Routes Africa 2014

The Route Development Forum for Africa

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
22 – 24 June 2014

Strategy Summit Speakers

Honourable J.T.R Mujuru

Vice President, Zimbabwe

Honourable Joice T. R. Mujuru, the first female Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Second Secretary and Vice President of ZANU (PF) is also an elected Member of Parliament for Mount Darwin West Constituency. She was born in Mount Darwin on the 15th April 1955. She is the widow of the late retired General Solomon T. R. Mujuru and has four children and ten grand-children. Currently, she is studying for a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration.

At independence, aged 25 years, she was appointed a Cabinet Minister to become Zimbabwe’s first woman and youngest ever Cabinet Minister. She has held various Cabinet portfolios including: Youth, Sport and Recreation; Women’s Affairs and Community Development ; Women’s Affairs, Community Development and Co-operatives; First Woman Resident Minister and Governor for Mashonaland Central Province; Information, Posts and Telecommunications and Water Resources and Development. She has also served as Acting Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Agriculture - the only female to hold these posts in the history of Zimbabwe.

In 2004, Hon J.T.R. Mujuru was elected as the first female Vice President of ZANU PF and subsequently appointed as the first female Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, a post she holds up to date. Hon. Vice President Mujuru’s passion has been the emancipation of women and youths through empowerment projects – such as sugar cane production, horticulture, poultry and piggery. She is well known for actively promoting government–business interaction and cooperation in order to improve economic performance of the country. She has also joined the “re-greening” initiatives urging Zimbabweans to plant trees.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Mr. David Chawota

Chief Executive Officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe

Mr. David Chawota has been at the helm of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe since 2004. He is the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics, majoring in Airborne Radio and Radar Equipment from the University of Bucharest, Romania and a Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of Zimbabwe.  He holds many certificate qualifications in aviation systems management, safety and security oversight management, and telecommunications systems management and computer science.

Work Experience

He worked in the Aeronautical Inspection Services Department in the Airforce of Zimbabwe before joining civil aviation. Mr. Chawota joined the Department of Civil Aviation in 1984 in the then Ministry of Transport and Energy where he held various senior positions including that of Chief Advisor to the Director responsible for Aeronautical Telecommunications and Air Navigation where he gained extensive experience in the management and implementation of aviation safety and security systems and the development of Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Systems (CNS/ATM). He has extensive experience in the development of aviation policies, rules and regulations in air traffic control, aeronautical information services, communication operations, air navigation systems, airport systems and flight safety standards. He actively participated in the creation of the current independent Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe from a Department in the Ministry of Transport and Energy.  Mr Chawota was the Vice President of African Civil Aviation Commission – Southern Region for three years running: 2011 to 2013.

Impact on CAAZ

Mr. Chawota was instrumental in the implementation of aviation projects in Zimbabwe, including airspace management systems, airport rehabilitation and development and setting the platform for conducive and compliant aviation regulatory regime.

He is a member of the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE)-UK and The Engineering Council-UK. Capacity building is high on Mr. Chawota’s priority agenda.  He rebuilt the Authority when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2006 by putting a substantive Executive and Senior Management in place to regularize aviation systems in Zimbabwe.  Management and staff are being trained and developed in a wide range of disciplines at local and international institutions of higher learning. Furthermore CAAZ spearheaded the implementation of the all stakeholders Common Customer Services Programme at all domestic and international airports in Zimbabwe. It was in recognition of CAAZ achievements in high standards that it was awarded the best Corporate Identity Trophy at the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo (Shanyai/Vakatshani) in 2007.

Awards:

1.         SMI - Dynamics of Success and Management

Zimbabwe Institute of Management:  Manager of the Year Award – 1st Runner Up (2008)

2.         Zimbabwe Institute of Management: Manager of the Year Award – 2nd Runner Up (2009)

3.         National Tourism Award (2013)

4.         Silver Jubilee Award

The past nine years have not been easy for any business organization in Zimbabwe and CAAZ was not an exception. The business environment was hyper-inflationary and passenger and aircraft movements declined on a monthly basis from 2000 to date.  However, CAAZ managed to hold on and to launch ambitious upgrading, modernisation refurbishment projects for the country’s major airports and aviation systems and staff development. Under his leadership, CAAZ managed to achieve and maintain International Civil Aviation Organisation compliance on safety and security oversight, a major contributor to industry confidence and tourism facilitation

Participating Talks and Sessions

Hon. Dr.O.M. Mpofu (MP)

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe

HON. Dr. Obert Moses Mpofu is the incumbent Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development and an elected Member of Parliament for Umguza Constituency. Dr Mpofu’s arrival in the Ministry has brought remarkable interest to the sector due to his astounding energy and emphasis on delivery.

