Speakers
The Nordic Nigeria
Connect 2023
Innovation for a Greener Future
Meet Our Speakers
Panel : Decoding the Nigerian market Moderated by Mr. Aanu Adeoye
Mr. Aanu Adeoye
West Africa Correspondent, Financial Times (FT), West Africa
Mr. Aanu Adeoye is a foreign correspondent at the FT, where he covers west and central Africa. He writes about politics, economics, technology, business and culture in (west) Africa. He appears regularly on TV and radio and podcasts around the world providing analysis to a global audience.
He is also an Associate Fellow of the Chatham House Leadership Academy, having previously served as the 2021-22 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellow with the Russia-Eurasia Programme at the institute. Before that, he was news editor at The Continent, the award-winning pan-African digital newsweekly designed to be read and shared on messaging apps.
Ms. Yvonne Ike
Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, Bank of America
Ms. Yvonne Ike is a managing director and head of Sub Saharan Africa (Ex-RSA) at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. She has more than 20 years of experience from the financial services, including capital markets operations and fixed income, derivatives and equities products. She was managing director at JP Morgan from 1984 to 2009, and a partner at Africapital Management Limited from 2009 to 2011. Ms. Ike started her career as an auditor with Ernst and Young International and has been an FSA registered representative since 1994.
Ms. Mira Mehta
Founder & CEO, Tomato Jos
Mira Mehta is co-founder and CEO of Tomato Jos. Before founding Tomato Jos, Miss Mehta worked in the financial services and healthcare sectors in New York and Nigeria, respectively, where she gained valuable technical skills, developed an empathetic worldview, and built a strong network that has empowered her to launch a business at the base of the pyramid. She is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Business School and has lived in Nigeria since 2008.
Mr. Carl Cruz
CEO/MD, Airtel Nigeria
Mr. Carl Cruz was the former Managing Director of Unilever West Africa and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unilever’s business in Africa’s largest economy, Unilever Nigeria. As Managing Director of Unilever West Africa, responsible for Unilever’s business in the sub-region comprising operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Francophone West Africa countries.
He was also the International Manager at Unilever, with over 29 years of FMCG experience across key business units of Home Care, Personal Care, and Foods in key Asian (Philippines, India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka) and African (West Africa) markets. Particularly strong in Leading & Transforming Organizations in D & E markets.
As of May 2023, he is the CEO/MD of Airtel Nigeria.
Panel: Nordic - Nigeria Next Moderated by Ms. Anthonia Adenaya Huard
Ms. Anthonia Adenaya Huard
Regional Director, West Africa & Transport Industry Lead-Africa, Business Sweden
Ms. Anthonia Adenaya Huard is passionate about investments, win-win partnerships and sustainable development in Africa, especially Women's participation in these developments.
She was instrumental to the realisation of several large strategic infrastructural projects in West Africa bringing together relevant ecosystems towards common SDG objectives.
+14 years in Management, business development, public affairs, and Multilateral financing. Strong track record and on-the-ground experience from over 30 African countries.
A proven leader and mentor recognised for her entrepreneurial mindset and positive impacts via several awards and media attentions within and outside her organisation.
Holds an MBA from ESSEC Business School, Paris, France, BSc (Hons) in Int´l Relations & Diplomacy in Les Cours Sononu, Benin Republic and Law in University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Panel : Nordic Business Stars
Mr. Mark Wopicho
Chief Technology Officer at Empower New Energy
Mark is the Chief Technical Officer at Empower New Energy. His role oversees the construction and operations of the assets, selection of technologies, and Health, Environment, and Safety related to projects. This includes monitoring research and development efforts, developing strategies and plans, promoting innovative ideas, and ensuring the successful delivery of projects.
Mark is a co-founder of the leading East-African EPC company and mini-grid developer PowerGen, where he until recently was Director of Commercial and Industrial Solar.
Mr. Morris Nyarko
Country Manager, Astrazeneca, Nigeria
Morris Nyarko is a multi-sector Pharma expert with over 18 years of experience cutting across various roles within the industry in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Currently the Country Manager, Astrazeneca Ng, he is credited with re-establishing the company’s footprint in Nigeria, establishing and leading a team of highly skilled and talented young industry professionals with ambition to become the next generation of industry leaders.
Morris has great passion for developing other talents and spends significant time mentoring and coaching. He spends his free time doing photography, reading, catching up with family and dancing.
Mr. Marco Rebecchi
Country Manager for Nokia, Nigeria & Ghana
Mr. Marco Rebecchi is the Country Manager for Nokia, responsible for Nigeria and Ghana. With over 20 years of experience in the telecom industry, working with Nokia, Alcatel, and Telecom Italia, Prior to his current position, Marco has led several projects and managed businesses in Nigeria, Ghana, and West Africa. He holds a master’s degree in Telecommunications and an Executive MBA from HEC Paris.