in the company ABB Project & Trade Finance International, ABB Structured Finance and ABB Export Bank in the field of Project Finance for power generation and transmission projects.

Alejandra has a Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering an Executive MBA from ESADE Business School, Barcelona. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst, having received her charter from the CFA Institute in 2005.

Andrew Palmateer Program Director US-East Africa Geothermal Partnership (EAGP) Power Africa

Andrew W. Palmateer serves as Program Director for the U.S. – East Africa Geothermal Partnership (EAGP), a public-private partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Geothermal Energy Association, implemented by the U.S. Energy Association. Andrew has a background designing and implementing diverse international energy partnership programs throughout Africa and Asia with a focus on integrating renewable energy resources and IPP projects into the electric grid. In his role with EAGP, Andrew coordinates with USAID, other international donors, East African stakeholders, and the U.S. geothermal industry to promote U.S. industry involvement in the development of East Africa’s rich geothermal resources. Andrew holds a BA degree in International Studies from American University.

John Sayers Partner Simmons & Simmons

John is a partner in the London office of Simmons & Simmons LLP and focusses on trade & commodity finance and the energy sectors.

John advises regularly in developed and developing markets on ECA financings, renewables development financing, supply chain finance, pre-export and pre-payment finance structures, borrowing base financing and structured trade payment financings.

John is included in the elite "Leading Lawyers" list for trade finance in the 2015 edition of Legal 500 UK and recommended in connection with investment grade & syndicated lending and emerging markets finance. John joined Simmons & Simmons in 1999.

John’s experience includes advising:  the arrangers of three project financings of wind farms in round 3 of South Africa’s renewable energy IPP programme - the wind farms (located at Khobab, Loeriesfontein and Noupoort) have a combined capacity of 360 MW and represent an investment of approximately ZAR9bn.  Mainstream Renewable Power advised Mainstream Renewable Power on its US$1.4bn joint venture with pan-emerging markets investor Actis for delivering 600 megawatts of wind and solar projects in Chile.

 MRI Trading AG on a USD110 million secured borrowing base facility to finance its metals concentrate storage, blending, sale and related margin financing operations in Middle East and S.E. Asia.  the arrangers of the limited recourse senior project financing for the 138MW Jeffreys Bay wind farm on the Eastern Cape, the 50MW De Aar solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Northern Cape and the 50 MW Droogfontain solar PV project near the town of Kimberley, also in the Northern Cape, South Africa, in round 1 of South Africa’s REIPP programme. The total investment value was ZAR 5.8 billion as at November 2012.  lenders in relation to the limited recourse financing for solar farms in round 2 of South Africa’s REIPP programme.  the lenders on an umbrella structured export credit facility for Transnet’s ZAR 80.5 billion capital expenditure, involving ECAs such as Atradius and Finnvera.  an investment fund client on a potential financing of the acquisition of central African mobile telecommunication network assets.

Jan-Philipp Apking Head Department, Underwriting & Financial Institutions Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft

Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft and PricewaterhouseCoopers AG WPG (PwC) have been mandated by the Federal Republic of Germany to manage the German National Export Credit Guarantee Scheme ("Hermes-Cover"). As Head of Department Financial Sector Jan is leading a team of (Senior-) Underwriters assessing credit risk / counter-party risk associated with the financing of German export transactions. Previously Jan was Head of Department Untied Loan Finance within the German ECA, focusing on Structured and Project Finance Deals in the Energy and Mining Industry. Prior to joining Euler Hermes / PwC in 2007, Jan worked as a Contract Manager within the Engineering Division of The Linde Group, a world leading supplier of industrial, process and specialty gases.

Jan holds a Masters in International Business (MIB) and International Relations (MIR) from Macquarie University Sydney, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Global Business Law from La Trobe University, Melbourne, and a German Diploma in Business Law (LL.B.) from Leuphana University in Germany. He used to Lecture International Trade and Project Finance at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, the second largest institution of higher education in the Hamburg region and one of the largest of its kind in Germany

Frederik Hsu Deputy Chairman NMS International Group

Frederik Hsu co-founded NMS Infrastructure Limited to undertake international infrastructure projects. NMSI has spearheaded investment into Africa to deliver projects that have a positive impact on the communities in which they operate. Fred Hsu has gained considerable experience of African cultures and relationships, and of the business and development issues in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He is responsible for regulatory and compliance issues and structures the contractual frameworks for NMSI projects. He gained a Master’s Degree from Imperial College, London and has over 20 years' board level commercial experience as a director of The Property Trust PLC and Pittencrieff Petroleum PLC (both listed on the London Stock Exchange), Belinvest Realty Fund Limited, Firmin & Sons PLC. He served on the National Council of the CBI; Board and Council of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Board of Marketing Birmingnam and was Founder Chairman of the Clothing Interest Group (CLING) of ADS Group.

