SpeakersSpeakers

Since 2018, Mr. Bassirou Sarr has served as a Senior Advisor within the Minister of Finance’s cabinet in Senegal. Over time, he has had policy responsibilities spanning public financial management, tax revenue strategies, capital markets, financing from domestic and international institutions, and the state of Senegal's portfolios on strategic sectors such as banking, energy, natural resources, and health care. He has also led the Ministry of Finance's involvement in complex projects spanning many sectors: oil & gas, mining, bank acquisitions, infrastructure development, transport, and social housing.  He also leads the Ministry of Finance's initiatives on sustainable finance (ESG, climate finance). He served as an Advisor in the UNFCCC Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage set up in COP28. He has coordinated the Ministry's significant international financing transactions, including Eurobonds and loans with enhancements. Mr. Sarr also assists the Minister of Finance with the strategic oversight of the relationship with the World Bank Group, including the origination of new projects, budget support reforms, private sector development strategies with IFC, and loan enhancement operations with MIGA. Mr. Sarr has been a European Investment Bank (EIB) and Global Development Network Fellow. He has a Master's in Economic Analysis and Policy from EHESS & Paris School of Economics and a B.A. in Mathematics from Carleton College, USA. He has co-authored several papers in public finance, notably on tax systems and revenue mobilization.

Miguel has a Degree in Business Administration from ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management. Among other functions, he has performed the following functions: 1) Chairman of the Board of Directors - Cabo Verde Stock Exchange – Since Feb 2021; 2) Member of National Parliament and secretary of the board - National Assembly of Cabo Verde – 2011 / Jan 2021; 3) Commercial and Financial Director of several Societies – 2002 / 2011; 4) PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditor – 2000 / 2002.

Iain G. Shuker is the World Bank’s Regional Director for Sustainable Development for Eastern & Southern Africa Region. He is an economist with over 30 years of experience in the World Bank and has occupied various roles in the Europe and Central Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, and Africa Regions, offering expertise in the areas of environmental and natural resource management, agriculture, finance, disaster risk management and land reform. Prior to joining the World Bank, he worked at the International Food Policy Research Institute. He holds a PhD degree in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota in the United States. In his current assignment, Mr. Shuker oversees the policy direction, strategic partnerships, and delivery of sustainable development lending programs in the 26 countries in the region.  His focus is on developing innovative products and delivering programs at scale for tangible impact. He oversees a team of over 300 staff and an active portfolio of $23.8 Billion in investments across the region in agriculture, environment, water, urban and social development sectors, as well as the delivery of the Bank’s new core analytical report on climate change.  His goal is to address prominent challenges in the region, such as food security, social inclusion, equitable economic transitions, access to water and sanitation, and climate resilience.

Eng. Coletha Uwineza Ruhamya, is currently Deputy Executive Secretary of East African Community (EAC)/Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), a former Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and Minister of State (MoS) for Energy and Water in the Ministry of Infrastructure/ Rwanda. She also served as a lecturer prior her appointment as cabinet member.  She holds Master of Science and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Engineering, Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management for Sustainable Development.  Eng. Ruhamya has developed several policies, laws and regulations on Environment and Climate Change, Energy, Water Management and Development and strongly engaged stakeholders to influence the integration of Environment and Climate Change into different sector’s policies, plans and programmes for sustainability. She has initiated and implemented different programmes to address climate change impacts for deferent sectors (Agriculture, Energy, water, forestry, urbanization) at national and regional level. She has led production of deferent key documents (Rwanda Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GG&CRS), Third National Communication Reports to the UNFCCC, Vulnerability Assessment Report, National Determined Contributions (NDCS) for Rwanda, currently leading the Lake Victoria Basin - State of the Basin report.  Being a lecturer, a policy maker, and a regulator, Eng. Ruhamya is knowledgeable in linking sciences, policies, and practices for better results.

Diji Chandrasekharan Behr is a Lead Environmental Economist for Eastern & Southern Africa Region. At the World Bank, Diji has been involved with investment operations and analytical work focused on integrated planning and development, climate adaptation, green growth, optimizing natural asset use and rural SME development. She has worked in several countries in Latin America, South East Asia, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia and Africa. Diji has an MSc in Applied and Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a PhD in Natural Resource Management and Policy from Cornell University.

