Shahin Shamsabadi has extensive experience conducting compliance- and dispute-related investigations in the MENA region and has led several hundred investigations for local, regional and multinational clients in a wide array of industries and markets.

Ekaterina Autet is a Senior Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Global Mining team, where she leads projects with clients located in emerging markets. Ekaterina has over twenty years of investment experience in the mining and natural resources space across a range of financing instruments.

J. Peter Pham is a Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council. He previously served, with the personal rank of United States Ambassador, as the first-ever US Special Envoy for the Sahel Region of Africa (2020-2021) and, before that, as the US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa (2018-2020).

Kirsten Hund joined the De Beers Group as Head of Carbon Neutrality in October 2020. Her responsibility is to develop and lead the Groups’ Climate Strategy, working with the different parts of the company to get De Beers to Carbon Neutrality across its operations by 2030.

Harry is the commodities correspondent for the Financial Times. He was previously the FT's industry reporter and before that breaking news reporter. He lived and worked in Japan for nearly five years including two years as a research associate at the leading independent Tokyo-based think tank.

Segun has been the CEO of Thor since August 2011. He has identified and led all of Thor’s acquisitions and financings and in particular, the acquisition of the Segilola Gold Project in Nigeria.

Zainab Animashaun is a Senior Analyst in Control Risks’ Global Risks Analysis team, based in Lagos. She advises on political and operational risks across the African continent. Zainab has over 10 years’ experience as a legal, risk and compliance professional and has advised many public and private sector organisations across the African continent.

Chiedza Madzima is the Global Head of Operational Risk Research and leads the South Africa Research team at Fitch Solutions, a Fitch Group company.

Jeff Gable is a Managing Principal, Head of FIC Research and Chief Economist for Absa Group. His research teams cover fundamental macroeconomic and market strategy research on South African and across numerous Sub Saharan markets.

Sylvia joined GCR from Moody’s Investors Service, where she was the Sub-Regional Head for Africa Relationship Management, Country Manager and Executive Director for the Moody’s South African franchise.

Robert leads & manages the Control Risks’ East Africa business where he supports clients to be secure, resilient and compliant in their market entry, operations and growth across a footprint of ten countries.

Aurélien Mali is currently Vice President Senior Credit Officer. He acts as the firm’s expert in Africa. His position is a combined lead analyst and analytical outreach/credit ambassador role.