In 2000, he was appointed as Deputy to the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

David Ludlow Head International Business Development UK Export Finance

David Ludlow joined UK Export Finance as its International Business Development Director in November 2014. His career has spanned both government, in the Diplomatic Service, and international finance, where he held a range of senior roles in corporate and investment banking, including with Standard Chartered Bank and Citigroup in the Middle East. During his career he has been based in London, Moscow, Brussels, Geneva and Dubai. Since joining UKEF, he has had a particular focus on developing their activity in Africa.

Agnes Tauty-Giraldi Head Export Finance, Europe & Africa; Structured Trade Finance Societe Generale

Agnes started her career with Société Générale as a Relationship Manager in 1991 for the French network. She then spent five years at SG London as Head of the Corporate Middle Office of Corporate division and then as relationship manager, Associate Director for the International Corporates Group.

In 1998, she joined SG CIB Export Finance team, where she spent her first 6 years in the Structuring group. She then moved to the export finance originating group in 2004 as Country Manager for Eastern and Central Europe. Four year later, she became the team manager for CIS, Central Asia, SEE and CEE countries. In 2011, she became the deputy head of the originating group, and has been since 2012 Head of Export Finance - Europe and Africa & Structured Trade Finance.

Morten Sørensen Senior Director & Head Large Corporates EKF

Morten is Senior Director and Head of Large Corporates in the Danish Export Agency, EKF. In this position he has been involved in a number of EKF related transactions in Africa and have insight to processes, up- coming transactions and credit appetite from an ECA perspective.

Prior to his employment in EKF, Morten was working in the commercial banking sector for more than 15 years within Corporate Banking and Structured Leasing, until the financial crises offered a unique challenge unwinding a large portfolio of primarily LBO transactions by heading a Restructuring team and organizing portfolio asset sales in the secondary market.

Morten is educated from the banking sector and carries a degree in “International Management and Economics” from Copenhagen Business School and courses from e.g. INSEAD.

Manya Biemans Regional Head Local Corporates, Commodity Traders & Agriculture, Transaction Banking, Africa Standard Chartered Bank

Manya is responsible for driving the Local Corporates and Commodity Traders and Agriculture Segments Sales in the 15 presence countries of Standard Chartered Bank in Africa. Being passionate about Africa, people and structured trade and commodity finance Manya has enjoyed working in local and global banks and done deals in more than 20 African countries, the UAE and Turkey. Her prior roles at SCB were as head of Transaction Banking Sales for Cape Town and head of Transaction Banking Product Management in Dubai. Manya holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation and a Diploma in Banking and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the United Kingdom as well as a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Natznet Tesfay Head Africa IHS Country Risk

Natznet Tesfay is the Head of the IHS Africa Country Risk team and is responsible for IHS data, analysis and forecasts on political violence and the political economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her areas of specialization include analysis of political developments affecting the offshore energy sector in West Africa, particularly Nigeria; commercial developments, especially in mining, energy, and infrastructure in East Africa; and piracy risks in the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Guinea. Ms. Tesfay leads development of the Africa ‘All Source’ Open Source (OSINT) inputs and risk indicator and horizon scanning infrastructure, drawing on a range of Indicators & Analytics methodologies such as geospatial analysis and scenario modeling techniques. She works closely with clients on tailored country entry and risk management projects in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Previously, while working at Exclusive Analysis, she had advised on the development of free trade zones, foreign policy and the mining sector in the Horn of Africa. Ms. Tesfay’s degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Government and African Studies from Harvard University in the U.S., and a Master of Science in Urbanization and Development from the London School of Economics (LSE), U.K.

Charles Weller Managing Director Africa Trade Barclays

Charles Weller is married and a proud father of four children. He enjoys travelling throughout Africa and fly fishing in remote and wild places.