Her acclaimed career spanning over a decade in the Climate Change and Environmental Sector, began at the Ministry of Environment. Prior to her appointment as CEO, Teddy Mugabo served as the Head of Business Development, now referred to as the Chief Strategy Officer, where she was responsible for Business Strategy & Development. In addition, she served as the Fund’s Climate Change Sector Specialist and District Capacity Building Facilitator, where she proved to be a driving force behind many successful cross-sectoral programmes related to green investments, water management, environment, and climate change. Before that she worked as a consultant, where her experience drew her to work closely with districts, local government, ministries, and private sector players for project implementation. Some key achievements include the $32M Green Gicumbi adaptation project, under the Green Fund and the establishment, in close partnership with the Development Bank of Rwanda, Rwanda’s first Green Investment Facility, known as Ireme Invest. She holds a MSc., in Climate Change and Development from the University of Sussex. She is an Eisenhower Fellow and a Three Cairns Fellow for Environment from Yale University. Her experience has made her a sought-after leader in the sector. She has championed environmental concerns, implemented climate change projects, and played a crucial role in climate finance and resource mobilization of the country. As a CEO, she is committed to driving impactful change in the ENR sector.

Dr. Kanta Kumari Rigaud is a Lead Environmental Specialist and Regional Climate Change Coordinator in the Africa Region of the World Bank Group. She is a leading expert on climate adaptation and resilience and works on climate policy, strategy and knowledge management. She led the development of the World Bank’s Next Generation Africa Climate Business Plan and provides advisory support to multiple Country Climate Development Reports in the region, and to teams and clients on projects and programs. Prior to joining the Africa Region, she worked with the Climate Change Group on climate policy and strategy, including as the PPCR focal point - working with several countries to advance resilience mainstreaming at scale. She has worked in numerous countries in Africa and the Middle East and North Africa – to advance biodiversity, natural resource management and climate adaptation. She is the co-chair of the Technical Working Group on Environmental Change and Migration in KNOMAD. She has a doctorate from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.

Abou Bamba is an environmental economist and the Coordinator of the Abidjan Legacy Program (ALP) which, aims to promote an ambitious sustainable development strategy, while strengthening Côte d'Ivoire’s productivity and sustainable agricultural dynamism. He was an Advisor for Sustainable Development Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire and is now with the Office of the President. Prior working with the Government, he had a 30-year experience with various international organizations such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the International Union for Nature Conservation,  and the United Nations in the fields of :  Environmentally sustainable development, ii) Linking Poverty Reduction and Environment Conservation, iii) Terrestrial Ecosystems Management, iv) Integrated Management of Marine Resources, v) Green/Blue Economy, vi) Wise Use of Wetlands, vi) Integrated Management of Natural Resources, (vii) Climate change, mitigation, adaptation and resiliency.

He has over 18 years of multi-country experience on social development in various sectors, and specifically on stakeholder engagement and social dimensions of climate change. He led the preparation of the Kenya FLLoCA Program which is the first national-scale model of devolved climate finance, where he is currently managing as a task team leader. While working with the WB climate change group based in Washington DC, Soikan led the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and Bio Carbon Fund inclusion agenda in Africa and beyond and has supported several operations under the FCPF in developing inclusive programs. He led the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Capacity Building Program for forest-dependent indigenous peoples and local communities operating in 18 African countries and coordinates indigenous peoples and local communities ‘issues in East and Southern Africa. Prior to joining the Bank in 2012 he worked with non-governmental organizations in East Africa and globally to advocate for Indigenous People's inclusion in REDD+ and other climate change programs, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Soikan holds a Master of Arts degree in Rural Sociology and Community Development from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

Matsolo Migwi has a MSc in Water Quality Monitoring and Assessments; Post Graduate Diploma in Water Quality Monitoring and Assessments; A BSc. Honours in Geohydrology and a BSc. In Applied Environmental Science (Biology and Physical Geography). She is the Deputy Coordinator of the Integrated Catchment Management Programme in Lesotho. She has long experience in undertaking water resources management activities in the country. Responsible for implementing the programme that deals with the restoration of land and water in Lesotho and the Orange-Senqu basin which develops networks and facilitate collaboration with local, regional and international organizations, partnerships and innovation in water resources management and environmental management.