In 1967 Hon. Dr. Mpofu joined the liberation struggle and later proceeded for military training at Morogoro Camp in Tanzania. He is proudly and happily married to Hon. Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu who is also a Member of Parliament.

Prior to his illustrious political career, Dr. Mpofu was a seasoned civil servant, among the first black people to take over the reins at the then Customs and Excise Department under the Ministry of Finance. Subsequently, Hon. Dr. Mpofu held several high profile positions both in the public and private sectors.

Hon. Dr. Mpofu is an inspiration to most people in the academic field as demonstrated by his unrelenting commitment to continually develop and self-actualize. He is a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Policy Studies obtained from the Zimbabwe Open University. He is also a holder of a Masters Degree in Policy Studies and a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) Degree with the University of New Delhi in India.

His current leadership positions in government include; Secretary for Economic Affairs, Zanu PF; Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Member of the Committee on Infrastructure and Utilities.

He fearlessly fought for the certification of Zimbabwean diamonds which today are a significant contributor to the country’s economic turnaround. Hon. Dr. Mpofu is an astute indigenous businessman whose desire for black empowerment spans several years from the time he was actively involved with the Affirmative Action Group. He recently received an Award in Cape Town for his distinguished philanthropic activities to communities in and outside his Umguza Constituency.

Honourable Engineer Walter Mzembi (MP)

Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Zimbabwe

Engineer Walter Mzembi, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry studied at the Northern Technical College in
Ndola, Zambia, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation from College,
he held a number of positions in the engineering industry in both Bulawayo and Harare.

In 2006 he was appointed Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Water Resources and Development, where he won pundits for
his work on the Rehabilitation of the Harare Water Works. He assumed his current position of Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the inclusive grand coalition government formed in 2009 to end a decade of economic melt-down caused by the political and economic crisis that had gripped the Southern African country, leading to its isolation by some of the major developed economies of the West. Under the inclusive government, Mzembi immediately set out on a mission to seek accommodation and engagement for Zimbabwe with the whole international community. This led to the softening of
western attitudes towards Zimbabwe. That, in turn, led to the easing and removal of negative

Participating Talks and Sessions

Minister Jean Kapata

Minister of Tourism and Arts for Zambia

Honourary Minister Jean Kapata currently serves as the Minister of Tourism and Arts for Zambia, and is a registered emergency nurse. Prior to this appointment, Jean Kapata was Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health for Zambia.

She is married with two children.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Ms T Xasa

Deputy Minister of Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal

Hon. Tokozile Xasa is the first Deputy Minister of Tourism following the establishment of the Department in 2009.  Born from a humble rural background of Libode in the Eastern Cape, she has never lost touch with her roots as she reached the peak of her illustrious public service career.  Ms Xasa is blessed with three children, two daughters and a son.  A former educator, with over nine years of experience teaching in several schools. 

In her long political career, Xasa became the first female Mayor of a district municipality in the transitional period of local government in the Eastern Cape.  This is where she demonstrated zest and mettle in her duties which eventually paved way for her to sit in the ANC Provincial Legislature from 2001 to 2009. 

A shrewd ANC activist, Xasa served as the Regional Secretary for the Transkei Women’s League from 1993 to 1995 and progressed to become a National Executive Member of the Women’s League from 1995 to 1997. Xasa’s meteoric political career also saw her serving two terms as the Provincial Treasurer of the ANC in the Eastern Cape.  

Tokozile Xasa holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Fort Hare. For her junior degree, she majored in Public Administration and Psychology from the Walter Sisulu University – previously known as the University of Transkei (UNITRA)

Participating Talks and Sessions

Edmund Makona

Acting CEO, Air Zimbabwe

Edmund MAKONA is currently the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Air Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, the national flag carrier of Zimbabwe employing about 800 people. He also serves as an ex officio member of the Airline’s Board of Directors. The organisation operates both domestic and regional flights and plans are underway to resume international flights.