Gaimin Nonyane Senior Macroeconomic Specialist Ecobank Research

Gaimin Nonyane is a Senior Macroeconomic Specialist and Project Manager for LocalKnowledgeAfrica (LKA) at the pan-African bank, Ecobank Group, based in London. She joined the bank in November 2012, and helped to launch the bank’s first ever Country Profiles, designed to given investors an insight into the operating environment in Middle Africa. Prior to that, she headed the sub-Saharan Africa desk on macroeconomic and political research at Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) UK Limited, while also covering some markets in East Asia. She also led analysis on non-oil commodities. Before joining D&B, Gaimin worked as a Consultant for a number of World-Bank funded projects, assessing the poverty and social impact of privatising public utilities in Lesotho, Southern Africa. She was also one of 21 fellows funded by the UK government (under the Overseas Development Institute fellowship scheme), placing young career economists at mid-management in developing countries. Gaimin has a MSc in International Economics and Policy and a BA (Hons) in Economic Studies with Law.

H.E. Williams Nkurunziza High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Kingdom

His Excellency Williams Nkurunziza is the High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Kingdom and non-resident Ambassador to Ireland. He is also the current Chair of the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors, having taken up his responsibilities on 1 July 2014.

His previous posting was in India, as High Commissioner of Rwanda to India, with concurrent accreditations to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as well as designate-Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Union of Myanmar. Previously, he served as Director General of the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotional Agency during which time he worked tirelessly to reposition post-genocide Rwanda in the international marketplace as an ideal investment destination and a reliable trading partner through organising International investment conferences on Rwanda both at home and abroad. During this time, he also served on President Paul Kagame’s Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

H.E. Nkurunziza is widely travelled and has attended and or addressed international conferences and seminars in over 50 countries across the world – in the Americas, Europe (including the UK), Africa and Asia, on Rwanda’s socio-econo-political development, investment opportunities and potential for trade partnerships.

Beyond public service, H.E. Nkurunziza also boasts a rich private sector experience, having served at senior corporate levels in Namibia, Kenya and Uganda. Until his Ambassadorial appointment, he was Group Managing Director, Habib Investments, a holding company in Uganda with interests in telecommunications, oil and gas, banking, property development, engineering, agriculture and motor vehicle leasing. He also served on private and public sector boards in Kenya, Uganda and Namibia, including a long stint as Chairman of the Namibia Offshore Financial Services taskforce and as a member of President Sam Nujoma’s Smart Partnership Council in Namibia.

H.E. Nkurunziza attended universities in South Africa, Kenya and Uganda and holds the following academic and professional qualifications: MBA, Potchefstroom University, South Africa; B.A (Hons) Makerere University, Uganda; PGDip. Mass Communication, Nairobi University, Kenya, and a Cerficate in Advanced Capital Markets Management from SIDA/University of Stockholm, Sweden. He has been awarded the Aryabatha International Award by the Aryabatha civil organization in Bangalore, India, for his contribution to international understanding.

Amb. Nkurunziza is Married to Leonia, with whom they have three Children. His hobbies include reading, writing poetry and playing golf. An anthology of his poems has been published.

Vijay Kumar Group Controller Finance Nakumat

A Chartered Accountant (FCA) and a CFA by profession, Vijay Kumar has served as Chief Financial Officer of Nakumatt Holdings since September 2009, leading a team of 167 staff in the finance, accounts and audit department, reporting to the CEO and to the board. He has a rich and extensive experience of over 30 years in Strategic & Tactical Planning, Accounts, Finance, Budgeting, MIS, Taxation, Statutory & Internal Audit, Internal Control Review & Risk Assessment, Legal Affairs, Statutory Compliances, Fund Management & Control, Commercial Controls and New System Implementation.

Vijay has an MBA in Finance from Bangalore University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants (Australia) a Fellow of the Institute of International Accountants (FAIA) and Institute of Financial Accountants (FFA) in the United Kingdom.

Nakumatt Holdings Ltd established in 1987 is the largest and leading retail chain in East Africa with an annual turnover of over US$650million growing at an annual compounded growth rate of between 12 to 14% per annum over the past few years.

Hemnabh Khatau Director Mehta Group

Olivier Buyoya Regional Trade Lead Sub-Saharan Africa International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Olivier Buyoya is the Regional Lead for the IFC’s Trade and Commodity Finance programs in Sub-Saharan Africa based in Johannesburg. He joined IFC in 2008 as a Trade Finance Officer. He has over 10 years of experience in the area of Trade and Commodity Trade Finance working both with Financial Institutions as well as commodity traders across the continent.