Peter Odhengo will present on Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program model. This program establishes the first national-scale model of devolved climate finance and supports the Government of Kenya to translate its ambitious climate agenda into scaled-up action on the ground. The program recognizes that locally led adaptation can be more effective than top-down interventions, as local communities are more aware of the context and what is needed to drive change. It applies principles of meaningful citizen engagement in climate decision making and builds on the foundations and structures set up through Kenya’s devolution efforts. Mr. Peter Oluch Odhengo is a Climate Finance Expert, with multidisciplinary experience spanning over 20 years in sustainable development and policy development, with a focus on green fiscal policies for realization of inclusive green economy, development and coordination of CDM projects, renewable energy, climate smart agriculture, natural resource accounting, coordination and negotiations on climate change mitigation & adaptation, NDCs and NAP projects management, tagging, monitoring, tracking and reporting of climate finance flows , resource  mobilization and capacity building. Peter holds a Master of Science in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Ecology, and various post graduate Certificates: - in Wind Energy Management, Geothermal development, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Green Energy and Technology Life Cycle.

Bankole Michael Omoniyi holds the position of Deputy Director and Head of the Climate Change & Environmental Planning Department at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. Bankole's expertise on environmental issues particularly on climate change is evident through his involvement in various initiatives and programme. He has actively participated in several C40 programme, including the groundbreaking C40 Deadline 2020 Climate Action Planning programme (CAP). His involvement showcases his commitment to advancing climate action and planning on an international scale for Lagos State. One of Bankole's notable achievements is overseeing the creation and implementation of key strategies for Lagos State. He was instrumental in producing critical documents such as the Climate Action Plan, aimed at guiding the city's efforts towards becoming emission neutral by 2050, Lagos State Energy Roadmap, which outlines the energy-related pathways to achieve sustainability goals, Lagos Informal Settlement Household Energy Survey and the Lagos State Climate Risk Assessment, demonstrating his commitment to understanding and addressing various environmental challenges. A significant aspect of Bankole's role involves policy development and environmental planning for Lagos. Bankole's dedication to the environment extends beyond his professional responsibilities. He is particularly enthusiastic about knowledge transfer and mentoring, showcasing his commitment to nurturing the next generation of sustainability managers. This approach underscores his belief in the power of mentorship and sharing knowledge to ensure a sustainable future.

Sophie De Coninck brings over 20 years of international development, environment, and climate change experience to her role as Manager for the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility, or LoCAL. Designed by the UN Capital Development Fund, LoCAL is a standard and internationally recognized country-based mechanism that finances locally led climate change adaptation, currently engaged with 38 countries, of which 30 are LDCs, 8 are SIDS and 26 in Africa. Among her previous experiences are the European Union, overseeing the “Global Climate Change Alliance,” the United Nations Environment Programme in Kenya and with the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative. Sophie holds two master’s degrees, one in engineering and applied economics and the other in environmental science and management from the University of Louvain, Belgium.

Dr. John Kissi is an accomplished Chartered Civil Engineer and Multidisciplinary Project Director with extensive practical engineering and project management experience in the United Kingdom and Ghana. He has led multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement several high profile and multiple award-winning infrastructure projects including the Herne Hill Flood Alleviation and Salisbury Row Neighborhood Projects in London. He is currently leading the implementation of the Flood Mitigation component of the World Bank funded Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.  As CEO of Ghana Hydrological Authority, he oversees Government of Ghana and Donor funded climate adaptation initiatives including tidal, surface water and fluvial flood resilient projects, Flood Early Warning Systems and the promotion of Nature Based Solutions among others. John has spoken at several International Conferences on transformational project leadership and climate resilience, sharing his knowledge and experiences. He represents Ghana and Africa on the Executive Committee of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and is the Country Focal Person for the implementation of the Principles of Resilient Infrastructure under the UNDRR. He holds advanced degrees in project leadership, business administration and law.

Reuben Ashong, drawing upon over 20 years of extensive experience in the development sector, is a member of the Ghana Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project Implementation Unit based in Accra. Specifically, he serves as the focal person for the Locally Led Climate Action initiative. In this capacity, Reuben collaborates closely with several key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Environment Protection Agency, and Local Government to implement locally led climate action interventions in Northern Ghana, an area particularly vulnerable to both climate-related challenges and conflict risks.