His prior responsibility was Head of Quality, Safety and Security of Air Zimbabwe to which he has also been leading the IOSA program since 2007.Edmund Makona is a qualified aeronautical engineer by profession , has also served in various portfolios in the Airline including ground school technical conversion for pilots and training for engineers. He has represented Air Zimbabwe on various industry fora and has been involved in safety initiatives jointly spearheaded by AFRAA and IATA to a number of African Airlines.

His aviation career spans over thirty (30) years and is a strong believer in African Aviation Renaissance.

Africa is yet to release its full aviation potential and the best is coming

Participating Talks and Sessions

Dr. Elijah Chingosho

Secretary General, AFRAA

Dr Elijah CHINGOSHO is the Secretary General and CEO of AFRAA and in this capacity provides strategic direction to the Association and promotes the common interests of member airlines in conjunction with the Executive Committee. Engineer Elijah holds three Masters Degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Design, Business Administration and Transport Economics as well as a Doctorate in Business Administration. He holds several professional qualifications including being a Chartered Engineer with the United Kingdom Engineering Council, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He also holds three IATA Diplomas in Safety Management Systems for Airlines, Airline Operations and Cost Management Systems. Group Captain Elijah Chingosho worked for 13 years for the Air Force of Zimbabwe where on leaving he was the Director of Engineering, and then he became General Manager Engineering for Air Zimbabwe for about 3 years. Elijah joined AFRAA in November 2001. Elijah has authored four books including Elementary Aircraft Propulsion in 1989 and African Airlines in the Era of Liberalisation in 2005 (second edition 2009), Strategic Management, Text and Cases and General Management (2007).

Participating Talks and Sessions

Raphael Kuuchi

Vice President, Africa, IATA

Raphael Kuuchi is the IATA Vice President for Africa. He has many years’ experience in air transport management, operations and consulting. After working with an airline for 13 years, he joined the Nairobi-based African Airlines Association (AFRAA) in 2005, as Commercial Director and later as Director Commercial, Corporate and Industry Affairs. In this capacity, Mr. Kuuchi initiated and oversaw many projects in airlines business development, commercial operations, IT and communication, liberalization/market access, aero-political/regulatory affairs and training across Africa.

Now as Vice President for Africa, Mr. Kuuchi is leading the IATA Africa team in providing support to the growth and development of aviation and working with stakeholders to ensure safe, reliable, competitive and environmentally sustainable aviation business in Africa. Top on his priority list are issues of safety and security, liberalization, reducing the high cost of operations, regulatory harmonization, capacity building and the environment.

Mr. Kuuchi holds an MBA from Henley Management College, UK and a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT) UK.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Mr. Karikoga Kaseke

Chief Executive, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

Mr. Karikoga Kaseke is the current Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. He was appointed in July 2005 on reassignment from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, where he was Permanent Secretary.  During the first year of his appointment he made a great impact and demonstrated excellent leadership qualities for the country’s tourist board and the tourism sector at large.

Since coming to the ZTA his preoccupation has been in transforming the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority into a strategy focused organisation and building a winning team of motivated staff. Through his leadership, the Authority witnessed great strides and initiatives fostering the development of Tourism in Zimbabwe. He pioneered the restructuring of the Authority, making the organisation more focused and results oriented. With his visionary leadership and results-oriented approach, Mr. Kaseke also facilitated intensive rebranding exercises. Having seen various attempts to rebrand the destination since 1996, Mr. Kaseke birthed the new destination brand ‘Zimbabwe A World of Wonders’ in October 2010, which has since been launched in various local and international Markets and has received overwhelming responses.

Mr. Karikoga Kaseke is a holder of several qualifications which include: Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management (Singapore Aviation Academy), BSc Honours Degree in political and Administrative Studies (University of Zimbabwe), Post graduate Diploma in Aviation Management (University Of Singapore), Masters Degree in Public Administration (University of Zimbabwe), Masters Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management (University of Zimbabwe), Masters of Science Degree in Transportation Systems and Management (University Of Singapore) and Masters in Business Administration (Newport University - USA).