Trade finance is a priority for IFC. The $5 billion Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) extends and complements the capacity of banks to deliver trade financing by providing risk mitigation in new or challenging markets where trade lines may be constrained. GTFP offers confirming banks partial or full guarantees covering payment risk on banks in the emerging markets for trade related transactions.

Olivier joined IFC from Fortis Bank Belgium, where he was a Relationship Manager covering Central and Eastern Africa for the Institutional Banking Department. Prior to his career in Banking and Finance, Olivier worked with Deloitte in Paris, as an auditor covering Banks and Financial Institutions.

Olivier holds a Master in Finance from Reims Management School, in France.

Rumit Nanji Senior Associate Memery Crystal

Rumit Nanji is a Senior Associate in the finance team at Memery Crystal (a London based corporate law firm). He has particular specialism for transactions in East Africa having transacted in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda and has worked on a range of finances including commodities, general lending and acquisition finance. Rumit also sits on the Africa desk at Memery Crystal giving him access to a variety of other corporate transactions and businesses within the region.

Simon Bessant Director Texel Finance

Simon became a Director of Texel Finance Limited in 2012 and manages a team of brokers placing political and trade credit risk insurance for bank, trader and corporate clients. In addition to his management duties, Simon specialises in structuring and negotiating insurance policies to meet clients’ risk management and regulatory needs and has a successful track record placing insurance for complex and/or difficult risks.

Simon joined Texel in 2007 after 4 years at Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) where he worked as research analyst and then as a broker in the Credit and Political Risk team where he placed insurance for commodity trader and financial institution clients. Simon graduated from Bath University in 2003.

Texel Finance Limited is a Lloyd’s registered and FCA regulated specialised credit and political risk broker, with a deep knowledge base of commodities and structured trade finance. Texel Finance’s parent company also owns Texel Asia Pte Limited, a Singapore-based broker, as well as Texel Capital Limited, which originates, structures, and distributes structured trade finance transactions.

Richard Lamb Unit Head Political & Credit Risks Novae Syndicates

Sebastien Avot Regional Head Middle East & Africa, Distribution & Trading Deutsche Bank

Sebastien joined Deutsche Bank in London in September 2010. He is currently Regional Head for Distribution and Credit Solutions for the Middle East and Africa Region, based in Dubai. Distribution & Credit Solutions is a global team, managed from London with offices in New York, Frankfurt, Dubai and Singapore and which specializes in delivering innovative finance and risk management solutions for clients’ cross border trade transactions. The team acts as the exclusive syndicate, distribution and trading outlet for all of Deutsche Bank’s global trade related business including its secondary market EM Loan business.

Sebastien is currently responsible for all primary and secondary distribution of Deutsche Bank’ trade related instruments (Loans, L/Cs, Guarantees, etc.) originated for the Middle East and Africa region. Over the years, he has covered transactions throughout the whole EMEA region, with a special focus in Russia, CIS and Africa, where Deutsche Bank acted as Bookrunner and Mandated Lead Arranger on a number of major financings. He has also been involved on a number of important financings for commodity processors and commodity traders in Europe.

Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, Sebastien was part of the Loans Syndications & Trading team of BNP Paribas having occupied positions in Geneva and London, with a strong focus on commodity related syndications.

Kefa Muga Senior Economist Africa Trade Insurance Agency (ATI)

In addition to being ATI’s Senior Economist, Kefa is also the Deputy Head of the Underwriting department. He is also responsible for Enterprise Risk Management & Claims and Recoveries. Kefa has been with ATI for 12 years, during which time he has been involved in structuring the underwriting function and growing ATI’s portfolio which currently stands at US$10 billion in net exposure.

Prior to this, Kefa worked with the Government of Kenya as Head of the Regional and International Trade department in the Ministry of Finance where he led various teams in negotiating regional and global trade treaties and agreements.

Kefa holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree (Industrial Economics) from the University of Mumbai-India as well as a diploma and certificates in the trade and development field from: Korean Development Institute; German Institute for Economic Development (DSE); and Crown Agents Training Institute-UK.

Sam Evans Assistant Director BPL Global

Sam Evans has over 10 years’ experience as a credit and political risk broker, having joined BPL Global in 2004 as a graduate trainee. For the first 4 years Sam worked for large exporter clients and then shifted his focus to major commodity traders and financial institutions. He co-ordinates a team in London focused on overseas clients. He holds a BA (Hons) in Languages for Business from Oxford Brookes University, majoring in French and Spanish.