Aisha Abdulaziz is an Energy Specialist based in Kenya. She has worked for 15 years in policy, planning and practice in the energy sector, providing expertise in design, implementation and management of projects aimed at increasing access to affordable and sustainable energy services in 8 countries. She holds a BSc in Energy Engineering from Kenyatta University, an MSc in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship from University of Nottingham and is a Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is also completing a PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy focusing on electricity access and inequalities, at UCL.

Isfandyar Zaman Khan has 20 years of experience managing complex financial policy, technology, and competitiveness issues, working internationally in over 30 countries. He is currently a lead Financial Sector Specialist based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr. Eng. Twagira Elias is a transport infrastructure expert hold MSc (Transportation) and PhD (pavement), from Stellenbosch University in South Africa and was awarded a HL REITZ medal as best PhD student in 2010. He is the Managing Director and founder of ASTRIK International a company that specialises in Professional Engineering services and Capacity building since 2014. He has vast experiences over 30 years as full time Civil Engineer and Transportation Specialist carrying out various Roads and Airport projects, pavement materials characterization, preparation of road design manuals, training and as well as projects monitoring and supervisions. Dr.Twagira was responsible on Transport Sector Policy Reform in Rwanda while working as Director General of Rwanda Transport Development Agency, RTDA and managing transport portfolios under the funding of World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, Arab Development Banks, Exim Bank of China and USAID. Dr Twagira is also visiting Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology (CST) Lecturing Masters on Highway Engineering and Management.

Dr Linus Mofor is a Senior Environmental Affairs Officer in charge of energy, infrastructure and climate change at the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His work portfolio at the ACPC includes leading the Africa Climate Resilient Investment Facility (AFRI-RES). He joined the Commission from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) where he worked as a renewable energy innovation and technology analyst. Before joining IRENA, Linus was an industrial development expert with the Energy and Climate Change Branch of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna. Prior to working with UNIDO, he was a senior lecturer and consultant at the Centre for Engineering Research and Environmental Applications at the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales) in UK.

He received the B.Eng. (Hons.) degree in electronics and communications engineering from the University of Bath, Bath, U.K., in 1995, and the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in global information and telecommunication studies from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, in 2002 and 2007, respectively. He served as the Director of Infrastructure in the East African Community (EAC) between 2017 and 2022. Prior to joining the EAC, Dr. Kazaura served as CEO of the state-run Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL). He was Visiting Researcher at the Research Institute for Science and Engineering (RISE) of Waseda University, Japan. Between 1996 and 2002, he worked as telecommunications engineer at the TTCL headquarters in Dar es Salaam.

Mr. Jorgensen is manager for operations at the Nordic Development Fund (NDF). He is a social anthropologist with long experience in developing and managing climate change projects focusing on community-based adaptation, nature-based solutions, climate resilient infrastructure and urban development in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Prior to joining NDF in 2009, Mr Jorgensen worked for many years as a socio-environmental consultant to the World Bank, Global Environment Facility, European Commission, Inter-American Development Bank, UN, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Danish Ministry of Environment, and NGOs.

Einar Haveland is the Group Chief Executive Officer of EcoPole. He has 15 years' experience as founder and CEO of the energy- and composite pole - sector in Africa. He has a broad international network and founded Ecopole in 2011.

With a distinguished career spanning various leadership roles, Cllr. Phukuntsi has made significant contributions to her community and beyond. She serves as Mayor of Tswelopele Local Municipality, MMC Speaker of the District, and a member of SADC, showcasing her commitment to local governance and regional collaboration. A committed advocate for climate change action, she has championed environmental initiatives as an Ambassador for Clean City & Clean Audit. In her capacity as a Member of the Legislature, including NCOP Rep, Public Account & Finance, she has demonstrated a strong dedication to public service and financial oversight. During her tenure as Mayor, Cllr. Phukuntsi has been unwavering in her commitment to building stronger communities and enhancing the socio-economic profile of the municipality. She has prioritized transparent governance and the fight against corruption, while also advocating for community health initiatives to foster prosperity. As outlined in the Municipal Structures Act, the role of the Mayor encompasses a range of responsibilities, including coordinating municipal activities and presiding over executive committee meetings. Cllr. Phukuntsi fulfills these duties with diligence and professionalism, ensuring effective governance and the realization of community goals.