Furthermore, he sits on a number of local and international boards. He is also  Board member of the WHO’S WHO Advisory Board as “an honour bestowed to only a few elite members of the WHO’S WHO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. The WHO’S WHO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, an international society of professionals selected Mr K Kaseke to its memberships a “testament of (His) professional, academic and civic achievements”

Participating Talks and Sessions

Thulani Zulu

CEO, Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL)

Thulani Zulu became the eighth CEO to lead Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL) - a provincial airport authority located  in the Limpopo Province in South Africa , with 45 ( forty five minutes) flying distance from Oliver Tambo International Airport in Gauteng, when he took on the role of Chief Executive Officer from 25 January 2011.Prior to joining Gateway Airports Authority Limited, Mr Zulu has 17 years’ experience with the aviation industry having started at Airports Company South Africa, Durban International Airport as a Marketing Manager and part of his responsibility was to provide secretariat for the Airport Steering committee - which was responsible for the development of Greenfield airport, King Shaka International Airport. This committee comprised of political, Business, Union and community leaders.

Thulani was seconded to Kwa Zulu Natal Tourism Authority to start aviation Development Unit. His mandate was to sell the role of aviation to support tourism development in Kwazulu Natal. Currently Kwazulu Natal will be hosting World Routes Conference in 2015.

Thulani was then promoted to be Manager Stakeholder Relationship for Domestic Airports under ACSA stable. His role was to facilitate partnership between Domestic airports and the regions where all Airports Company Airport operate.

During year 2006, the National government of South Africa took a decision to build a Greenfield   King Shaka International Airport in preparation for 2010 soccer World cup. Thulani was nominated to lead stakeholder relationship when Durban International Airport was to be decommissioned and King Shaka International Airport Greenfield facility was to be commissioned.   This process was done through the   Operations Readiness and Airport Transfer programme. 

Participating Talks and Sessions

Mattijs Smith

Kilimanjaro Airports Development Company (KADCO), Managing Director

Mattijs Smith is an airport strategy and business development professional with a broad international management and consulting experience in the aviation industry. He gained his experience in airport strategy and commercial development at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol where he was responsible for corporate business development and later on for the acquisition and development of the international participations, exporting AirportCity concept of Schiphol to airports worldwide.

 After 8 years working for Schiphol Group Mattijs became an international airport advisor and trainer, supporting airport management with the strategic and business development of airports, predominantly in emerging markets of Asia, Middle East and Africa.

 In 2013 he joined Kilimanjaro Airports Development Company (KADCO) as managing director, responsible for the overall management and operation of Kilimanjaro International Airport situated in Northern Tanzania. An important part of his work focuses on KIA rehabilitation project to upgrade the aviation related infrastructure (including its aprons, taxiways and terminal).

Mattijs holds a Masters degree in Business Economics from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Richard Bodin

Chief Commercial Officer, Fastjet

Richard Bodin is the Chief Commercial Officer of Fastjet, the low-cost pan-African airline. He heads sales and marketing, revenue management, ancillary revenues and the on-board product portfolio at fastjet, and sits on the operating board as an Executive Director where he assists in leading strategy and development of the business. Richard assumed his current role when the airline launched operations domestically in Tanzania in November 2012, and has helped grow the fastjet to where it is today – an airline that is democratising air travel across the African continent and providing choice to passengers who previously weren’t able to travel by air. Richard has spent his entire working life in travel and tourism, specialising in launching start-ups and executing business turnaround strategies with outstanding results. After working 10 years overseas for the UK tour operator First Choice, he returned to the UK to complete an MBA. He then joined easyJet in its early years assisting in its growth from a pre-Air Operators Certificate, wet lease operator to an operation that had over 35 B737’s flying an extensive route map across Europe. After easyJet, Richard has led the launch low cost airline Jet2.com in the UK; conceived and launched a brand new UK Tour Operator called Jet2holidays; carried out a turnaround project for the Virgin Travel Group; and launched easyJet holidays and an Online Travel Agent. He holds an MBA in Strategy, Finance, Marketing and HR from the University of Bradford, and resides in the United Kingdom. 