Jon Boyce Manager Northern Regions; Mid-Sized Business Senior Specialist, Export Finance Adviser UK Export Finance

Initially trained as Manufacturing Consultant delivering productivity improvements to large companies then managing exports for American Chemicals Multinational in US, UK, Holland & France. Jon held Senior Management positions with Economic Development Agencies and trained staff in Economic & Business Development, International Trade and Inward Investment.

Jon has participated in many UK trade missions around the world as well as assisted UK SME’s with debt, mezzanine and equity finance to fund growth plans.

Jon worked across UK key industrial sectors such as manufacturing & engineering, food & drink, life sciences, oil & gas. He’s experienced in trade finance, assisting UK Exporters with pre/post shipment finance, payment risk mitigation, performance bonds and finance for overseas buyers of UK capital goods/services.

Mark Norris Partner Sullivan & Worcester UK

Mark Norris is a finance partner in the international law firm Sullivan & Worcester. He is a member of Sullivan & Worcester’s Banking & Finance and Trade & Export Finance groups and is based in their London office. His practice covers cross border structured export credit finance, structured trade and commodity finance, debt restructurings, acquisition finance and asset finance. In addition, Mark advises on regulatory (Basel III), bribery and corruption issues in connection with trade and export finance.

He has advised financial institutions, funds, corporate borrowers, and national and supranational sovereign/quasi-sovereign organisations on award winning finance transactions throughout Africa; Western, Central and Eastern Europe; the Middle East; Russia and the CIS and Turkey for over twenty years. Mark has lived and practised in the Czech Republic (Prague), England (London), Germany (Düsseldorf and Frankfurt) and Russia (Moscow). Mark holds graduate (B.Sc. (Econ)) and postgraduate (LLM) degrees from the London School of Economics.

Bolaji Sofoluwe Director of Planning & Strategy ETK Group

Geoffrey de Mowbray Chief Executive & Managing Director Dints International

Geoff is an experienced entrepreneur having created several businesses since his late teens, although his first was trading snap bracelets and t-shirts in the school playground aged 7! While living in Cameroon in his late teens Geoff began working at an IT college fixing imported computers with the local students. He began importing goods and parts for local companies who were struggling to find parts for their operations and this was the beginning of the business as it is today.

Following experiences with IT, satellite communications and London property development, Geoff created Dints International in 2007 focusing the company on supporting the heavy equipment industries in Africa. Drawing on his experience of businesses and cultures throughout Africa, Europe, USA, South America and Asia, his objective is to develop effective and tangible supply chain solutions around the globe while promoting responsible and sustainable business.

Bryan Richmond Supply Chain Services Director Crown Agents

Bryan Richmond has spent a large part of his career in Crown Agents overseas markets, particularly Africa living on the continent for 8 years (Zimbabwe 94-99 and Kenya 05-08).

He now leads business globally for supply chain services and is a regular visitor to Crown Agents markets in Africa.

He has worked extensively with a range of donors and clients but key attributes are an understanding of how to do business in Africa and a long-standing business relationship with DFID for whom Crown Agents operates the Ebola response supply chain in Sierra Leone.

He is well versed in export financed deals underwritten by UKEF and USEXIM.

Ed Harkins Head Export Credit Financing Fieldstone

Ed is head of the Export Credit Financing at Fieldstone Africa. Ed advises Governments, State Owned Entities and Contractors on the financing of large infrastructure programmes. Prior to joining Fieldstone, Ed was Head of Emerging Markets on the Capex Financing Solutions Team at Barclays Capital. Ed has focussed on the financing of large infrastructure projects in Africa for more than 15 years and has advised Sovereigns, State Owned Entities and Contractors on over $25bn of infrastructure projects in Africa alone.

He is a qualified lawyer and worked for 5 years at Simmons & Simmons where he focussed on structured ECA financing and was responsible for documenting many high profile ECA transactions in Africa. Ed has won a number of awards and accolades for his work, most recently for his work on the USD 175m Hospital deal for the Government of Ghana which won a number of awards including one from “The Banker” a Financial Times publication.

Ed chaired the British Bankers Association panel for the development of various new UK Export Finance initiatives including the new short term schemes, the £5bn Export Refinancing scheme and the new £3bn Direct Lending Scheme. Ed has recently completed a secondment to UK Export Finance where he advised them on new product development for UK exporters.

Ed is a qualified solicitor in England and Wales and holds a BSc degree in Chemistry and Law from the University of Bristol. Ed is a trustee of the Waterloo Military Families Fund.

Gabriel Buck Commissioner, Cole Review & Chair Export Finance & Trade Committee, British Bankers Association (BBA)

October 2015 - to date. Managing Director of GKB Ventures LTD. An independent business consultancy helping clients structure their cross border transactions and access international finance for their growth.

January 2011 - to date. Chairman of the British Bankers' Association Export & Trade Finance Committee. Elected to facilitate development and co-ordination between ECAs, banks and various stakeholders of the UK Government.

November 2014 - to date. Commissioner to the "Cole Review". Set up to assist UK Government to define future strategy for making UK Exports more successful.

September 1979 to August 2015. 35 years international banking experience within the Barclays Group. 25 years specialising in investment banking providing advisory services to governments and corporations of all sizes including SME's, facilitating cross border infrastructure goods and services. Role: Managing Director & Global Head of Barclays ECA and Capex Financing Solutions Group.

July 2013 - to date. Trustee and Member of the Finance Committee of the National Youth Agency. Charity appointed by UK Government responsible for youth work and occupational standards.

Rupert Cutler Managing Director Financial & Political Risks CGNMB

Rupert is Managing Director of insurance broker CGNMB LLP’s Financial & Political Risks Division. Rupert has over twenty-nine years’ experience of arranging insurance and collecting claims to support the finance of structured trade commodity and project finance transactions and investments including non- payment, expropriation, political violence and war on land for financiers, traders, producers the extractive industries and NGO’s with private and public export credit insurers.

CGNMB is a leading independent Lloyd’s insurance and reinsurance broker part of the GGSC network, we have leading specialisms in Energy, Property, Marine, Reinsurance and Specialty insurance. We have established a reputation for service delivery and professionalism and service delivery in our chosen fields. We believe in specialist focus, motivation relationships and sheer hard work.

CGNMB has been awarded as best political risk/trade credit insurance broker in Africa.

Geoffrey Wynne Partner Sullivan & Worcester UK

Geoffrey Wynne is head of Sullivan & Worcester’s London office and also head of its Trade & Export Finance Group. He has extensive experience in banking and finance, specifically trade and structured trade and commodity finance corporate and international finance, bank mergers and acquisitions, structured finance, asset and project finance, syndicated lending, equipment leasing, workouts and financing restructuring, leveraged and management buy-outs and general commercial matters.

Geoff is one of the leading trade finance lawyers and has advised extensively many of the major trade finance banks, multilateral financers and companies around the world on trade and commodity transactions in virtually every emerging market including CIS, Far East, India, Africa and Latin America. He has worked on many structured trade transactions covering such diverse commodities as oil, nickel, steel, tobacco, cocoa and coffee. He has also advised on ownership structures for commodities and receivables financings. Geoff sits on the editorial boards of a number of publications and is a regular contributor and speaker at conferences. He is also the editor of and contributor to The Practitioner’s Guide to Trade and Commodity Finance published by Sweet & Maxwell and A Guide to Receivables Finance, a special report from TFR published by Ark.

Lamin Sanneh Head Business Development Commodity Connect DMCC

Lamin Sanneh serves as Executive Director, Business Development & Marketing for Commodity Connect DMCC, having joined the company in April 2015. In this role he is responsible for implementing CCDMCC’s strategies for market penetration, expansion and deal origination in the designated regional market. His role is to manage client relationships first hand and oversee the end-to-end implementation of the marketing strategy, including identifying prospective clients, evaluating their associated risks and structuring deals for trade finance products.

Lamin started his banking career with Standard Chartered Bank Gambia as a Relationship Manager in the Corporate Department, before holding roles with Standard Chartered Accra and Standard Chartered Nigeria. He joined Ecobank in September 2007 to set up the Treasury Sales Unit, covering 25 countries as Group Head of Treasury Sales. He was appointed Executive Director, Head of Treasury & Financial Institutions for Ecobank Sierra Leone in 2009.

Lamin obtained his MBA Finance Degree from the University of Oxford Brookes in 2001, and his BA from the University of Lincolnshire & Humberside in 1999. He also received the CIB (Associates of the Chartered Institute of Bankers) in 1998.