Participating Talks and Sessions

Saxen van Coller

Chief Executive Officer, Dube TradePort Corporation

Saxen van Coller provides strategic direction and leadership to Dube TradePort Corporation and its advancement of KwaZulu-Natal's single biggest infrastructural project, Dube TradePort, located 30km north of Durban and at the heart of the aerotropolis emerging in the Province's strategically important northern development corridor between Umhlanga and Ballito.

Dube TradePort Corporation is a Schedule 3C Public Entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government in South Africa. The organisation she heads is mandated to vigorously drive the growth and development of a master-planned airport city, creating a world-class passenger and air-freight hub and Southern Africa's premier air logistics platform.

A recognised business leader, well-known for her ability to craft and execute strategic vision and to meeting and exceeding enterprise objectives, Saxen brings to Dube TradePort Corporation well in excess of 15 years top management experience and expertise with a range of major South African organisations.

With an impressively solid background in the diverse fields of textiles, petro-chemicals, manufacturing, and the medical and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) environments, Saxen offers Dube TradePort Corporation compelling business insights. She utilises a unique blend of executive acumen, exceptionally strong operational and technological solutions development capabilities and the capacity to unite members of staff behind the brand and the vision it represents, to achieve results and create successes within her business activities. She is totally committed to working, with her team, in the quest to create outside Durban a premier air logistics platform and a highly competitive Smart Airport City operating environment.

Recognising that Dube TradePort is a key component of KwaZulu-Natal's economic growth strategy, Saxen - together with the staff complement for which she is responsible - is steadfast in her dedication to ensuring the precinct's ultimate expansion as the backbone of a highly efficient, totally integrated economic development region within KwaZulu-Natal.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Youri Busaan

CEO, AERCO Airports of Congo

Youri BUSAAN has over 20 years of experience in the airfreight and passenger industry, development with and for airlines, forwarders and the tourism industry, air cargo handling, ramp and airport management. He got his first experience working for an air cargo broker in Belgium and set up a division for the same company in Africa. Youri continued his African experience taking on a humanitarian mission in Djibouti and Somalia before returning to Rwanda where he managed a computer and electronics firm. After his return to Europe in 1994 he started working for KLM Cargo Belgium as Commercial Manager later on working for the Business Unit Logistics streamlining solutions for a shipper portfolio. In August 2001 Youri will join SNC Lavalin airports’ division where he became Deputy Development Director, progressing through various operational management positions to become CEO of Paris-Vatry Airport. Youri BUSAAN is currently with EGIS Airport Operation as CEO of AERCO – Airports of Congo, the management company of the airports of Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire & Ollombo.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Christophe Allard

CEO, Korongo Airlines

Christophe Allard started his aviation career as Head of the African Projects at Brussels Airlines in 2005. As such he was involved in many key developments in Central and Eastern Africa all triggered by Brussels Airlines  ambitious Africa strategy. In 2009, as Project Manager, he launched Korongo Airlines in the DRC, a joint-venture between Brussels Airlines and Groupe Forrest International. In 2010 he was appointed as Chief Executive.  Korongo Airlines operates under an ACMI agreement with Brussels Airlines and has established the 1st EU compliant airline in the blacklisted DRC offering a safe, reliable and world-class product in a very challenging environment. Korongo Airlines services domestic and regional cities out of Lubumbashi.  The airline is now on the verge to extend its fleet and destination portfolio to meet additional demand and secure cross feeding in the region with Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Group members. 

Participating Talks and Sessions

Eneida Fernandes

Private Sector Development Specialist, Africa Region, The World Bank

With experience in private sector development and working with private sector governance at the national and local levels, tourism national and international organizations and donor community in wide range of developing countries for more than 20 years, inside and outside of the World Bank, Eneida has supported development and capacity building of both the private and public sector in countries such as Brazil, Ethiopia, Mozambique and the United States.

Eneida joined the Finance and Private Sector Unit in the Africa Region of the World Bank in 2010. Prior to joining the Africa Region in the World Bank, Eneida Sustainable Development Network for Latin America and the Caribbean supporting the tourism development initiatives in St. Lucia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and the Colombian/ Brazilian Amazon. In the Africa Region her work has focused on offering support and preparing new private sector development operations in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Cape Verde and Trade and Visa Facilitation activities such as the support to implementation of the KAZA Univisa.

Eneida has also authored and co-authored knowledge products at the regional level that include the Africa Tourism Report as well as country specific studies for Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde and Comoros among others.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Chris Zweigenthal

Chief Executive, Airlines Association of Southern Africa

Chris Zweigenthal has over 24 years experience in the Airline Industry notably with South African Airways, where he held senior positions in the Petroleum Affairs, Flight Operations, Marketing Planning and Global Passenger Services departments, as well as Managing Director of SA Alliance Air based in Kampala, Uganda.   In February 2002, Chris joined the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) as Deputy Chief Executive and was appointed Chief Executive on 1 March 2009.  AASA is the SADC airline representative Association dealing with Government and Industry Stakeholders and Partners on strategic, aeropolitical, regulatory, policy, financial and operational issues affecting its Members.  AASA has 20 Airline Members, which are the commercial scheduled airlines of South and Southern Africa and 31 Associate Members comprising industry manufacturers, suppliers, service providers and partners of the airline industry.   

Participating Talks and Sessions

Wilken Bellmann

Head of Network Development, Long Haul and Fares, Condor Airlines

Wilken Bellmen is Head of Network Development and Fares at Condor Flugdienst GmbH. He was appointed to his current role at Condor in 2011 after previous roles at both Condor and Air berlin. Wilken oversees Revenue Management and Network development for Long-Haul. Jan has played a key role in the development of several new long haul routes, including the introduction of Manchester – Barbados/Antigua/Saint Lucia services for Thomas Cook Airlines UK. As well as establishing Munich as the second long haul base for Condor in Germany.

Wilken holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business in Tourism Business Studies from the Management Centre Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria, he is fluent in German, English and Spanish.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Boris Divjak

Business Regulation Specialist -West and Central Africa, Investment Climate - IFC Dakar

Boris Divjak is a macroeconomist, with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Reading, UK and the Karl-Franzens University of Graz as well as a master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Reading.Until 2008, he consulted the World Bank, the European Commission, USAID and other bilateral and multilateral donors, contributing to their development programs throughout the Balkans. From 2008 to June 2010 he was the Project Manager of the World Bank Group's Investment Climate Advisory Services in Azerbaijan. From June 2010 to October 2012 he worked as Operations Officer in the Washington DC main office of Investment Climate of the World Bank, on a similar range of issues, focusing on the Lusophone Africa and several other countries. From October 2012 he assumes the post of the Business Regulations Lead for West and Central Africa. He currently works in the Dakar hub of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group on business enabling environment and private sector development

Participating Talks and Sessions

Minister Fernando Maquengo

Minister of Transport and Public Works, Sao Tome and Principe

Mr. Fernando Maquengo has been the Minister for Public Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Natural Resources and the
Environment in the Government of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe since January 2014. Mr. Maquengo assumed that position from his prior post as the Director of the National Oil Agency.

Before that, he has occupied several public posts, including that of the Minister of Labour and Solidarity. As the Director of the National Oil Agency, Mr. Maquengo managed auctions of oil blocks in the archipelago’s exclusive economic zone as well as the joint economic zone with Nigeria, based on a treaty signed in 2001, between the two countries. 

As the Minister in charge of transport, Mr. Maquengo directly oversees the operations of the two international airports: in Sao
Tome and in Principe and the operations of the archipelago’s seaports, as well as the flow of transportation through these.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Katie Bland

Director, Routes, UBM Live

Katie Bland is Director of Routes which is part of the Transport and Technology division of UBM; a leading global events-led marketing and communications services business. Based in Manchester at the Routes head office Katie heads up the Routes business which is focused entirely on aviation route development and the company's portfolio includes events, media and online businesses.

Katie has almost 20 years experience in the events industry having worked for a range of exhibition and media organisations including Emap, Informa and Reed and Montgomery Exhibitions. Joining Routes in 2005 Katie spent the first five years leading the Sales Team followed by a move into the role of Future Hosts Director where she was responsible for securing future hosts for nine annual events in the Routes and Airport Cities portfolios. She has now moved into her most recent role as Director of Routes. She is based in Routes’ Manchester head office.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Jeremy Robinson

Legal Director, Hill Dickinson

Jeremy is a lawyer with particular expertise in regulatory and competition law problems in the aviation sector.  Formerly a partner at boutique aviation law firm Gates & Partners LLP (London and Brussels), Jeremy joined Hill Dickinson in March 2014 as part of a new aviation law team offering a full legal service to the industry.  Jeremy has advised airlines on a whole range of issues from the regulation of airline mergers by the EU; State Aid for regional airports; the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for Aviation; airport charges; predatory pricing; airline ownership and control; consumer law; compliance with competition law and airport regulation.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Tebello Mokhema

Director, Membership, Communications and Strategy, ACI Africa

Tebello has extensive background in the fields of Organisational development, learning and development and airport operations. She is engaged in an international organizational development experience through her secondment by Airports Company South Africa to assist in establishing a viable and effecting regional office for ACI Africa. She has developed depth in business acumen, communication and organizational agility and has led the process ofreorganizing the ACSA Training Academy into a financially viable institution in her role as Group Manager: Training, Development & Talent Management. She has also been responsible for the development and implementation of the relevant leadership development programmes for senior and executives in ACSA which also included the management of the ACSA Women Development Programme.

She is a rounded up African executive with extensive training in Law, philosophy and business leadership with extensive experiences in employment equity and transformation.  Prior to working for Airports Company South Africa she was employed by Eskom and Nedbank, respectively. During her tenure in ACSA, Tebello has participated in regional and continental forums that aim to address the issues relating to the improvement of skills within the airport management and operations areas, She has been part of the team that developed the guidelines and principles for the creation of the Association of Aviation Training Organizations (Africa) (an ICAO supported organization).

Her current role as the Director of Communication, Membership and Strategy in ACI Africa, includes working closely with the ACI Africa Secretary General in the development and implementation of the ACI Africa business strategy; review and update of membership; developing communication channels with members; planning and management of the various ACI Africa conferences and representing ACI Africa in related forums at ACI World and within the aviation industry.

Tebello has obtained a BA Law and BA Honours (Philosophy) degrees through the University of Durban-Westville. She has also completed the Management Development Programme (University of Stellenbosch) and Executive Development Programme (Gordon Institute of Business Science).

Tebello has a passion for development of people and the harnessing of talent within organizations.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Bertrand Pabon

Market Strategy Director, ATR

Bertrand Pabon was appointed to his position within ATR in January 2011 and provides market research, business intelligence, marketing plan and sales support.

Bertrand Pabon has been involved in aviation since 1999 when he joined Air France in long term network and fleet planning department. He took part in long haul fleet renewing process, alliances and partnerships development. With an accurate view of strategic topics, he then joined operational activities through various management positions during the most exciting and challenging years of last decade, leading restructuring projects in various domains.

Mr Pabon graduated from french “Grandes Ecoles” ISAE in Toulouse and holds a master degree in Air Transport and Aerospace Economics from Toulouse School of Economics

Participating Talks and Sessions

Imed Ben Abdallah

Head of Airline Marketing, Middle East & Africa, Bombardier Aerospace

Imed Ben Abdallah has over 15 years Airline experience across North America and Middle East. He recently joined Bombardier as the Regional Manager of Airline Marketing – Middle East and Africa based in Dubai. Imed is a regular contributor to Routes with his prior role in Etihad Airways as Head of Network Planning during the last 7 years. Prior to that, he occupied multiple roles in Sabre Airline Solutions, Delta Airlines, and Gulf Air in Bahrain. His credentials include a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from Ecole Centrale Paris in France

Participating Talks and Sessions

Helder Tomas

Deputy-Director, Regional programme for Africa, UNWTO

Born in Mozambique, Helder Tomas has Master’s degree on Tourism Planning, Development and Management by ESHTM of Madrid and the University of Girona in Catalonia, Spain. He joined the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2001, in the framework of the celebrations of the International Year of Ecotourism (2002) declared by the United Nations.  

Between 2003 and 2009, he joins the Regional Representation for Africa as Senior Assistant, with the main responsibility of assisting in the implementation of the program of work of the Organization in Africa, with special attention to technical cooperation. In 2010 he is appointed Deputy Regional Director for the Regional Programme for Africa.

He actively participated in the conception of the curricula for the first specialized course on Tourism Management in Mozambique; is a founding member of the Friends of Tourism Association; and is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.

Participating Talks and Sessions